My boyfriend and I had come down to Tulum for Christmas/New Years and had accommodations up the beach at another hotel that was below standard. Word of mouth and luck landed us 5 nights at Laktea and one of the best experiences I've had there.

Laktea is run by a couple (Bambu and Robert) from Mexico City and had many good suggestions as to eating and adventuring. They are located further down the main road, where newer smaller boutique cabanas and restaurants are opening up. The cabanas are spacious and cool, and open directly onto white beach. It is exceptionally clean and the animals and insects do not get into your living quarters. The property does boast a little grey kitten and a shaved chow-chow that hide in the sand. There is no electricity through out the day, but they faithfully turn on the generator at night so you can charge your phones/laptops, etc.

We felt more like old friends staying over, rather than american tourists come to pillage the beachside. The cleaning lady was cheerful and motherly, with a tendency to whistle and sing when changing the linens. The owners are super-friendly and accommodating. Not wanting to forage for food on the main road, we spent Christmas dinner with the owners and other cabana residents. Bambu organized/cooked a Christmas meal of turkey and authentic mexican mole, & dessert with open bar, coffee and chocolates to finish the night.

Stay here if you can! Online photos of the cabanas are not romanced or Photoshopped. The only thing the photos could never communicate is how much sun and quiet truly surrounds Laktea. Super--great experience!