Esencia - Mexico's Hidden Jewel

We've all heard of celebrities slip away to hidden vacations on remote islands and other places where they can stay incognito. If you’ve ever wanted to experience a destination such as this, Esencia could be your Mexican seaside escape, your own private hideaway.

Located approximately 20 miles south of Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya, Esencia is a 50-acre luxury estate. An Italian duchess built it as her private vacation home, but she decided to turn it into a resort about three years ago. Therefore, everything about Esencia is designed to make you feel like a royal guest.

After a short flight to Cancun and an hour drive, you come upon a very unassuming gravel driveway, which leads to a simple casita Maya (Mayan hut). In this rustic setting, you check-in and feel as if you’re being taken into hiding. A golf cart then takes you, weaving its way down a narrow path, and drops you off at the edge of a jungle. It is here that a paved path winds through lush vegetation to reveal white cott ages with their own private pools. It eventually opens onto a luxurious courtyard with iguanas running around in the grass. It slowly becomes apparent that this property is an example of marrying the modern up-andcoming Riviera Maya with the very rustic Mayan culture of generations past.

“We looked at other hotels along the Riviera, but I’m so thankful we chose Esencia. They made us feel like we’re the only ones here and really cater to our every need,” says a female guest who flew 24 hours from Singapore to experience Esencia. Esencia attracts guests from the U.S. (primarily Texas, California and New York), Western Europe and Asia.

The main house, which looks out on the coast, has nine rooms, each with terraces and tranquil sea views. There are two private houses, with four garden room annexes and 10 individual garden suites with their own solaria and plunge pools. One cannot go wrong in choosing a room, as they are all spacious, clean and top-quality. There are two pools that look out on the beach; one is for adults and the other is a family pool (though there were no kids on property when we visited in September). There is a restaurant next to the pool area where guests can sit oceanside for desayuno (breakfast) and almuerzo (lunch) from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. The resort’s impeccable customer service truly shines through a waitstaff that cater to your every need – whether on the beach, by the pool or sitting at the restaurant. Waiters, such as Omar, Elias and Fidel, are great at conversation and at predicting what you’d like to order. You know you’re in the lap of luxury when you can sit in the pool and have cervezas (beer) brought to you all afternoon.

Overall, Esencia is meant for those travelers who want to escape their busy daily lives and relax. You would not want to squander your stay at Esencia by taking tours and shopping. You are a guest at the duchess’s estate, and you should absorb all that this seaside life offers. With understated excellence, simplicity is a way of life at Esencia. You can keep yourself entertained by enjoying a great novel under a palapa (hut) on the beach or by the pool while being served your favorite beverage. Or you can spend the afternoon relaxing at the spa, or simply enjoy an afternoon siesta. However you choose to spend your time at this privileged corner of the world, it is your moment to enjoy. It is not often that you get invited to be a royal guest, so soak up the beauty and tranquility at this refuge by the sea. You are sure to want to return to visit your amigos at Esencia time and time again. "—Marika Flatt