Bella Vita stands on the beach at Tankah Bay, a quiet stretch of coast just north of Tulum, minutes from the town center and the Mayan ruins. The house is a restored, classic Mexican design with a terrace raised above the water, and four of the eight bedrooms face the ocean directly. The house has direct access to the beach, and the calm Caribbean in front is good for snorkeling.
Eight en-suite bedrooms have kings, queens and twin beds. Every suite has air conditioning, blackout shades, a safe and a flat-screen TV. The owner sets capacity at 16 adults and four children, which makes it a good choice for multigenerational families; a group of 20 adults will not fit.
The staff includes a private chef and culinary team, a dedicated housekeeper, a butler and bartender, and a concierge. Meals work on a meal-plan basis: you choose a standard or premium package, and food and drinks are billed separately under that plan, so budget for it on top of the rental. In-villa spa treatments, massage and yoga can be booked.
Outside there is a heated pool with ocean views, with dining and lounge areas by the water, and inside a billiard room and high-speed Wi-Fi throughout. The owner also hosts small private events, including weddings, for up to 20 people.
What to weigh: the bedrooms differ, with the four oceanfront rooms the clear favorites, so agree on room allocation early in a group of couples. Whale shark tours and snorkeling trips can be arranged nearby, and Tulum’s town center is only a few minutes away for dinners out.