Luxury hotels in Puerto Escondido

The best hotels in Puerto Escondido

If you're on the hunt for something high end, La Punta and La Barra are going to be your best place to start. With the exception of the odd one or two, the hotels around Playa Carrizalillo and Zicatela are a little more dated. So, we're heading away from the airport on this list.

Casa Joseph Zicatela

Ok, Casa Joseph Zicatela is the exception we were talking about. Built right on the beach towards the quieter end of Playa Zicatela sits this adults-only, 18-room, oceanfront hotel. This hotel has a combination of suites and villas, with one and two bedroom options.

The facilities:

• Joi Restaurant and bar

• Shared pool, plus some suites have their own private pool

• Beachfront cabanas

• Yoga, meditation and sports classes

• Some suites have their own jacuzzis

• The hotel regularly arranges entertainment such as live music

The verdict:

As far as views go, it doesn't get much better than this. You'll be sleeping pretty much on the beach, but in the luxury of a 5* hotel. Wake up to the sound of the famous Zicatela waves crashing, and watch those who are crazy enough to surf them whilst sipping your morning coffee. You can even have breakfast included if you book direct.

Hotel Humano

Created by Grupo Habita, the brains behind 17 other beautiful hotels, Hotel Humano is an eye-catcher and a show-stopper, along the main La Punta strip. All brick and concrete, with a touch of brutalism about it, and an incredible rooftop pool with some of the best sunset views (and cocktails) in the area.

The facilities:

• An Instagram-worthy coffee-shop-come-reception area welcomes you in

• Plunge pool, jacuzzi and rooftop pool

• Rooftop cocktail bar

• All-day restaurant

• Garden view and ocean view rooms

The verdict:

If you have an eye for interiors, design, or just a taste for the finer things in life, Hotel Humano should be on your list of places to sleep.

The building of this beast of a hotel caused some debate. It's a huge space, right on the La Punta strip. But, now that we've had the chance to visit, and more importantly to sit on that rooftop and watch the sun go down, we have only good things to say about this luxury hotel in Puerto Escondido.

Punta Naya

Punta Naya is one of those hotels that just screams Puerto Escondido. From the hammocks swinging on the balconies to the limewashed walls and the dedication to a very specific colour-scheme (in this case, green... even the plates are green), this luxury, boutique hotel is another interior designers' dream.

The facilities:

• Balcony rooms with private plunge pools

• Capsule coffee machines in the suites

• Shared pool

• Mexican x Mediterranean fusion restaurant

• A la carte breakfast menu

• Sea-view roof garden/terrace

• Co-working area

• Shuttle service from the airport

• Concierge service, helping you with tour and restaurant bookings

The verdict:

Green is one of my favourite colours, so I might be biased, but I love this hotel. Every corner has been carefully curated to ensure it feels cohesive, on brand, and super luxury. Book direct and you'll even get complimentary breakfast, a welcome cocktail, and the best price, of course.

Casona Sforza

You can't make a list of luxury hotels in Puerto Escondido without mentioning Casona Sforza. Again, the architecture, design, and details are next level. The location and views are amazing. And, there are so many little details that take this hotel up a level.

Designed by architect Albert Kalach (who is actually the mind behind another hotel on this list), Casona Sforza is a place to really unwind and disconnect.

The facilities:

• La Boveda, a Michelin-guide restaurant inspired by the flavours of the region and powered by locally-sourced ingredients

• Private beach and beachfront pool

• Spa services

• Concierge service for local experiences

• Visit Pueblo del Sol, the hotel's sister location in the jungle inland from Puerto Escondido

The verdict:

One thing we'd like to stress is that this hotel is a little outside of Puerto Escondido. In theory, it's only a 10-minute drive to La Punta, but the roads to the hotel are not great, and that 10-minute drive is definitely not walkable. So, you will be a little isolated. In our eyes, this is the kind of hotel you check into when you want to spend a couple of days relaxing and using the facilities, not seeing the local area.

It's an incredibly beautiful hotel, but not the most conveniently located.

Looking for something more remote?

So far, all of the hotels on this list have been in the immediate area around Puerto Escondido, but there are also some beautiful places to stay a little further out of the main town.

Hotel Terrestre

From the man behind Casona Sforza and the group behind Hotel Humano comes another luxury hotel, Hotel Terrestre.

We'll start with a little disclaimer, this hotel is not exactly in Puerto Escondido. It's about a 45-minute drive from the PXM airport, so you need to either have a car or arrange a transfer.

Described as a "multi-sensorial invitation for visitors to connect with nature" Hotel Terrestre is all about experience and sustainability. 100% solar powered, it's a contemporary oasis made entirely from locally-sourced materials.

The facilities:

• Fourteen villas

• A standalone, open-air restaurant with Mexican/Mediterranean fusion cuisine

• A communal, circular pool

• A swimming lane

• A hexagonal spa with a chilled bathtub, steam room, shower, and outdoor shower,

• Innovative cooling (no AC!)

The verdict:

Hotel Terrestre is one of those places that leaves you almost lost for words. It looks like a scene from a futuristic sci-fi movie, yet it also looks right at home between the cacti and brush of Oaxaca's wild coastline.

It's an escape in every sense of the word, best enjoyed unplugged.

Hotel Escondido

Grupo Habita are dominating this list of luxury hotels in Puerto Escondido. Last, but certainly not least, is Hotel Escondido.

Hotel Escondido is spread across a virgin beach, just north along the coast. It's made up of 16 cabins, with quintessentially-Mexican palapas (palm roofs) throughout. Again, you're going to be out of the main hub of Puerto Escondido itself, completely immersed in the wild Oaxacan coastline.

The facilities:

• Beachfront pool

• 16 cabins

• Spa (with relaxation menu that includes back massages and facials)

• Restaurant

The verdict:

Again, if you're coming to this hotel it's because you want to unwind, disconnect, and enjoy the feeling of having not much to do. Apart from the beautiful Casa Wabi, which is just next door to Hotel Escondido, the only other things you have on your doorstep are miles of sprawling beach and jungle. But that's not a bad thing.

The best of the best luxury hotels in Puerto Escondido

Unfortunately for you, it's impossible for us to pick the best hotel on this list.

If you want remote, wild, and isolated, Hotel Terrestre or Hotel Escondido are out of the main hub. If you want central, with Hotel Humano you're close to all the action of La Punta.

Whichever you go for, there are some seriously luxury hotels in Puerto Escondido. You're really spoilt for choice when it comes to booking a boujee break in this beautiful beach town, in Oaxaca.