HOTEL TERRESTRE
Established in the year 2000, the Mexican boutique hotel company Grupo Habita has a habit of outdoing themselves with every new property they create. Hotel Terrestre, located 30 minutes from Puerto Escondido in the state of Oaxaca, is no exception.
Open since early 2022, this extraordinary property is easily accessible from Mexico City (a 45-minute flight), but based on my experience, it feels like another planet. Designed by Mexican architect Alberto Kalach in the style of a brutalist Mayan village, it envelops you from the moment of arrival.
With almost all buildings entirely or semi-open air and sand underfoot, it’s impossible not to be swept into vacation mode immediately. The service team is excellent and, much like the other guests, very discreet—so you only see other people at meals or on the beach.
Adjacent to a beach bar and an exceptional stretch of the Pacific Ocean, days at Hotel Terrestre meander at a perfect pace—a day can feel like a week. Below, I share an optimal 3-day itinerary for you to start plotting your escape.
Bon Voyage,
Joel.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Take the first day to modulate to a new way of life… It’s easy to slow down at Terrestre – the open air restaurant is exceptional and serves breakfast from 7am-12pm, with dinner running from 7pm-10:30pm. While away hours in your villa’s rooftop hammock, adjacent to your private plunge pool. If you can drag yourself away, head to the beach bar before dinner to witness the extraordinary sunset.
Once you’ve settled in, now is your opportunity to focus on wellness. Start your day with a beach walk or jog, while the sun is still gathering strength. Follow up with a set of laps in the world’s most beautiful lap pool. Schedule a post-lunch massage in the shade of your private terrace and
For your third day at Terrestre, it’s time to venture off-site. Grab a complimentary bike and head just down the road to the incredible Casa Wabi. Established in 2014, Casa Wabi is retreat for contemporary artists from around the globe with exhibition spaces, installations and real-life “starchitecture”. The highlight for me was the working chicken-coop designed by Kengo Kuma that I would gladly reside in.