Four Sanctuaries of the Soul in Mexico

High design meets ancestral wisdom at these restorative escapes for mind, body, and spirit

Words by LESLEY McKENZIE

4 restorative escapes in Mexico — The scenic Xpu-Ha beach.

MEXICO | riviera maya
Hotel Esencia

Tucked between Tulum and Playa del Carmen on a stretch of pristine Caribbean coastline, HOTEL ESENCIA in Xpu-Ha is a paradisaical 50-acre retreat where design, nature, and wellness converge. Owner and creative director Kevin Wendle has reimagined the property, once the private estate of an Italian duchess, as a glamorous and sought-after hideaway, beloved by discerning travelers for its privacy and pared-back elegance.

Featuring 47 rooms and four villas, accommodations run the gamut: spacious beach-adjacent Jungle Suites, Beach Suites outfitted with private terraces, and two-bedroom, two-story Pool Villas that come with full-size swimming pools. The property also includes a tennis and pickleball court, heated pools, access to a private beach, and three restaurants.

At the heart of the estate is the newly relaunched Esencia Spa, an immersive sanctuary that honors Mayan healing traditions while incorporating a sensory deprivation tank, infrared sauna, and an ice chamber. Restorative treatments include the jet lag–defying Traveler’s Recovery Facial and the anti-inflammatory Coffee Ritual, as well as the healing Temazal ceremony, which is centered on the spa’s sweat lodge. hotelesencia.com.

Seven dining concepts, including open-fire, showcase the region’s bounty.

Jardín Botánico restaurant serves regional fare. Photo: Fernando Marroquin.

MEXICO | baja california
Banyan Tree Veya

Long synonymous with vineyards and sun-drenched terroir, Baja California’s Valle de Guadalupe is entering a new chapter where wellness and design-led hospitality take center stage. At the heart of this shift is BANYAN TREE VEYA, a 16-acre sanctuary that opened in 2024.

Tucked into the hillside, 30 pool villas blend into the lush landscape. Each stay begins with a personal well-being assessment, followed by a tailored program drawn from the resort’s calendar of group activities, from somatic breathwork to a vibrational singing bowl experience. Led by a local Temazcalero, the Veya Temazcal Journey unfolds inside a steam-filled dome, where breathwork, chanting, and medicinal herbs guide you through a powerful release, leaving mind, body, and spirit renewed.

Seven dining concepts showcase the region’s bounty, including open-fire cooking at Jardín Botánico and Baja-inspired plates from the retrofitted Roka food truck. The property is also home to Pictograma — the only winery in the Americas dedicated exclusively to Grenache — with a focus on sustainable cultivation and small-batch production. veya.banyantree.com.

MEXICO | Puerto Escondido
Hotel Humano

Surf culture reigns supreme at HOTEL HUMANO, a 39-room destination just a stone’s throw from Zicatela Beach’s legendary breaks in Oaxaca’s Puerto Escondido. Opened in late 2024 by Grupo Habita, whose design-driven portfolio includes Baja Club Hotel and Condesa DF in Mexico City, the property embodies the laid-back, bohemian spirit the area is known for. Here, concrete, wood, and clay converge to emphasize the beauty of the hotel’s natural surrounds: think latticed facades that invite the outdoors in, and a welcoming, earthy palette that captures the shades of Oaxaca — sunsets included. Decked out in custom furnishings by Mexican artisans, accommodations range from Garden Pool Rooms, each with its own terrace, to the Ocean View Suites, outfitted with private plunge pools.

Spend the day catching waves (lessons and gear available at the on-site surf shop) or lounging by the palm tree–lined courtyard pool, then head to the rooftop Sunset Bar with a craft cocktail to watch the sun dip below the horizon. In the courtyard, Bistro serves alfresco meals, from chilaquiles and fresh juices at breakfast to mahi-mahi crudo and grilled fish by night. hotel-humano.com.

A speakeasy-style cliffside bar is set to open this fall.

Hotel Humano is designed to reflect the area’s surf culture.

MEXICO | RIVIERA NAYARIT
Rosewood Mandarina

Raising the bar for barefoot luxury in Mexico, ROSEWOOD MANDARINA made its long-awaited debut on Riviera Nayarit’s unspoiled Pacific coastline in May. Nearly a decade in the making, the resort encompasses jungle-covered mountains, agrarian flatlands, and white-sand beaches in a setting that’s equal parts nature, culture, and adventure. The 134 accommodations, including two private villas and three specialty suites, were crafted to evoke a deep sense of place. Each features a private plunge pool, a generous terrace, and custom design elements created in collaboration with local artisans, such as Barro Negro pottery, embroidery, beading, and yarn art.

Dining is just as immersive, from tacos, ceviche, and freshly caught seafood served at La Cocina Mandarina to Spanish coastal fare such as tapas and paella at Buena Onda. At the Asaya Spa, wellness takes center stage. Indigenous healing rituals inform a menu of nourishing treatments, including the Mara’akame Journey, a meditative massage designed to lead the body into peaceful slumber. With access to a Greg Norman–designed golf course and outdoor adventures like ziplining, surfing, and horseback riding, guests can make the most of the region’s diverse terrain. rosewoodhotels.com/en/mandarina.