Hotel Esencia – Xpu Ha Beach – Riviera Maya

Hotel Esencia Weddings: The best in boutique luxury found on the perfect Xpu-Ha beach

Hotel Esencia near Playa del Carmen is a beach-front boutique hotel that’s ideal for an exclusive destination wedding.  This 50-acre private estate was originally built as a holiday retreat of an Italian Duchess.

Located about 15 minutes south of Playa del Carmen on the way to Tulum, it sits on a pristine and private little bay called Xpu-Ha (which we consider one of the most beautiful beaches along the coast). It also benefits from not having any large resorts crowding it, with only a couple beach clubs found farther along the beach.

In 2015, it found a new owner with a true appreciation of art, interior design and luxury. Finished and upcoming renovations are taking the already amazing Esencia to an even higher level.

The grounds focus around a main house with a total of 29 suites. This includes the master suite, villa and a range of ocean and garden view suites. The master suites or the villa being perfect for a bridge and groom or their family.

A highlight is the phytotherapy spa, that centers around organic herbal treatments with local Mayan inspiration. The beach restaurant offers Mexican-Caribbean fare in a more casual tone. The garden restaurant is where they offer gourmet cuisine with Mexican, Mayan and Meso-American inspiration.

Check out this real wedding experience at Hotel Esencia where a bride and groom had a video made from very special Rescuer Dogs with GoPro Cameras.

Why choose Hotel Esencia for your destination wedding or event?

Esencia has been close to our hearts, personally we have stayed as guests a dozen times and attended events over the last 10 years on the property.

What makes Esencia great for a wedding is its romantic history as a luxurious holiday villa.  For a few magical days, it will be your own villa to share with your guests, either as an intimate or grand event that can accommodate up to 300 guests.

The hotel is just gorgeous, with clean white styling, an appreciation or art and decor and also an attractive garden. And we can’t express how truly perfect Xu-Ha beach is. It all serves as a very cinematic background that our wedding photographers love to work with, both for weddings and trash the dress shoots on its beach.

Not to mention, Corona has been utilizing this location in the secluded bahia of Xpu Ha Beach for their commercial series #FindYourBeach television commercials.  We have scuba dived, paddle boarded, surfed waves and seen some of the most amazing underwater wildlife snorkeling, all just meters in front of the hotel. Hotel Esencia is truly  “the hidden gem” of the Riviera Maya.

*Hotel Esencia’s next door neighbor is Al Cielo Hotel.  Currently under plans for a renovation, they operate the small property in conjunction w/ Esencia.  Perfect overflow option for guests at Esencia and one of our favorite locations in the Riviera Maya.