What Makes hotel Esencia one of the best beach hotels in the world
Just an hour and a half from Cancun, after a direct flight from London, I arrive at Hotel Esencia. As I type, with birds chirping in the background, I’m drawing on my senses to try to relay what makes this place so special.
It’s hard to pinpoint, because it’s really the combination of everything: beautiful aesthetics, being completely surrounded by nature, delicious food, genuine kindness and warmth from the staff, and experiences that somehow leave your senses alive and your mind completely calm.
There aren’t many properties that get the kaleidoscope of these aspects so well interlinked, so on point, that the experience becomes a total calming of the nervous system.
And in our ever-changing, hectic lives, I think it is this stepping away from it all to find a private haven, nestled between the lush green jungle, with all its animals, sounds and fauna, and the white sandy beaches with the consistently gentle roll of the Caribbean Sea, that feels so soothing.
Set against a backdrop of white, stone-washed buildings and polished white stone floors, the villas sit amongst a myriad of paths winding through a cleverly designed jungle garden. They are beautiful. Large, spacious areas to sink into, find a corner, relax, unwind and revitalise.
Generosity comes to mind. They are generous in what they deliver: views, privacy and character. This is absolutely not a mainstream hotel, but a personal vision of creativity and abundance. Where nature envelops you and enables you to live alongside it.
Experience-wise, this could easily be a fly-and-flop destination. But I’ve chosen to embrace what’s on offer.
I’ve had a sound bath meditation, watched as huge female turtles crawl up the beach at night to dig holes and lay their eggs under the light of the moon, and witnessed the safe release of newly hatched baby turtles into the waves — also after dark, to keep them away from predators such as iguanas and greedy birds.
I’ve kayaked and snorkelled in a hidden lagoon, surrounded by mangroves and deep caves, and made up my own body scrub from ground rice, cocoa, honey, essential oils and lotions in the sanctuary of the spa. The Mezcal tasting was an added bonus!
Perhaps the most transformative experience was cocoa healing ceremony. Rooted in the ancient traditions of Mayan culture, a coacoa ceremony is about far more than sipping a cup of chocolate (which, admittdely, is what I thought we’d signed up for!). Surrounded by clouds of insence, rhythmic chanting and the beating of drums, it’s a powerful and deeply personal experience of letting go of old narratives and settling new intentions for the future.
And all of this interspersed with delicious meals and cocktails. Freshly prepared ceviche, Mexican chorizo quesadillas, papaya and raspberry margaritas, and superfood bowls piled high with raw salads, alongside green jalapeño and coconut milk juices.
What I’ve loved most about Hotel Esencia is that it feels like a place that can become whatever you need it to be, whether as a one-stop destination or as part of a wider Mexican itinerary, combined with vibrant, pulsing cities or time spent discovering Mayan temples.
The Mansion House is the owner’s private villa, available for an exclusive stay; the hotel as a whole is made up of 51 suites and villas and can be booked exclusively for a private celebration or wedding, or individually as the perfect place simply for time away from the usual routine with family, friends or on your own.
Hotel Esencia is a place to break the mould, reconnect and recharge. There is space here to do very little, or embrace the gentle rhythm of nourishing experiences on offer, but either way you leave feeling that you’ve properly stepped away from the everyday grind - and that your life feels a little bigger because of it.
