Hotel Humano – a new barefoot luxury paradise from Grupo Habita

Steps away from Zicatela Beach, one of the most famous surf destinations in the world, the brand-new Hotel Humano by Grupo Habita is a laidback luxury paradise. Both inspired and created by the surrounding community, the hotel design juxtaposes the privacy of guestrooms and a central courtyard with permeable latticed façades that seamlessly integrate the lobby with the street life beyond.

Image credit: Fabian Martínez

The newest opening by Grupo Habita — pioneers of lifestyle hospitality in Mexico whose Hotel Escondido and Hotel Terrestre are also nearby — the property welcomes barefoot guests among simple luxury, placing the focus on the enchanting Oaxacan coast and allowing visitors to effortlessly integrate with the local culture.

Complementing this architectural vision of Jorge Hernandez de la Garza and the team at Plantea Estudio the hotel’s brand identity was brought to life by Ciao Lobby, a hospitality creative studio that wove the local culture and lifestyle into the graphic and experiential design, ensuring every detail resonates with the destination’s unique charm. The buildings are primarily made of concrete, clay tiles and bricks, and tropical wood, while the lobby’s double-height ceilings give way to permeable latticed structures by Adolfo Sánchez Rojas that merge the interior and exterior.

Custom dark-orange, off-white, and wine-coloured textiles, including quilts by Reina Silva at the studio Dushill, as well as screens, doors, and furniture crafted from tropical woods by Javier Gómez exude a warmth that is complemented by indirect lighting. With entirely bespoke and locally crafted furnishings, each space captures the essence of Oaxaca, generating a contemporary design while embracing and honouring the region’s artisanal techniques.

This concept extends throughout the hotel’s 39 rooms, including eight suites, where areas for sleeping, bathing, and relaxing are interconnected with differing amounts of privacy created through the use of freestanding walls and curtains (toilets are in a separate cubicle). The recurrence of certain materials — such as handmade wine-coloured tiles by San Pedro Ceramics, which are used to line the shower, freestanding washbasin and mirror unit, and the bed’s headboard—create a lingering sense of integration. Each room is further accented by one-of-a-kind drawings by Mexico City–based artist Lucio Muniain.

Image credit: Fabian Martínez

Atop and among the concrete structures — a material used for its thermal properties to keep indoor spaces cool as temperatures rise — guests and locals alike will discover a serene rooftop garden and a central courtyard with a pool, sun loungers, restaurant, and bar, and an Outdoor SPA featuring a sauna, two cold plunges and a massage room for rejuvenation. On the roof, light snacks and drinks can be enjoyed while watching the sun set over the ocean or cosying up around firepits. In the courtyard, lush tropical vegetation surrounds a large pool and creates smaller nooks amongst the poolside loungers.

Come summer 2025, Hotel Humano will unveil the Beach Club, featuring six private bungalows with stunning ocean views, an oceanfront swimming pool and sun deck with beds and hammocks, and a grill-style restaurant serving fresh seafood.

Main image credit: Fabian Martínez