"A luxurious hideaway for the international jet set, Hotel Escencia is set 30 minutes north of Tulum and feels a world away from it all. Once the former home of an Italian duchess, it’s now a thoughtful boutique hotel with three restaurants, two pools, and a spa that overlooks a cenote. Set within a secluded 50-acre estate with flourishing tropical gardens, the property’s focal point is the main house, a three-story building known as Casa Grande, set just steps from 45 suites and three private villas, all with private terraces and some with plunge pools and ocean views. The property borders the Xpu-Ha cove to the south, a haven for the area’s sea turtles." - Michaela Trimble