Hotel Escondido

Set at the end of a long dirt road on a sprawling private property, the arrival journey past grazing cows, bird flocks, and pastoral fields feels like an adventure in itself. A native cactus terrain preludes the modernist stone entrance, and serves as Hotel Escondido’s rugged inland backdrop. Beyond the entrance, common areas (like the lobby, spa, reading room, and restaurant palapa), unfold on either side of a long boardwalk floating over a giant pond. It’s a modernist meets tropical Mexican fusion look which culminates in the real showstopper: the 50-meter beachfront, jade-green infinity pool. A furnished deck borders the entire non-infinity side, from where the pool bar, and a neat row of deck chairs add chic chill factor. Splashes of aqua (towels) and burnt orange (cushions and shade umbrellas), add bold pops of color to an otherwise neutral palette that complements the natural landscape. Individual bungalows are placed on either side of the central common areas, right along the beachfront. By day, guests seem sparse, as the pool bar loungers, hammocks, deck chairs, shaded sunbeds that scatter the beachfront, and each bungalow’s private plunge pool provide ample places to relax. By night, the restaurant palapa glows with candlelight, as guests calmly dine and imbibe before heading back to their bungalows (guided by flashlights provided in rooms). At Hotel Escondido, the attention to decor and service detail is on point. The drive out here can seem like a headache, but it’s all part of the escape -- and the no-children policy keeps things quiet. 

Hotel Escondido is located in a fairly isolated pocket of private land that sits between the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range and the Pacific Ocean. It’s about a 30-minute drive from the international airport, and 40 minutes from Puerto Escondido's tourist hub of Zicatela. The long, dirt road drive to and from the main road slows things down a bit, so it pays to allow a little extra travel time -- especially where flights are concerned. It’s around 15 minutes to Laguna de Manialtepec, one of Puerto Escondido’s main tourist attractions, where visitors can swim at night with phosphorescence. Famed artistic community, Casa Wabi, shares the same private property, and it’s just a short walk from the hotel grounds. Taxis can be arranged at the front desk, but transportation should be booked in advance given that taxis have to make their way out to the property specifically for guest pick-up.

Like common areas, rooms are designed for maximum privacy and to impress. The bungalows offer a sleek, contemporary take on the Mexican palapa. Spread out along the beachfront, all 16 bungalows are mirror image -- in categories of mainly Deluxe (one king bed) or two Double Room options (two double beds). Minimalist open-plan layouts feature earthy neutrals like deep gray on walls; raw-wood-slab headboards, platform beds, and bench surfaces. Hand-painted dark timber floors are decorated with abstract teal accents to mimic an accent rug. Bedding is crisp white, and bolder color splashes come from towels and outdoor cushions in aqua and burnt orange.Bungalows have ceiling fans, desks, flat-screen TVs, digital alarm clocks, portable Bose speakers, and a minibar stocked with chocolate and chips, cigarettes, booze, and a big bottle of mezcal. However, there are no tea- and coffee-making facilities. Wi-Fi is provided and it’s pretty reliable, despite the remote setting. Sliding wooden shutter doors open rooms up to a desert-like cactus landscape on one side; and on the other, private sundecks with individual plunge pools, lounge seating, hammocks, two sunbeds, and direct sandy path access to the beach. High-pitched palapa roofing overhead enhances the sense of space and adds to the tropical escape, but air-conditioning has a hard time completely cooling the spaces. Open-plan bathrooms feature dual floating concrete basins. The water closet and shower are set behind floor-to-ceiling doors. Plastic pump dispensers deliver bathroom toiletries with an eco-friendly conscience.

The gorgeous beachfront setting is the obvious highlight here. The ocean can be unsafe for swimming, but the beach is long, wide, and great for walks or catching front-row sunsets. Plus, the resort provides a number of deck chairs and hammocks with palapa-style shade right on the beach. (They're nice and spread out so guests can relax in privacy.) Another standout feature at Hotel Escondido is its spectacular 50-meter long, completely beachfront infinity pool. It’s bordered by a deck on one side, where the pool bar resides along with hammocks, lounge seating, a neat row of deck chairs, and shade umbrellas.The open-air palapa restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails. It’s all top-notch, largely Mexican inspired with modern twists, but the changing creative dinner menu (a daily choice of two starters and mains) can be a little hit or miss. However, the snacks menu is always available with a la carte options. Guests can book all-inclusive packages with their rooms.The spa offers a range of massages and treatments using native products, as well as an indoor whirlpool and steam room. There’s a reading room that’s designed for quiet time out, with books and magazines to peruse. The hotel also offers tours of nearby artistic community, Casa Wabi. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout.