What's Special About AZUL Blue Hotel + Spa: Ed: Since this review was written, the resort has changed name and ownership to Eurostars Blue Tulum. Amenities and prices may have changed.
AZUL Blue is a romantic, gourmet all-inclusive luxury resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The buzzwords here are "stress free," which means butlers cater to nearly every whim, gourmet dining and top-shelf liquor is complimentary, and your preferences on important matters like pillow type, the scent of your soaps and the type of music you'd like to hear are personalized and attended to before your arrival. Pictures of AZUL Blue.
AZUL Blue is a romantic, gourmet all-inclusive luxury resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The buzzwords here are "stress free," which means butlers cater to nearly every whim, gourmet dining and top-shelf liquor is complimentary, and your preferences on important matters like pillow type, the scent of your soaps and the type of music you'd like to hear are personalized and attended to before your arrival. Pictures of AZUL Blue.
Thumbs Up:
I felt pampered before I arrived, with the pre-concierge service. Using a form on their web site, I specified my preferences in music, aromas, pillows, and food. When I arrived, my butler (trained by the Professional Guild of English Butlers) checked in for me, unpacked my suitcase (they'll iron, too) and prepared my room with aromatherapy and customized soaps and shampoos. Poolside, I was similarly pampered, with butlers coming by bearing cool towels and drinks.
I felt pampered before I arrived, with the pre-concierge service. Using a form on their web site, I specified my preferences in music, aromas, pillows, and food. When I arrived, my butler (trained by the Professional Guild of English Butlers) checked in for me, unpacked my suitcase (they'll iron, too) and prepared my room with aromatherapy and customized soaps and shampoos. Poolside, I was similarly pampered, with butlers coming by bearing cool towels and drinks.
Thumbs Down:
I visited the resort just after it opened, and the staff (with the exception of my amazingly attentive butler, Jerome) was eager to please but did not speak English very well. I'd have five different servers coming by my table each morning at breakfast, wanting to assist me, but only the manager could speak English well enough to bring my special request (hot black tea that wasn't Lipton).
I visited the resort just after it opened, and the staff (with the exception of my amazingly attentive butler, Jerome) was eager to please but did not speak English very well. I'd have five different servers coming by my table each morning at breakfast, wanting to assist me, but only the manager could speak English well enough to bring my special request (hot black tea that wasn't Lipton).
Guest Rooms and Rates:
AZUL Blue has only 96 suites in six villas, each with a dedicated butler. Large suites, decorated in neutral colors with contemporary furnishings, include whirlpools built for two (some indoors, some on private balconies). Suites include a plasma TV, an iPod preloaded with music and a docking station, a mini bar, bathrobes, a DVD player, hair dryer and wireless Internet. Roomy bathrooms have rainforest shower heads, bidets and double sinks. Rates from about $293 per person, per night.
AZUL Blue has only 96 suites in six villas, each with a dedicated butler. Large suites, decorated in neutral colors with contemporary furnishings, include whirlpools built for two (some indoors, some on private balconies). Suites include a plasma TV, an iPod preloaded with music and a docking station, a mini bar, bathrobes, a DVD player, hair dryer and wireless Internet. Roomy bathrooms have rainforest shower heads, bidets and double sinks. Rates from about $293 per person, per night.
Dining at AZUL Blue:
Three restaurants include Globe for all-day dining a la carte (no mediocre buffets here), served inside near the open kitchen or outdoors next to the pool. Upstairs, Yuzu (dinner) serves Asian fusion and features a sake parlor. View (lunch/dinner) is an outdoor, casual restaurant with a thatched roof; the specialty is a variety of fresh ceviches, and even here the casual fare has a gourmet twist. Tinto (a wine and piano bar), the swim-up pool bar and 24-hour room service are also included.
Three restaurants include Globe for all-day dining a la carte (no mediocre buffets here), served inside near the open kitchen or outdoors next to the pool. Upstairs, Yuzu (dinner) serves Asian fusion and features a sake parlor. View (lunch/dinner) is an outdoor, casual restaurant with a thatched roof; the specialty is a variety of fresh ceviches, and even here the casual fare has a gourmet twist. Tinto (a wine and piano bar), the swim-up pool bar and 24-hour room service are also included.
Spa and Fitness Center at AZUL Blue:
The curved windows of the 10,000 sq. ft. spa and fitness center overlook the Mexican Caribbean, but they're not the only reason you'll want to linger. Imaginative treatments like the Mayan Body Wrap (with cocoa, vanilla and coffee), a Sacred Stone Massage and a romantic Couples Massage are administered in ten treatment suites. The more daring of our group opted for the Temazcal, a cleansing spiritual ritual which involves a shaman, steam rising from hot lava rocks and some soul searching.
The curved windows of the 10,000 sq. ft. spa and fitness center overlook the Mexican Caribbean, but they're not the only reason you'll want to linger. Imaginative treatments like the Mayan Body Wrap (with cocoa, vanilla and coffee), a Sacred Stone Massage and a romantic Couples Massage are administered in ten treatment suites. The more daring of our group opted for the Temazcal, a cleansing spiritual ritual which involves a shaman, steam rising from hot lava rocks and some soul searching.
What's Included at AZUL Blue:
Accommodations, all drinks and juices (including premium alcohol), meals (including room service and mini bar, restocked daily), villa, beach and poolside butlers, in-room champagne on check-in, most activities, fitness center, bicycle rentals, non-motorized water sports (snorkeling, kayaks), scuba lessons in the pool, classes (e.g. tequila tasting, Spanish language, dance), nightly entertainment, and all taxes and tips.
Accommodations, all drinks and juices (including premium alcohol), meals (including room service and mini bar, restocked daily), villa, beach and poolside butlers, in-room champagne on check-in, most activities, fitness center, bicycle rentals, non-motorized water sports (snorkeling, kayaks), scuba lessons in the pool, classes (e.g. tequila tasting, Spanish language, dance), nightly entertainment, and all taxes and tips.
What's Not Included at AZUL Blue:
Available at an extra charge are spa services, wedding packages, scuba certification, deep sea fishing, the shuttle from the Cancun airport, babysitting and nanny services and vintage wines.
Available at an extra charge are spa services, wedding packages, scuba certification, deep sea fishing, the shuttle from the Cancun airport, babysitting and nanny services and vintage wines.
Contact AZUL Blue:
Located 70 miles south of Cancun International Airport. Transfers are by car, private jet to Tulum Airport or helicopter. The ruins of Tulum are within walking distance (about a mile).
Carretera Costera – Tulum Ruinas, Punta Allen, lote 47, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico, CP 77780
phone: 52 (984) 871-1000
email: marketing@karismahotels.com web site: AZUL Blue
Located 70 miles south of Cancun International Airport. Transfers are by car, private jet to Tulum Airport or helicopter. The ruins of Tulum are within walking distance (about a mile).
Carretera Costera – Tulum Ruinas, Punta Allen, lote 47, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico, CP 77780
phone: 52 (984) 871-1000
email: marketing@karismahotels.com web site: AZUL Blue
Guest Reviews of AZUL Blue:
- From Charlyn: When you hear the words "stress-free vacation," what do you imagine? A butler who unpacks for you, draws your bath and plays your favorite music in your room? Gourmet food and premium drinks for no extra charge? A luxury room with your own private whirlpool for two? A pool butler who brings you drinks and spritzes you with mineral water to keep you cool? Then you'll want to hear about the new resort I visited a few weeks ago...read more
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodations for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
