Riviera Maya, MexicoTulum Beach
Casa Malca
Art-collector beachfront estate
Tulum Beach Riviera Maya, Mexico
Opened
2015
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe WellnessOutside the door
Art-collector beachfront estate
The estate operates as a living gallery, placing museum-scale contemporary sculptures and Persian rugs directly on the Caribbean sand.
“This 71-suite property is an ever-evolving sanctuary where art, luxury and nature collide.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Curtains sewn from vintage wedding dresses frame polished concrete and museum-scale sculptures.
Notable
Dedicated butler service unpacks luggage in oceanfront suites fitted with bamboo linens.
Notable
An illuminated cavern grotto connects to underground steam beneath rooftop treatment rooms.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Forbes Travel Guide, Condé Nast Traveler and AFAR.
it’s a stylish urbanite’s getaway. It’s a place that helps you relax, not disconnect entirely.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
The grounds border the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, sitting at the quiet southern end of the Tulum beach road.
1 of 6
The rooms
Floor-to-ceiling windows look out to the water, and bedrooms come with polished concrete floors, bamboo linens, and original artworks.
The outdoor pools
Bring a swimsuit.
Two iridescent blue pools sit beside a monumental sculpture, connected to the beach by an arched wooden tunnel.
The spa and gym
The subterranean spa pool is lit in moody blue and purple tones, and the glass-walled gym overlooks the jungle.
At the table
Haring Bar is lined with black-and-white Keith Haring prints, and beachfront tables at Filosofía look straight across the Caribbean.
The art is bold. The scale is dramatic. But what really stays with you is the quiet intimacy hidden inside that grandeur, thanks to small reading rooms, gallery-like corridors, and staircases that suddenly open to the sea.
How it began
The property was once a beach villa belonging to Pablo Escobar, abandoned for years before gallerist Lio Malca revived it.
“The pool and beach areas are more sedate, with cerulean daybeds and colorful hammocks studded like jewels among the leafy palms.”
Riviera Maya
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.