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At a Glance

At Chablé Yucatán, in the jungles of the peninsula’s interior, banyan trees and bougainvillea give new life to the former sisal plantation. Here, 40 guest casitas—each with its own hammock and plunge pool—are the epitome of modern minimalism, and the spa is built into a natural cenote.

The Standout: The Chablé spa is built into a cenote—a natural, limestone sinkhole considered by the Mayas to be a sacred spiritual gateway
Don’t Miss: For a dose of culture, visitors should head to nearby Mérida, a historic city with an emerging foodie and design scene

Indagare Loves

• Afternoon cocktails on the dreamy verandah, and watching fireflies at dawn
• The sophisticated, curated culinary program and farm-to-table cuisine at Ixi’Im restaurant
• The harmonious blend of ancient and cutting-edge spa treatments

Chablé Yucatan Review

Surrounded by sleepy towns and lush, humming jungle, Chablé Yucatán offers exquisite accommodations and a dynamic wellness experience.

The property’s raison d’etre is its ancient Mayan heritage. With a nod to the area’s former civilization, every element of the resort, from the landscaping to the cocktail menu, has been thoughtfully designed to pay homage to local culture. Ancient Banyan trees snake around medieval stone walls; colorful stucco buildings dot the property in vibrant shades of burnt orange, baby blue and yellow; all materials are sourced locally, employing indigenous techniques and made with natural, plant-based products; and hammocks hang outside every guest casita, a Mayan symbol of peace and home.

The resort embraces its recent history, too. Set in a restored 19^th-century estate, Chablé Yucatán retains many of the property’s original structures, including a wine cellar and chapel featuring a painting of the hotel’s namesake, Saint Chablé. Thoughtfully updated for the 21^st century, the gorgeous Hacienda is the resort’s main hub, complete with a library, lounge bar and boutique and is surrounded by 75 of acres of manicured grounds. Designer Paulina Moran (known for Esencia and Casa San Agustin) was granted complete aesthetic freedom in outfitting the hacienda with the very best artwork and furnishings—and it shows. Décor is whimsical, ornate and authentically Mexican, and spaces are bursting with color and filled with handmade furniture and vintage touches. A dreamy verandah wraps around the hacienda and seems to be straight from a fairytale, complete with wicker chairs, intricate tile work and stately stone columns.

A five-minute walk along a cobblestoned, tree-lined pathway brings guests to Chablé Yucatán’s “village” of 40 casitas, each surrounded by verdant forest and abuzz with friendly sounds of the jungle. Modern and understated, casitas are decorated minimally, emphasizing fluid, indoor/outdoor layouts and the luxury of open space. Rooms feature auburn-colored wood doors, light stone surfaces and accents in sea green and blue, with floor-to-ceiling windows, which give guests the feeling that they are sleeping in the jungle. Each casita has a private pool and hammock that invites breezy afternoon naps.

The core of the Chablé Yucatán experience is the spa, which is expected to draw savvy wellness seekers from around the world. Built into a cenote, a natural sinkhole considered by the Mayans to be a sacred spiritual gateway, spa area is filled with rippling streams and overgrown greenery, and the setting is vibrant and alive; the energy palpable and positive. Mayans believed the cenote granted vitality to all those who swim in it, and Chablé Yucatán’s spa echoes this philosophy, encouraging guests to embrace the location’s mysticism as part of their personal wellness journey.

The spa structure, too, is a masterpiece: a sleek and contemporary structure filled with over-water walkways and infinity pools, the space smells of burning incense and echoes with soothing music. Upon arrival, visitors are welcomed with a traditional ceremony conducted by the resort’s resident shaman who, together with the spa director, plans a customized program for each guest. This can mean morning yoga in the cenote, walking meditation, chakra treatments, astrology consultations and detoxifying massages, all of which (in typical Chablé Yucatán fashion) are deeply rooted in ancient techniques.

Days at Chablé Yucatán—while always relaxed—are not limited to spa treatments. The flow of the resort is peaceful and leisurely, and there is no set schedule: each evening, visitors receive a program of the next day’s classes (complete with a fresh juice offering and a spiritual mantra for the day) and are invited to partake in as many or as few of the wellness programs as they choose. Guests may spend their time poolside, snacking on tostadas at the casual Ki’ol restaurant, exploring the grounds by bicycle or taking an afternoon cooking class with a jolly local chef. Many visitors venture off property, as the resort’s surrounding area boasts Mayan ruins, beaches and nature reserves that make for wonderful day trips. For a culture moment, visitors should head to the nearby Mérida, a historic city that is just hitting its stride and is filled with colonial architecture, museums and charming souvenir shops.

Chablé Yucatán’s culinary program is another of its crowning achievements, and for foodies and cocktail aficionados, the resort is a destination in itself. Headed by acclaimed Chef Jorge Vallejo (the force behind Mexico City’s Quintonil), the restaurants feature organic, seasonal fare and local produce—much of which is grown from the on-site garden. The fine dining restaurant, Ixi’Im, elevates farm-to-table cuisine to a sophisticated level that will impress even the pickiest of gourmands. There, dishes like octopus in squid ink and venison tartare are complemented by sensational wine, and tequila aficionados will rejoice at the hotel’s collection of over 3,000 unique bottles.

Still, the magic of Chablé Yucatán Resort and Spa exists in its distinct personality, which will no doubt distinguish itself from other Mexican resorts. Visitors will be struck by the property’s authenticity and originality from the moment they arrive, especially when greeted by the warm and enthusiastic staff (most of whom hail from the surrounding area). With the aim of redefining the “wellness escape,” Chablé Yucatán’s creators were careful not to pigeonhole or limit the resort’s potential, curating exciting gastronomic and cultural programs to augment the spa experience. At the end of a long dirt road, Chablé Yucatán welcomes guests to a unique paradise: a harmonious blend of ancient and cutting-edge; of luxurious and mystical; a unique restorative retreat.

Who Should Go

Spa lovers, couples, relaxed families and those who appreciate an authentic Mexican sense of place and a unique approach to wellness

Getting There

Guests must fly to Mérida, which is a 25-minute drive from Chablé Yucatán. There are no direct flights from the U.S., so visitors will likely connect through Miami or Houston.

Ideal Length of Stay:

Four days. Due to the Chablé Yucatán’s serene, tranquil atmosphere, it is recommended to stay a few days in order to immerse oneself in the resort’s experience and make the most of the wellness offerings.

—Blair West

Author

• Indagare