If a minimalist Euro-chic hotel was teleported from the Spanish party isle of Ibiza to Mexico's Caribbean shore, it would likely resemble Mezzanine.
This intimate four-room boutique hotel opened last fall in Tulum and injected an exciting, modern aesthetic into the sleepy little town -- just as its co-owner, New Zealander and Ibiza fanatic Brendon Leach, had hoped. Mezzanine gets a cool rep from its combo of ultra-contemporary suites, hip DJ lounge and the most authentic Thai restaurant this side of Asia.
For rustic Tulum, Mezzanine's launch means that the creep of civilization from Cancun (just 90 minutes to the north) and neighbouring Playa del Carmen has finally arrived. Surrounded by verdant jungle, stunning white beaches, and cavernous cenotes (underground sinkholes), Tulum has been one of the last frontiers along the fast-growing but relatively untouched southern border of the Mayan Riviera. (The Tulum area was relatively unscathed by Hurricane Wilma last month.)
Now, with Mezzanine, visitors can explore Tulum's rustic and wild sides, but return to stylish lodging.
Ambience
Mezzanine is designed to maximize socializing, which is eased by an undercurrent of the latest smooth grooves from the sound system. A loft area above the restaurant -- with a billiards table and red leather couches -- serves as a screening room for recent flicks. House-music enthusiasts from as far as Cancun and Playa del Carmen flock to Mezzanine's Friday-night beach fiestas (from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m.), featuring guest DJs from Ibiza, London and Europe, and Cirque de Soleil-esque performances by fire-juggling stilt walkers.
Clientele
Laid-back beach-going couples seeking a bit of the dramatic and not the average air-conditioned, all-inclusive resort experience. Most clients want a refuge away from the crowds of Cancun and Playa del Carmen that's down-to-earth yet stylish.
Design
A blood-red wash on the hotel's exterior sets a dramatic mood. It's accented by interior shades of black, silver and burnt yellow and the backdrop of gleaming ocean. A high palapa -- a traditional shelter with a thatched palm roof -- frames clean, contemporary design details that extend to the mosaic-tiled washboard sinks. A plunge pool modelled after the area's abundant natural cenotes occupies a central spot, surrounded by low tree-trunk tables, woven grass mats and retro beanbag chairs. The hotel keeps ecology and state-of-the-art technology in balance with on-site recycling and high-speed wireless Internet, while solar energy (with backup generators) runs the show.
Rooms
Four suites open onto a sweeping stone patio; beyond lies a stretch of white sand and the aquamarine Caribbean Sea. Rooms feature original art pieces over queen-sized platform beds draped in bold colours and throw pillows. A wooden spiral staircase in each suite leads to a chill-out loft area with a futon. Bathrooms have soothing overhead rain showers, Italian-designed fixtures, fluffy bath towels and natural stone basins atop handcrafted wood counters.
Food and drink
Mezzanine's restaurant menu is an eclectic and saucy mix of café-style beach fare, all-day breakfast, snacks and authentic Thai cuisine (the chef is from Thailand), all served on a wide terrace beneath breezy sail shades or inside the dining room under the gaze of a serene Buddha.
"Focusing on Thai food was simple," managing partner Kattrina Taylor says. "Many of the ingredients used in Thai cooking are already found in Mexico, and we knew we wanted to present a fresh and innovative restaurant concept that would not fit the mould of traditional Mexican food."
Menu items include duck breast baked with tangerine and chili sauce, and a much-beloved chicken wrap with pesto mayo, sundried tomatoes, cheese and chaya that we ordered twice in 12 hours -- once to eat in and once for the drive to the airport.
The beach bar serves up signature cocktails from an extensive martini bar, along with tropical margaritas, fine wine and premium champagne including Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon.
Service
Casual yet congenial. Since Leach and Taylor live in Tulum, one of them is almost always at Mezzanine and their presence adds to the hotel's personality. Perks include complimentary Wi-Fi, and use of bikes, kayaks, snorkelling equipment and pool towels. Taylor has a soft spot for special occasions: ask for a romantic in-room dinner and she'll set it up.
Things to do
Just down the road are the beach ruins of Tulum, not the largest of archeological sites but dramatic for its seaside location.
Ecoparks Xcaret, Xel-Ha and Xpu-Ha, all about 30 minutes to the north, offer up-close-and-personal introductions to tropical fish, giant sea turtles, manta rays and dolphins. Several nearby cenotes offer snorkelling and diving explorations.
Just 20 minutes south is a 5,200-square-kilometre biosphere reserve called Sian Ka'an. It's the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean, with 23 known archeological sites and more than 100 species of mammals and 300 species of birds.
And about 30 minutes to the north is the bohemian village of Playa del Carmen, with restaurants, cafés and clubs lining a pedestrian walkway called Fifth Avenue.
Hotel vitals
MEZZANINE
Essentials: Boca Paila Road, Tulum, Quintana Roo; 52 (984) 804 1452; http://www.mezzanine.com.mx. The hotel is located on Tulum's beach road heading toward the ruins. From Cancun airport, travel time is about an hour and a half.
Rates and rooms: Four suites range from $180 to $270.
Top draw: Sophisticated and stylish with a splash of the exotic and an undercurrent of cutting-edge cool in a fabulously remote, Caribbean setting.
Needs work: No air conditioning here for city slickers who can't do without the icebox -- and not a lot of poolside privacy.
