Beige concrete blends with the surrounding terrain at Paradero Hotel in coastal Mexico, designed by architects Ruben Valdez and Yashar Yektajo.
Paradero Hotel is set on a 5.5-acre (2.2-hectare) site in Todos Santos, a town on the southwestern coast of the Baja Peninsula.
The resort sits on a flat swath of land surrounded by family-owned farms and the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains. The beach is a 20-minute drive away.
Paradero Hotel was designed by architects Ruben Valdez and Yashar Yektajo. In 2017, the two founded Yektajo & Valdez Architects, which has offices in Todos Santos and Lausanne, Switzerland.
Interiors were overseen by B Huber, a Guadalajara studio that is known for its hospitality work.
The property consists of a series of concrete structures in a beige hue that blends with the landscape. The block that contains guest rooms has walls that swoop outward, forming interior corridors and stairwells.
Punched into certain facades are tiny openings shaped like triangles.
"The triangular shape came from the will to have a simple geometric shape that would 'pierce' the walls in strategic positions," the architects said.
The structures are arranged around a central, low-water garden – a configuration that takes cues from historic California missions, and also helps visitors feel connected to the site.
"Understanding the surrounding nature as the most important element of the project, the property is organised along the perimeter of the plot, so that each suite and some of the common areas have an unobstructed view of the surroundings," the architects said.
The adults-only property has 35 guest suites. Some offer rooftop terraces with flat hammocks bolted into walls, referred to as "star nets". There also is a three-level suite that is meant to feel like a luxury residence.
Suites are accessed via pathways that wind through the garden.
"Once inside, one rediscovers the surrounding landscape through a carefully organized sequence of inside and outside spaces, which blur the lines between the property and the environment," the architects said.
Rooms are designed to serve as a restful sanctuary. Concrete walls and floors are paired with contemporary furnishings in earthy hues and materials, such as white cedar. Much of the decor was made by Mexican artisans.
"No detail was overlooked," the team said. "For each piece of furniture selected for the property, more than ten suppliers were reviewed before deciding."
The resort offers several communal spaces, including an infinity pool with a crescent-shaped deck. An on-site restaurant serves up regional fare prepared in an open-fire kitchen.
The property's landscape was conceived by Polen, a Mexican firm. Dozens of endemic plants can be found on the site, including Mojave yucca and red sand verbena.
"More than 30 per cent of the flora was grown from seed in the on-site greenhouse, while the remainder was purchased from local greenhouses," the team said.
This resort is the first in a planned collection of Paradero Hotels – a "soft adventure" brand established by Pablo Carmona and Joshua Kremer of Mexico City. They aim to create hotels that provide outdoor experiences, along with helping preserve and elevate local communities.
Known for its beaches, cultural scene and laid-back ambience, Todos Santos is becoming a popular destination for travellers.
Other recent projects there include the Hotel San Cristóbal Baja, designed by Lake Flato and designer Liz Lambert. The beachfront resort features whitewashed walls, wooden verandahs and artisan-crafted decor.
Photography is by Paradero Todos Santos.
Project credits:
Architect: Ruben Valdez and Yashar Yektajo
Interior design: B-Huber
Landscape design: Polen Paisaje
Procurement: Estudio Fedra