OUR STORY We are Jess & Nicolas and before we started this adventure we ran a design studio in British Columbia, Canada. Our expertise was in top-end modern furniture and kitchens and we also worked as consultants in the areas of interior and architectural design. What drove us then still drives us now, the exploration and learning curve of bringing an idea into practical application. When we came across this empty hotel in early 2015 it captivated our imagination. We fell in love with the blank canvas of this building and its location right by the beach. It was the proverbial once in a lifetime opportunity so we seized it. This was not planned nor expected. We came to the Yucatán to explore if we would find a small colonial fixer-upper in Mérida we could purchase and work on over time. Instead we totally turned our families life upside down and dove into a journey that would take 3 years to see our vision come to fruition. From complex legalities between 3 nations to cultural differences, language barriers and a new climate to adjust to, we were in for a ride but we embraced it and rolled with the punches.

Playa 55 beach escape is an ADULT-ONLY property located right on the beach in the middle of one of Mexico’s UNESCO designated biospheres is a small fishing village in the Yucatán. This is a culturally authentic place away from the traveling masses and with beautiful beaches that deliver magical sunsets. This is Celestún and this is where we created our beach escape. Right here, in the middle of nature and Mexican culture, we designed a modern whimsical abode, filled with cozy settings inviting guests to pause and relax.

COASTAL LIFE ON THE GULF Celestún is a sun drenched little fishing village on the Gulf coast of Mexico. Away from the beaten track and yet just one hour drive west of Merida, it displays a unique character shaped by a curious fusion of various trades and the effect of its secluded location in the middle of nature. With the main source of income being from fishing and salt extraction, this town has grown a name in eco-tourism by taking advantage of being nestled into a UNESCO designated biosphere. Going to see Flamingos has become synonymous with that day-trip to Celestún. But do not be fooled, this town has more to offer than that. Visitors who decide to stay longer will discover that this place not only serves to the ‘hot-pink cocktail parties’ of those elegant birds. Among a variety of different nature tours, you can organize fishing excursions or venture on a trip into the Salinas to see how salt is collected. There even is a ghost town south of the village or the ruins of a salt hacienda by the ocean to explore and should you be steady on horseback, why not go on a beach ride?