Tranquil new lodging concepts draw inspiration from their surroundings
Words by: Katie Kervin + Alissa Ponchione
The Americas region, which includes the Caribbean, South America, Central America, and North America, saw 650 hotel openings with 70,276 rooms, according to CoStar, a company that provides online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets.
Among those, the Caribbean, South America, and Central America accounted for 6,248 hotel rooms across 40 hotels. São Paulo reported the highest average daily rate (ADR) at $154 and revenue per available room (RevPAR) at $111 on recording, according to the preliminary November data from CoStar.
Meanwhile, Mexico saw a flurry of 2023 openings, several of which made our list, including Maroma, a Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya; the St. Regis Kanai Resort; Grupo Habita’s Otro Oaxaca; and Soho House Mexico City, among others.
Tranquil new lodging concepts draw inspiration from their surroundings
The Americas region, which includes the Caribbean, South America, Central America, and North America, saw 650 hotel openings with 70,276 rooms, according to CoStar, a company that provides online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets.
Among those, the Caribbean, South America, and Central America accounted for 6,248 hotel rooms across 40 hotels. São Paulo reported the highest average daily rate (ADR) at $154 and revenue per available room (RevPAR) at $111 on recording, according to the preliminary November data from CoStar.
Meanwhile, Mexico saw a flurry of 2023 openings, several of which made our list, including Maroma, a Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya; the St. Regis Kanai Resort; Grupo Habita’s Otro Oaxaca; and Soho House Mexico City, among others.
See Hospitality Design’s full Best Of 2023 list here.
Located on 200 acres of tropical jungle and white sand beaches on the Riviera Maya, the 72-room Maroma was a former home built in the 1970s. The property was reimagined by Tara Bernerd as a luxurious retreat that pays homage to its Mayan roots, notably in elements like the 700,000 clay tiles handpainted by ceramicist José Noé Suro that appear throughout.
Architecture Firm: Enrique Cabrera Arquitecto, Mérida, Mexico | Design Firm: Tara Bernerd & Partners, London | Owner + Operator: Belmond
Photo by William Jess Laird
The beachfront resort in the Caribbean invites guests to a tranquil getaway across 119 guestrooms, four F&B venues including the pared-back Vos Café & Bar, and the Kao Kamasa Spa. Here, a glass-bottom infinity pool provides a one-of-a-kind view of the Iron Shore’s petrified coral reef.
Architecture Firm: LPA Architects, Honduras and Guatemala | Design Firms: Theresa Fatino Design, Manhattan Beach, California, in collaboration with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | Owner: Vista Capital | Operator: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
Photo by Diego Ramos
Otro Oaxaca, the latest from boutique developer-operator Grupo Habita, is a contemporary take on Oaxacan hospitality. The property channels Mexico’s historic architectural vernacular with unvarnished finishes like exposed concrete, natural wood, and limestone floors, which show up in the subterranean spa, 16 guestrooms, and a rooftop terrace and pool that showcases sweeping views of the city.
Architecture Firm: RootStudio, Oaxaca | Design Firms: Grupo Habita, Mexico City, and RootStudio | Owner + Operator: Grupo Habita
Photo by César Béjar
Nestled in the heart of the Colombian Andes just south of Medellín, the 18-room Cannúa ecolodge is pioneering sustainable construction using compressed earth bricks (sun-baked onsite, the energy-efficient bricks absorb heat during the day and emit it at night). Designed on permaculture principles, the property is also home to organic gardens and food forests, as well as a reforesting program that aims to help regenerate natural ecosystems.
Architecture + Design Firms: Lucas Henquin and Federico Cairoli, Medellin, Colombia | Owner + Operator: Caimo Collection
Photo courtesy of Cannúa
Drawing on a rich palette of limestone, walnut, and layered textiles, the 124-room resort celebrates the ancient spiritual beliefs of the Mayan people, resulting in a design that references mysticism, hieroglyphics, timekeeping, and astronomy with colors inspired by the surrounding blue sea, lush greenery, natural stones, and brown mangrove roots.
Architecture Firm: Edmonds International, Mexico City | Design Firm: Chapi Chapo Design, Toronto | Owner + Operator: Grupo Alhel
Photo by Jason Dewey + Rafael Lührs
The sustainability-led brand’s 11th property is in the Atacama desert—the largest fog desert in the world known for its lunar rock formations, salt flats, hot springs, volcanoes, geysers, and more. Upon arrival, guests are immediately immersed in the serene destination, which comprises locally sourced F&B options, an inviting pool and wellness area, and a dedicated gathering space for intimate events. The 51 earth-toned and minimalist guestrooms, meanwhile, are enlivened by traditional stonework, tapestries and ceramics, and furnishings sourced from nearby businesses.
Owner, Operator, and Architecture + Design Firm: Habitas, London
Photo by Kleinjan Groenewald
The global hospitality brand continues its rapid growth with the four-bedroom Soho House Mexico City, the brand’s first in Latin America. With projects on the boards in Portland, Oregon; São Paulo; and Manchester, UK, the Mexico City outpost—housed in a restored 19th-century home in the Colonia Juárez neighborhood—embodies the club’s ethos of providing its members with immersive spaces to work and lounge, including sumptuous F&B options and inviting outdoor areas, all dressed in Soho House’s signature eclectic design that mixes jewel tones with local art and bespoke touches.
Architecture Firms: Soho House & Co., in collaboration with Sordo Madaleno, Mexico City | Owner, Operator, + Design Firm: Soho House Design, London
Photo by Fernando Marroquin
The serene hideaway among the shores of Tulum Beach is a lesson in quiet luxury. Each of the 12 guestrooms echoes that of a private coastal villa, where natural elements mix with the minimalist architecture, blending indoor-outdoor living via a palette of sand-like hues, sun-kissed-inspired orange shades, and inviting textures. Among the standouts are an open-air living room and two pools framed by sun chair and loungers.
Architect + Interior Designer: Carlos Larios, Tulum | Owner + Operator: Namron Hospitality Group
Photo by Josema Agosto
Part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, NUMU blends warm earth tones, artisanal tapestries, and sculptural forms with lush vegetation in vibrant shades of purple and orange. With an emphasis on peace and quiet, the nurturing ambiance reflects the location with each of the 44 guestrooms boasting a private terrace or balcony overlooking either the interior garden or the beautiful cobblestone streets.
Design Firms: Amass & G, Guadalajara, Mexico and Artigas Arquitectos, Mexico | Owner: Tessera Capital | Operator: Grupo Presidente | Purchasing Firm: Espacio Tangible
Photo courtesy of Hyatt