Great small hotel. Couldn't control the thunderstorms & sargasso blooms though. They did a valiant effort sweeping it up on a daily basis. Staff exceeded expectations which is hard to do on a high dollar hotel. We'll definitely return.

EXCELLENT STAY! This is our third time at Esencia and it just gets better! Always excited to find a great deal here in Expedia and excited to head back to Esnecia next year!

29 room Italian Villa style along a beautiful seems pristine coastline in eastern Mexico. Staff and service was fantastic. Every need we had was met immediately. Beachfront was very private and super comfortable cabanas. Plenty of shade when we needed it. Even found a little cove about 100 yards down that was super clear water and no waves. Very cool and private spot. Rooms super clean daily. Loved the sound system in the rooms with great music on a supplied mini ipod. Very nice touch. Had a private "wading pool" that was surrounded by jungle tree plants. Super private. We had a couple of issues with the "pool". Ours was more like a hot tub size and the heater function was difficult to figure out. Had a plunger and we never knew if it was working so we had to call the (excellent) staff to get the heat turned on. Again great response from the staff. Only other issue was the restaurant food was not up to the tastes of a high quality place like this and the prices a bit high for the flavors we experienced in the nights we dined. But, again superb service!

Very nice hotel location. Beautiful room. Nice staff. Some need training on keeping the hotel premises clean, and avoid the "it is not my job" syndrome (they prefer to leave dirty things behind than collecting them). Not a fit star service. There is a dangerous reef on the right side of the beach, in shallow waters. Got hurt by sharp rocks. Staff did not mention upon arrival. Prices here are not "mexican" but at par with top hotels in America or US...strange compared to other nice hotels in Mexico. Indeed all prices are in US dollars and you are required to pay in US$...in Mexico, a country with its own pesos.

The property is very pleasant but at $800 per night you would expect a higher quality hotel. Rooms lack some basic amenities like hairdryers and bath caps. There is a lack of detail on the service (no turndown service). I told the staff when I made the reservation that this was my anniversary and that I wanted my room decorated for the occasion, they assured me they would do so. They didn't do anything at all. Not when we got to the hotel nor the following nights. I requested a special dinner in a setting overlooking the ocean (this was suggested by the concierge). They miscommunicated somehow and placed us on a different location. The table was very poorly lit when the sun sat down. We had to use our phones lights to see. I general the experience is not up to the level of the price they charge.

This was our 5th visit to Esencia. We got married here 4 years ago and keep coming back. It is the perfect balance of understated beauty with warm, impeccable service (and the MOST delicious food). The new owner is really taking care to maintain the uniqueness of the property, while also making improvements. New furniture, new bath products, updated menus are just a few. The changes are lovely. We cannot say enough how special Esencia is. We recommend it to everyone we know.

Hotel Esencia is a serene boutique hotel nesseled in the middle of the forrest. The grounds were beautiful and well maintained. The beach had a ton of seaweed but you feel like you are the only one on the beach as the hotel is not flanked by big hotels which made it so enjoyable. The food is truly amazing. Not a detail was missed by the staff. Hotel Escenia is a gem and a first class experience!

A very short trip for us, but we will be returning. A nice relaxed vibe. A low key, understated and well kept property. If you don't want the large resort and love peace & tranquility, this place is it. Beautiful clean beach. Very hospitable staff. The food was excellent. One must have the juevos mortulenos at breakfast. The room's decor is very simple..all in white. very calm and clean. Great smelling all natural soaps, shampoo & body oil. Nice music selection in the ipods. Excellent massage at the Spa. One must do the morning yoga. I did Anusara yoga with Olga. She was a wonderful teacher. The pools are long enough to do some laps if you want a little exercise. The pain au chocolat in the early morning pastry basket was to die for. Don't step away from the basket or the birds will come and get them. The bungalows are nestled into the natural fauna. I saw several typed of birds, iguanas, squirrels and even a slim, fast garden snake. You get the full experience here....you get to be surrounded by nature and have the comfort of luxury accommodations

This is wonderful little hidden gem. This not the place for spring breakers. If you want to relax, have good food and a wonderful beach come here. If you want seadoos, para sailing and the like this will not be for you.

We had a wonderful stay at the Hotel Esencia. The grounds are immaculate. The view from our balcony of the garden and the yoga studio was peaceful and relaxing. Every morning we were awakened by the delivery of coffee and breakfast rolls to our room. After skimming the news of the world online, we would go for an hour walk on the mile long powdery white sand beach and watch the pelicans dive for fish. Our days were spent reading in a beach cabana which we interspersed with dips in the ocean and lap swimming in the pool.

We had a wonderful stay at the Hotel Esencia. The grounds are immaculate. The view from our balcony of the garden and the yoga studio was peaceful and relaxing. Every morning we were awakened by the delivery of coffee and breakfast rolls to our room. After skimming the news of the world online, we would go for an hour walk on the mile long powdery white sand beach and watch the pelicans dive for fish. Our days were spent reading in a beach cabana which we interspersed with dips in the ocean and lap swimming in the pool.

My husband and I stayed at Esencia for 7 nights in November as part of our honeymoon, and WOW. This place is incredible. Everything is 10/10. The thought that has gone into every single detail makes a stay here so amazing. The staff are so friendly and helpful. The beach is peaceful, with the whitest sand and bluest water. We will definitely be returning!

If you are looking for a romantic getaway, this is the place for you! Let me name a few......Warm turquoise blue oceans to die for, spacious rooms with comfortable beds, excellent food utilizing regional ingredients, and service always with a smile! It is also a must to treat yourself to an organic, authentic Mayan Spa experience! Although the spa services might be considered expensive, it is well worth it! The hotel grounds are magnificent and each room is surrounded by it's natural rainforest habitat. Hope we get to go back soon!

Staying at Esencia was a wonderful experience. It's a small boutique resort and we felt so at home. We were traveling with our 6 month old baby so we wanted a quiet relaxing resort that could cater for our needs. Esencia made sure we had everything we needed for our little boy and even offered free baby sitting services in the evening. Everything about this resort is first class and luxiourious. The food was wonderful, the beach perfection and the staff went above and beyond every day for us. The rooms were simple but elegant and very clean. I highly recommend this resort. We are already talking about planning our next visit!

I absolutely loved my stay at Esencia. The staff were so kind and knowledgable and really made you feel at home. Esencia is tucked away from the larger cities and on a peaceful and lovely beach with what feels like a jungle surrounding the garden rooms. I saw geckos, iguanas, many kinds of birds and even a crab in a great shell while walking the grounds. The concierge staff are incredibly helpful and booked taxis to Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba--although I also spent a day on the beach just reading which was quite lovely.It was my birthday and they surprised me with a delicious piece of tres leches & flan cake. The restaurants are incredible and there is no need to find other dining options. I look forward to returning!

I absolutely loved my stay at Esencia. The staff were so kind and knowledgable and really made you feel at home. Esencia is tucked away from the larger cities and on a peaceful and lovely beach with what feels like a jungle surrounding the garden rooms. I saw geckos, iguanas, many kinds of birds and even a crab in a great shell while walking the grounds. The concierge staff are incredibly helpful and booked taxis to Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba--although I also spent a day on the beach just reading which was quite lovely. It was my birthday and they surprised me with a delicious piece of tres leches & flan cake. The restaurants are incredible and there is no need to find other dining options. I look forward to returning!

I am not sure if there is any other place like this on the Mayan Rivera. It is like staying at an estate. The service is fantastic, the rooms are well appointed. They stock your fridge with complimentary drinks and breakfast is included. The staff treated you like you are a king. The ambiance and food was fantastic.

A lovely boutique hotel, very caring & kind staff - hotel in a quite bay with two smaller hotels (1-5mins walking distance) Lovely beach, although not great for snorkelling (no house reef or impressive marina life). For a few days or a week max, great hotel to chill out. Only downside, very slow service for breakfast and in general F&B not very impressive - they try hard, nearly every food order goes wrong - be patient and don't expect Gourmet food. Otherwise kids and us had a great time.