Hotel Esencia
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico · Virtuoso · 2026 benefits
Hotel Esencia is located fifty minutes south of Cancún and thirty minutes north of Tulum by car. Perfectly secluded from the world around it, the property is surrounded on the north by the primitive Mayan jungle and on the south by Xpu-Ha cove, often referred as the most beautiful stretch of the Mayan Riviera. Hotel Esencia is a majestic 50-acre estate at the midpoint between Tulum and Playa del Carmen in Mexico. It has long enjoyed a storied past in this ancestral cradle of culture, cuisine, and comfort. Originally built as the private hideaway home of an Italian duchess on the most beautiful beach of the Mayan Riviera, it later became a hotel, and, for some time, has been a sought after…
Hotel Esencia, once the beachside villa of an Italian duchess, is set on a secluded, 50-acre estate of lush gardens on pristine Xpu-ha Beach. This delightful Mayan Riviera refuge has five rooms, three villas, 45 suites, an organic spa, and three simple yet sophisticated restaurants that draw from Mexico’s eclectic regional cuisines. Suites feature high ceilings and generous views of tropical gardens or the sea; several have plunge pools and a terrace or balcony, and the duplex villas provide an extra level of privacy. Master Suites and the main house’s salon feature midcentury collectibles from Le Corbusier, Perriand, and Picasso.
What you get booking it through us (2026 benefits)
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily breakfast credit of $60 per person for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant (non-cumulative)
- $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Complimentary bottle of wine
- Bookings in our Esencia Suite or higher categories will receive an additional $100 Resort or Hotel credit (for a total of $200 during stay)
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
These are the Virtuoso benefits on file for this property, on top of the hotel's own best flexible rate — not a discount and not a package. How the benefit stack compares to booking direct.
In the know
Dining at Mistura is a culinary treat. The creative Mexican seafood dishes served in a beachfront palapa with 180-degree ocean views make for a memorable meal. –Limor Decter New York, New York
The property, in facts
| Where | Xpu-ha, Carretera Tulum-Cancun Km 264, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico |
|---|---|
| Category | Beach Resort |
| Property type | Hotel or Resort |
| Rooms | 51 |
| Room types | 8 |
| Nearest airport | Cancún International (CUN) · 45 miles |
| Advisor programme | Virtuoso |
| Style | Sophisticated |
| Known for | Beach, Seclusion, Wellness |
Rooms and suites
- Presidential Suite — Our most private and newest suite, this Caribbean style beachfront bungalow - on its own 2,800 sq m independent property - features all the comforts and…
- Pool Villa — These Duplex 2-bedroom residences feature a master suite with 1 king bed, a bathroom suite with separate walk-in shower and bath tub, private outdoor terrace…
- Private Villa — ‘Yum-Ha’ is a majestic colonial-style Villa discreetly located on a lush 15 acre property right next to Hotel Esencia. The 4-bedroom Villa is just a 3 minute…
- Jungle Suite with Plunge Pool — With the option of 1 king or 2 queen beds, subject to availability, these Jungle Suites feature private plunge pools, private outdoor terraces with a seating…
- Jungle Suite — Only steps from the beach immersed in our palm garden, Jungle Suites are available with one king or two queen beds, large private outdoor terraces with a…
- Master Suite — Located in the most central part of the hotel, these Master Suites feature 1 king bed, master bathroom suites with separate walk-in showers and bath tub on…
In the room
Air Conditioning · Balcony/Lanai/Terrace · Bathrobe · Butler Service · Ceiling Fan · Coffee/Tea Maker · Connecting Rooms · Hair Dryer · Internet Access · Iron/Ironing Board · Kitchen · Kitchenette · Microwave · Mini Bar · Private Pool · Refrigerator · Safe · Sitting Area · Slippers · Turn Down Service · Washer/Dryer · Wheelchair Accessible
What advisors say
100% of the 9 Virtuoso advisors who have filed a review of this property recommend it. Those reviews are collected by Virtuoso from advisors who have stayed, not by us and not from the public.
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