We could not have been happier at Villa Marusya! We booked our trip for our family kind of last minute, and Alla was an excellent host right from the get-go, responding quickly to my questions about date availability, and adjusting the listing so we could book the dates we wanted.
Upon arrival with our family (well-traveled parents, 4 kids in their early 20's who had never been to Mexico before), we'll be honest, the neighborhood looked a little rough. NO WORRIES. Upon opening the well-protected gate, you enter an amazing oasis right in the middle of the La Valeta neighborhood. Lush tropical foliage flanks a private pool, an outside dining area with a stone grill, and an area that would be perfect for yoga that also features aerial arts equipment (which was really fun for the "kids" to check out and try). The house has a very traditional Mexican feel to it decor-wise, with big open living spaces to enjoy together. We loved the giant bean bags in the living room when we watched a movie one night. Each bedroom is large and came with its own bathroom. This house is seriously great, each room is unique, and there is so much space to spread out for a group. There are multiple outdoor living areas to enjoy, so it is easy to sneak away to a hammock with a book if you'd like. There are beds for 8 people, plus multiple couches and fold-outs, Alla is working to change the listing to reflect this. Don Jeronimo is the caretaker and he is AWESOME. Super helpful, and very prompt with all responses. There are bikes to use at the property, which are perfect for taking to the beach if you are up for the ride. After one of the bikes suffered a flat, Jeronimo had a new bike there the very next morning for us. He really made our visit carefree. We were offered a massage by Alla from Wendi and were pleasantly surprised to learn the house has its very own massage room. Wendi was absolutely incredible, a total pro, and gave what we think might be one of the best massages we have ever gotten. If you can book her, DO IT.
We had a great time exploring this neighborhood, felt totally safe, and used the bikes daily to tool around Tulum town as well as to ride out to the beach. The house is perfect for a large group of friends or family, Alla was a great host, always responding quickly and offering many recommendations for us when asked. We would absolutely love to return to Villa Marusya one day.
