The whitewashed oceanside getaway of an Italian duchess turned 51-room boutique hotel.

A massive megaresort. This hotel feels like home...if home is a photo shoot–worthy slice of oceanfront nirvana.

If you don’t currently have any friends who own leafy 50-acre estates perched on turquoise Riviera Mayan shores, you do now. Checking in to Hotel Esencia is like slipping into an alternate reality, too pretty to be believed. There’s a palapa-roofed spa set beside a cenote; But unlike at any friend’s house, it’s impossible to overstay your welcome here; the staff treat you with the same kid gloves that they would have used with the Duchess, the property’s former owner. “Sure, you can have a cold-pressed watermelon juice sprinkled with bee pollen.”

You can no longer stomach all-inclusive or run-of-the-mill resorts, not least because you always return home feeling worse than when you left. This place is something truly special.

In the hushed reprieve of temple-like spa, you’re experiencing something akin to transcendence: The spa journey begins with a traditional Mayan kitchen laboratory where therapists tailor bespoke, restorative programs, using the purest ingredients harvested from the waters of the Caribbean and soil from the Mayan jungle.

The Speakeasy – A cozy bar hidden in the jungle, with its own secret entrance, featuring lavish interiors and a state-of-the-art sound system

Taiyo – A poolside restaurant offering a Japanese dining concept with a Mexican twist

Beefbar Esencia – A selection of exceptional meat cuts from Australian Black Onyx and Wx Wagyu beef and Certified Japanese Kobe beef.

Mistura Xpu-Ha – Beachfront restaurant offering unparalleled majestic sea views, a creative selection of seafood dishes, specialties from the grill, and beloved comfort foods

The Coffee and Juice Bar @ Mistura—We offer a wide selection of coffee beans from different regions in Mexico, and our Juice Bar menu offers a delicious selection of freshly squeezed juices, smoothies made to order, and our popular superfood bowls.

The Beach Bar – Creative signature cocktails while enjoying the warm sea breeze and the best views in the hotel.