Here’s everything an epicurean explorer needs to know about Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection’s newest resort opening on Mexico’s Riviera Maya
Winter sun, anyone? Floating over a protected forest of mangroves on one of the Yucatan Peninsula’s most beautiful white sand beaches, Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection has just opened on nine pristine oceanfront acres within the landmark Kanai destination.
Adding to the group’s collection of extraordinary stays, this chic opening will be no different to the existing array of hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs. Set in a region steeped in the lore and wisdom of the ancient Mayans, the new resort, located on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, is a sublime contemporary embodiment of the Mayan belief that renewal stems from active exploration of the elements in pursuit of positive change and more conscious living.
Offering an immediate connection with the soul of this timeless and breathtaking retreat, Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection draws its name from the Spanish word for ‘ethereal’ and offers a celestial guest experience defined by breathtaking beaches, awe-inspiring natural surroundings, extraordinary cuisine and experiences that facilitate rejuvenation in every sense of the word.
Found just 30 miles from Cancun International Airport, Etéreo is set amongst a protected mangrove forest along a pristine stretch of the Caribbean Sea. The resort’s 75 luxury accommodations—ranging from 875 sq. ft. Studios to 3,925 sq. ft. three-bedroom Penthouse Suites—are entirely oceanfront or oceanview and feature luxurious bathrooms with dual vanities and soaking tubs and expansive private terraces with floor to ceiling glass doors.
A rarefied world apart, balanced between sea and sky
Ensconced in the jungle just off the shore, 75 dramatic ocean-front guest accommodations offer consummate peace and privacy. Ranging from 875-square-foot Studios to 3,925-square-foot, three-bedroom Penthouse Suites, every one of the resort’s accommodations offers an expansive private terrace. Floor to ceiling glass doors create a seamless transition between indoors and out, and private plunge pools, hot tubs, and sky-deck roof terraces – ideal for sunbathing, private dining, and stargazing – invite relaxation immersed in nature.
A nature-cradled portal into Mexico’s contemporary art scene
Inspired by the region’s lush beauty, cultural heritage, and balmy climate, every space within Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection has been curated by New York-based design studio Meyer Davis to nurture, soothe, and renew. Nature is brought within through the use of raw materials such as lava stone, copper, and indigenous tzalam wood, while custom-designed furnishings and textiles by local artisans are set against a backdrop of work by the late and highly celebrated Mexican artist, Manuel Felguérez.
Felguérez’s sculptural lattice screens in wood and architectural plaster feature throughout the resort, creating a delicate, constantly changing interplay of light and shadow. There are also custom rugs by Daniel Valero, focal pieces in the spa by Guatemala’s Agnes Studio, and outdoor dining tables handcrafted by Puebla’s Bandido Studio.
Striking contemporary art installations include a hanging woven rope sculpture by Marcela Diaz and a monumental, steel and glass sculpture by Hector Esrawe. Works by Charabati Bizarri, Tapiz, Peter Glassford, and Tere Metta adorn the walls, adding yet another joyful layer to the visual feast laid on by the resort.
Exploration and celebration through cuisine
The culinary program at Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection encompasses five unique dining venues and a host of personalized gastronomic experiences designed to stimulate sensory renewal with spontaneity and a sense of adventure. Infusing traditional Mayan with modern Mexican cuisine inspired by local ingredients, menus are designed to satisfy and transport, taking diners on a culinary journey of discovery.
Wrapped around the trunk of an age-old tree, Mayan-inspired signature restaurant Itzam offers innovative exploratory flavors and panoramic ocean views from its open-air restaurant, lounge terrace, and private dining room, Pixán.
Set beside the main swimming pool, Che Che serves up Nikkei-esque Japanese-Peruvian bites and hosts international DJs after dark in its atmospheric bar area. Laidback Alberca features a casual menu of tacos, raw bowls, ceviches, and Che Che favorites; and right on the beach, El Changarro promises lively, feet-in-the-sand, catch-of-the-day dining at its best. Playfully meeting guests’ grab-and-go gastronomic needs from sunrise to sunset, El Carrito’s cart-to-hand morningcoffees and pastries segue into afternoon street snacks and evening cocktails.
Designed with community in mind, beautifully appointed event spaces include the magnificent Kin with its view-embracing interiors and vast deck. Ixchel, a salon named for the Mayan Goddess of the moon and love, and El Nicho, the resort’s library, are ideal for more intimate gatherings. Resol, the elevated lawn alongside Itzam, and the beach itself, are perfect for outdoor ceremonies and celebrations.
A sanctuary for the attainment of true wellbeing
With a name signifying resplendence, prayer, and healing, Sana is a spa sanctuary promoting the art of living well through sensory pleasures, holistic therapies, and the active manipulation of energy. Sana combines the powerful elements of water, nature, and indigenous self-care to create space for transformation and sensory exploration.
Bringing together a community of ethically conscious individuals and wellness seekers looking to restore balance, elevate their spirits, and reach their fullest potential, Sana supports healing from within, exploring nature and layering aromas and textures to unleash curiosity and discover each person’s inner healer. Wellbeing experiences focus on renewing self-connection and righting imbalances through a combination of ancient Mayan healing practices and emerging wellness trends.
The first spa worldwide to offer organic, wild-crafted Circe Brujeria de Origen skincare products and Kypris facials, Sana’s healing rituals are offered alongside an extensive menu of personalized bodywork treatments, curated retreats with visiting practitioners, and daily movement and mindfulness classes including aerial yoga, chromatic breathing, and reiki circles.
Enriching experiences
Guests can do all that they anticipate – exploring the Yucatan’s natural wonders and historic Mayan ruins, swimming in the crystal waters of cenotes, snorkeling vivid reefs, hiking, biking, horse-riding, and diving into Mexico’s epicurean scene with chocolate, mezcal, and wine tastings. But they can also experience adventures and moments offered nowhere else.
Inspired by the notions of honoring the past, living in the present, and creating the future, exclusive Etéreo experiences include painting wooden Alebrije spirit animals; taking part in a Mayan fireside blessing or Equinox Ceremony; tuning in to the sounds of the Yucatan with a local musician; learning local card games and handicrafts; uncovering lesser-known Mexican flavors with home-cooked Nicho de Abuela pop-up dinners; and planting saplings in the mangrove forest – to name just a few.
Open now. To find out more, visit aubergeresorts.com
Image credit: Auberge Resorts Collection
