Hotel Esencia

It was quite fantastic when I recently stayed at Hotel Esencia with two of my closest friends. The warmth and individuality of the staff who contribute to the hotel's success, as well as the property's beauty, astounded us from the moment we arrived. Discovering that such a small, cozy boutique hotel could boast three utterly amazing and unique restaurants was one of the most enjoyable and surprising aspects of our visit. We always had the ideal choice nearby, whether we were in the mood for a properly cooked steak, fresh seafood by the beach, or something light and sophisticated. Each had its distinct flavor and attitude. What felt genuinely surreal, though, was the spa. It felt like a getaway into another world and went beyond simple wellbeing. We were captivated to discover that a large number of the beauty oils and balms are created using flowers and herbs cultivated in the spa garden, which provides a vast array of treatments and rituals. We even attempted the sensory deprivation tank one day, which was an incredible experience in and of itself. Everything felt exceptional due to the service we received during our visit. The concierge staff's Joselym was wonderful; she was incredibly considerate and helpful, and she ensured that my friends and I had everything we needed, frequently before we even realized it. Kennedy was a star at Mistura, a restaurant on the ocean. He was already fully aware of our preferences by the second day, and his suggestions were consistently excellent. Every time we sat down to eat, it was as if we had a personal host. Ivan was equally amazing at BeefBar; he was very gregarious, interesting, and a pleasure to converse with. His enthusiasm made every meal there feel informal and enjoyable, as if we were frequent diners. We were struck by the staff's warmth and personal touch. Interactions with hotel workers are typically courteous yet aloof. It was different here. Every person we encountered was sincerely kind, engaged in discussion, and made an effort to get to know us. It added a certain closeness and charm to the entire stay that is difficult to find elsewhere. To be honest, it's difficult to describe how unique the experience was. Thanks to the people, the details, and the atmosphere of the hotel, Hotel Esencia is one of the few places that feels as lovely as it looks.

Have been to esencia many times before and it remains one of my favorite spots beach wise. This year however was hugely disappointing and I have never felt as unwelcome. We could not stay this year but wanted to showcase the beach and the amazing restaurant and great service to my family and friends. Therefore I booked the restaurant for lunch. When I arrived to the restaurant I was ambushed by the concierge and was Armstrong to pay US$250 per person just because my kids wanted to swim in the ocean before eating (even if we were not using ANY of the facilities and the beach is a public space in Mexico) . Have never felt as UNWELCOMED by a concierge.

Was amazing, super luxurious, the beach was amazing and the staff were great, smiling, welcoming and friendly. The place looked like a peace of heaven.

While the grounds are immaculate, the rooms are impeccable, and the food is sensational, the standout feature at Hotel Esencia is the staff. Everyone is personable, charming, attentive, and simply delightful to be around. We are a family with young (under-11) children who spend very full days at the beach — building sand castles, snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and riding ‘seabobs’. The staff helped us navigate between activities and did so with genuine smiles and laughter throughout. Plus, the hotel arranged and guided us on a fantastic excursion that included snorkel and swimming with the manatees at a nearby lagoon (highly recommended!). We would encourage everyone to ‘wake up starving’ because breakfast is phenomenal with pancakes, eggs, smoothies, French toast, and breakfast sandwiches to rival the very best otherwise offered in Mexico City. We will be back and sincerely recommend the Hotel Esencia experience!

This was my second time visiting beautiful Hotel Esencia - my first time solo! The pick up from the airport was seamless, as was check in/out (I love that you moved it from the building at the entrance to the Concierge office). The attention and service from the entire staff was EXCEPTIONAL. The concierge team was very communicative both in person and via WhatsApp, it was nice to get a daily message listing available activities. The pool/beach service was stellar - Alfonso & Kennedy were so warm and friendly, they made me feel at home. Alfonso makes a killer margarita! The pool deck/lounges were always pristine. I also want to acknowledge the beach crew who work tirelessly to keep the beach beautiful. Housekeeping is consistent and on point & the turn down service was just as fun as I remember, always leaving fun treats and charming little souvenirs. The sunrise yoga is great for all levels with excellent instructors & under a shaded pavilion with ocean breeze. I had two excellent spa services, one helping me shift gears at the beginning of the week and another helping me prepare for another week of travel. Marcos was my guide for the lovely lagoon/cenote snorkeling tour - I have been dreaming about doing that again since our last stay. So beautiful, refreshing & serene. The Cocktail Reception/Mexican Grill Feast on Thursday night was new to me this visit and so much fun. The live music was great and the oceanfront dinner was outstanding. Elias kept bringing me courses and plates of the most delicious food and I joked that he was trying to kill me. And the food!! Stand outs from the week - the pumpkin salsa (OMG), beet/pineapple/avocado salad, wood fired pizza, ceviche, sushi, steamed ginger fish, gazpacho rojo, the list goes on. Overall, just one of the loveliest, most peaceful weeks of my life! Thank you to all the staff who worked to make that happen! (I have two suggestions: Provide printed menus in the suites (I'm old school I guess) & offer half portions on certain items like salads or apps for solo travelers.)