Deep in the unspoilt Yucatán jungle, a magical oasis awaits...
Located 30 minutes from Mérida in a tiny town named Chocholá lives an unexpected Mexican oasis, Chablé Resort & Spa. Set on a historical hacienda where rope was once manufactured in the 1800s using the agave plant, this spectacular property sat vacant for decades until Chablé was envisioned. Chablé Resort & Spa is a luxury wellness resort centered in a tranquil, natural setting with all details designed with its Mayan roots and history in mind.
To put it simply: a stay at Chablé is so special, so magical — and it's the kind of place where you'll continue to come back time and time again...
THE ACCOMMODATIONS
Each of the 38 casitas on property are designed to blend in with their jungle surroundings and have been created with a true sense of privacy in mind. It is no surprise that Mexico-based designer Paulina Moran and architect Jorge Borja were awarded the “Prix Versailles 2017” by the International Union of Architects for the best hotel in the world for architecture and design for Chablé, as the casitas exemplify tasteful and thoughtful design.
The contemporary casitas are notably spacious and have both indoor and outdoor showers wrapped in wood with glass doors. You'll have your own private outdoor oasis, as each surrounds a heated plunge pool with a hammock, cozy lounge chairs, a dining table, and a large daybed—perfect for afternoon siestas. By eight o'clock each morning, you'll find coffee, pastries, and fresh juice have been quietly set on the table outside. It is easy to spend the day in your own secluded villa knowing you have in-room dining just a phone call away.
For those seeking an even more luxurious experience, there are two expansive private villas on property. The larger of the two, a restored 19th-century hacienda house, includes its own spa suite, private gym, private bar, and butler kitchen.
THE SPA & WELLNESS
Centered around a natural cenote, the spa at Chablé is the heart of the resort. Like most of the property, the spa blends modern life with a connection to ancient Mayan traditions. For a resort of its size, the programming is vast and the facilities are quite robust: salt chambers, Mayan herbal compresses, Chablé stone massages, and a traditional Temazcal “steam house.” Each treatment starts with a blending of spices and herbs to optimize relaxation and sounding a conch shell to fend off any bad spirits. Paired with yoga practices, zen meditation, mind and body cycling, kinesis training, salsa, pilates, tennis, running, tai chi, aqua fitness — it’s easy to spend the day. Mode of transportation around this 750-acre resort is usually bicycle or walking.
THE DINING
Through the Chablé culinary experience you will feel renewed without missing a meal or feeling you have deprived yourself! Designed by world renowned chef Jorge Vallejo and executed daily by Luiz Ronzon, each dish at Chablé is a masterpiece of organically grown ingredients composed with Yucatán and Mayan inspiration at both restaurants: Ixi'im which is a contemporary fine dining venue and the more casual but equally as amazing, Ki’ol, available for breakfast lunch and dinner serving more relaxed fare. There is also a dedicated spa restaurant that will be re-launched soon with an updated menu.
Foodies: Ixi'im is the real deal. A true culinary experience, the menu features a creative combination of unique and locally sourced ingredients. Only open for dinner, the indoor & outdoor space alone is stunning and the bar is a must before or after your meal! Once you taste the raw smoked tuna with coconut, the cured trout with mezcal, the cauliflower with kohlrabi puree, and the chocolate/avocado mousse for dessert, you will fully understand why Vallejo is rated #22 chef in the world. As an added bonus Ixi'im holds the world's largest tequila selection, 3200+ bottles! At many wellness-focused resorts drinking liquor or wine more than likely isn't an option, but (thankfully) is not the case at Chablé.
Ki’ol is also excellent and each dish is a perfect balance of flavor and health with a Mexican twist. Daily breakfast juices with locally grown fruits and vegetables, guava chia oatmeal, avocado toast with Celestun salt, and amaranth pancakes were amongst our favorites. Equally notable was the duck cochinita pibil served at lunch and the fresh tiradito/raw selections. The lunch is worth the yoga break and can even be served at the pool. Ki’ol is also open for dinner and is a perfect option after a night or two at Ixi'im. Around holiday time, there's special fiestas that are absolutely worth experiencing—an ITKE favorite was a multi-course tasting menu that began with a traditional piñata breaking and ended with local live music and dance.
ADDED BONUS: Chablé offers classes like Mexican chocolate making using traditional methods with wood fire and rolling pins. You can also find yourself at an afternoon tequila tasting or lounging in their newly constructed Cigar Bar.
AROUND THE AREA
As much as you'll never want to leave the the phenomenally designed wellness enclave, put it on your agenda to see "life" surrounding Chablé. The local town of Chocholá, just five minutes away, is a quaint, charming place where you'll find a tortilla shop, a small market, a church, and you'll be hard pressed to find a car. But just thirty minutes away you'll find Mérida, a lively city that has all you need for a cultural fix. With the more usual hustle and bustle you'll find in a modern city, the 'White City' is rooted in history and is filled with farmers markets and fascinating museums. You'll find notable Mayan ruins nearby and is absolutely worth the trek to Chichen Itzá or to Uxmal.
And just when you thought you couldn't fall in love with Chablé more, it's worth noting how they've had such a positive social and environmental impact on the world around them. Chablé has brought numerous jobs to the area (most of the resort staff are locals), put in new play equipment in the nearby town of Chocholá, and the current manager makes an effort to visit and buy from the locals, ultimately creating meaningful relationships with those who call this extraordinary place their home.
PERFECT FOR: Couples, Spa-Lovers, Wellness Junkies
PAIR IT WITH: Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, Tulum or Riviera Maya
GETTING THERE: Mérida International Airport (MID) is around 30 minutes’ drive from the hotel and has limited flights from the US and domestic flights from Mexico City. The most popular connections in the US go through Atlanta (ATL) or Houston (IAH). Other option to connect in Mexico City (MEX) or Cancún (CUN).
BENEFITS OF BOOKING WITH ITKE:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Complimentary Full Breakfast for two daily, served in restaurant
$100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay
Complimentary transfers to and from Mérida Airport
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
