Carved into the mangrove-fringed coastline of Punta Maroma, one of the last undeveloped stretches of the Riviera Maya, the architecture of Etereo makes a deliberate argument against the dominant resort logic of this coastline — the all-inclusive wall, the hermetically sealed compound. Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos designed the low-rise residential blocks in raw board-formed concrete and local limestone, their cantilevered terraces stepping back from the jungle canopy in a massing that allows the surrounding vegetation to read as the primary material. The aerial view confirms how seriously that ambition was pursued: the pool terraces and pavilions sit embedded within dense subtropical scrub, connected to the beach by a long timber boardwalk threading above the mangroves rather than through them. Inside, the interiors — developed with Tara Bernerd & Partners — work a vocabulary of dark-stained tropical hardwoods, handwoven rattan panels, undyed linen, and hand-thrown ceramic vessels that draws from Mexican craft traditions without resorting to folkloric illustration. The most arresting element in the rooms is a sculpted wood partition screen of interlocking leaf-form panels that functions simultaneously as headboard surround and spatial divider, catching light differently throughout the day. The restaurant carries exposed timber beam ceilings over low-slung upholstered banquettes and rattan-screened dining partitions, the shelves behind lined with terracotta amphorae. A circular fire-pit banquette set into the infinity pool deck — limestone-edged, open to the Caribbean horizon — captures the property's essential gesture: domesticity turned resolutely outward.

40min drive from Cancun airport (CUN)

Etéreo - meaning ethereal, something spiritual and heavenly - invites you to visit and explore the cycle of renewal of that which enriches life: relationships, inspiration, connection to nature, senses, rhythm, and appreciation. Freed from the distractions of modern life, the celestial experience that defines Etéreo stems from Mayan philosophies and is landmarked by three pillars - extraordinary cuisine, breathtaking encounters with nature and beaches, and an Auberge Spa that facilitates rejuvenation in every sense of the word. Set against a backdrop of work by celebrated Mexican artist Manuel Felguérez, this luxurious property's symbology and inherent spirituality permeate.