How did we get here? We can still remember the moment we saw it: a property at the end of the beach road at the gateway to the biosphere reserve. Back then Tulum was a row of charming but unassuming beach cabañas tucked into the jungle – and, of course, that crystal clear sea and white sand beach. The house that enchanted us was built in the 1970’s by Austrian engineer Carlos Schober, who specifically designed it to work in synthesis with the surrounding natural environment.

The ingenuity of his original design has allowed us to operate sustainably to this day. Palapas and a mature coconut grove planted more than 50 years ago still shade our structure from the heat of the afternoon sun, while intentionally curved walls circulate nature’s own aircon, and natural, pure underwater streams are gravity fed into our sinks and showers. That magic doesn’t come around twice in a lifetime, so we have held it close. We’ve followed in Schober’s path, lovingly restoring this once private estate to what we proudly call “Olas” today.