A place where charming, thatched-roof bungalows peek over the tops of swaying palm fronds while Gulf of Mexico views and Mayan culture fill the senses sounds like a whimsical fantasy—but Hotel Xixim brings it to life. The magical boutique getaway is tucked into the jungles of the Celestun Biosphere Reserve and is a thriving hideaway where the adventurous side of life is celebrated and embraced.
Located an hour west of Merida in the magical Yucatan, Hotel Xixim is made up of 24 junior suites and eight master suites, each featuring a private terrace and spacious customized bathroom with an interior garden shower. Accommodations feature dreamy, romantic amenities like hammocks, canopy beds and floor-to-ceiling windows that open up onto breezy treetops. The lack of television in the suites encourages guests to slow down and reconnect.
And what better place to reconnect than looking out over the natural reserve? A large thatched double-story rondavel is the meeting point for a relaxing evening of cocktails, Mexican-Mayan cuisine and sweeping views. With extending tree trunk supports, the structure perches guests atop tropical trees and provides views from every angle. The fully stocked bar and lounge, El Santuario is found upstairs while downstairs guests can dine at Restaurant Zaxim, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. A wellness center offers a yoga pavilion located under a circular palapa while individual spa bungalows are used for massages, aromatherapy and other enticing treatments. A fitness gym is nestled into tropical foliage and includes specialized equipment for use. Guests can also take advantage of a special juice-therapy cabana and tranquil circular pool.
What really sets Hotel Xixim apart is its adventurous day trips that immerse guests in all aspects of the surrounding Yucatan. The hotel offers half- and full-day trips ranging from ecological and archeological excursions to ethnic, historical and cultural activities. By day, explore densely populated mangroves, traverse caves or dive into cenotes; by night, venture out on a moonlight safari. Other activities include turtle nesting, bicycling, kayaking, visiting a coconut plantation and more. With small, intimate groups, professional guides and majestic surroundings, the excursions are a must-do at Hotel Xixim.
Corporate retreat? Wellness weekend? Yoga getaway? Hotel Xixim can accommodate groups of various sizes. Contact groups@hotelxixim.com for more information.
Hotel Xixim Excursions
La Vie en Rose, the Celestún Inlet: Half-day tour to Ría de Celestún, home to more than 300 species of birds including 13 found nowhere else in the world. It is also home to 50,000 pink flamingoes, the world’s largest population of its kind.
Uxmal and Cenotes: Allday tour of Mayan architectural sites including the Pyramid of the Magician, the Convent of the Nuns and the Palace of the Governor. The trip is topped off with a dip in a cenote.
Sisal Haciendas: A tour of various haciendas and their unique culture and tradition, including the stunning Hacienda Santa Rosa.
Offshore Fishing: Spend the day fishing in the same way Celestún fishermen did in the Gulf of Mexico which is home to grouper, sea trout, barracuda, palomets, a variety of snapper and more. Afterwards, enjoy a cooking class with the hotel’s chef where you’ll learn to prepare your catch for a fresh dinner.
Moonlight Safari: Discover the animals of the night like the Moreleti Crocodile and Great Horned Owl on this boat safari that takes place under a starlit sky.
Learn More: hotelxixim.com
As featured in InMexico magazine 2017.