Mexico's only 5-Star rated independent hotel by Forbes Travel Guide, Hotel Esencia is a 50-acre private estate, with an awe-inspiring 500 meter beachfront, award winning spa, three restaurants, and an indulgent atmosphere fitting of royalty. In fact, the estate was once the exclusive beach-side retreat of an Italian duchess. Though friendly, warm and generous, the duchess demands the very best and Esencia still benefits from her superior taste, her impeccable style, and her zest for life. We are proud to announce that in both 2023 and 2024 Hotel Esencia was included on the list of the "World's 50 Best Hotels" as chosen by 600 luxury travel professionals who were asked to name their 7 favorite hotel visits during the past 5 years. In 2024, the esteemed Michelin Guide awarded Hotel Esencia its highest honor of 3 Michelin Keys, one of only 8 hotels in all of North America to achieve this distinction. We are a family owned resort and are immensely proud of our entire Hotel Esencia family.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Hidden Gem
Boutique
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish
Location
Carretera Cancun - Tulum Km 265, Playa del Carmen 77750 Mexico
Name/address in local language
Hotel Esencia
306 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
In September 2023, my husband and I had an extraordinary stay at Hotel Esencia, which quickly became our favorite hotel. The experience was flawless, and we eagerly anticipated our return. Unfortunately, our second visit in 2024 fell short in several key areas. However, after sharing this feedback, hotel management graciously offered us a complimentary stay to make things right, which we accepted during January 2025. I’m happy to report that the experience this time was much improved.
The property remains unparalleled with lush, peaceful grounds. The beach is breathtaking - a nearly-private space with pristine sand and crystal-clear water. The rooms are beautifully designed, impeccably maintained, exude understated luxury, and include many well-thought out details and items one would want while on vacation (eg: flip flops, beach bags, certain toiletries like sunscreen, etc). The staff also recognized we were celebrating a birthday and did a very nice job welcoming us with birthday treats and a room upgrade. Our arrival was a fantastic experience. The spa was open during our stay and was every bit as lovely as we had remembered.
During this complimentary stay, the service noticeably improved compared to our previous visit. While it didn’t quite reach the impeccable standard we experienced in 2023, it was clear the staff made an effort to ensure we were well taken care of. That said, the general service approach feels more relaxed than it once was — it is simply less polished and anticipatory, though it remains very friendly and accommodating. This attitude perhaps reflects the overall barefoot luxury vibe at Hotel Esencia, and I'm sure many guests appreciate this unobtrusive approach.
Regardless, Hotel Esencia’s unique charm is undeniable. The beach, facilities, and serene atmosphere remain unmatched, creating a sense of effortless escape. Special touches like releasing baby sea turtles and swimming with manatees or seabobs continue to stand out.
Overall, this recent visit reaffirmed why Hotel Esencia holds such a special place for us. While the service feels more laid-back than during our first stay, the incredible setting, well-appointed accommodations, and world-class beach make Esencia a rare gem. We are grateful to the management for their generosity and effort to improve our experience, and we look forward to seeing how the hotel continues to evolve.
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Date of stay: January 2025
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We just returned from another terrific stay at Esencia. We have been there a number of times over the last several years and it gets better with every trip. The hotel and property are immaculately kept. The rooms and suites are beautifully appointed, most equipped with plunge pools. Each is whitewashed with relatively simple but very elegant furnishings. It reminds us of combination of Santorini and Capri. The beach is spectacular. This property was the long-time vacation residence of an Italian duchess from the Ferrari family. The Duchess apparently went down the coastline in the mid-century before it was developed and located the best beach on the east coast of the Yucatan and built her hacienda in this location. The water is shallow, clear and protected by a reef. In fact, you can swim off the beach just a few meters and snorkel. The spa is very unique and the treatments are excellent – there are no corners in the entire spa and keeping with the Mayan tradition. Three dining options are all unique and amazing serving healthy yet very flavorful dishes. Service is top notch and very warm and genuine. The servers are expertly trained, but not intrusive. Beach service under the private cabanas was awesome (thanks to Luis and Paolo). The hotel is on the smaller side with only 40-50 rooms which makes it feel very intimate. Don’t like to sit on the beach? There are 2 gorgeous swimming pools with plush loungers where you can enjoy a view of the gorgeous beach and sea. Hotel was not full when we were recently there during Hurricane season, but it has been close to capacity on previous visits, and it never feels crowded. There was a tropical storm on the other side of the Yucatan but we still had plenty of sun each day. Every aspect of this hotel and property are beautifully curated by the owner, Kevin Wendel, who has exquisite taste and outstanding attention to detail. If you’re looking to relax at a beautiful location that feels “off the grid” deep in the Mexican jungle on the most beautiful beach imaginable, Esencia is a great option.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Anytime of year is great!
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Response from Sean Murphy, General Manager at Hotel Esencia
Responded Oct 27, 2022
Dear Mr. Robin, As a loyal repeat guest, you are certainly part of our Esencia family and we appreciate the recognition of our commitment to continue to enhance the property each year! Our Owner Kevin Wendle is a true visionary, who is always developing new ways for us to stay relevant in the luxury space while still paying homage to the Yucatan's cultural roots and storied past of Hotel Esencia as the duchess's private hideaway. Our secluded beach, oceanfront pools, and unique culinary experiences complemented by our first in class service have helped us become successful over the years which we are grateful for your comments on! During your next visit, we hope to WOW you once again with creating personalized memories on our little slice of paradise. Thank you so much for this outstanding review, and we will certainly be seeing you again soon! Sincerely, Sean Murphy Managing Director Hotel Esencia
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What a paradise! Feels like you’re on private island, away from it all with the most beautiful white sandy beach and world-class food and service that rivals any other luxury hotel I’ve ever been to. They really deserve all the awards they’ve won. Apparently this hotel was originally a private villa and it still feels like you’re staying at some aristocratic family home with so many beautiful decorative details and interesting art and architecture everywhere. Almost all the suites are set apart from each other in two story bungalows, if not in the main original villa. None of the rooms is far from the beach and they are all immersed within the most majestic palm jungle. We even saw beautiful wild peacocks strutting around along with many other exotic birds and animals. Definitely not like the massive all-inclusive hotels — this is really the definition of a private, ultra luxury boutique hotel. The warm and loving staff, the extraordinary spa, the quality of the rooms and the sumptuous dining options are what sets this apart from any other hotel in Mexico. I’ve been wanting to come here for so many years and it’s a bit pricey but you definitely get what you pay for here. We booked an entry level category room and it was larger and more luxurious than I expected so don’t hesitate to book that if you’re on a budget. Ours had both a plunge pool and a bathtub plus a huge shower and private terrace where they surprised us each morning with fresh hot coffee and warm little treats. Everyone was just so nice, they made us feel like VIPs. There are 3 restaurants, all different with so many dining options and all so good that I could have stayed here for weeks. I highly recommend their Mexican seafood grill overlooking the sea; go for the fresh fish, the tacos, the tamarindo shrimp, and the ceviche, and we had the best sushi from their Japanese restaurant delivered to us right on the beach whenever we wanted…heaven! Their dinner restaurant Beefbar is beautiful and yummy with live music there almost every night we were there. Highly recommend the tuna with crispy rice, the Kobe beef nigiris that they torch for you right at the table, and their brick oven pizza which we discovered the last night. And saving the best for last, the spa! If you go here do not miss this once in a lifetime experience. Your body will thank you!
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Date of stay: February 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
All the beautiful photos you see here don’t fully capture this lovely slice of paradise. The palm jungle greets you on arrival like a warm hug and you don’t see concrete everywhere like at other big block hotels, this is so different! Once we arrived at the main house I wanted to pinch myself seeing all of the authentic works of design. I was told by my lovely concierge Esmeralda that this was once the private villa of an Italian duchess and is now owned by a Hollywood producer. And you feel like you’re a guest in his aristocratic beach home, it’s not overdone but simple and just a feast for the eyes. From there she brought us to see the beach, what looked like miles of unblemished white sand with a warm gentle surf. Though I heard that the hotel was almost full we felt like we had it all to ourselves at certain points of the day. And the food! So many dining options from sushi to tacos to the freshest fish to brick oven pizza, the quality of which rivals anything I’d order at a popular big city restaurant, and in many cases better. But what really makes it work here is how you FEEL, the people working here genuinely care about what they do and checked in with us often, but not in an overbearing way. We had a couple of special requests and the answer was always yes without hesitation. Thank you Hotel Esencia, you are a true gem and we will be back for sure.
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Date of stay: February 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Kevin Wendle, Owner at Hotel Esencia
Responded Apr 9, 2024
Dear Guest, We are so grateful that you chose Hotel Esencia for your recent holiday in Mexico. I'm so proud of my staff and I'm always delighted to see such nice feedback here. Our chef in particular will be thrilled to read your many compliments. We are fortunate that we have nearly a half kilometer of beach all to ourselves with no neighbors on either side. Hotel Esencia was once a private villa and so many of our guests tell me it's like staying at friend's home, that's certainly the way we like it! We hope to see you back here again soon. All the best, Kevin Wendle Owner and CEO Hotel Esencia
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A place that makes you feel special as soon as you step in. We were greeted with cold towels and a welcome drink. Stephania welcomed us and shared all the details about the hotel. Coffee and croissants were left on our balcony at the time we wanted in the morning. Even though it was algae season, the area where we went to the sea was constantly cleaned. There is an open cenote nearby where you can swim with manteses, kayak and padle board. You can visit during certain hours accompanied by a staff member. They clean the room twice a day and prepare your bed for the day and night.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
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We just returned from a wonderful 8 night stay at Hotel Esencia, our first proper vacation as a couple since Covid, so very overdue. We stayed in a jungle suite with plunge pool. Our concierge offered to upgrade us to a master suite with ocean view, but honestly we preferred the privacy of the jungle (also we just returned from Florida where we were beachfront for two weeks - the jungle suite was a nice change of pace) and it was fun to see and interact with the abundant wildlife. I cannot say enough about the warmth of the staff and their constant attention to detail. Housekeeping was consistently on point, and we were always excited to see the fun treat was left for us from the turn down service (chocolates, candles, bookmarks - so cute!). The beach was absolutely breathtaking. So much effort is put into seaweed removal - no small feat. We walked down the beach and saw other resorts that were the polar opposite. The beach service was a standout (shout out to Kennedy! And not just him, but I didn't get everyone's name). The water of the day and fruit skewers were always a fun treat. The cabana and towel service was consistently stellar. These guys work hard!!! The nearby cenote, a 10 minute walk, and swimming with the manatee in the mangrove is not to be missed!! Our guide was Pascual and he is fantastic!! If I could go back I would have done that activity twice. The resort also offers daily yoga at 8 am. The yoga pavillion is open air, shaded (important), with a view of the beach. I have been practicing for many years and both teachers were very good (they each had a very different style so that made it more fun). Our favorite restaurants were Mistura & Taiyo, everything was so fresh and delicious, and again the service stellar. We thought Beefbar was OK, but we are also very spoiled by Rathbun Steak that is our go to only a couple of blocks from our house. The one thing I think it's important for anyone considering Esencia to know is that it isn't easy to get to restaurants outside of the resort and the restaurants there are very expensive. We both had 80 minute massages at the spa and both therapists were very good. I would describe the spa as a little rustic, but not in a negative way, just not as luxurious as some we have been to. While I do think this is absolutely a 5 star resort and we had a beautiful week, no place is perfect. There is sometimes a very strong smell from the large pile of seaweed next to the property, but I don't think that can be helped. Also, we had a couple of miscommunications with our concierge. One was a day trip that turned out to be twice the cost we thought and not the trip we wanted, that was definitely the low point of our stay. But we made the best of it and learned things we wouldn't have otherwise. So, all in all, a wonderful week in paradise! Highly recommend & we can't wait to return.
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Date of stay: July 2022
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Response from Sean Murphy, General Manager at Hotel Esencia
Responded Jul 28, 2022
Dear Mrs. Polazzo, With thousands of choices to stay and celebrate your first vacation as a couple after the pandemic, we are so grateful that you chose Hotel Esencia! As the only Forbes Travel Guide 5 star rated property in the country that is independently owned, we take immense pride in being able to provide a seamless experience for our guests. Thank you for the remarks about our dedicated ladies and gentlemen who thrive on creating personalized moments. We have published this review in our employee newsletter so that the team can celebrate! I'll have to agree with you about the Manatee experience, which is such a unique amenity we are privileged to be able to offer. We are also lucky to be a turtle sanctuary here at Xpu-Ha, and in fact just released dozens of babies into the Ocean this morning! The yoga palapa is so special and welcomes an ocean breeze each morning while our guests can focus on their sense of well being. Olga and Susy have contributed so much to our wellness offerings on property, so it's incredible to hear that a yoga expert like yourself was able to recognize their decades of commitment to the practice and enjoy the daily classes. It is certainly tough to beat the combination of the oceanfront view while navigating a culinary voyage at Mistura or Taiyo! Taiyo is the newest addition to the resort, after a year of collaboration with master sushi chef Masayuki Komatsu. We are delighted to hear you tasted the fresh ingredients which we source locally and at the highest level. As we do only provide the best ingredients in the world, our menu does carry a premium to ensure the quality our guests taste is first in class. Beefbar specifically was founded in Monte Carlo years ago, now with 25 restaurants around the globe and many of them having a Michelin star! We deeply apologize that expectations were not exceeded, and will review each item from your meals to follow up personally with our Chef. When guests are considering Hotel Esencia as a destination, you do have a valid point that we are not located in a city center. We are roughly 20 minutes South of Playa Del Carmen, 30 minutes North of Tulum, and 5 minutes from Puerto Aventuras. One of the many details which impacts our ambiance is the complete seclusion from the outside world, as we are spread out on over 55 acres of beachfront jungle. With three full service restaurants, countless ocean activities, two cenotes in walking distance, a world class Spa, a U.S. open quality tennis court, two oceanfront pools, and a full library immersed in the Jungle, we find that the majority of our guests do not leave property. We are blessed to see over 45% of our guests as repetitive frequent visitors, with the feedback from loyal yearly or bi-annual travelers being that they choose us in part for the unparalleled privacy and seclusion. We appreciate the comments that you enjoyed your 80 minute massages, as we were named Mexico's best spa by both Vogue and Forbes in years past. The design is inspired by the ancient Mayan culture, as we are home to the birthplace of this fascinating civilization in the Yucatan region. You may have noticed there were no corners in the building, in an effort to protect the flow of energy and enhance the spiritual awakening many of our travelers feel during their wellness practices. Sourcing plants from our garden on property to enhance our treatments, in combination with world renown brands such as Tata Harper help us continue to evolve our offerings as we stay relevant yet also respectful of our low density vision which blends into the environment. Lastly, I want to offer a sincere apology for the seaweed you mention on our neighboring land and miscommunication with your personal concierges! The property adjacent to our Hotel is not owned by us, although we recently made a deal with the owner to maintain the upkeep of their terrain. We are now able to apply our resources on that land, so that the pristine beach you mention we are able to sustain with the 68 person gardening team will extend to the interior and eliminate any odor. Since the early 2000s, the Atlantic Ocean experiences a bloom of seaweed which currents inevitably drive into the entire Caribbean coastline May-August. Fortunately for us, the Xpu Ha bay we are positioned on is facing a direction that naturally protects us from this natural phenomenon much better than many other properties. We do hope your tour to the Tulum ruins, a cenote, and downtown was enjoyable! We feel terrible about the miscommunication and recognize that the tour was confirmed at a specific price for Tulum ruins + cenote, although failed to explain that a three hour open service into downtown afterwards would incur an additional cost. I will write to you directly so we can process a refund on your method of payment for the difference as a gesture of our awareness for the mix-up. Our Assistant Concierge Manager Esmerelda did her best to engage upon departure and extend a generous credit towards your invoice since breakfast was not included and the expectation was that it would be... in combination with the seaweed odor you mentioned. We hope that you know how valuable your genuine feedback is and are so glad that you extended a 5 star review. We are thrilled to hear that you will be returning and I am writing you an email immediately so that I may personally oversee the next stay to ensure we deliver on perfection! Sincerely, Sean Murphy Managing Director Hotel Esencia
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This hotel exceeded all expectations on so many levels. We stayed as a family of four in two jungle suites with plunge pools and our rooms were relaxing, peaceful, immaculate and just stunning with every amenity and more. On arrival we were treated so kindly and it was completely obvious from the outset how proud all of the staff are about their workplace. We had Alejandra as our concierge for our stay who was professional, friendly , kind and second guessed all our requests and requirements. She is an absolute credit to your hotel…In fact all of the staff were always one step ahead of us without intruding. My teenage son happened to mention that he would be visiting the Jungle Gym in Tulum and Alejandra rang them without asking us just to check age requirements to use the gym just so we didn’t make a wasted journey. She was also aware of our love for animals and made sure we were booked in to swim in the cenote with the family of manatees and also arranged for us to help release the newly hatched turtles in to the ocean one evening. She supplied us with food to feed the resident turtles in the small cenote on site and also sorted a time for us to use the tennis court with all of the equipment ready for us as we arrived. When she wasn’t around all of the concierge team were kind, knowledgeable and helpful. The food and drink in the restaurants and on the beach was great and all of the staff in the restaurants were charming and fun. We were slightly concerned before travelling that the hotel may be a bit stuffy or hushed but the atmosphere was just perfect and we felt so comfortable from the moment we arrived until we left. The beach was just stunning and even though there was a big arrival or sargassum whilst we there it was dealt with quietly, efficiently and the beach was pristine again when we left. There were just so many memorable moments during our stay and the surprises at every turn blew us away. Before I left I was kindly shown a few of the other room types available and all of them were very special for different reasons. On our last morning we were all very sad to leave and our last surprise was a lovely leaving gift and our hire car had been cleaned and vacuumed ready for our journey to the airport! Mr Wendle….. I have stayed in many stunning properties throughout the world but yours brought me to tears on three or four occasions and you should be extremely proud of the most amazing hotel that is made so very special by your wonderful staff…. It is hands down the most special place I have stayed and this is mainly down to your wonderful staff and the amazing atmosphere they create. We have been home now for 2 days and I am yearning to come back… thank you for sharing your beautiful home .
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sean Murphy, General Manager at Hotel Esencia
Responded Aug 12, 2022
Dear SallykBath, We are all so grateful for this 5 star review here at Hotel Esencia. I also want to personally extend a sincere thank you for selecting our Resort as a vacation destination for you and your family. As our goal is to exceed guest expectations, it is wonderful to see that we were able to do so and that Alejandra was a key contributor in personalizing the stay. Those unexpected wishes and needs being addressed are at the core of first class hospitality which we appreciate you sharing! The atmosphere and ambiance at Esencia is relaxed yet refined in every way. It is great to read that you felt comfortable, as one of our main goals is to ensure every individual feels like they are guests at Kevin's private beachside estate! With Kevin residing on property, he is able to maintain an ever-careful eye towards curating those memorable moments you mention and is so delightful to see. Although we are sad that you are no longer on property with us, we await the moment for your next visit. We are excited to create additional personalized memories for you and your family! Sincerely, Sean Murphy Managing Director Hotel Esencia
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I have stayed at some of the fanciest hotels (e.g., the Aman) but this one is definitely on the top of favorite list. Everything was so great. The experience I had at this hotel will ruin all future hotel experience.
I love the fact that they do not nickel and dime you. Pool person always bring water and ice gratis. In addition, there are some complimentary activities available as well. Like some other reviewers have mentioned, the food is dismal for the hotel of this category. The food at the Beef Bar was a let down. Hopefully the food will be better the next time we come back.
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Date of stay: October 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:I would not get a room with a plunge pool. it's a waste of money. Too much leaves in the area...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Kevin Wendle, Owner at Hotel Esencia
Responded Sep 23, 2024
Dear SDWanderlust, A million thanks for your recent visit and your kind review; we are happy to be at the top of your favorites list! We are a family owned resort with just 48 rooms. My family and I live here ourselves so we are always on the lookout to ensure that our guests have an extraordinary experience, just as any visitor to our own home. In 2024 Hotel Esencia was honored with two of the highest distinctions awarded to hotels worldwide: The inclusion on The World’s 50 Best Hotels list for the second consecutive year; and the coveted Three Michelin Keys, given by The Michelin Guide to the best of the best in all hotel categories. Hotel Esencia is also the first and only independent hotel in Mexico to be awarded The Forbes Travel Guide Five Stars, three consecutive years, in 2022, 2023, and 2024. We are extremely honored and proud that our team has been awarded such recognitions, the only hotel in Mexico to have ever achieved all of the above. I regret that I was not here to meet you personally during your visit, and that you were not thrilled with your dining experience in one of our three restaurants; rest assured that I will follow up with our chef to find out what might have gone wrong. Beefbar is a Michelin star winning concept featuring the best cuts of meat in the world including Kobe, Wagyu, and Angus, with generally top reviews but sometimes mistakes happen. More than 50% of our guests are repeat guests here; I sincerely hope that we will see you back here as well one day soon! Warm regards, Kevin Wendle Owner and CEO
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I have waited almost a year to write this review. Revisitng a favorite resort in Turks & Caicos helped me to clarify my thinking. Hotel Escencia is in so many ways a lovely and luxurious spot but not perfect.
Pros: Wonderfully private gorgeous grounds with beautifully appointed rooms and excellent attention to detail. The cabanas on the beach are luxurious and the beach service is impeccable from setting up the cabanas to fresh cold water and little treats delivered late in the afternoon. Morning coffee and pastry delivery and yoga were a fabulous way to start the day. The stretch of sea was beautiful but sadly super windy when we were there making snorting and sailing impossible. This can happen anywhere but was disappointing.
Cons: What was not so good was the huge amount of Sargrassa seagrass that we have learned is characteristic of the area starting in late March or April. The staff made huge efforts to clean it up but it smells terrible. We also like long walks on the beach and if we walked anywhere but directly in front of Escencia it is knee deep. Check and see what the situation is before you go! I understand there is a new sushi restaurant since we were there which is good. The Beefbar was good but extremely expensive. Otherwise we found the menu at the main restaurant very redundant. The "special fish" was exactly the same fish every night. Thankfully there were several different preparations to chose from. One night there was also a large private party and there was nowhere to sit (we would have gone elsewhere if we had known). Lastly, this is not a big thing but about half the nights there was no turn down service. One night we got back to our room and found lovely young man frantically running between rooms trying to get things done. perhaps they were understaffed because of COVID? In general the service was kind but disorganized. The lack of screens on the windows also meant a reliance in air conditioning when it would have been nice to have fresh sea breezes at night.
Clearly we were in a minority in finding our experience only pretty good. I've been to many beach resorts and this one tops the list in terms of elegance of design of rooms and the cabana experience (including lunch on beach) but if you want to be able to walk miles on the beach, pristine sand and clear water this might not be your place (check conditions). Also think about whether you want most of your meals at one very expensive place without much variety or want a place with a variety of restaurant options in the area. Also at this price it is often possible have a room with a water view at her resorts (as opposed to a jungle view which is most common here)
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Date of stay: August 2021
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Response from Kevin Wendle, Owner at Hotel Esencia
Responded Mar 15, 2022
Dear Pamet27, My sincere thanks to you for your visit here last year and your many kind and complimentary comments. It’s unfortunate that you were here during a week of unusual wind and much heavier than normal seaweed. The tropical weather here is constantly changing of course but between late spring and early summer all beaches along the entire east coast of Mexico are prone to receiving seaweed - sometimes a lot and sometimes none at all during this period. Thanks for noting that here at Hotel Esencia we have a dedicated crew out there every morning to be sure that our beach is as pristine as possible, and I thank you for your extremely kind words about our private beach cabanas and our service there. We are extremely fortunate that our beach, Xpu-Ha, is often included on lists of the world's very best beaches (Forbes, Condé Nast Traveller, Forbes, etc.) and that we are isolated with no neighbors. With the addition of our new Japanese restaurant Taiyo we now offer three different dining restaurant experiences as you noted. I wish Taiyo had already been open during your visit as it’s quite popular. Thanks to the addition of our third restaurant Taiyo we now have a much more extensive selection of fresh fish in all of our restaurants. Yours is the first review of less than 5 stars that we have received in more than a year. I apologize for any mistakes that were made during your visit last year and invite you to come try Hotel Esencia again as we are constantly working to achieve perfection whatever the weather may bring. All the best. Kevin Wendle Owner and CEO
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I’m not someone to write reviews but this spectacular resort deserves every one of its many accolades.
From the moment we landed we were whisked away in one of the hotel’s spotless SUV’s and before long found ourselves in a mysterious jungle, and then like a miracle this manicured paradise appeared, a private Mediterranean style estate in flawless condition, away from it all. Butlers in elegant uniforms greeted us and it was all uphill from there. It was like being in a private home honestly, quiet and almost all to yourself, but the concierge also offered us plenty of activities to choose from, on property and off property. In particular we went swimming with manatees in a fresh water lagoon next door which was so fun and unique.
The beach is just breathtaking, the most clear blue water, and this hotel has no neighbors so it’s like you’re on a deserted island away from it all.
The food was fresh and tasty, better and more unique than you’d find even in some of the best restaurants in New York or Miami, just simple good food. The menus at the three restaurants were packed with a wide range of options. If you want Mexican, they have the best you’ve ever had. If you want sushi, or pizza, or ceviche, or the best steaks, it’s all there. I strongly recommend the tuna with crispy rice, and the Kobe beef sushi. There were even two pages of vegetarian options on the menu of the hotel right on the beach. Not one meal disappointed us. And the service was always prompt, not overbearing, and always warm with a smile. Their beach huts even have a service button!
This one was on my bucket list for a while and it did not disappoint.
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear happyzipper,
Hotel Esencia is not an all inclusive property, although we do include complimentary coffee, tea, and pastries which are delivered daily.
We also have an array of experiences and activities that are complimentary, including but not limited to daily yoga, afternoon tea, snorkeling, stand up paddleboarding, tennis, and more!
Sincerely,
Sean Murphy
Managing Director
Hotel Esencia
Dear Lehp,
We appreciate your interest in staying with us at Hotel Esencia!
Our property is nestled on a secluded beach which boasts ultimate privacy and security. We have a dedicated team that ensures the safety of our guests is our highest mission, and excel at doing so.
Please do not hesitate to call me at +52 984 873 4830 should I be able to clarify anything further and assist in securing your visit.
Sincerely,
Sean Murphy
Managing Director
Hotel Esencia
Miami Beach, Florida4 contributions2 helpful votes
Thank you for considering Hotel Esencia! Most of our Jungle Suites and our spa are located on the ground floor and have just one small step up. Our reservations team can help you select an ideal room. Access to our beach and two of our three restaurants do involve walking up either 8-10 steps or a gentle ramp around the side of our main house if needed. We hope to see you soon! Kevin Wendle, Owner and CEO
The are so many options for food at Esencia and they are very, very accommodating! My friends even invented their own dish that the chef happily made for them repeatedly. They have a juice and smoothie bar and different menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the beach restaurant and cafe, AND the Beef Bar jungle restaurant is open on the weekended with a completely different menu. AND they give you complimentary coffee and pastries in the morning, tea and treats in the afternoon, and an ever-replenishing fruit tray in your room. I never touched the snack bar in suite and barely got to try all of the things that sounded good on the various menus--you won't want for anything. (And you won't want to leave the property!) But if you do need some variety Playa Del Carmen is also a short cab ride away. (The concierge can recommend good local spots.)
There are more places to choose from in the Playa del Carmen area.
PRICE RANGE
C$2,178 - C$3,580 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
esencia playa del carmen, esencia hotel playa del carmen
LOCATION
MexicoYucatan PeninsulaQuintana RooRiviera MayaPlaya del Carmen
NUMBER OF ROOMS
48
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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