Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico | $$$Clientele: Snowbirds escaping the winter. Surginf enthusiasts. Couples. Groups of friends.BREATHTAKING INTERIORS / GREAT BREAKFAST / SURFER’S HAVEN
Casa TO is a brutalist gem of a boutique hotel, located in the surfer town of Puerto Escondido on Oaxaca’s rugged Pacific coastline. Travelling up the dusty, unpaved road that leads to the hotel, our expectations were already high - we knew that this part of the Oaxacan coastline had in recent years seen a sharp rise in unique, design led hotels, and we had specifically sought out Casa TO for this very reason. But nothing prepared us for what we experienced at this magical place. Let’s firstly talk about the building itself - and to be clear, it is truly special. Based on a modern interpretation of a Oaxacan temple, architect Ludwig Godfrey has created an expansive, raw space that feels infinitely calming, almost meditative. Stairways appear to lead into nowhere. Huge circular shapes cut out of concrete seemingly float above the pool. This building is simply like nothing we have ever stayed in before. The hotel restaurant, Glou Glou is indeed a destination in itself offering first class food, natural wines and mezcal. The breakfast is excellent - don’t sleep on PBJ toast and the mushroom toast with poached eggs. The dinner tasting menu is superb, although pricey at around $170pp with the wine pairing. However, the natural wine selection is one of the most interesting we have seen in Mexico. Yes, this place may be full of hipsters, digital nomads and snowbirds from NYC, but don’t let that put you off - it is one of the most jaw droppingly beautiful and impeccably executed hotels we have ever stayed in.
Top Tip:Don’t waste your time going to Casa Wabi - this place is all hype, no substance (in our humble opinion) Local Gems: Dine at Glou Glou for a show stopping dinner Rent a scooter and go beach hopping along the coast Grab lunch at Espadín - a small restaurant providing some of the best views and sunsets on the entire coast