Children under 16 are not allowed at this boho-chic boutique property with a rocky beach, elevated cliff views, popular margarita happy hour, and restaurant serving a celebrity chef-curated Thai menu. All of Mezzanine's nine rooms have contemporary casita style, with polished concrete or tile floors, mosaic tiling, and beachy or Thai accents. (Think driftwood end tables, coconut incense, or Kama Sutra books in the closet). Master Suites have built-in couches, pillow menus, private decks, and open-plan bathrooms with luxe tubs and rainfall shower combos. All rooms have mini-fridges and beach totes. Free margaritas are provided at check-in and free daily breakfast baskets are delivered to room doors.

The Beach Hotel lives up to its name, with the warm Mexican Caribbean just out the front door of all 20 rooms. Located in the heart of the Hotel Zone, the upper-middle-range hotel has a beachfront restaurant, Ziggy's, with great food (and a generous free breakfast with fresh juice and smoothies), a lobby bar where free cocktails are provided upon arrival, and a small size that allows for lots of personalized attention from the staff. Charming rooms combine rustic and modern elements, and all have ample outdoor space and ocean views. Property features are impressive for a boutique, and include a pretty, meandering pool, outdoor whirlpool, and daily yoga classes. Free Wi-Fi, parking, and tequila and wine tasting events add to the value, although year-round mosquitos can be an issue.

The clothing-optional Azulik Hotel & Spa merges traditional Maya architectural features, beautiful views, and close proximity to nature to create a rustic, off-the-grid experience (though the hotel is only a 10-minute drive from downtown Tulum). Ten villas are very much in line with Tulum's eco-conscious culture: large windows are covered only with slats of wood tied together with cording and toilets are concealed by bamboo partitions. Bathrooms have large, circular mosaic tile tubs in the traditional Maya style, which can comfortably fit two adults. Doors open onto terraces, so guests can bathe in the open air with striking views of the ocean or jungle as backdrops. Electricity is in short supply here, so nighttime lighting depends on candles.

The super-chic Be Tulum is a luxury hotel in the middle of the Hotel Zone. The 20 bohemian guest rooms are outfitted with plunge pools or hot tubs, indoor and outdoor showers, hammocks, and modern comforts like air-conditioning and 24-hour electricity (not a given in this area). There are also an attractive beach club, a small infinity pool, a large restaurant with raw bar and grill, two bars with mezcal selection, and a fashionable spa compound across the street. Free breakfast includes omelets, juice, yogurt, coffee, and granola. But the design here can feel divorced from its Mexican surroundings.

Hidden Beach Resort -- Au Naturel Club is a clothing-optional resort located about one hour south of Cancun. Hidden Beach is an all-suite, all-inclusive, beachfront property; but the suites are little more than king rooms with hot tubs, the restaurant and nightly entertainment are mediocre, and the beach is too rocky for swimming or strolling. A large pool has a swim-up bar and communal games of volleyball. Guests here tend to 50 and over, and almost all take advantage of the no clothing policy. There aren’t many on-site amenities, but guests are welcome to use the facilities next door at El Dorado Seaside Suites, including the pools, restaurants, and spa -- but clothing is required to do so.