We stayed for 10 nights at Retiro Maya and it was our first time in Tulum. In our internet research we were astonished about the high prices for the beach cabanas (US$ 150) compared to other places like Asia where you pay for a similar quality US$ 40 or less. But that's Tulum. The Retiro Maya offers an interesting mix of simplicity (sand floor, no electricity) and luxury (private terrace with deckchairs and mattress, very comfortable king size bed, nicely decorated and open bathroom). All cabanas are some kind of linked with each other, they don't stand alone. We had an ocean front cabana which was just 25 meters to the beach - lovely view and very convenient.
Lu - the owner - is very helpful and all staff members were very friendly.
There are more rustic cabanas and also more luxury cabanas around, but the Retiro Maya offers a good mixture - although the simplicity felt a bit artifical to me because there was a concrete floor below the sand and an electric cable without bulb over the bed. On the other hand we really enjoyed the candle light atmosphere (but you need a torch to read!).
We were also very happy with the beach area and the location. Great for walking on the beach and not too far to Tulum Pueblo (by taxi or hitch-hiking).

The welcome here was cold and distance as was the answer to all inquiries, no matter how mild. The food was mediocre. Employee unhappiness was rampant. The chef quit. Others were looking for new jobs. It is one of the few hotels/cabanas without a night watchman. Two guests had items stolen from their cabanas including a high-end cell phone and the hotel extended no help such as an offer of a cell phone or e-mail to call the provider. I, a fellow guest, ended up driving the guest into town to make his cell phone arrangements. Appointments from routine tours to massages to laundry were time-consuming to make and often goofed-up. The owner told our group of guests at the end of our stay that since the employees made so little money, we should tip them generously because the owner believe in abundance!!!. The beach is beautiful, the full room I had was great, and the location is paradise and one hundred yards in either direction is the same thing offered by properties that know the meaning of hospitality and have a deep appreciation for their guests.

This small group of cabanas is on a beautiful beach. There are a lot of other hotels and restaurants on the beach but it did not seem crowded at all, perhaps because we were there before Christmas and all the tourists. The cabana was very romantic, but remember that it gets very dark at night as all you have for light is a few candles. I would recommend bringing a small flashlight to locate any items dropped on the sand floor. The bathroom has a flushing toilet and perfectly working shower but you better not be shy, as anyone walking by in the right angle could see you. I really enjoyed staying at an eco-friendly hotel, but I was concerned with how environmentally friendly their flushing toilets really are. Another important note, you are not allowed to bring food into the hotel. There was a restaurant but it was closed and so were the other ones further down the beach. We found ourselves starving at dinnertime with no taxis traveling by in the dark. We were lucky to catch a ride with a family going to Tulum, or we would have been very hungry and probably not able to enjoy our stay... So, plan accordingly.

Do not get a cabana near the kitchen. I am all for roughing it and enjoying an eco-friendly cabana but from the moment we checked in, there were the biggest cockroaches I have ever seen just cruising across our bed. We told Lu who got the place fumigated (staying in a now toxic room is not the most romantic way to vacation!). The next day, even more LARGE cockroaches were seen crawling around...yes, they were crawling over the handful that actually did die from the fumigation. All and all, not an enjoyable stay. To top that off, neighbor's toilet is not far from your bed - one can hear more than they want to hear from their neighbor's bathroom.

Otherwise, beautiful beach. We should have camped there.