Price Band: $$
Tags: Luxurious, beach, family friendly, romantic, secluded
Xpu-ha, Riviera Maya
Xpu-ha, Riviera Maya
Xpu-ha, Riviera Maya
Xpu-ha, Riviera Maya
Price Band: $$
Tags: Luxurious, beach, family friendly, romantic, secluded
In a nutshell:
Indulgent and relaxing boutique hotel, set on one of the area’s best beaches. Heavenly for honeymooners, spa aficionados and also for families looking for privacy and outstanding service.
Hotel Esencia is an intimate and luxurious property located on a gorgeous beach at Xpu-ha, on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. This is one of the few small luxury properties in this area to welcome children of all ages, yet it is also one of the most romantic and indulgent honeymoon destinations in the region. With just twenty nine rooms and suites on an estate covering fifty acres, there’s plenty of space for everyone.
In addition to spacious and beautifully furnished suites with seductive ocean views and garden suites with plunge pools, the hotel also offers “villas” that can be reserved as one to five bedroom units, each with a private swimming pool.
These are some of the most prestigious accommodations on the Riviera Maya and feature high specification media rooms and lavish dining areas with a private kitchen for in-house chef service. These units are ideal for families wishing to combine the flexibility of a private villa with the convenience of a luxury hotel.
For couples, the ultimate choice is the magnificent Rosa Suite. Occupying much of the second floor of the main building, once the home of an Italian duchess, the suite encompasses large terraces overlooking the Caribbean and a private plunge pool. Other Ocean View suites in the same building feature his and hers bathrooms, walk-in closets, DVD players and flat-screen TVs.
The in-room amenities may be enticing, but you’ll need to venture outside your suite to savor the highlights of this property. The cuisine here is already attracting rave reviews in the media and a team of expert water sport instructors and guides can introduce guests to this fabulous stretch of coast.
A spectacular spa with an emphasis on natural ingredients and holistic rituals is proving very popular. It’s also widely acknowledged that this is one of the best beaches on the Riviera Maya – Hotel Esencia has a location that’s certainly fit for a duchess and also for a select few pampered guests.
Hotel Esencia offers a wide variety of accommodation, from romantic garden suites and palatial ocean view penthouses to houses big enough for an extended family. All are styled with a striking white decor which brilliantly complements the high-tech amenities and novel gadgets (our favorites being the remotely controlled black-out shades and the personal mini-freezer for ice, vodka or any other essentials).
Guests are pampered with the finest Egyptian cotton sheets, down pillows and lightweight duvets. Many rooms have large walk-in closets and bathrooms featuring a selection of Molton Brown toiletries. Several of the ocean view suites have his-and-hers bath and shower rooms, whilst some Garden Suites also have a bathtub and a shower.
For a honeymoon or special occasion, the spectacular Rosa or Torre suites are the ultimate choice. Both have breathtaking ocean views and private terraces.
The Ocean View suites are located in the main building and the adjacent “Casa Invitados” and also enjoy delightful outlooks over the pools, garden and the ocean.
Garden Suites are arranged in duplex units with one suite on the ground floor and one on the second floor. Each suite has a private plunge pool, generously sized terrace and large bedroom with king bed. Although the second floor suites are more private and have elevated views, those on the ground floor are equally desirable for their extra sun terrace and larger bathrooms with soaking tubs. The upper and lower level suites are completely independent with no connecting door, but the combined unit would be ideal for two couples traveling together or a family with older children.
A unique feature of this property is the option of reserving a luxurious one bedroom “villa” with an additional two, three or four bedrooms in adjacent units.
Each villa has a private swimming pool and media room with LCD screen and surround sound system, plus a gourmet kitchen and dining room. Private chef and butler service are available.
Summary of room facilities
Garden Suite
King bed or two double beds, private plunge pool, garden views
Ocean Suite
King bed, large terrace, ocean views
Torre Suite
King bed, terrace, ocean views
Rosa Suite
King Bed, large terrace with plunge pool, ocean views
Villa
Master bedroom with king bed, second bedroom with 2 beds, kitchen, living room, media room and private swimming pool
Garden room
King Bed or two double beds, garden views
Each villa-style unit houses two Garden Suites, one above the other. The suites command tranquil views in all directions over the lush tropical gardens and the low jungle beyond.
They are located behind the main building and only a very short walk from the pool and beach.
An exterior staircase rises to offer access to the upper suite and there are no connecting doors between the upper and lower units. Nevertheless, the combination of an upper and lower suite in the same building could be ideal for families with children old enough to have their own room.
Elegant simplicity is the theme in these cool, stylish interiors. Glazed doors open onto the large terrace or balcony to the front of the suite, enjoying garden views. From the king size bed, guests can control the roller black-out blinds for their first glimpse of the morning sun and also adjust the temperature and lighting. A wide screen cable TV with DVD and CD player is visible from the bed or the sofa, and just a few steps away you’ll find a mini-refrigerator and freezer.
The indulgent bathrooms include fabulous rain showers and brilliant white vanity units. A selection of pampering Molton Brown products are provided in each suite. Ground floor suites also feature a luxurious soaking tub as well as a shower.
The plunge pools are partially shaded and are ideal for cooling off in the tropical climate. The plunge pools on the second floor are more private, while those on the ground floor have an adjacent sun terrace.
The Ocean View Suites are located in the Main House and the adjacent “Casa Invitados” or Guest House. There are two suites in the Casa Invitados and a further three in the main building.
They are located behind the main building and only a very short walk from the pool and beach.
These suites overlook the swimming pool and beach and feature large terraces. With names such as “Love” and “Passion” they are the perfect choice for a romantic vacation.
The interiors of the Ocean View Suites are similar in design and amenities to those of the Garden Suites. However, several suites have two bathrooms (one with a tub and one with a shower) and some upper level suites have beautiful Catalan style domed ceilings.
Each Ocean View Suite has an oversized bathroom featuring a walk-in rain shower. Several suites also include a second bathroom with soaking tub and bidet.
All the Ocean View suites have a large terrace or balcony from which you can admire the turquoise-hued ocean. Morning coffee service is provided to each suite and can be enjoyed on the terrace in the early sunshine.
The Torre suite features an amazing tower bedroom with 360 degree views. Remote controlled roller black-out blinds can be operated from the king size bed, and you can enjoy your favorite movies on a pull-down projector screen which is also controlled remotely. You’ll need to be energetic though as the suite is located on the third floor and there’s no elevator! However, the incredible views of the Caribbean coastline are more than worth the climb.
The Torre Suite features a generously sized terrace overlooking the beach and furnished with two sun loungers. The very best views of the Caribbean can be enjoyed from this location.
This suite boasts an extra large walk-in shower with elevated ocean views. The bathroom is not overlooked and, despite the large windows, your privacy is guaranteed.
Rosa is the Master Suite at Hotel Esencia; once the bedroom suite of the Italian Duchess who was the original owner of the property.
It occupies much of the second floor of the main building and encompasses a huge ocean view terrace, luxurious living spaces, a plunge pool and a second garden view terrace.
The suite also features a beautiful Catalan ceiling. The bathing and dressing area includes a walk-in closet, a spacious bathroom and a shower room.
The Villas are lavish accommodations featuring many of the comforts of a luxury rental property, yet with the convenience of hotel service.
They are located behind the main building and only a very short walk from the pool and beach.
Each Villa has a private swimming pool and a full specification media room with flat screen TV and surround sound system.
Also available is a gourmet kitchen, where a resident chef can prepare meals to be served in the private dining area.
A magnificent bedroom suite with king bed and and a second bedroom with two beds are located on the second floor. Additional rooms for family, friends or security staff and nannies are available in the form of adjacent garden rooms.
The Garden Rooms are located close to the Villas and are surrounded by tropical gardens. These rooms can be rented individually or in conjunction with one of the cottages; providing the perfect accommodation for larger families and groups. The Garden Rooms are arranged in small duplex buildings with one ground floor room and one upper floor room. The rooms have either one king or two double beds.
These rooms enjoy the same luxurious amenities and features as the Suites including, electronic black out blinds, DVD players, plasma TV, personalized mini bar and ice freezer.
Double glazed doors lead to a terrace with a comfy sofa and a table and chairs.
Bathrooms are elegant and spacious with a dressing area. They feature a double vanity unit, large walk in shower with rain head shower. As in the Garden Suites, the ground floor rooms have a large bathtub.
The elegant restaurant is located in the tropical gardens with seating under a large palapa for al fresco dining. Hotel Esencia’s chef has created a stylish menu with a modern twist on local and international dishes.
In the evenings the gardens and restaurant are lit by candles and it is a very romantic spot for dinner.
There is also an inside air-conditioned section for those who prefer something a little cooler. This space would also be ideal for small groups or meetings.
For lunch, it’s a delight to dine outside by the swimming pool, enjoying the spectacular colors of the ocean, the sky and the pool together with the lush gardens.
Over a mile of soft white sand stretches in front of the hotel. This is one of our favorite beaches in Mexico – we reckon it’s just about perfect.
The multi-hued turquoise ocean is usually calm as the reef is closer to the shore here than in many parts of this coast. Snorkelers can swim out to some interesting areas, although for the best snorkeling and diving you’ll need to take a boat trip.
This beach is also heavenly for sunset strolls and there are a couple of beach bars within easy walking distance.
The nearest airport is Cancun – by road the journey to Hotel Esencia takes about 90 minutes.
From Cancun airport, head south following the signs to Playa del Carmen and Tulum on the highway #307. You will pass Playa del Carmen and Puerto Aventuras.
After passing Puerto Aventuras, watch for the large sign marking the entrance to the Xpu-ha Palace Hotel on your left. There are then two small, rough roads exiting the highway to your left.
The entrance to Hotel Esencia is the first of these roads and is marked by a white gate house. The entrance is next to the road to Al Cielo (marked by a blue sign) and before the Copacabana hotel.
Hotel Esencia
Xpu-ha beach
Riviera Maya
Mexico