Chablé Yucatan
An excellent base for exploring the ancient Mayan city of Uxmal, Chablé Yucatan is a remote, enchanting, jungle-clad resort with a renowned spa, superb restaurants and even its own cenote.
The 18th-century hacienda was reclaimed by the jungle around 80 years ago and it took the hotel owners, a family from Mexico City, 12 years to transform it into the luxurious resort it is now. The jungle still takes centre stage though, especially at night when lanterns are hung from branches and fireflies flicker against a star-laden sky.
Accommodation comprises 40 standalone casitas, engulfed by ferns and giant palms to ensure absolute privacy. Each has its own pool, hammock and veranda, not to mention an expansive bathroom with a glass wall looking out to the jungle and huge double showers.
The spa is the jewel in the crown here, with 12 modern treatment rooms overlooking a natural cenote (freshwater sinkhole) and a further three sweat lodges dotted around the grounds for traditional ceremonies conducted by visiting shamans. The commitment to wellbeing continues through the various free classes on offer – including yoga, Pilates and animal motion sessions – and through the wholesome restaurant Ki’ol, which means ‘healthy’ in Mayan. It pairs with the more formal restaurant Ixi’im, which puts a modern spin on Yucatan flavours. Both draw heavily on fresh ingredients from the estate’s kitchen garden.
