Maison Ë’s Favorite
Mexico Stays

Private Worlds in the Wilderness
Nestled in the dense Maya jungle of Yucatán, the family-run Catherwood Collection offers intimate escapes through restored haciendas and villas. These properties merge centuries-old heritage with subtle modern touches, creating discreet retreats that embody the peninsula’s cultural and natural richness. Complete privacy, attentive service, garden-to-table cuisine, and bespoke itineraries invite guests to engage fully in these singular surrounds and beyond, from artisan studio visits to swims in secluded cenotes—natural limestone pools with spiritual significance to the Maya.

Intimate Sanctuary
Reached through dense jungle and framed by lilies and ceiba trees, Tamchen offers a unique stillness. Centered around an infinity pool, the property—built in the early 1800s—comprises a main limestone house and three guest villas, each with its own plunge pool and terrace. Breakfasts are prepared by a private chef and served in a sun-filled nook, before days spent wandering markets or swimming in hidden cenotes. The atmosphere, in the words of past guest René Redzepi, is one of “profound relaxation and calm.

Living History
Set in a 19th-century sisal estate built atop an ancient Maya site, Itzincab is a lush retreat configured around a pre-Hispanic pyramid. The fourteen-bedroom property unfolds across the main house and former outbuildings, with three swimming pools, broad terraces, and expansive gardens home to countless bird species. The nearby town of Itzincab, which gives the hacienda its name, is known for its artisans—four working workshops offer insight into the living craft traditions of clay, fiber, and stone.

Earthy and Elemental
A wilder spirit defines the Hacienda Tixnuc where the gardens teem with life and the forest presses close. Interiors are grounded and textural, characterized by natural finishes and soft, filtered light. The atmosphere stirs curiosity and exploration—rise with the sounds of the reserve, wander barefoot along flowering paths, and let the powerful presence of the landscape draw you gently back to nature.

Terroir and Taste
In Valle de Guadalupe’s dry hills, Bruma is enclosed by vineyards, stone paths, and sun-soaked courtyards. Anchored by a 300-year-old oak, this gravity-fed winery nestles partly underground, with a barrel room cooled by a still-water mirror above. Three hotels on the expansive property offer distinct stays: Casa Montaña, a duo of private villas with outdoor spas, pools, and lake-facing terraces; Casa 8, with panoramic vineyard views and suites crafted from rammed earth and reclaimed wood; and Ático, a casual 17-room hideaway overlooking the central Mercado Bruma. At acclaimed restaurant Fauna, chefs David Castro Hussong and Maribel Aldaco craft dishes rooted in the valley’s terrain—such as lamb with chilhuacle or oysters in cayenne oil, paired with Bruma’s own wines. Nearby, the Bruma Wine Garden serves wood-fired fare under olive trees, while a bakery offers coffee, brioche, and fig tarts from Baja-grown grains. Everything is bound by a magical light, stillness, and the ever-present vines.

Sanctuary Among the Vines
Close to Bruma, Banyan Tree Veya offers a sanctuary focused on balance and wellbeing. Thirty sleek villas nestle in the hills, inviting privacy and renewal amid the vineyards. Following Banyan Tree’s eight pillars of wellbeing, guests embark on personalized programs combining somatic therapies, meditation, and hydrotherapy with temazcal rituals—traditional steam ceremonies using heat and herbs—in a holistic journey of renewal. Detoxing is only one element on offer, however. The on-site Pictograma Winery specializes exclusively in Grenache, offering elegant reds, whites, and sparkling drops. No fewer than seven dining venues—from refined Aldea to lively Roka food trucks—showcase with creative flair the very best of local and seasonal ingredients.

Ancestral Craft
Near Oaxaca City, the adults-only retreat Casa Silencio fuses mezcal heritage with contemporary design. Minimalist architecture draws from local traditions and the craft to which the estate is dedicated. Thick rammed earth walls regulate heat naturally, while solar panels and cross ventilation support low-impact living at the highest level of comfort. Six unique suites feature burnt wood, copper lamps, buttery leather, and textiles handwoven by Oaxacan artisans. At the hotel’s sustainable on-site palenque—a traditional distillery—El Silencio mezcal is crafted with time-honored methods.

A Mezcal Retreat
On the outer cusp of Oaxaca’s northern barrios, the Michelin-keyed Casa Santo Origen is equally dedicated to mezcal and Oaxacan culture. Part distillery, part boutique hotel, the retreat features an on-site palenque where Santo Origen Espadín mezcal is distilled, unveiling layers of toasted agave and subtle spice. Curated tastings and bespoke cocktails offer intimate connections to this tradition. The eight suites, named for regional districts, feature balconies or private plunge pools and interiors blending ancestral warmth with modern simplicity, accented by handwoven textiles and local art. Entre Sombras serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with fresh, vibrant flavors—offered al fresco, in-room, or poolside from a menu designed to let the local spirit shine.