Casa Malca Tulum – An Honest Review
Casa Malca Tulum, Mexico has a stylish and artistic atmosphere, and it offers 3 excellent restaurants, a unique bar, a beach club, 2 pools (including one underground), free bicycles, and rooftop terrace with free sunset yoga. The suites have a design-forward style that combines antique and contemporary decor and original artwork from the owner’s private collection, Lio Malca.
The hotel is suitable for children throughout the year, except for the period around New Year’s Eve when Tulum hosts EDM festivals. During this time, the hotel becomes exclusively for adults. It is situated on a white ivory sandy beach and is only a 12-minute walk away from the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve and some of Tulum’s top restaurants and bars.
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Why we love it: A beach resort that is suitable for city dwellers, with an impressive display of artworks.
– There is an amazing indoor pool that can be accessed by a staircase from the main pool area.
– The Filosofía restaurant serves fresh-baked breads daily made by pastry chef Simone Colla.
– In the entryway, there is a rare sculpture by KAWS and vintage armchairs hanging from the ceiling like swings.
At Casa Malca, a mansion that was previously owned by Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar but is now owned by New York gallerist and art collector Leo Malca, people-watching is just as entertaining as viewing the artwork. The hotel is situated on a beautiful Caribbean-facing beach next to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. It’s just a short bike ride away from Tulum’s beachfront boutiques and restaurants. The hotel offers 71 rooms that have polished concrete floors, floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views, and bold artwork from Malca’s personal collection.
The lobby bar of Casa Malca has a black-and-white print inspired by Keith Haring, and one of its three restaurants has antique baby dolls on the walls. The pool and beach areas have cerulean daybeds and colorful hammocks, nestled among the palm trees. While it may seem like a typical hippie-chic Tulum hotel with yoga and art in the restaurant, Casa Malca is unique upon closer examination.
The hotel has 71 rooms and showcases the personal art collection of owner Lio Malca, with pieces by renowned artists such as Keith Haring, Kaws, Vik Muniz, and Kenny Scharf. Guests can dine at three restaurants, including Philosophy, which features locally-sourced food, and Ambrosia, which serves sushi for lunch. The spa boasts an underground swimming pool, while the rooftop offers a terrace with panoramic 360-degree views.
The facilities available at this location include bicycle rental, parking, a bar, airport transfers, sauna/steam room, no pets allowed, wifi, outdoor terrace seating, air conditioning, concierge service, child-friendly amenities, a swimming pool, an on-site restaurant, and a spa. Free wifi is also provided.
There are a variety of activities available in the area. You can go trekking in the nearby national parks, which offer beautiful walking paths. If you’re interested in birdwatching, you can search for birds from a kayak in the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve. Alternatively, you can spend relaxing days on the white sandy beaches. Lastly, you can explore the impressive and mystical cenotes that are nearby.
Other Reviews:
I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
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🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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