Hotel Esencia - Xpu Ha

5-star beachfront boutique hotel on Xpu-Ha beach, the first independent Forbes Five Star hotel in Mexico

Dining

Hotel Esencia offers three distinct restaurants: Taiyo for Japanese-Mexican cuisine, Beefbar for premium steaks, and Mistura for beachfront seafood. The hotel also features an Omakase bar and a speakeasy that opens on Thursday and Saturday nights. Guests can book a private culinary laboratory for tailored wellness programs.

Accommodations & Grounds

Suites and rooms are set within two-story bungalows or the original main villa, each with private plunge pools and outdoor showers. The property occupies a 50-acre estate that was once the private villa of an Italian duchess, now owned by a Hollywood producer. The grounds include a private helipad, a rooftop terrace with 360-degree views, and a screening room with latest audiovisual technology.

Wellness & Spa

The organic spa offers treatments using herbs and flowers grown in its own garden, plus a sensory deprivation tank, infrared sauna, steam room, cold plunge, and hot tub. The spa was recently updated with a new ice room and flotation tank. Guests have access to a climate-controlled fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment and a personal trainer.

Beach & Pools

The hotel sits directly on Xpu-Ha beach, a wide stretch of white sand with gentle waves and clear water. There are two outdoor pools (one family, one adults-only) with poolside service and cushions changed daily from white to black at 6:00 PM. The beach offers cabanas with a service button, snorkeling gear, paddle boards, and boogie boards, plus beachfront dining at Mistura.

Activities & Family

On-site activities include a private cenote lagoon with manatee snorkeling tours, a tennis court that doubles as a heliport and can be converted to pickleball, and a game room. For children, there is an indoor play area, kids' outdoor play equipment, board games, and a dedicated concierge for family needs. The hotel also offers themed dinner nights, live music performances, and cooking classes.

• Location: Secluded beachfront on Xpu-Ha, 15 min from Playa del Carmen
• Rooms: Suites with private plunge pools and outdoor showers
• Dining: 3 restaurants, Omakase bar, speakeasy, and culinary lab
• Wellness: Organic spa with sensory deprivation tank and ice room
• Awards: First independent Forbes Five Star hotel in Mexico (2022-2025)
• Unique: Private helipad, 50-acre estate, and private screening room