Ian O’Brien

Hotel Escondido

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Hotel Escondido The lounge located directly across from reception. Great reading material and obviously the design is on point.

The lounge located directly across from reception. Great reading material and obviously the design is on point.

Hotel Escondido The bar and restaurant. That huge lantern above the bar is made of palm fronds. A lively vibe kicks off around 9pm each night as couples finish dinner and the mezcal starts to flow.

The bar and restaurant. That huge lantern above the bar is made of palm fronds. A lively vibe kicks off around 9pm each night as couples finish dinner and the mezcal starts to flow.

Hotel Escondido The ocean-facing side of our bungalow, shot from a private path leading to the beach. Hammock, check. Chaise lounge, check. Private soaking pool, check.

The ocean-facing side of our bungalow, shot from a private path leading to the beach. Hammock, check. Chaise lounge, check. Private soaking pool, check.

Hotel Escondido Inside of our bungalow. Super comfy bed. Note the flashlight, portable Bose bluetooth speaker and deco analog alarm clock on the bedside table. Also note the sombrero. Wear the sombrero.

Inside of our bungalow. Super comfy bed. Note the flashlight, portable Bose bluetooth speaker and deco analog alarm clock on the bedside table. Also note the sombrero. Wear the sombrero.

Hotel Escondido Stylish wood and concrete dual vanity in the bathroom. Pictured here: Goods for the journey, by Izola. Not pictured: Our bungalow’s awesome waterfall shower.

Stylish wood and concrete dual vanity in the bathroom. Pictured here: Goods for the journey, by Izola. Not pictured: Our bungalow’s awesome waterfall shower.

Hotel Escondido Mini bar!

Mini bar!

Hotel Escondido The BEST guacamole, shrimp tacos, and margaritas I have ever had…right by Hotel Escondido’s signature sunken beach pool.

The BEST guacamole, shrimp tacos, and margaritas I have ever had…right by Hotel Escondido’s signature sunken beach pool.

Hotel Escondido Taking in the waves and sunset.

Taking in the waves and sunset.

Hotel Escondido The poolside bar. Respite from the incredibly hot southern Mexico sun.

The poolside bar. Respite from the incredibly hot southern Mexico sun.

Hotel Escondido The bungalows from the beach.

The bungalows from the beach.

Hotel Escondido The house mezcal. Brought a bottle back. Great souvenir or gift for friends.

The house mezcal. Brought a bottle back. Great souvenir or gift for friends.

Highs & Lows

  • The aesthetically pleasing and functional, smart design. The hotel’s layout is such that it always frames the massive waves, providing an impactful visual and auditory experience. Cacti surrounds. The colors blend seamlessly with the landscape. And one is always so, so comfortable.

  • They provide sombreros.

  • The food. Everything is very fresh and delicious. Breakfast of chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, fresh fruit, juice and coffee served in your bungalow. Ceviches, guacamole, and shrimp tacos throughout the afternoon, with frozen margaritas poolside. Fresh fish in the restaurant for dinner, followed by plenty of the house mezcal late into the night.

  • The pool… it’s dug into the beach.

  • Great gift shop and plenty of good reading material, in case you left your book at home.

  • The waves are too big and the current is too strong to enjoy swimming in the ocean. This is the Mexican pipeline after all.

The Barometer

  • Design

  • Website

  • Environmental Consciousness

  • Night's Sleep

  • Service

  • Amenities

  • Takeable Treats

  • Refer a Friend

  • Overall Value

  • Life Changing

Total: 45/50

Important Bits

  • Type

    An isolated, low-key luxury, boutique hotel surrounded by nature.

  • Vibe

    Low-key luxury. You are lost in a nature meets luxury experience that is amenity rich, yet not distractingly so. A perfect combination of attentive service and complete isolation and privacy.

  • Location

    Located on a stretch of completely isolated beach, miles away from anything.

  • Rooms

    16 thatched roof beach bungalows, all identical.

  • Music

    I didn’t notice music in the restaurant/bar area. There is a “night club,” but it was closed while we were there. Every room is equipped with a Bose portable bluetooth speaker, which is a great touch because you can take it anywhere on the premises. Bring it to the restaurant/bar area after the kitchen closes to imbibe with newfound friends over a card game and mezcal.

  • Year Opened

    2013

  • Designed By

    Grupo Habita. One of my favorite things about this hotel is how GH took inspiration from the natural landscape surrounding the hotel and humbly and tastefully incorporated it into the design of their hotel experience. It was authentic, well executed and, most importantly: made sense.

  • Health & Wellness

    Every bungalow has a private patio with a soaking pool for two. There is also a large, sunken pool on the beach next the hotel’s bar and restaurant. A very nice touch considering the waves here are so big (up to 18 ft.), swimming in the ocean is not very enjoyable. No gym.

  • Restaurant

    Delicious, but stick to the basics: fresh fish, shrimp tacos, ceviches.

  • Bar

    Great atmosphere and lighting at night. Puerto Escondido is in the heart of mezcal country and the hotel’s Mexican guests WILL remind you of this. Stick with tequila in the frozen margaritas, but it’s all about mezcal after dinner. Drink it straight. Drink the house bottle. And take it with orange slices and chili powder on the side. Don’t fall into a cactus patch on the walk back to your bungalow.

  • Minibar

    Moet, plenty of liquor, beer, sodas, coconut water, juices, sparkling water, chocolates, cigarettes, chips and snacks. No qualms here.

  • Children

    The safe environment would allow for kids to explore on their own, but this is the type of place you go to completely relax and unwind. Every bungalow only has one queen bed… it’s very romantic. I’d leave the kids at home if I were you….

  • Price

    Totally fair. Let’s just say, it’s easy to spend more in NYC in a single weekend.

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