Thompson Beach House, Playa del Carmen
A new modern hotel in the heart of the city and directly on the water
Over the years, Playa del Carmen, Mexico has picked up a reputation for two things: it’s the hipper, more nightlife-centric destination for those who want to avoid the Cancun crowd, and it’s adjacent to beautiful beaches. The brand new Thompson Beach House does more than offer access to both. Two blocks from their sprawling main location, the boutique-style hotel rests directly on the sands. One can easily walk from the pool to the ocean in half a minute. But like its bigger, older sister, the Beach House also occupies a plot of land in the thick of it all—around the corner from the main drag Quinta Avenida.
The Thompson, Playa del Carmen opened in November 2015, while the smaller Beach House welcomed guests for the first time in Spring 2016. The building itself was designed by two acclaimed Mexican architecture firms: AS Arquitectura and Seijo Peon. Along with design team Niz + Chauvet, they sought to create a bohemian-inspired Yucatan escape. Even more importantly, they employed plenty of locally-sourced materials, including stone and white-washed wood panels. The inclusion of hand-pressed Guadalajara tiles also livens up the generally calm color palette of the destination.
There are 27 rooms and suites at the Beach House. All rooms come with a fully-furnished, spacious ocean-facing balcony. The mid-century modern decor and custom Scandinavian-inspired furniture gives each room an orderly, clean sensation. And while there is a rain shower in all rooms, some also feature a massive bathtub-for-two set in a corner of the bedroom itself, positioned by a window that grants another ocean view. Remarkably, there is an outdoor Aquaspa jetted bath tub in the Panoramic Ocean View suites. The Thompson Beach House understands the allure of the turquoise ocean water, and the hotel has been designed as such. It’s a great destination to relax after taking advantage of the city’s lavish food and drink scene.
It’s also helpful to have another Thompson so close by. Guests of the Beach House can use the 24-hour fitness center or the stunning rooftop infinity pool surrounded by a cocktail bar. It’s also worthwhile to hit up the restaurants within—including an off-shoot of NYC’s seafood-oriented Catch (though Beach House’s own oceanside restaurant C Grill makes for a delightful brunch or dinner spot). But sitting in a nook poolside and beachfront all at once, with cocktail service to boot, all at the Beach House, feels uncommonly peaceful and luxuriant with the bustling city just beyond the walls.
You can book a room at the Thompson Beach House, Playa del Carmen online, with rates starting at $392 a night. The Beach House is located on 8th Street between 5th Ave and Zona Federal Maritima, Calica, Playa Del Carmen.
Images by David Graver
