LocoLuxury Creates Elegant Oases Among Tulum’s Vacation Rental Scene

Name:
Casa Aviv, Casa Shalva
Location:
Tulum, Mexico
Photography:
Courtesy of LocoLuxury
Words:
Erica Nichols

The luxury rental group — created by co-founders Nico Dubeau and Alex Vilera — oversees a collection of 22 properties placed throughout Tulum’s diverse landscapes. Alongside COO Melinda Naylor, Dubeau and Vilera deliver an experience that isn’t easily found in the vacation rental landscape. Every property is a place of intention, infusing hotel-quality service and amenities into private modern homes that prioritize indoor-outdoor living. Take Casa Aviv, a minimalist masterpiece crafted by Tulum design group Co-Lab. Natural light floods in from every corner, oversized windows offer intimate scenic views, rooms directly open up to a sleek swimming pool. Its sister property, Casa Shalva, continues that story on a grander scale with more bedrooms, communal spaces, and natural finishings that pay tribute to its surroundings.

Thoughtful, curated living is at the heart of LocoLuxury’s ethos, creating a unique travel story where the best memories of the trip are the ones that happen at your home base. Learn more about the company’s fresh take on vacation rentals from co-founder Alex Vilera.

What were the qualities and experiences you felt were missing from the luxury hospitality and rental industries, and how did LocoLuxury fill that gap?

Alex Vilera: LocoLuxury didn't just aim to reimagine luxury hospitality; our vision was to infuse luxury hotel-level service, amenities, and comfort into the villa rental landscape. Airbnb normalized villa and home vacation rentals, but with varying quality and reliability. We set out to meticulously select and manage luxury properties, backed by advanced communication tools and a dedicated service team, ensuring a guest experience paralleling prestigious hotels. Eventually, we want to push this even further and offer all-inclusive packages to our guests but in their own private villas. We have already developed some packages tailored to specific groups, like bachelorettes or wellness retreats.

Talk to us about the connection between good design and a good travel experience.

We believe that well-designed spaces are integral to memorable travel experiences. Our properties are crafted not just with aesthetics in mind but with thoughtful consideration of how spaces are used — ensuring everything from the flow of the living areas to the functionality of the kitchen enhances our guests' stay. This approach to intentional design transforms beautiful spaces into unforgettable experiences. Each property we represent needs to be unique, aesthetically driven, and have “wow” moments.

What makes Tulum such an attractive location and host for these properties?

Tulum offers a blend of festive energies and authentic wellness experiences, making it an ideal location for our properties. The contrast of jungle and beach, coupled with options ranging from wellness retreats to vibrant nightlife and dining, makes Tulum a versatile destination that caters to diverse traveler preferences, which is central to the placement of our properties.

What core values do you infuse into the guest experience?

Our commitment to luxury doesn't stop at beautiful properties; it extends to personalized concierge services, in-villa dining, rigorous security, and impeccable cleanliness, ensuring every guest feels valued and pampered.

Walk us through the design of Casa Aviv with Co-Lab — what are some of the standout features and details of the property?

Casa Aviv stands out with its soaring ceilings and seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces. The minimalist aesthetic is warmed by abundant sunlight, creating an inviting and luxurious atmosphere.

Its sister property, Casa Shalva, shares some similarities with Casa Aviv, but where does it stand out?

While Casa Shalva shares the minimalist design and expansive windows of Casa Aviv, it introduces a more brutalist architecture and is organized around a central courtyard, offering a different spatial experience. They can be represented as sister villas, Shalva being the 2.0 version of Aviv.

Both properties, and many of the others as well, are so wide-ranging in the textures that appear throughout the homes. Was that a mindful decision and how does that elevate each space?

The diverse textures in our properties are a deliberate choice to elevate each space's aesthetic and sensory appeal. This variety enriches the guest experience by engaging different senses, enhancing the feel of luxury and comfort.

There’s been a huge shift in looking at accommodations as the travel experience, rather than a place to drop your bags off and leave. Why do you think that’s changed?

The shift towards valuing accommodations as part of the travel experience likely stems from several factors. One being social media influence. Travelers often share their experiences online, where accommodations become a significant part of the narrative. Second, the rise of alternative lodging, with platforms like Airbnb, have broadened how travelers perceive and experience destinations. Also, event-based travel like weddings necessitate accommodations that cater to groups. Lastly, the pandemic impact. The pandemic highlighted the importance of quality time in comfortable settings, reshaping priorities towards more intimate and meaningful gatherings.

Why should visitors look to LocoLuxury’s properties when coming to Tulum?

LocoLuxury stands apart with its carefully curated portfolio of properties, highly professional team, consistently excellent reviews, and bespoke guest services, making it the premier choice for luxury stays for groups in Tulum.