For a memorable vacation experience in a hip and sophisticated atmosphere, stay in one of the top design hotels in Mexico.
The following design hotels are safe choices:
ESENCIA
A sumptuous heaven set at the tropical Caribbean seaside on the Yucatan Peninsula. Wake up for a cooling swim in the pool, a session of yoga, an organic Spa treatment, or an ocean dive with skilled scuba instructors. If needed, multilingual nannies can provide baby-sitting. This laidback hotel has 29 rooms, 17 suites and two cottages for $525-$2,800 a night, including breakfast. As it darkens outside, relish the chef Alejandro Rojas’ Meso-American cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant Sal y Fuego, sip an Esencia Carbena in the chill-out lounge, or stroll to the beach and watch the sunset.
Location: Carretera Cancun Tulum, Pedio Rustico Xpu-Ha Lote 18, Quintana Roo
IKA DEL MAR
Living in one of the 30 villas with their own private pool and outdoor terrace with beds and hammocks costs $585-$2,500 a night, including breakfasts. To ensure peace and quiet, cell phones are prohibited on Ika del Mar’s premises, and no children under 16 are allowed. Available activities include hatha yoga, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing and horse-riding. End the day with Azul Restaurant’s international and domestic gourmet cuisine.
Location: Playa Xcalacoco Frac 7, Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo
HABITA
Mexican architects Bernardo Gomes-Pimienta and Enrique Norten teamed up with hotel keepers Carlos Couturier and Moises Micha for a 2000 premiere. The result? A contemporary designed five-storey hotel with 32 rooms and four suites in the fashionable Polanco neighborhood, near Chapultepec Park in the city’s business center. Enjoy the aesthetic rooms, admire the view from the rooftop bar – almost a must in a design hotel – and savor Aura Restaurant’s modern cuisine.
Location: Av. Presidente Masaryk 201, Col. Polanco C.P, Mexico City
AZUCAR
According to hotelier Carlos Couturier, the elegant Azucar hotel is a tribute to the sugar industry, the Cuban salsa singer Celia Cruz, who dedicated a song to the sugar cane, and items special for Mexico: the huarache (Mexican sandal), the machete, and the sombrero. The 20 spacious bungalows with thatched roofs, white colours and cotton attire all have a private terrace facing the Gulf of Mexico.
Location: Km 83.5 Carretera Poza Rica – Nautla, Loocalidad Montegordo Veracruz
DESEO
Situated in a charming fishing village 35 minutes drive south from Cancun International Airport, Deseo is one of the hottest spots on the Mayan Riviera. The 15 rooms and suites – some with ocean view - have a plain feel with natural colors and white marble floors. The hip hotel pool terrace offers king-size beds and pillows for optimal relaxation.
Location: 5th Av and 12th St, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
CONDESA DF
Javier Sanches’ architectural gem stands along a Jacaranda-lined avenue in the trendy Condesa district, 30 minutes from the international airport. The Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes has listed the building as cultural heritage. A tranquil site filled with funky simplicity and glamorous cool, especially the central patio devoted to relaxation, dining, and people-watching. The 40 rooms and suites have an airy feel, chocolate brown tones and functional furnishing. Don’t miss the club in the basement or a sushi at La Terazza bar with views of neighboring Parque de Espana and the Castillo de Chapultepec.
Location: Avenida Veracruz 102, Mexico City
Thanks for the tips! I wasn’t familiar with Esencia or Ika del Mar, but the other 4 I knew from http://www.designhotels.com. They have them, and two more too!
Mexico really is at the forefront of interesting and funky beach hotels – when the Tsunami devastated Phuket, I remember thinking that Mexico would step up to become “the” exotic beach destination and I think it is getting there. Happily, Phuket is recovering, too.