Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection arrived on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in late December, floating above a protected forest of mangroves on nine acres of oceanfront. Taking its name from the Spanish for ‘ethereal’, the resort features a gallery-esque lobby, several gathering spots, and an extensive spa and wellness centre.

Ensconced in the jungle just off the shore, 75 guest accommodations range from studios to three-bedroom penthouse suites, all offering private terraces with views of the sea and beyond. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors create a seamless transition between indoors and out, home to plunge pools, hot tubs and roof terraces.

Inspired by the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, the spaces have been curated by Migdal Arquitectos (architecture, design) and Meyer Davis (interiors). Drawing cues from nature, raw materials include lava stone, copper, and indigenous tzalam wood, while bespoke furnishings and textiles by local artisans are set against a backdrop of artworks by the late celebrated Mexican artist Manuel Felguérez.

Felguérez’s sculptural lattice screens in wood and architectural plaster feature throughout, creating a 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 by Puebla’s Bandido Studio. Contemporary art installations include a hanging woven rope sculpture by Marcela Diaz and a steel and glass sculpture by Hector Esrawe, while works by Charabati Bizarri, Tapiz, Peter Glassford, and Tere Metta adorn the walls.

The culinary programme encompasses five venues and personalised gastronomic experiences that infuse traditional Mayan with modern Mexican cuisine. Surrounded by the mangrove forest, signature restaurant Itzam offers exploratory flavours and ocean views from its open-air lounge terrace and private dining room, Pixán. Set beside the main pool meanwhile, Che Che serves up Nikkei-esque Japanese-Peruvian bites and hosts international DJs in its atmospheric bar area; Alberca features a casual menu of tacos, raw bowls, ceviches and Che Che favourites; and El Changarro promises catch-of-the-day dining right on the beach.

Designed with community in mind, the event spaces include 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. Resol, the elevated lawn alongside Itzam, and the beach are used for outdoor ceremonies and celebrations.

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. Surrounded by the emerald green of the jungle and inspired by cenotes and local botany, the space is the first worldwide to offer organic, wild-crafted Circe Brujeria de Origen skincare products and Kypris facials. Sana’s healing rituals are offered alongside a menu of personalised bodywork treatments, curated retreats with visiting practitioners, and daily movement and mindfulness classes including aerial yoga, chromatic breathing and reiki circles.

Interactive experiences are also offered through the resort’s Carolina K Boutique, which epitomises the Etéreo connection with community and culture by serving as a creative hub for local artisans. Curated by Carolina Kleinman herself – renowned for her pioneering work in sustaining the age-old artisanal craft traditions of Mesoamerica – the boutique features leisure and swimwear collections, all-natural apothecary products, homeware and lifestyle accessories by Carolina K and other Latin American designers.