They warmly greet guests upon arrival at Susurros del Corazón with “Welcome home,” and what a home it is. Betwixt jungled cliffs, the Auberge resort opens onto an incomparable stretch of sandy beach lapped by the waters of Bahía de Banderas. We dive into all the delicious details of this oasis off the path in Punta de Mita, Mexico, deemed 2023’s Best New Hotel.
ON-ASSIGNMENT PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER @JESSICASAMPLE
THE EASY, BREEZY BEACH LIFE
There’s room to breathe here. The 59-room property is intimate yet uncrowded, with easy strolls to breakfast and the beach along palm tree-shaded pathways. But morning coffee is best enjoyed in the comfort of one’s own sumptuous suite, and it’s delivered right to the door based on each guest’s preferred timing.
Susurros del Corazón’s guestrooms are the epitome of laidback luxury, dressed in a tonal, textural palette inspired by the Mexico seaside setting, with furnishings and textiles crafted by local artisans. Ocean breezes are beckoned through floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open to private terraces perfect for novel reading turned napping. Villas and some of the suites add private pools to the mix.
ALL THE AUTHENTIC, LOCAL FLAVORS
Born and raised in Mexico City, Chef Tonatiuh Cuevas ensures the flavors that hit palates are both fresh, spice-forward and authentic to the place. Feast on regional specialty pesca zarandeado, locally grown poblanos, gringas and queso fundido from onsite restaurants Casamilpa, La Boquita and poolside La Piscina. For grabbing to-go juices and pastries in the morning, there’s the tangerine-tinted food truck, Mita.
A SEA OF STORY-WORTHY EXPERIENCES
While this is the sort of naturally beautiful destination where doing nothing but eating, drinking and lounging on the beach is more than enough, Susurros encourages holidayers to “go home with a story” and helps plot memory-making experiences. For food and drink lovers, there are complimentary Mexican culinary immersions, such as making chocobanana or a masterclass on centuries-old spirit Raicilla, also known as tequila’s rebellious little sister. The craft inclined can book a Sombrero del Alma class where Mariana of local Mowi hats guides groups through customizing a “soul hat” to take home. On the spiritual side, there are special twice-monthly community cacao ceremonies led by local Medicine Woman Gina in which she shares wisdom from her elders and personal Mayan nahuatl readings.
Then, of course, there is all the big blue ocean has to offer. The private Surf Safari guided by a local professional surfer jets guests over to quieter, tucked-away beach breaks. A Whale Song Adventure heads out into open waters to get closer to humpbacks and record their mesmerizing vocalizations. An excursion to Islas Marietas, a series of uninhabited and protected islands, offers the opportunity to snorkel its marine life-rich waters.
That’s just the tip of the coral reef, so to speak, and a quick text to one’s concierge can make nearly all wishes or “whispers of the heart,” as the resort’s Spanish name translates to in English, an unforgettable reality.
