castillo de arena: design-minded boutique hotel opens on mexico's pacific coast

Castillo de Arena Brings Minimalist Design to Mexico’s Coastline

Castillo de Arena, designed by Mexico City-based architect Alberto Kalach of Taller de Arquitectura X in collaboration with designer Susana Pantoja, is a new boutique hotel in Punta Zicatela, Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Just two blocks from the Pacific Ocean, the property celebrates its coastal context, offering a calming escape.

The hotel’s layout features three brick towers, each rising three-stories and arranged around a central courtyard. This open space preserves two large pre-existing trees, emphasizing the architects’ commitment to respecting the natural environment. The courtyard’s reclaimed stone paving and multiple water features add texture and serenity, creating a serene ambiance enhanced by the soothing sound of flowing water.

images © Andy Butler

Minimalist Interiors with Local Touches

Castillo de Arena in Mexico offers ten minimalist rooms designed by architect Alberto Kalach and designer Susana Pantoja to provide mental clarity and relaxation. Using local materials and textiles, the interiors reflect the simplicity of the surrounding landscape while ensuring comfort. Each space is curated to highlight natural light and air circulation, enhancing the guest experience.

Guests can enjoy a communal pool, crafted with a glimmering mosaic of tiles that reflect light in dynamic ways throughout the day. The shifting patterns create an evolving visual effect, blending the structure with its environment and offering a unique aesthetic throughout different times of the day.

While the hotel does not include a restaurant, it houses Los Zanates, a small café-bar open to both guests and the public.

Castillo de Arena is a boutique hotel in Punta Zicatela, Mexico