HOTEL Escondido

MEXICO

THE PERSONALITIES

Creative nomads. Surfers. Writers in retreat. Lovers of solitude and salt air.

MOMENTS

Early morning walks along a wild, empty coastline. Hammocks that feel like time machines. Watching the Pacific turn gold at dusk. Mezcal by candlelight. Plunge pool dips under the stars. The hypnotic hush of waves as your only soundtrack.

BEST VISITING MONTHS

November through May is peak season: warm, dry, and golden, ideal for surf, sun, and slow days. June through October brings lusher landscapes, quieter beaches, and dramatic skies. Turtle hatching season typically begins in summer. For fewer crowds and a wilder atmosphere, come during the shoulder months.

COST

WHY STAY

Escondido means “hidden,” and the name speaks for itself. Located in the state of Oaxaca, Hotel Escondido sits on a secluded stretch of Pacific coastline - just far enough from Puerto Escondido’s surf scene to feel completely untethered. Here, the rhythm of life slows to match the waves. The retreat stands as a beachfront sanctuary where bold architecture meets the raw beauty of the land. Designed by Alberto Kalach, the hotel’s 16 palapa-roofed bungalows are minimalist yet soulful, each with a private plunge pool, sun-soaked terrace, and uninterrupted views of the sea.

This is a place where luxury doesn’t shout, it whispers - through handwoven textiles, concrete softened by salt air, and intimate spaces that blur the line between indoors and out. The infinity pool runs parallel to the ocean, as if tracing the horizon. The spa offers traditional Mexican treatments rooted in local rituals. There’s no lobby music, no pressure to do anything but be. Escondido invites you to indulge in the art of stillness, of saltwater, of sunsets that seem to last longer here.

With sustainability at its core, the hotel was built with a light footprint: low to the ground, open to the breeze, and deeply attuned to its environment. It doesn’t compete with the setting, it surrenders to it. The result? A timeless escape that feels at once elemental and elevated.

WHY WANDER

If you can pull yourself away from the serenity, the surrounding coast and countryside are rich with texture. Head to Puerto Escondido for surf breaks and market scenes. Visit the nearby Manialtepec Lagoon for bioluminescence and birdwatching. Explore Oaxaca’s cultural traditions, ancient ruins, and sacred foodways. Ride horses on the beach, walk through mangrove forests, or take a mezcal tour through sun-baked agave fields.

Exploration options are as plentiful as they are diverse. Discover the many landscapes surrounding the property: ride horseback through coconut plantations, visit the calm Playa Caleta Blanca for snorkeling, or take a trip to a private eco-animal reserve, home to zebras, antelopes, crocodiles, over 270 bird species, and even the elusive jaguar. Surf the Pacific, explore hidden coves, or spend the day aboard a 42-foot sailing yacht available for private charter. Escondido may feel far away, but it opens the door to a world of discovery.

INDULGE IN

Long, late breakfasts with tropical fruit and housemade tortillas. Poolside ceviche. A menu rooted in coastal Oaxacan ingredients - think grilled octopus, mole, and tamarind cocktails. Mezcal tastings that connect you to the land.

GETTING THERE

Fly into Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM), a 40-minute drive from the hotel. The road is rugged and raw - dirt tracks through desert scrubland - but that’s part of the charm. It’s called Escondido for a reason.

WILD INITIATIVES

Hotel Escondido was created with sustainability woven into its foundations. Built low to preserve views and airflow, its architecture minimizes environmental impact while maximizing connection to place. The hotel uses solar energy, sources ingredients from local producers, and integrates water-saving systems across the property. With minimal disturbance to native vegetation and dunes, Escondido is both a retreat and a quiet act of preservation.

*Images property of Escondido Hotel, Undine Pröhl