Chablé
Where:Merida, Mexico
Why:Research and relaxation
When:June 2018
Who:Just me!

My own private Mexico.

The entrance to the spa, with lots of little nooks for pre-treatment snacks or shaman ceremonies.

The spa cafe features healthy dishes made from ingredients grown on-site.

Biking is the best way to get around the massive grounds.

The tequila bar boasts the largest collection of tequila in the world.

The old archways of the old sisal hacienda.

The entrance to a casita.

Behind the spa, relaxation pools have been nestled amongst old stone buildings.

The guest casitas are built behind the ruins of the old stone buildings and have their own private pools.

The main pool.
Highs & Lows
The design and setting is stunning—a mix of old archways and stone buildings and clean-lined, modern buildings surrounded by gardens and jungle. The hotel won Unesco’s best design award in 2017.
At night, the entire place is aglow with lanterns, twinkly lights, and candles. It’s magical.
There is so much to explore: a traditional Mayan garden, sprawling lawns, a cenote, swimming pools. There’s no reason to leave.
The state-of-the-art spa is insane and has everything you could want, including a flotation pool, a movement studio, yoga and meditation platform, fitness center, salon, and everything else you could want.
The food and beverage program was created by famed Mexican chef Jorge Vallejo. An on-site farm uses traditional Mayan growing methods to cultivate organic veggies in raised beds.
The place is so big, it’s easy to get lost—you need a map!
You’ll want at least three days to fully enjoy all the offerings and blissed-out vibes, and even that might not be enough.
Important Bits
- Type
Wellness resort.
- Vibe
Magical fairyland meets modern paradise on the grounds of an old hacienda in the middle of the Yucatan jungle.
- Location
Just 25 minutes south of Merida, but feels much more remote.
- Rooms
38 casitas; two villas.
- Music
Whatever you want; an iPad controlls hidden speakers in your room.
- Year Opened
2017
- Designed By
Jorge Borja and Paulina Morán
- Pool/Gym
Yes! And a 32,000 square foot spa.
- Restaurant
3
- Bar
2
- Minibar
Yes: sparkling water, tequila, and beer.
- Wifi
Yes! Free!
- Children
They’re allowed but maybe leave the kiddies at home to maximize the zen vibes.
- Price
Luxury with just the right amount of mysticism.

Celestun
Celestún, Yucatan, Mexico
A nature preserve about an hour and a half away is famous for attracting thousands of flamingos.

The city of Merida
Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
Thirty minutes away, is Mexico’s safest and is full of gorgeous colonial streets to explore.

Coqui Coqui
Coqui Coqui Mérida, Centro, Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
In Merida, visit Coqui Coqui for perfume and La Chaya Maya for classic Yucatecan food.

Chablé
Chablekal, Yucatan, Mexico
Must Bring
-
Dodo Bar Or Tasseled Embroidered Maxi Dress
A gauzy, colorful dress that fits in perfectly with the surroundings and doubles as a chic pool-side coverup.
-
Tatcha Pore Perfecting Sunscreen
This natural, lightweight sunscreen goes on smooth and comes in the perfect, pack-able size.
-
Dos Gardenias Darkstart Swimsuit
If you really must wear a swimsuit, this is the one.