Ten years ago, when three friends and Oaxaca natives purchased a plot of land in Puerto Escondido, a small town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, it was hardly a tourist hotspot, popular mostly with intrepid surfers and avid fishermen.

Today, the area is quickly transforming into one of Mexico’s most in-demand destinations – threatening both the environment and the locals’ way of life. With this in mind, the trio set out to create Ennea – a tranquil boutique hotel that embraces and respects the region, commissioning Jaque Studio, from Tulum, to lead the architecture, and Mexico City-based firm Comité de Proyectos to craft the hotel’s warm interiors.

Located 300m from Punta Zicatela, a protected natural preserve and popular beginner surf spot, the intimate Ennea Hotel comprises a series of volumes surrounding a verdant pool. The pavilions, which are crafted from Tzalam wood, contain nine guest rooms, a rooftop restaurant, and a spa.

At Enna, the hotel’s palapa-topped restaurant, guests enjoy a sophisticated menu filled with local seafood and creative takes on Oaxaca’s culinary tradition by chef Rodolfo Castellanos.