Around the world in 80 days? Try 180 days instead.
27.12.2023 - 14:37 / cntraveler.com
When entrepreneur Tara Medina and architect Andrés Saavedra began dreaming up MUSA (Modern Utopian Society of Adventurers), a hotel-meets-real-estate project in the Mexican state of Guerrero, they knew that they wanted it to feel, above all, like a community. It's an approach that's driven a lot of hospitality developments throughout Mexico lately, from Mérida to Todos Santos. The business partners, who started Loot, a surf and lifestyle brand in Zihuatanejo, have always been on the cusp of the next cool thing. Having lived and worked on various real estate developments in the area, they asked themselves: What does an ideal community look like? It didn't matter if the master plan took months or even years to realize (which it did). They were determined to make sure that the slice of virgin land they'd purchased in 2020, on Mexico's Pacific coast 30 miles south of Zihuatanejo, would honor their vision.
A sunset-inspired cocktail at Alba, the on-site restaurant
Chef Rodrigo “Mole” Serna gathers ingredients for Alba
Now, the first stage of the 177-acre jungled plot is nearing completion. Around 6,500 trees have been planted; some homeowners—including creatives from Mexico and tech entrepreneurs from the United States—have moved into their modular wood-and-glass second homes; and the anticipated Hotelito, set in a slick cement building designed by Saavedra, opened its doors last spring. There's a swimming pool and a coral reef restoration project, but one of the biggest draws is access to MUSA's programming, from sound baths to DJ sessions and evenings with visiting chefs. Fully underway is the artists-in-residence program, in which artists, as well as sommeliers and mixologists, work on-site.
More collaboration is coming. In early 2024, MUSA will welcome Los Angeles–based multisensory artist Lachlan Turczan, who is creating an immersive sound and light show. The team will also unveil a number of art pavilions, which will be scattered around the property. Pieces have been commissioned from the English musician and visual artist Brian Eno and the Peruvian sculptor Aldo Chaparro. It's meant to be like a sculpture garden, which will grow as MUSA does. Also in the pipeline: soil regeneration, more tree planting, and their own clean water supply. Medina and Saavedra aren't just building a community—they're trying to create a better way of life.
This article appeared in the January/February 2024 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here.
Around the world in 80 days? Try 180 days instead.
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is leading a collaborative effort between public and private sector stakeholders to build capacity and systematically address the pain points in the tourism industry. Minister Bartlett made the disclosure following a meeting with industry partners, which he led in conjunction with the president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Robin Russell, yesterday (January 11) at the AC Marriott Hotel.
How happy would you be living in Mexico?
A new high-speed rail service hopes to link the UK cities of Edinburgh and London by the end of 2024.
Russian tourists could be the first international travellers to visit North Korea since the country's borders closed in January 2020 amid the global COVD-19 lockdown.
As it prepares for the launch of 19 new properties in 2024, Singapore-headquartered Banyan Tree Group is embracing a sleeker image, rebranding itself as the Banyan Group.
Exploring Mexico’s diverse landscapes has just got easier thanks to a major new train network.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
With a contemporary Scandinavian design, the hotels 138 rooms and suites provide a calming setting with natural materials, wooden details and rich, earthy colors that pay homage to its African surroundings.
Exclusive research conducted by ATOL for ‘Sunshine Saturday’ shows that our appetite to travel remains as strong as ever, with almost three in five of us (56 per cent) planning to go overseas this summer, and just over half (51 per cent) planning to go abroad more than once in 2024.
In 2024, the cruise industry expands significantly with 14 new ships, featuring state-of-the-art design, luxurious amenities, and environmentally conscious technology
Mexico is known for its beautiful beaches, bustling cities, colorful towns, and delicious food. When a country has so much to offer, deciding the best time to visit Mexico can be difficult. The truth is that figuring out when to visit Mexico depends on what type of holiday you’re looking to enjoy.