After the high energy of Endeavor in Las Vegas, I traveled to Tulum to celebrate and honor day of the dead for something completely different—and deeply soul-nourishing. I was honored to be invited by my dear friend Karina to experience Día de los Muertos at the stunning Hotel Esencia, curated by the visionary team at AGO Projects. What unfolded was one of the most beautiful, emotional, and spiritually rich weekends I’ve ever had.
Image Credit: DreamArt Photography
A Celebration That Transcended Time
In Aztec and Mexican culture, Día de los Muertos is the one day each year when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. It’s not a time of mourning, but of memory, reverence, and connection. At Hotel Esencia, we gathered for a soulful evening where that connection felt profoundly real. I brought my mother’s photo her last birthday when she turned 75.
Image Credit: DreamArt Photography
Together, we placed photographs of loved ones on a glowing altar. The space was filled with the scent of copal incense, the golden glow of candlelight, and marigolds by FDK Florals. There were silent moments of reflection, and an overwhelming sense that we weren’t alone—our ancestors were right there with us. Family, friends, even beloved pets. It was intimate, collective healing and celebration.
Image Credit: DreamArt Photography
It was ritual, emotion, and beauty—brought to life by AGO Projects in a way only they can.
Image Credit: DreamArt Photography
Hotel Esencia: My Kind of Wellness Haven
If you know me, you know I’m a wellness devotee. I’m constantly seeking places that blend style, wellness, design, and culture—and Hotel Esencia is exactly that.
Image Credit: Hotel Esencia
The Wellness Room is pure serenity. Surrounded by lush jungle, infused with Mayan botanicals, and designed for deep rest, it felt like the universe saying, “Pause.” I had a private moment there that reminded me why stillness is power.
Image Credit: Hotel Esencia
And then there’s the rooftop pool—secluded, quiet, nestled above the treetops. It was just me, the breeze, and the ocean. That kind of peace? It’s rare.
The service throughout was impeccable. Every touch felt personal, thoughtful, and effortless. From custom spa rituals to curated meals, the team at Esencia anticipates your needs before you even think them. That’s what true hospitality feels like.
Image Credit: Hotel Esencia
A Weekend That Changed Me
This trip wasn’t about “getting away.” It was about coming back to myself.
I left Tulum recharged, inspired, and filled with gratitude—for the friends who brought me there, the ancestors we honored, and the beauty of what’s possible when design and soul align.
If you’re looking for a place to truly reset, reconnect, and remember what matters—Hotel Esencia is that place.
Thank you, Karina. Thank you, AGO Projects. Thank you, Hotel Esencia.
This experience will stay with me forever.
