Ultimate wedding & party destination since 2009

Amanda’s Mexico vacation: Hotel Esencia

April 25, 2014
Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake

Hola again, cakies. Amanda here. OK, so where were we? Continuing on with our Mexico vacation in Riviera Maya, ah yes.. now at the beautiful Esencia. A dreamy hotel, that one. Smith Hotels knows what’s up. So a quick breakdown of this hotel.. a white stucco beauty in the middle of the jungle, sitting on the edge of the ocean, with private, sweeping views of the Caribbean. Maybe our best beach yet? In the running, for sure. It was the first time we realized we were literally in the jungle…lush, dense foliage at every turn, tropical birds cawing us awake, and the feeling that we were definitely somewhere different.

Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake

The most beautifully rustic dreamcatchers everywhere, to make sure any bad dream was laid to rest and only soft, gentle dreams remain.

esencia-4

(PSA: the most comfortably stylish cover-up I lived in whilst at Esencia, available on sale here).

Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake

Can we talk about our outdoor living room? The dreamiest. And.. the staff lit fragrant incense here to greet us every night after dinner. We lounged and talked over a nightcap for a long while before bedtime. And then awoke to coffee and Mexican pastries here.

Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake

You really can’t beat yoga each morning with tropical bird calls, the gentle sound of waves and this spot to practice vinyasas. Pretty much takes ‘sun salutations’ to the next level.

Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake

We camped out here, right in this very spot, with a rather large coconut to sip and bowl of guacamole each day.

Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake

Don’t even get me started about their spa. Let me just say that my massage started with an ancient Mayan ritual, where they blessed each limb with a fragrant smoke, before leading me into a candle-filled room and the rest was a dreamy bliss.

Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake Mexico vacation | 100 Layer Cake

One of the best hotels in Riviera Maya? Me thinks so. Book your vacation stat, with Mr & Mrs Smith’s Just Married Pass. You honestly won’t regret it.

xo, Amanda