Playa Escondida “Find” “3 stars”
(Frommer’s ratings are 0=recommended to 3=exceptional; Finds= “special finds”- those places only insiders know about)
Just above an idyllic beach cove, a handful of uniquely designed bungalows dot the lush tropical grounds of Playa Escondida. A waterfall rains warm water into the oceanfront infinity pool, set next to the palapa restaurant and an open-air spa which offers outstanding massages for a great value.
The casual, friendly staff gets to know many of the guests at this gorgeous yet unpretentious resort.
It’s not the Four Seasons—activities are limited, there are no air conditioners, and Mother Nature sometimes visits the open-air Bungalows (which have fans and mosquito nets). But for those who want a peaceful vacation off the beaten track and don’t mind sacrificing a bit of commercial convenience for enchanted natural beauty, this place is truly unforgettable and magical.
Choose from among individually designed beachfront casitas, bungalows in the jungle, or imported teak houses from Thailand constructed in a spectacular bird canyon.
Sayulita is a winding 5-minute drive from this splendid resort.
posted by: Shane Christensen, Author of Frommer’s Mexico 2011
2 Comment
Tripadvisor, January 4, 2012 at 9:47 pm
At least stop in for dinner or enjoy a day here!
I’ve been coming to Riviera Nayarit for 4 years – several times each winter for surf trips. I actually enjoy the hustle and bustle of Sayulita but many complain about the numbers of people and noisy nights – if that’s the case – THIS is the place to stay. It’s gorgeous, tucked away in the jungle but right on a beautiful beach. It has just as easy access to all of the local surf breaks – or you can have the group Wildmex in Sayulita come pick you up and take you on surf trips.
My boyfriend and I decided to do the very short (10 min) drive to have dinner last night. We arrived just before sunset and watched the sun slip into the water while sipping PERFECT margaritas at lovely beach bar (Jorge really does make perfectly balanced margaritas – not all sugary like most places here)… then we stayed for dinner as the full moon lit up the waves. It was a magical evening, we enjoyed walking through the gorgous grounds, had exceptional service, and good food. We will definitely return!
posted by: indierhythm, Palo Alto, California (December 11, 2011)
Honeymoon Heaven!
This place is perfect down to the last detail! My husband and I spent our honeymoon here and absolutely everything exceeded our expectations. We stayed in Luna Amour and enjoyed the gorgeous vista from our private terrace overlooking the ocean (we could even watch the whales each morning as they visit at this time of year-magical!), pristine private beach, infinity pool and hot tub, delicious food and cocktails served by friendly and attentive staff. Staff went out of their way to provide a memorable experience (we hung out with the bartenders Jorge & Jose nearly every night-hilarious!).
The icing on the cake was a sunset dinner on the beach with a bottle of champagne amidst flower petals and candles (we did pay for this service, but it was well worth it! Thanks Tony and Paloma.) Just a 20 minute walk or 10 minute taxi ride away, we were able to visit the town of Sayulita for surfing, shopping and other dining experiences. We rented surf boards from Patricia’s for $5 / hour (or a $30 lesson + board rental) with rash guards included.
I hesitated to write this review as part of me would like to selfishly keep Playa Escondita a secret- it is that amazing! My loyalty to the staff who are all incredible people and to the owner who has obviously poured so much love into this place are the reasons for sharing this treasure with the world. I will definitely be back and have recommended to all my friends!
Room Tip: We stayed in Luna Amour and loved it. From speaking with other guests, it sounds like every room has something special to offer.
posted by: Kim S, Whistler, Canada (December 4, 2011)
Terrortrevor, October 22, 2012 at 10:11 pm
I am sort of appalled & sort of angry at web matreking companies and their lies to hoteliers about what a website is. They make this site that is 10 s of thousands of dollars and completely lacks any functionality, is WAY too busy, and serves as an overt look how we can trick hotels into spending too much on something they don’t understand .Your point is right on . hotels don’t even know the right questions to ask, and need a better understanding of *WHAT* a website is. It’s to drive bookings, and convert lookers into revenue. That’s basically it maybe some helpful info, and some good matreking moments, but it’s frustrating how much waste I see in our industry people spend so much on a site, it doesn’t work, then they do it again in a couple years.Your thoughts are DEAD on. Well done. =)