Paradero Todos Santos has opened in Baja California Sur, marking the beginning of Paradero Hotel’s long-term plan to expand its experience-inclusive brand throughout unspoiled destinations in Mexico.
The 35-suite property is spread across five acres of untouched land situated within the last Mesa farming community – an agricultural area comprising 160 acres of family-owned farms. Due to its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer, the immediate landscape offers five distinct ecosystems: the desert with 200-year-old Cardon cacti; the Sierra La Laguna mountain range; miles of virgin beaches along the Pacific coast; an oasis with 5,000 palm trees; and farmland as far as the eye can see. As a result of this rich diversity, UNESCO has designated Todos Santos as a Biosphere Reserve – one of only two such sites in Baja.
Mexico-born Ruben Valdez and Yashar Yektajo of Yektajo Valdez Architects were tasked with blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living at Paradero. Their scheme sees sanctuary-like interiors flow into contemplative outdoor seating areas and cactus-studded desert and farmland, with the exterior designed in a trapezoid shape to ensure each suite offers views of the wild terrain. Inside, beige coloured concrete is peppered with materials such as tornillo timber and custom-made metal, while triangle patterns – a sacred symbol of the Mayan culture – are incorporated throughout too.
Public spaces include the Living Room, a multi-purpose hub where guests can meet guides and learn about experiences, while the roof doubles as a yoga deck. Along the perimeter of the property meanwhile, a 130-foot-long infinity pool, hot tub and half-moon lounge deck look out onto a horizon of cacti.
Interior design studio B Huber, the firm behind the new Edition Riviera Maya and Four Seasons Tamarindo, was brought in to create a new brand of hotel experience that offered a sense of community and was representative of Mexico. As such, the colour scheme focuses on monochromatic tones and incorporates a predominantly sand and natural palette, while all furnishings were custom-crafted and locally sourced from cities such as Guadalajara and Oaxaca – largely considered the design capitals of Mexico.
Ranging from 780-2,674ft2 meanwhile, the 35 suites feature strategically positioned windows that allow for cross ventilation, minimising the need for air conditioning. The Garden Suites extend into the landscape with outdoor living areas that either offer views of the farming fields or look out to the forest of cacti. All of these 16 suites also feature a hammock, while some boast a circular soaking tub. Elsewhere, 18 Rooftop Suites are distinguished by their panoramic rooftops, all of which have built-in suspended ‘star nets,’ providing high-altitude views of the surrounding farmlands, mountains, oasis and ocean. Finally, the corner Master Casita is spread across three floors and has been designed to feel like a luxury residence, with a kitchenette, dining area and a plunge pool. In all suites, bathrooms feature a rain shower and organic amenities made in Mexico.
The hotel’s restaurant, open to the public, offers a theatrical experience by way of an open-fire kitchen complete with a Josper wood-fired oven and a traditional Oaxacan clay tortilla oven. The menu incorporates ingredients from nearby farms as well as fish and seafood from the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez. Bounty from the on-site chilli garden, with 12 different types of peppers, also adds a touch of spice. Cocktails are just as inventive, made from fresh-pressed juices and elixirs from local shrubs. Guests are encouraged to visit nearby restaurants too, with the property serving as an insider guide to the best of Todos Santos.
Shaded by almost 100 locally grown palm trees and other endemic species, the Ojo de Agua Spa is a wellness oasis and healing space inspired by secret watering holes that coexist between Sierra La Laguna and the Pacific. The focus here is on ancient Mexican healing traditions, starting with sound healing and ending with Temazcal ceremonies. Hot and cold plunge pools, as well as a relaxation area, round out the offering.
A 100,000ft2 botanical garden is also at the heart of the property. Mexico City-based landscape architecture firm Polen, whose past projects include Google’s and Twitter’s offices, selected 80 endemic species – from red sand verbena and Mojave yucca to Shaw’s agave – for the grounds. More than 20,000 plants, including those found on the land prior to construction, are oriented in a way that promotes maximum growth and vitality, with over 30% grown from seed in an on-site greenhouse. The remainder was purchased locally.
Paradero Todos Santos offers a range of experiences too. Surfing for different levels at Cerritos or San Pedrito beach, guided hiking and mountain biking along the bluffs of the Pacific coast, private beach set up in unspoiled locations, hands-on farming tutorials and Baja taco tours are all included, while trails throughout the property are also marked for self-guided running and biking around the farms and gardens. Other activities include boating and fishing expeditions, cooking classes, cliffside champagne and burrito tastings.
In curating its programming, Paradero Hotels tapped into the expertise of those who have successfully operated similar soft adventure experiences elsewhere, including Jesus Parrilla, Principal of Luxury Frontiers and ex-CEO of Explora, who serves as the brand’s Strategic Advisor.
