This is just about the only un-pretentious, modest and straight-thinking cabana on a beautiful strip of beach sadly awash with expensive, 'hippy' cabanas. Owned by an Italian, the cabanas are beautifully simple, and the feeling of stepping straight onto the most perfect sand in the world first thing in the morning is unbeatable.

The cabanas have private hammocks on their 'patios' or you could use the fabulously indulgent double swinging beds on the beach. The showers are simple, fashioned out of concha shells, and there are no fancy gimmicks.

The food cooked by the charming Senora is quite simply outstanding - everyone we spoke to confirmed that it was the best food on the beach and they didn't know why they had bothered to try anywhere else! Always fresh fish of the day, with a heavy Italian pasta influence, and accompanied with decent non-pricey south american reds. A good breakfast too, although coffe could do with being hot.

Perfect for whiling away the hours with a book, walking along the beach or using as a bolthole to investigate the cenotes and fishing nearby. Sadly in range of the Cancun 'rent-a-car' massif, but remarkably the Hemingway Cabanas still retain a classy, un-pretentious air.

Highly recommended.

I stayed at the Hemingway in February of 2008 in the cabana above the small restaurant ("Estrella") . Don't expect reliable electricity, hot water, or a telephone. I had trouble sleeping the first night because the bed felt slightly moist from the constant seabreeze. But that is also a testament to the authenticity of the "eco resort" label. The views, the quiet, the sun, the sea breeze, the amiable loitering cat & dog, and the food really create an atmosphere hard to duplicate. The only lights at night are from the stars and the only sound from the wind. So, as others point out, bring a flashlight.

If you need a place to read a book, lose track of time and regain your peace, this is it. You can even take $12 yoga classes at the fancy mayatulum resort 100 yards down the beach. If you want to get wasted and party (I'm not knocking it) then consider someplace else.

I wouldn't recommed it for kids, the beauty of Hemingway is in the lack of stimulating activities.

The staff was attentive without pandering for tips. I also recommend the restaurant right across the street. - I think it was called "las Tablas".

booked through [--]
We stayed @ Hemmingway 23rd- 30th Dec 2007 Boa Cabana next to the cantina, We had hot water all day every day, We got a beach bed no problem everyday ( a few more wouldn't go a miss) breakfast was o k maybe a few more tables ? and quicker service, but it is manjana, great beach location, lunch great lobster with homemade pasta and vino blanco, with bruschetta to start. Car parking is minimal, our hire car got a slight scrape from another vehicle that had got stuck in the sand. only one electric socket in the room, power on from dusk till about 11pm if you must take laptop, mobile phone, and mosi killer you will have to juggle.
overall great location, hire car a must, basic amenities, but it is a get away from it all location. give it a try for a few days. I would certainly go back

I couldn't disagree with the previous posting more. My girlfriend and I stayed at Hemingway from Dec. 26th to Jan. 2nd and there wasn't a place in Tulum we'd rather have stayed. After a horrible experience traveling (our flight was delayed 3 hours, and we made two car reservations just in case something went wrong with one of them, and BOTH car rental locations: America Car Rental and Europcar gave our reservations away!) So we were expecting the worst when we arrived in Tulum after a $150 cab ride from Cancun Airport. Thank goodness we were wrong. Even though it was WAY after hours when we arrived, Paola had our sea front Cabana ready for us. We reserved through paypal and had no problems. (Quick side note: there really is no need to rent a car, cabs are SUPER cheap in Tulum).

First and foremost: We loved Hemingway because it was EXACTLY what we wanted when we decided we wanted to go to Tulum and stay in a Cabana on the beach. It's relatively small and the staff is small and they pay attention to what you need b/c they are never over crowded. If you want a hotel room on the beach that is basically a hotel room from Cancun as touristy as can be then stay at one of the (what we called) "fake" Tulum Cabanas: i.e. Mezzanine or La Zebra to name a few. In fact, if that's what you are looking for: stay in Cancun. But if you are going to Tulum to have a romantic, quiet, just relaxing on the beach, soaking in the sun, drinking and eating great food GETAWAY, then stay at Hemingway and take in what Tulum is meant to be.

The location was perfect compared to the rest of the Cabana resorts on the beach. Some were way to far from town and some were actually too close (for those looking for a quiet beach resort). Hemingway was right in the middle. It's also located close to some of the greatest places to eat in Tulum. Posada Margarita and Zamas are both under a 5 minute walk.

As far as the accommodations: we were in the Sea view cabana Tortuga (see pictures). There are 3 types of Cabanas, beach front (first row) sea front (2nd row) and garden view (3rd row). Our cabana got GREAT breezes from the ocean and was very private (being the furthest sea front cabana from the restaurant/reception). It was a great size as well. We had a king size bed and there was also a twin bed in the room. We had our own private bathroom with shower and toilet. And as opposed to what the previous reviewer said, we got hot water just fine. We also never had a problem getting a bed on the beach and there was usually at least one open everyday. And don't be confused, when we went it is by FAR the busiest time of the year in Tulum. We had electricity in our Cabana from 5pm to Midnight every night. Perfect for recharging our cameras/Ipods and having lights when it gets dark. If you're up after midnight they supply some romantic candles, and you should bring a flashlight (in addition for walking on the beach and on the beach road).

Security: feel safe at Hemingway. It's smaller then some of the mega/Americanized Cabana resorts and there is a security guard on all night after dark. As a traveler you should still be safe and lock anything important in your suitcase, but sleep easier at Hemingway.

The food: hands down the BEST seafood in Tulum. Paola actually buys the lobster/shrimp/fish/etc. right from fisherman who come directly out of the ocean. I tell you this because we saw a man with scuba gear come right out of the ocean before our eyes with 7 lobster on a metal rod, in which Paola bought and cooked that night. So there is never a menu, as Paola doesn't know what she is cooking until the day of (and I say that literally, she cooks everything herself, just another thing we loved about this place: the personal touch on everything). Every morning we got breakfast that is INCLUDED in your stay. Fresh fruit, fresh orange juice, amazing jam and bread, and perfect Mexican coffee.

The staff: Friendly as can be. We never caught his name, but a young guy pretty much waited on us hand and foot at breakfast and the rest of the day (for drinks and anything we needed). He was great. Two woman cleaned the rooms everyday and were in and out in less then 10 minutes, so don't feel like you have to disappear for an hour so your room gets cleaned. Paola even got us a cab back to the airport for 1/2 of what we paid to get to Tulum.

I can only think of 3 negative things. First, the owner of the Cabanas Resort next door to us insisted on doing construction at 8 am everyday. We spoke to Paola about it and she said she has been pleading with the owner not to be building during busy season You really can't blame Paola for what the neighboring resort is doing. Secondly, we asked for a beach chair for the front of our cabana the first day we got there, but we never got it. Funny thing was we totally forgot about it because we just laid in our own private hammock everyday. Lastly, Paola's English wasn't that great, so at times it could tricky to converse with her.

If we ever return to Tulum, it's easy to say we will be staying at the Hemingway again.

If you have any questions at all about your upcoming trip to Tulum, feel free to email me.