On a stretch of untamed Oaxacan coastline in Mexico, where palm trees sway in the ocean breeze and the air carries the scent of salt and wild flora, something quietly extraordinary has taken root. Kymaia the latest creation from Ezequiel Ayarza Sforza, the mind behind Casona Sforza has opened its doors just 30 minutes from Puerto Escondido. More than a hotel, Kymaia is an invitation to pause, to breathe, and to reconnect.
At first glance, the retreat appears to rise organically from the land itself. The architecture, by Mexican studio Productora, is a gentle response to the landscape pyramid-inspired structures rendered in clay, stucco and native wood, their forms softened by tropical greenery and golden light. But beneath the surface lies a deeper intention: a commitment to biodiversity, environmental regeneration, and honouring the cultural rhythms of this storied part of southern Mexico.
Kymaia takes its name from the Sanskrit word for “miracle” an apt reflection of its vision. The hotel’s 22 suites are purposefully dispersed to respect the terrain and maximise serenity. At the highest point, four Ocean Front Suites gaze directly onto the Pacific, each with its own pool. Nine Senior Suites occupy the garden level with partial sea views and pools, while the nine Junior Suites above come with hot tubs and sweeping vistas.
Images by Néstor Martínez Loaeza
Every space has been crafted with stillness in mind. Interiors are pared-back yet refined tactile, honest, and imbued with a sense of calm. The atmosphere is one of quiet luxury, where nature is not just the backdrop, but the central character.
But Kymaia isn’t merely a place to rest. It’s a space to feel. A place where the lines between design, cuisine, and well-being dissolve into a seamless whole. Three restaurants, each overseen by acclaimed Mexican chef Eduardo García, offer a deeply personal culinary journey. Septimus is the heart of the dining experience, showcasing Oaxacan ingredients through a contemporary lens. The more casual Huachinango Bar focuses on seafood, while La Cueva an underground, candlelit restaurant brings an air of mystery and intimacy to the table.
Wellness here goes beyond spa menus. The Shala invites guests into daily yoga, meditation, and Qigong sessions — rituals that align body, breath, and awareness. Trails weave through the surrounding wetlands and curated gardens, encouraging exploration of the regenerated landscapes: El Palmar’s towering palms, the desert flora of La Nopalera, and the biodiversity of El Humedal and El Guayacán.
Solar energy, low-impact materials, and circular waste practices are part of daily life at Kymaia, but this is not sustainability as a slogan. It’s sustainability as a lived, felt reality quietly present in every detail, every decision, every interaction.
For those seeking a retreat that feeds the soul as much as it does the senses, Kymaia offers something rare: a place of silence and softness, beauty and balance. A place where the boundary between luxury and nature dissolves, and the miracle is not just in the view it’s in how it makes you feel.
