Uncovering the Allure of Catalonia Royal Tulum All Inclusive: A Closer Look at this Adults Only Mexican Caribbean Gem

I was NOT prepared to like Catalonia Royal Tulum All Inclusive resort as much as I did.  

A little backstory: my Mexico trip was a FAM trip, better known as a travel agent familiarization trip.  During this trip, I stayed at a host hotel for three nights (see my Catalonia Grand Costa Mujeres review here) and then over the next two days, I got a chance to tour five additional properties.  

For this trip, because we were hosted by Catalonia, our first two site visits would be at Catalonia resorts.  

I wasn’t incredibly happy when I found out about this.  Mainly because since the trip was hosted in the Costa Mujeres area, I registered because I really wanted to see resorts in that region for my clients.  

After the fact, I’m so happy I did because otherwise I may not have ever considered either of the two Catalonia resorts I did view.  

Overview of Catalonia Royal Tulum All Inclusive

For a quick overview, this is an adults only resort on a smaller scale with just 288 rooms, 9 restaurants, 5 bars, daily entertainment, and a stunning beach.  

Resort Location

Don’t let the name fool you!  This resort is NOT located in Tulum.  It is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from the airport and about 30 minutes north of the town of Tulum.  Not to mention, it is located on the most BEAUTIFUL beach, Xpu Ha Beach.  I’ll get to more of that later.  

What makes this a great location?  

If you have any interest in excursions, this is the place to be.  Here is just how close some of the best excursions in the region are:

• Tulum ruins, less than 30 minutes

• Xcaret Park, 20 minutes

• Xel-Ha Park, 20 minutes

• Akumal Beach, 15 minutes - for snorkeling with turtles

• Playa del Carmen, 20 minutes

• Puerto Morelos, 35 minutes - for snorkeling the 2nd largest reef in the world

Not to mention, there are multiple cenotes on the road right across the street, just a 10-15 taxi ride! Actually, there IS a cenote on-site - but it's not swimmable.

Staying at Catalonia Royal Tulum give you endless options for outside activities!

Resort Layout and Vibe

As soon as you walk in this resort, you can’t help but look up.  You’re under a huge palapa with all of the exposed woodwork and it is just beautiful!  

As you can see from the property map, the resort is laid out in a long rectangle set amongst the mangrove jungle.  At one end is the lobby and at the far end is the pool and beach.  In the middle is gorgeous, winding walking path that connects the two with offshoots leading to restaurants and room building on each side.  It is so peaceful and quiet and be sure to be on the lookout for wildlife like monkeys, birds, and coati.  

The vibe is very tranquil, laid back, and lush.  But, once you got to the pool, the music was flowing in a fun, lively vibe.  

I actually had a quick chat with a guest who had never stayed there before and he and his friends were having the best time.  The picked the resort sight unseen with no knowledge beforehand and loved it! 

The Rooms

The rooms are spacious and Catalonia is in the process of updating them, with the hopes of finishing all rooms by the end of 2024.  Some rooms have already been updated and the idea is to style them more like the modern, sleek rooms at Catalonia Grand Costa Mujeres.  

Rooms that have not been updated feature four poster wooden beds, lots of natural materials, and more of a traditional Mexican resort feel.  The newer rooms feature clean bed lines, beige fabrics, and updated artwork.  I enjoyed both types of rooms, but did have a preference for the more updated room styles.

There are no elevators at this property, so keep that in mind.  

There are currently six different room categories:

• Superior Room

• Superior Junior Suite

• Premium Room

• Privileged Deluxe Room

• Privileged Romance Room

• Privileged Romance Deluxe Room

As rooms are updated, some room categories will be eliminated, though I’m not sure what those will be.  

If you stay in a Privileged room category, you also received Privileged benefits which include:

• Exclusive, updated room locations 

• 10% discount on hotel services

• Privileged identification

• Early check-in and late check-out based on availability

• 10% off romantic beach dinner

• Room service

• 10% discounts in boutique and stores

• Dedicated beach area and beach bar

• 10% discount on massages or spa treatments

• Turndown service

• Beach towels in room on the day of arrival

• Access to Bloved restaurant

• 1 Hour hydrotherapy circuit per stay

On top of this, if you select a Romance room you also receive a couple’s massage and a romantic dinner for two on the beach with a minimum 4-night stay.

Pool & Beach

There is one main pool with a free flowing shape, swim up bar, walk up bar, and plenty of entertainment.  We walked by around 11am-noon and there were plenty of people enjoying the sun.  What I really loved was the pool’s proximity to the beach; it’s just steps away!  And what a beach it is!

Xpu Ha beach is absolutely stunning. The soft, white, squishy sand paired up beautifully with the turquoise colors of the ocean.  And not a speck of sargassum to be seen!

Entertainment

This resort doesn’t offer a full entertainment program, meaning there isn’t a theater with nightly shows.  That does not mean you’ll be bored!  They offer daily activities to get guests active and engaged and in the evening, you can choose to dine at RAUXA and enjoy dinner and a show every night (for an additional cost)!  Some of the shows offered are a mini cirque due soleil style show and a more risqué cabaret style show.  

Dining

Catalonia Royal Tulum has a fantastic selection of nine restaurants, including the buffet, AND you are not limited in your number of restaurant reservations like some resorts.  Restaurant options include:

• Privileged BLoved - for Privileged guests only

• La Selva, Main Buffet

• La Palapa, Lunch Buffet

• Royal Grill, Grill House

• Adelita, Mexican

• La Toscana, Italian

• Tao-Cat, Asian

• Terrace Tapas & Lounge, Spanish Tapas

• Deli-Pizzeria Sorrento, Pool Snack Bar

• RAUXA, Dinner Show & Additional Cost

Connectivity

While this resort doesn’t offer a stand alone app, they do have a QR code to scan with your smart phone.  This QR code brings up a website that acts as the hub of your resort.  From here, you’ll make your dining reservations, see the activity schedule, and discover each day’s entertainment.  

Who Is This Resort Perfect For?

• First time all inclusive guests who have a moderate budget to spend

• Want to be minutes from the best excursions in the Riviera Maya region

• Value privacy and quiet and prefer a lush, tropical setting

• Want a low key and subdued vibe

• Looking for a romantic setting

• Need to have a GREAT beach

Who Is Not Right For This Resort?

• Prefer butler or concierge level service

• Want rooms with an ocean view

• Looking for rooms with a separate sitting area

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