Set back from the Pacific Ocean in the surfer’s haven of Playa Zicatela, a new Oaxaca hotel aims to relax and rejuvenate with tranquil rooms, fragrant woods and sweeping views. The newly opened Hotel Humano is located off a two-mile beach south of Puerto Escondido, surrounded by greenery and arranged around a sunny brick-tiled courtyard and spa.
The hotel is a member of the Design Hotels portfolio and was designed by Mexico City architect Jorge Hernandez de la Garza, known for urban vertical structures with greenery at every level. The series of concrete buildings are interspersed with textural clay brick and lengths of tropical wood, while its 39 rooms and eight suites have chunky built-in furnishings, some with deep, shady terraces looking toward the sea. Plantea Estudio, a team of designers from Madrid, took care of the restful interiors. The earthy palette is dominated by glossy rust-red tiles laid vertically across walls, floors and bathroom vanities.
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The lobby, also festooned in red tilework, is forward-facing with a community café serving locally grown coffee. That segues into an alfresco in-house restaurant overseen by chef Saúl Carranza. His breakfast menu has more options—eggs, sweet pastries, fresh juices—than you can try in a week. It operates through the evening, when chef Marion Chateau, previously of the popular bistro La Relève in Marseille, takes over with thoughtful Mexican-French fusion. The Sunset Bar sits atop it all, with panoramic views out over Puerto Escondido Bay to the horizon.
At the heart of the property is a pool and jacuzzi, plus a wood-panelled spa leading to a treatment room at the quiet garden level. They offer a welcome element of privacy to balance out the social spaces and a clean retreat from the wild beach beyond.
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