Hotel Escondido

Item: Hotel Escondido
Rating: 45
Author: Ian O’Brien

Where:
Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca
Why:A weekend getaway.
When:April 2014
Who:Me and a lady friend.

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.

Mini bar!

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

Taking in the waves and sunset.

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

The bungalows from the beach.

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.