Ocho

[DougSR]

Kay Walten is reporting on Facebook that Ocho Tulum is now under new ownership, name, & mgmt. It's now the S&S Hip hotel, managed by Ana Y Joses.

Is this old news? Perhaps I'm out of the loop right now.

[solman2]

That's the name it was operating as in February when we were there. We didn't go there, weren't sure of the details, and didn't like all the loungers side by each. It was open though, and had a few customers. Don't know if they were renting out the cabanas though.

[beachreader]

Yes, that's what we understand here too.

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:yes, Doug, that is partially right. The managment of the former Ocho has leased part of Blue Azul, the AI to house the guests that had reservations at the time of a hostile take over last fall. The location known as Ocho is now the S and S Hip Hotel, and yes they are renting rooms and the restaurant is open.

Mr and Mrs Bisquit and I went there for lunch recently, the food was OK. We looked at the main menu and looks pretty expensive, but had the stuff on the back lunch menu and it was reasonalbe and decent food. THe guac was especially delicious and the chips were good, and there was plenty of it. I had a burger, which was good but weird, the meat was not all beef, not sure what it was, but it was good, and they had quesadillas, which are hard to screw up, but they were pretty plain, nothing fancy.

havén´t heard anything about the service of the hotel or anything, just know they are open.

[minniemex]

We walked by it alot and never stopped. It was pretty much empty every time. I just didn't like it for some reason. Maybe it is all the loungers just sitting side by side. I must admit though, I do like the tan ones instead of the blue. All of Ana Y Joses properties are using them.

http://minniemex.smugmug.com/photos/790429095_pYL2x-L.jpg

[beachreader]

I thought Ana y Jose's chairs were wooden loungers with thick white pads? Have they changed all of their properties to plastic? That's surprising to me, and disappointing. I'd hate to spend that much money on a room (at AyJ) and get a plastic chair.

I really hate plastic chairs. I understand the many reasons why they're attractive to property owners, but they just look tacky to me.

[minniemex]

Both Ana Y Joses & the beach club have switched to these chairs. There are only a couple beds left at the hotel and a few at the beach club.

[beachreader]

Wow. That is really amazing and depressing. The one thing that made the crowds of chairs at both AyJ properties OK in my eyes was that they were at least attractive. I wonder what they did with all the wooden loungers and white pads? Hope they didn't just throw them all away...

Maybe we should include a beach furniture category in the giant spreadsheet I keep meaning to create.

[Lynnette]

Those plastic chairs look really uncomfortable....do they provide cushions for them?

[DougSR]

I got those in my backyard. They are a good cheap option and I've fell asleep in them before but a far cry from the old AyJ cushy beach club chairs.

[pepper]

I'd hate to spend that much money on a room (at AyJ) and get a plastic chair.

I really hate plastic chairs. I understand the many reasons why they're attractive to property owners, but they just look tacky to me.

Totally agree!!

[Lynnette]

I thought Ana y Jose's chairs were wooden loungers with thick white pads? Have they changed all of their properties to plastic? That's surprising to me, and disappointing. I'd hate to spend that much money on a room (at AyJ) and get a plastic chair.

I really hate plastic chairs. I understand the many reasons why they're attractive to property owners, but they just look tacky to me.

At the prices AyJ charge. they could certainly provide something better!!

[beachreader]

What I really don't understand is that they had such nice chairs, but have apparently taken them out. I'm sure they were costly to keep up, probably had to re-stain them every year and cleaning white cotton cushions from sunscreen-drenched bodies would be difficult, I get that. So maybe move to blue covers or something. But to pull them off the beach and replace them with these things? Yikes. And I really need a cushion to be comfortable all day. OK, scratching AyJ from my "if I had the money" list.

[DougSR]

Perhaps this is a result of not charging non-guests a daily fee. I would have paid to sit in the old comfy chairs with the umbrella.

[BethS.]

Hello all, we actually just got back from A & J, subject of a hopefully forthcoming trip report, and while I do have a few critiques of the property I must correct this chair issue -- the beach chairs at A & J are a wooden/rattan color and are very comfortable and much better looking than the picture above. Not sure about S&S, f/k/a Ocho, since we didn't make it down that far on our beach walks. A&J do not have pads on the chairs but in my opinion they were perfectly comfortable. They had a couple beds out but they went unused for the most part -- maybe why they removed most of them if they used to have more.

[beachreader]

Thanks, Beth, looking forward to your trip report and hopefully pictures (we don't have enough of AyJ here).

I know I have another picture to show, but this one shows one of the chairs off to the left. I'll see if I can find the shot I have of all the chairs lined up. Are the current chairs not as nice as these?

http://beachreader.smugmug.com/photos/721652392_GuigW-L.jpg


Here's the other picture, which I kind of intended to show how crowded that beach looks, but the wooden, padded, chairs are there:

http://beachreader.smugmug.com/Travel/Tulum-Dec-08/Ana-y-Jose-beach-view-2/435776776_pwMQS-L.jpg

[BethS.]

They are different than your pictures, beachreader -- instead of hardwood they are a flexible fabric, but a dark wood color, with no white pad. I did think they were perfectly comfortable with a towel, though having no point of reference with the previous chairs. I will try to do a trip report in the next couple days with pictures! In a nutshell we found A&J very, very nice though the restaurant was too expensive for what they offer.

[beachreader]

Thanks, Beth, looking forward to it.

[minniemex]

I knew they were different than before, but I really did think they were the same as they had at S&S. Now I am doubting myself that the ones at the beach club (Ana Y Joses beach club) were different. I just asked DH and he says that they were different than before. I have searched my pictures but it seems I didn't take any. The picture of the chairs is from S&S, alias Ocho.

[DougSR]

I can't tell you how important lounge furniture is to my enjoyment. I would give up room creature comforts in favor of very nice beach chairs.

[beachreader]

Me too, Doug. I need good beach furniture since I spend so much time out there! Definitely a critical part of my decision-making process. :cool:

[Obsessed]

Speaking of Beach Chairs....I noticed on one of our walks that the new place Azucar has some very comfy looking chairs.....wooden with a big thick tan colored cushion with an attached head pillow cushion. Wish I had thought to take a picture......perfect lounge chairs!!!

[minniemex]

Are these them in the background?? I thought they looked nice too!!

http://minniemex.smugmug.com/photos/790436364_ZcxXz-L.jpg

[DougSR]

Any love for the big green beach chairs at Suenos? The problem that I worried about was what if I want the sun?

[Obsessed]

Yes, Minnie, those are the ones!!! To me, they looked like the most comfortable chairs on the beach!!!

[Lazaro]

I passed by the Hipster hotel on my way south on the Beach Road.

[Lynnette]

Any love for the big green beach chairs at Suenos? The problem that I worried about was what if I want the sun?

They're very comfy and the staff will remove the canopy. They also have lounges, if you don't like the green "bed" ......no movement like a swing bed, though.

[Lynnette]

I passed by the Hipster hotel on my way south on the Beach Road.

And.................??? :-))

[DougSR]

And.................??? :-))

The mouse is helping me with my original question. Perhaps you could change the title of the thread to "Beach Chairs" or some such. :)

[Lazaro]

It seemed nice. Not my cup of tea because it wasn't rustic enough for me. But it seemed really nice. Similar vibe as the OM property. Unfortunately I did not take any pictures of Hip but I got a picture of Om off the beach.
http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab292/lazphotobucket/March%2013%20till%2018%202010%20Dos%20Ceibas%20Tul um/DSCN1918.jpg

[DougSR]

My tongue is hanging out mouseman. 29 more days my friend.

[Lazaro]

Hang in there Doug. Can't rush a good thing. LOL!!!

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:how we coming on our beach crawl stop and start? I really think one or the other should be at OM.....

[DougSR]

:wave:how we coming on our beach crawl stop and start? I really think one or the other should be at OM.....

It's been decided without my input. Start at La Zebra and end somewhere down by Playa Azul. However, I think when we drive past the beach town the newbie women will all want to end up there for shopping and Zamas.

(let me troll mouseman's picture in the thread and see if anyone is interested) :)