HOTEL ESENCIA XPU-HA, MEXICO

Art meets the beach at this chic, aristocratic bolthole, located just 50 minutes from Cancun and 30 from Tulum, full of character, charm and heritage. Set along the ivory sands of the Riviera Maya, Hotel Esencia was originally built as the private hideaway home of an Italian duchess on what is considered the most beautiful beach on Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

The much-loved boutique retreat is located on a private 50-acre estate surrounded by lush Mayan jungle. Famous Xpu-Ha beach (pronounced ‘shpooo-ha’ by those in the know) is hailed as being the finest stretch in the region, and one of the most protected and untouched white sand beaches in Mexico. Under the ownership of American entrepreneur, Kevin Wendle, and still fresh from a major refurbishment, Hotel Esencia is the perfect blend of European and local influences.

Since taking over, Wendle has reimagined the hotel to accentuate its natural beauty and add a one-off collection of art and antiques, including traditional mid-century furnishings and authentic 1950s works of art by celebrated Spanish, Latin American and Mexican artists – including Pablo Picasso, Fernando Botero and Eduardo Santiere. There are Pierre Jeanneret chairs, lamps by Serge Mouille and Pierre Guariche, and a table by world-renowned architect and designer Charlotte Perriand.

Combining the modern and traditional, the original design template was done by C.S. Valentin, who also designed an entire collection of original furniture and rugs exclusively for the hotel. Today, the hotel’s Creative Director, Juan Carlos Gutiérrez continues to travel across Mexico to carefully source special items from around the country for the hotel. www.hotelesencia.com