Hotel La Semilla, Playa del Carmen
Hotel La Semilla
Calle 38 Norte, Playa del Carmen, Q. Roo, México, 77720
If you’ve been following along for a while or have explored the Passport section of this site, you know I have a total soft spot for well-designed hotels. When I laid eyes on the Hotel La Semilla in Playa del Carmen while planning our recent trip, I instantly knew it fulfilled my “chic hotel” qualifications. A member of Design Hotels, Hotel La Semilla has that same laid-back atmosphere and attention to simple details that I loved so much about the San Giorgio Mykonos.
The nine-room B&B is a brand new property, tucked away on Calle 38 just off a stretch of 5th Avenue with the trendiest restaurants on the strip. Alexis, the general manager, and his wife just opened the hotel in December 2013, but the rustic luxe interior design and gracious, attentive staff would make you think it’s been open longer than 6 months. The furniture and decor are a curated collection of flea market treasures from around Mexico, giving the hotel real soul and creating a one-of-kind feel in every corner. Our terrace room was located just off the lush, romantic garden where tables and chairs are tucked among the trees and the open-air cocina beckons guests to relax each morning over espresso, tropical fruits, yogurt, fresh breads from a local bakery, and delicious marmalades. Exactly our idea of a perfect vacation breakfast. Above the cocina is a quiet terrace with a hammock–perfect for reading a book–and upstairs above all the other rooms is another terrace with ocean views, lounges, and an outdoor shower.
Vintage bikes are lined up outside for transportation, which we used for exploring Playa’s most beautiful beaches. And if you’re looking for recommendations on beaches, beach clubs, and restaurants, you only need ask–the hotel has a pocket-sized map with their personal suggestions at the ready. It’s no wonder Travel + Leisure just named Hotel La Semilla one of the best hotels in Mexico…it’s so well-deserved.
At the end of our stay, we were given a teeny tiny bag of seeds to plant and nurture. Hotel La Semilla translates into “the seed” in English; the name was inspired by the yoga position of the same name. In order for a seed to grow and be successful, it needs roots to stay grounded, humble, present. A seed also needs light, love, water. Hotel La Semilla hopes to grow with these very same essentials–strong roots, lots of love, and abundant light. Love, love that concept!