Review: Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya (Tulum, Mexico)
About Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya
The Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya is a tropical resort that offers a blend of natural beauty & luxury. Nestled along the stunning Caribbean coastline near Tulum, Mexico, this resort provides a serene and picturesque setting for a relaxing getaway. The resort features unique elements such as its architecture inspired by indigenous traditions, sustainable design, and an emphasis on preserving the natural environment.
Photo: hilton.com
Our Stay At A Glance:
- Average Nightly Cost During Stay: $925 ($1,258 all-in)
- Loyalty Program: Hilton Honors
- Loyalty Category: N/A – 100,000 Points per night
- Discount Applied: Free Night Certificate
- Room Type as Booked: Tropical View Guestroom With King Bed
- Room Upgrade: Ocean View Rom – King Bed
- Resort Fee: N/A
- Parking Fee: N/A
Booking/Redemption
Hilton Honors Diamond Benefits
Hilton Honors Diamond elites receive exceptional benefits at the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, including complimentary room upgrades (based on availability), a $25 per person per day food and beverage credit (or complimentary daily continental breakfast), and late check-out.
Location & Parking
Located about 30 minutes north of the Mexican town of Tulum on the Caribbean coast, the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya enjoys a prime beachfront location, allowing guests to bask in the beauty of the turquoise waters and powdery white sands.
The resort provides ample parking options for guests (including valet service), although many guests will arrive via airport transfer. Like many hotels in the Mayan Riviera, Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya has heavy security and requires a check at the gate to gain access to the resort.
Photo: hilton.com
Lobby
The lobby area of the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya is elegant and inviting, designed with a modern and warm aesthetic. The open and airy space sets the tone for the luxurious experience that awaits guests.
Front Desk & Check-In
As soon as we arrived, we were ushered over to a couch to complete the check-in process while being gifted with refreshing lemon & vodka(?) welcome drinks.
We were also informed (via the Hilton app prior to arrival) that we had been upgraded to an Ocean View Room.
Room Upgrade
Room Key
Elevator Area
Hallway
Walkthrough Tour: Ocean View King Bed Room
Room Entrance
Our Ocean View King Bed Room at the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya offered incredible views of the Caribbean Sea (and the resort grounds). 
Living Area
Mini-Bar
Closet
Bathroom
The Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya offers the popular Byredo Mojave Ghost toiletry products in its guest rooms. These high-quality amenities smell great and added to the overall experience of feeling of a luxury stay.
And yes, even the shower has its own ocean view.
 
Balcony
Photo: hilton.com
Plunge Pool
The highlight of the room was the heated plunge pool on the balcony (I believe all rooms at the Conrad Tulum have this feature), although it you must fill the pool yourself – and did take quite some time to fill – but it did have lighting that changed colors.
View From The Room
We pretty much had a direct, central view of the bay.
Dining Options
Dining options at the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya include Arbolea, a restaurant that offers a range of international and local flavors, showcasing the region’s culinary diversity. Another option is Crudo, where guests can savor fresh seafood dishes and creative ceviches (and tropical alcoholic drinks).
For a more elevated dining experience, Autor provides a sophisticated atmosphere and a menu featuring innovative and artfully presented dishes. Kengai offers a delicious fusion of Japanese and Mexican cuisine.
Dinner At Autur
Dining at Autor wass an exceptional experience, with each dish offering a harmonious blend of flavors and artistic presentation, taking guests on a culinary journey showcasing Mexican ingredients with modern twists.
During our stay, we had the option of ordering off the traditional or Christmas menus, and we went with the traditional menu. With each course, the waiter, and in some cases – the chef AND the manager – came over to explain the food concept (or drink), the historical inspiration of the dish, and the local Mexican ingredients that were used.
First up, we ordered a couple of Mezcal based drinks – the “Prehispanico” was incredible. For appetizers, we went with the scallops and bao buns, and for the main course we tried the Aged Octopus and Striped Bass. Everything was excellent.
And if you were wondering what’s in the egg…(see below).
 Breakfast At Arborlea
 Breakfast At ArborleaAt Arbolea, guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet with a variety of options including freshly baked pastries, tropical fruits, and made-to-order omelets.
We ate at Arbolea every morning of our stay, and we really enjoyed the delicious and huge spread at the breakfast buffet (complimentary for Hilton Diamond members).
Lunch At Crudo
Lunch At CrudoFor lunch, Crudo offers a selection of seafood specialties and light bites, perfect for enjoying a casual yet flavorful meal. The menu includes ceviches, salads, and refreshing cocktails, all crafted with the freshest ingredients.
Although the ceviches were great, surprisingly, we were not fans of their drinks – namely the Mariachi and the Pineapple Swizzle. They were so unbalanced we didn’t even finish them.
Dinner At Kengai
Kengai offers an exquisite dining experience with its fusion of Japanese and Mexican cuisine. Guests can savor the flavors of carefully crafted sushi, sashimi, and other delectable dishes in a chic and stylish setting.
We dined at Kengai on our second night, opting for something less formal that Autur.
We tried a variety of items, including the Thai roll, pad thai, and tikka masala – and they were all good – but not great. We weren’t disappointed by any means, just not blown away like we were the night before.
  
Uber Bar
Marketplace
Walking The Property
Photo: hilton.com
Activities
There are plenty of activities to explore near the resort, including sampling delicious local cuisine and shopping for artisanal crafts in Tulum. Guests can also enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean or arrange excursions to nearby must-see archaeological sites and natural wonders of Tulum.
The resort offered rental bikes, snorkeling (and snorkeling gear), and even a little coastal trail.
Coastal Trail
Rental Bikes
Beachfront
The beach at the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya is a pristine stretch of white sand, fringed by swaying palm trees and stray mangrove trees overlooking the bay. Guests can enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the gentle waves.
Unfortunately for us, a huge Caribbean storm hit the coast during our stay, so we were unable to check-out the snorkeling.
Swimming Pool(s)
The many swimming pools at the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya feature modern, inviting designs. With several strategically-placed pools, guests are never far away. Some are infinity pools, while others are secluded and surrounded by lush tropical foliage.
Spa & Fitness Center
The Spa and Fitness Center at the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya offer a range of wellness and relaxation experiences. The spa provides a tranquil sanctuary where guests can indulge in rejuvenating treatments inspired by the surrounding Yucatan.
The fitness center is well-equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for those looking to maintain their fitness routine during their stay.
Photo: hilton.com
The Bottom-Line Review: Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya (Tulum, Mexico)
The recently opened (and still uncompleted) Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya is an exceptional resort that offers an exclusive and upscale experience. The resort’s location is ideal but secluded, boasting a pristine beach area that allows guests to soak up the sun and enjoy the turquoise waters, while situated 30 minutes north of Tulum. We really enjoyed our stay, even if the weather didn’t fully cooperate.
Our room upgrade to an Ocean View King Guestroom (on the top floor) with its balcony plunge pool, provided a perfect oasis to relax, enjoy the views of the Caribbean Sea, and stargaze at night.
One of the highlights of the stay was our dining experience at Autor. Let me just say, I’ve eaten at some great restaurants in Mexico City, and I would put our dining experience Autur right up there. In fact, I’d put this dining experience in my top 5 in Mexico (yes, it was that good). We were also pleased with our Hilton Diamond benefits which provided complimentary and delicious breakfast buffet Arbolea restaurant.
The only minor negatives we experienced were the “no bueno” drinks at Crudo and “just OK” food at Kengai.
With its stunning ocean views, overall great dining options (I’m talking about you, Autur), excellent service, and beautiful beach area, we rate the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya a final rating of 9 out of 10. It is an ideal destination for couples, foodies, and families looking for upscale privacy.
Final Rating: 9 out of 10
