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Hotel Esencia: Secluded Splendor on the Maya Riviera

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MexicoIssue 11 — Mex Chic

Hotel Esencia: Secluded Splendor on the Maya Riviera

March 16, 2017

Located on a secluded beach off Xpu-Ha Bay (half an hour from Tulum, Mexico), Hotel Esencia is a 29-room boutique hotel that’s making a name for itself as a tastemakers’ haven (the hotel recently hosted the wedding of fashion designer Jason Wu). In 2014, entrepreneur Kevin Wendle bought the 50-acre estate (once a residence and hotel belonging to an Italian duchess) and embarked on a two-year renovation overseen by creative director C. S. Valentin and architects Gabriel and Alfonso Nunez. The hotel’s design elements include whitewashed guest rooms outfitted with custom Mexican handwoven rugs and bed throws as well as common lounge and dinner areas with original midcentury furnishings and art by artists and designers such as Pablo Picasso and Le Corbusier. Here’s a look inside.

Photography courtesy of Hotel Esencia.

the hotel was originally built as a hideaway home for duchess rosa deferra 17
Above: The hotel was originally built as a hideaway home for Duchess Rosa deFerrari, and today the property is reimagined as a luxury boutique hotel with 29 newly renovated rooms, suites, and villas.
hotel escenicia living room chandigar chairs
Above: The hotel’s owner, Kevin Wendle has installed his own collection of 1950s artwork and furnishings (by Picasso, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, and Serge Mouille, among others) throughout the guest rooms and hotel salons.
the furniture, handwoven rugs, and bed throws, all designed for hotel 19
Above: The furniture, handwoven rugs, and bed throws, all designed for Hotel Esencia, pay homage to midcentury design and Mexico art.
most of the hotel rooms have their own plunge pools. 20
Above: Most of the hotel rooms have their own plunge pools.
a guest bathroom connected to an outdoor plunge pool. 21
Above: A guest bathroom connected to an outdoor plunge pool.
a garden suite with double beds covered in white linens. the modern handwoven r 22
Above: A garden suite with double beds covered in white linens. The modern handwoven rugs seen throughout the hotel were custom-made for the hotel by Mexican artists.
a whitewashed seating area, featuring a built in sofa paired with mid 23
Above: A whitewashed seating area, featuring a built-in sofa paired with midcentury furnishings and modern pillows.
the organic spa uses ingredients harvested from the waters of the caribbean and 24
Above: The organic spa uses ingredients harvested from the waters of the Caribbean and soil from the Mayan jungle.
a health club is available for active guests. 25
Above: A health club is available for active guests.
a view of the esencia pool and the beach from the hotel lobby. 26
Above: A view of the Esencia pool and the beach from the hotel lobby.
the hotel has two pools; one for adults only and one for families. 27
Above: The hotel has two pools; one for adults-only and one for families.
 the hotel offers two pool villas to accommodate large groups. the vi 28
Above: The hotel offers two pool villas to accommodate large groups. The villas feature eight bedrooms (all with en-suite bathrooms), fully equipped kitchens, laundry areas, and a spacious indoor/outdoor living area.
an indoor/outdoor living area in one of the hotel&#8\2\17;s pool villas. 29
Above: An indoor/outdoor living area in one of the hotel’s pool villas.
a live edge wood headboard runs the length of two double beds, and red blanket 30
Above: A live-edge wood headboard runs the length of two double beds, and red blanket throws add a dash of color.
a built in sofa and a desk can be spotted in the extra room of a large suite. t 31
Above: A built-in sofa and a desk can be spotted in the extra room of a large suite. The poster bed curtains offer privacy and act as a mosquito barrier.
an outdoor built in daybed with red cushions offers a quiet plac 32
Above: An outdoor built-in daybed with red cushions offers a quiet place.
a traditional hammock. 33
Above: A traditional hammock.

See our Mexico Design Travel Guide for more hotels, and check out these luxury hotels for more inspiration.

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