It’s cool when sustainability looks as chic as Papaya Playa Project, an eco-boutique hotel in Tulum where creativity meets barefoot luxury and the essence of Tulum thrives, from its efforts to continuously promote an eco-friendly environment to its free-spirited, exotic property. While the hotel has always focused on being socially responsible, it recently launched a mission to achieve a “zero emissions and zero contamination community by June 2018” by incorporating many things like installing solar energy systems; using environment-friendly technology; using locally sourced food, materials, decor, furniture, etc.; maintaining responsible construction and recycling (think retaining the jungle) and more.
Casa Madera
Casa Palapa
The hotel features 85 casitas and cabañas, three beach houses and most recently, an exotic treehouse (featured photo). The design of the rooms and hotel uses a Mayan technique called Chukum which constructs the buildings using the resin of Chukum trees which cools the interiors and acts as an insulation system. Room amenities range from plunge pools, terraces and hammocks to roof decks with jungle- and ocean-views. For a truly luxurious stay, the hotel offers three beach houses—Casa Palapa, Casa Madera and Casa Viento. The largest of the three, Casa Palapa, houses five bedrooms, an infinity-edged swimming pool, a private terrace Jacuzzi, direct access to the beach and ocean- and jungle-views a plenty.
The hotel’s latest debut however, is where the real adventure is. Situated on wooden stilts in the heart of the verdant jungle is the hotel’s new treehouse accommodation, a 377-sq.-ft. room accessed via winding staircase with a king-size bed, a bathroom, a small attic-like room accessed by ladder and 360-degree views of the surrounding jungle and ocean. Made from locally sourced materials and recycled wood, this bubble-like structure was designed by Emilio Heredia who has been in charge of the architecture for all the buildings on site.
The Beach Club
The hotel also has a beach club which houses a restaurant and bar and serves to be the central gathering place of the property. It features a double-decker bar, a multilevel semi-ampitheater with private seating enclaves, two oceanfront palapas, a 360-degree wooden observatory tower and an assortment of sun beds and hanging beds. Every weekend the hotel hosts DJs and musicians in its nightclub venue, complete with a sandy dance floor and sparkling disco balls, making it one of the most hottest nightlife spots in the region.
For more information, visit: papayaplayaproject.com