Esperanza, An Auberge Resort A Romantic Hideaway, Transformed

The Challenge

After Esperanza suffered severe damage from Hurricane Odile in 2014, HKS was tasked with renovating the beloved Los Cabos seaside resort in just six months. But beyond a simple refresh, the design team’s redesign transformed the resort by uniting two key elements – color and culture – that combined the resort’s natural cliffside setting with Mexico’s rich artisanal heritage.

The Design Solution

Designed by HKS with interior design by ROAM, Esperanza incorporates millwork, furniture, lighting, accessories and textiles, all custom-designed and crafted in Mexico. Locally-sourced and made materials give Esperanza — which means “hope” in Spanish — a new beginning infused with artistry and romance. Set on a natural backdrop of vivid sunsets and deep sapphire blue waters, Esperanza’s contemporary design approach melds shades of natural gray, faded blue and white to offer a calming and inviting space for guests. They can retreat into sophisticated and intimate oasis spaces that complement the innate beauty of the surrounding landscape of beaches and rocky cliffs overlooking the Sea of Cortez. An abbreviated schedule combined with a desire to put people back to work, led the designers to assemble a team of experts well-versed in Mexican culture and resources to identify local fabricators and artisans who could deliver exquisite custom designs on a compressed schedule. Designers lived on-site to expedite purchasing and design details.

The Design Impact

HKS took an iconic resort property and breathed new life into its design while remaining true to the spirit that has engendered a devoted guest following, evoking an exclusive yet barefoot-chic seaside sanctuary. It is the only private beach resort in Los Cabos.