One of the many balconies at Esencia Mansion Exterior stairs to the primary bathroom
Hotel Esencia helped define luxury in the region when it opened decades ago in Xpu Ha. It's one the area's original hideaways, with 52 rooms and villas sprawled across 50 acres of beachfront wilderness between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Refusing to be left behind by so much development up and down the coast, the property has leapfrogged back into the limelight with the fabulous new Esencia Mansion.
The mansion’s primary bedroom Effy and Jonja wear Olivia von Halle silk sets in bed
The 10,000-square-foot, Spanish-revival villa (which starts at $8,400 a night) boasts four bedrooms, seven bathrooms, three pools and a rooftop deck with wraparound views of the jungle (and sunset) to the beach (and sunrise). The entire third level is devoted to the master suite, which sports its own indoor/outdoor plunge pool and a private fitness studio. The other bedrooms aren't paltry. All are junior suites with private terraces.
In the sitting room of Esencia Mansion, Effy wears a Proenza Schouler White Label dress and Tory Burch earrings and shoes. Jonja wears a Reese Cooper jacket and shorts with an Issey Miyake shirt. Having fun in the sun at the main pool
You'll probably spend most of your time marveling at the owner's art collection, which includes multiple Picassos, or just hanging out at the villa's main pool that's tiled with meticulously hand-painted ceramics by contemporary artist/filmmaker Marcel Dzama. Another good option: lounging downstairs in the underground, fully stocked speakeasy, which can be staffed with a bartender or self-serviced.
Secreted away in the mansion’s speakeasy, Jonja wears a Reese Cooper top and Bonnie Clyde sunglasses. Effy lounges in the speakeasy wearing a Self-Portrait dress.
Shrouded in a thicket of palms and mangroves behind the hotel, the mansion is an easy walk to the beach and other common facilities, including the new helicopter pad. Oh, yeah - forgot to mention: Esencia recently launched its own private helicopter service, which can come in handy, given all the construction on the highway of late.
ESENCIA MANSION
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Your travel advisor can secure Select perks, including a $200 resort credit and breakfast for two. $$$$
This story originally appeared in OLTRE's Barefoot Issue, in our comprehensive guide to the Yucatan Peninsula.
If you don't already have a subscription, contact your travel advisor.
Photography: Karla Lisker
Art Direction: Devin Duckworth
Styling: Ella Cepeda
Beauty: Malena Ibarra
Modeling: Effy @ In The Park MGMT & Jonja @ New Icon
Photo Assistant: Josue Torres
Production Assistant: Brittney Tupa