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Hotel Esencia

Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Modernist beachfront villa with white stucco walls and tiled roofs rising above dense jungle canopy, infinity pool and palapa structures below.
Shot by KOBU

Photos Courtesy of Hotel Esencia, Tanveer Badal, Aleksandra Personick for KOBU

This aristocratic oasis sits where the Yucatán jungle dissolves into the pristine sands of Xpu-ha, one of the only remaining undeveloped shores of the Mayan Riviera.

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Originally the private home of an Italian Duchess, in 2014, Esencia was transformed into 40 or so villas and guest rooms with the help of entrepreneur and art collector Kevin Wendle. Rooms and common areas were expertly curated by Juan Carlos Gutierrez, who beautifully mixes mid-century modern furniture by Charlotte Perriand, Serge Mouille, and Pierre Jeanneret with jungle surroundings.

Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Bright yellow Adirondack chairs on manicured lawn facing turquoise ocean, palm trees, white sand beach, and clouded sky.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Beachfront pool with sun loungers, palm trees, and ocean views at luxury coastal resort.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Infinity pool with turquoise water overlooking dense jungle canopy, white terrazzo deck, teak pergola, minimalist tropical architecture.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Minimalist interior with arched window framing lush greenery, red sofa with striped pillow, dark wooden table, and black pebble floor detail.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Grilled octopus with garlic and herbs on blue and white patterned tableware, daisies and condiments arranged on ornamental tiles.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Turquoise pool with limestone terrace, colonial-style casita with clay tile roof, mature tree canopy, daybed seating.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Striped yellow napkin with Buenos Días greeting on white plate, flanked by coffee, orange juice, and water glasses in minimalist breakfast setting.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Red surfboard and yellow kayak on sand beach with thatched-roof bungalows and palm trees under clear sky.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — White pergola with billowing linen curtains frames turquoise ocean view, rope details and striped lounger below.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Bohemian-modern beach lounge with patterned tile backdrop, woven ceiling, potted succulents, yellow rolled towels, and blue cushioned seating.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Thatched beachfront cabanas with wooden loungers overlooking the Caribbean Sea, palm trees and sand.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Modernist living room with black-framed glass doors, woven cane chairs, wooden side table, potted palm, and golden ceiling fan overlooking manicured garden.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Layered palm fronds in deep teal and emerald create rhythmic shadow play against dark foliage, tropical luxury garden detail.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Mid-century modern living room with black sofa, wooden furniture, golden cushions, potted palms, and black-framed doors opening to tropical gardens.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Minimalist oceanfront suite with vaulted ceiling, four-poster bed, dark wood accents, white linens, and panoramic palm views.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Oceanfront suite with dark wood doors opening to beachside deck, minimalist white bathtub, natural light, tropical palm views, contemporary luxury resort design.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Minimalist bathroom with dark wood-framed doors, white marble flooring, soaking tub, and tropical garden views through sheer curtains.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Modernist living room with cream sectional, red velvet cushions, dark wood-framed windows overlooking trees, geometric area rug, sculptural lighting, and warm ambient glow.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Open design portfolio displaying mid-century furniture, tropical plants, and vintage decor inspiration on cream linen surface.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Minimalist bedroom with cream linen sofa, dark wood shutters, floating nightstands, geometric area rug, and mid-century side table in bright natural light.
Sunlit windowsill at Hotel Esencia displaying red pillows, black sculptural vessel, and woven yellow tote against coastal backdrop.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Arched white plaster niche with potted palm plant in ceramic vessel, minimalist hospitality interior design.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — White stucco residence with terracotta roof tiles, arched openings, manicured lawn, palm trees, and tropical coastal modernist architecture.
Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Minimalist workspace with black desk and chair facing large window framing lush tropical palm foliage, cream walls, potted plants, polished floors.

Jungle Suite

Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Wooden daybed with white linens beside turquoise plunge pool, surrounded by tropical palm fronds and dappled sunlight in secluded garden setting.

Jungle Suite With Plunge Pool

Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Modernist white villa with thatched roof pavilions overlooking dense jungle canopy, infinity pool and loungers at sunset.

Rooftop Wellness Suite

Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Arched bathroom with freestanding tub, glass shower, and framed window view of olive trees, minimalist black and white palette.

Master Suite

Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Whitewashed archway opening to Mediterranean-style loggia with blue butterfly chair, wooden side table, potted plants, and yellow rolled towels beside pool.

Master Jungle Suite

Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Red-and-white striped cushions on a waterfront lounger overlooking turquoise lagoon, thatched-roof bungalows, and palm trees.

Master Beach Suite

Hotel Esencia, Mexico — Modernist white terraces overlooking jungle canopy with teak furniture, loungers, and ceramic planters in dappled sunlight.

The Esencia Suite

The Details

What makes it Kobu

Bright, airy spaces are finished with dark timber elements and decor pieces crafted by local artisans: handwoven rugs in each room are made by Bi Yuu and we want them all. Jason Wu and Bella Hadid are regulars here but honestly, this is one of the most laid-back experiences we’ve ever had.

Every morning freshly brewed coffee and pastries are delivered to a discreet wooden box outside your door. Enjoy them at your leisure before getting your daily dose of tranquility at sunrise (beachfront) yoga.

Local Favourites

Directions

Cancun International Airport (CUN)

90 min by car

The Destination

Mexico

Inner Garden at Tulum Treehouse, Tulum Mexico.

From Tulum to Oaxaca and beyond, Mexico’s beaches, jungles and vibrant city experiences are second to none — think sunrise adventures and sunset spa visits, fresh guava and ceviche, mezcal and margaritas. Try out the country’s new fleet of trendy boutique hotels with progressive approaches to sustainability and craft.

Explore

Photography

Commissioned photography for luxury hospitality and properties.

Selected work

Mandarin Oriental Bodrum, Turkey — Wooden terrace with linen curtains overlooking infinity pool, manicured trees, and Aegean Sea at golden hour.
Rosewood Mandarina, Mexico — Modern geometric architecture with warm ochre facade and expansive windows surrounded by palm trees at golden hour.
Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Mexico — White-walled modernist courtyard with arched entryway, tall palm trees, terracotta floors, and mid-century wooden seating under clear blue sky.
Casa Lumeria, Mexico — Courtyard with limestone pool, wooden loungers, cream umbrellas, cascading vines on brutalist concrete architecture, minimalist luxury design.
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