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Esencia | Riviera Maya | Mexico
On those icing-sugar sand beaches of Mexico’s Mayan Riviera, tucked away down a dirt track; far, far away from Cancun’s crowds is Esencia, the epitome of the boutique hideaway. Chic and stylish yet understated, this 29-room hotel combines Mexican charm and hospitality with impeccable service and laid-back luxury to create one of our favourite hotels.
Perfect for… boutique beach babes.
Where… Xpu-Ha beach, about 90 minutes’ south of Cancun on Mexico’s Mayan Riviera, on the way to Tulum.
And the rooms… stay either in the converted villa for ocean view rooms and suites (La Rosa Suite is our favourite) or in one of the Garden Villas set in lush, tropical gardens behind the main house, with their own private pools. Décor is clean and white with flashes of colour and mahogany furnishings. There are also some private houses and villas for families and groups – check with an expert for the options.
Food and facilities… food is a highlight at Esencia with rustic dishes prepared by the gourmet chef using local ingredients and international flair at the wonderful Sal y Fuego restaurant. Then there’s the fabulous Aroma Spa offering special treatments using organic indigenous fruit, plants and herbs, many of which are grown in the hotel’s garden, two swimming pools and miles and miles of powdery white sand.
Activities… apart from lazy days on one of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches, Esencia also offers yoga and meditation classes, Mexican cookery classes and if you want some nightlife, lively Playa del Carmen is just 20 minutes’ drive away. To the south you’ll find the Mayan site of Tulum and the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve, both of which make for great day trips out.
In the know… unlike other boutique hotels on this stretch of coastline, children are accepted at Esencia making this the perfect spot for families who prefer smaller, more intimate hotels.
