Hotel Playa Viva

This eco-friendly casita rental in southern Mexico can accommodate four guests and is a one-bedroom self-contained "little house." This luxury rental provides complete privacy and is outfitted with a king-size bed that can be separated into two singles, if need be, plus two single day beds that serve as comfortable couches during the day. These rooms have an unobstructed ocean view, a private bathroom on the same level, and shutter doors to open for full ocean view or close for complete privacy. A small table and chairs are also available. One of these casitas has a ramp rather than stairs and is outfitted for easier use by the handicapped or elderly. The Common Area: This area includes a kitchen, a dining room, a living area/lounge, a pool and a yoga deck, and a fire pit for cozy evenings and s'mores. It also includes the observatory, which is used as a sleeping porch or to get a massage. The hosts also offer workshops and seminars, company retreats and special family occasions. The communal area has Wi-Fi. The kitchen specializes in farm-to-table cuisine. The chef makes an effort to provide healthy and organic dishes based on indigenous recipes. The hosts have their own organic veggie and herbs garden, tended by farmers from local communities. Also, the kitchen offers free-range game and fish and grass-fed beef. Vegetarian cuisine is also available. A concierge service - This is your guide to all local activities and excursions including trips to Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa and beyond for scuba, fishing, surfing, or shopping; hiking in the mountains (including an extremely popular excursion on ATVs into the mountains to a family-run organic coffee and cocoa farm); and tour of the local community and its cottage industries, including organic basil farming and salt harvesting. Activities and excursions are not included in the price. Other on-site amenities include: Maid service, Airport shuttle (only for 3 or more night stays), luggage storage area, massages (for an additional cost), yoga, pool, restaurant seaside dining, and bar. The property is directly adjacent to a sea turtle sanctuary run entirely by local volunteers (more info on this below), who regularly bring the hatchlings to the hotel for guests to witness and participate in their release to their ocean home. Sustainability: Construction materials use locally sustainable woods such as Bocote, Guapinol and bamboo. Other materials that are only sourced locally are palapa roof material (harvested on the property), hand-hewn faucets, fixtures, copper lights, plates, handmade wool blankets, and organic towels and sheets. Renewable Energy Sources: On site, there is a Photovoltaic power generation facility featuring solar panels and all control electronics. The site is powered 100% by off-grid solar power. The only exception is gas for the stove and for refrigeration. Regenerative Practices: The site operates in harmony with its environment and makes use of environmental technologies. The site is built to the highest environmental standards and pursues the nationally accredited LEED Certification for design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. The site actively runs on the principles of permaculture and develops sustainable architecture and self-maintained horticultural models that derive from natural ecosystems with view to building an increasingly self-sufficient settlement. They also practice water conservation, edible landscaping and recycling (up to 75% of the construction waste is recycled). Their goal is to revitalize and nurture local natural resources and the community. Nature Preservation: The site has 160 acres of natural reserve to benefit nature and the ecosystem. They have founded a Turtle Sanctuary to protect turtles from predators and poachers, which is run by local volunteers that were trained by the Mexican government. Archaeological Site: A remarkable archaeological find was discovered within 20 minutes from the property and is available to view via an excursion which you can book through the concierge service. The site promotes initiatives that will research and restore this important site.