Ser CasaSandra

Rooms

Ser CasaSandra has grown gradually and organically since its opening in the early Noughties. Each of the rooms and suites is individually styled, but all showcase Sandra's excellent taste. Pillowcases are embroidered by hand and beds are often muslin-draped; all are extremely comfortable with 1000-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. Mexican artworks adorn the crisp white walls; terracotta floors and air conditioning keep rooms cool and comfortable.

The main building houses most of the Superior Rooms, some of which share a lovely balcony that is festooned with bright hammocks. Over time, other 2-storey dwellings have been added. Nicely spaced apart, these are all white with palapa roofs and strong gnarled beams. One houses Garden Suites with private balconies, another holds 2 Ocean Suites with stunning views across the beach towards the setting sun.

On our most recent visit, we stayed in a Master Luxury Beach Front room, and it was absolutely gorgeous. We adored the soft linens, textured walls, and design details, but it was the view from the balcony that stole the show: palm trees, a slither of white sand and that intoxicating water.

There's a Master Suite, which has an additional sitting area, and can be connected to a Superior Standard room next door to create a proper family apartment. The Luxury Residence is another option for small families or friends; super spacious and chic, it has 1 double bedroom and 1 single, a full kitchen and a light-filled lounge with ocean views. Largest of the lot is Villa Dreams, which has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, along with its own kitchen/dining room, making it an ideal option for families.

Bathrooms feature hand-painted bowl sinks and conch shell shower heads. You get bathrobes (plus a special spa kaftan to wear around the hotel, designed by Sandra), a hairdryer, organic CasaSandra-branded toiletries, incense and mosquito repellent.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

The main restaurant, Ser Esencia, is the heart of the hotel, where time slips past as you gaze out to the ocean, chat to other guests and enjoy an invigorating modern take on local Yucatan dishes.

For breakfast there are daily changing fresh juices, bowls of fruit, yoghurt, granola, jams and bread, and several variations of coffee and tea. The à la carte menu features omelettes, made to order pancakes with bacon, and huevos rancheros, plus a few options that come at an additional cost.

Everything on the dinner menu is positively mouthwatering. Our highlights were the smoked fish sashimi with citrus fruit, chilli oil and coriander sprouts, and the crispy pork belly served with pineapple, avocado cream and chile xcatic (a pepper used a lot in Yucatan cuisine). They also offer a tasting menu with wine pairing, which can be tailored to vegetarians. Dinner is taken outside under the palms, which are lit up with fairy lights, with a soundtrack of the sea - it’s impossibly chilled and romantic. The big, rustic wooden tables were perfect for larger groups.

Lunch is served at the beachfront Bar Mojito, and the menu features a selection of light and fresh options, such as Cuban sandwiches, tacos and ceviches: the local speciality. They, along with poolside Maiz Bar, also serve some of the most delicious cocktails we've ever tried; don't miss their famous mojitos, thought to be the best on the island, and the mango smoothies are a must. The only downside is the beach bar shuts around 6pm, so get your orders in early!

If you're staying a little longer, there are lots of small bars and restaurants within a 5-minute stroll into town or the beach; our favourite was Barba Negra, while the bar next door had a band playing on the weekend with welcoming, mellow Caribbean vibes.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Wake up in time for a free yoga lesson in the gardens or by the pool - we were joined by two laidback lizards
  
• The onsite spa offers massages and lots of alternative treatments and therapies: cacao ceremony, full/new moon ceremonies, cyrotherapy, solar damage treatment and so on
  
• If you're here from May to September, take a whale shark tour; this is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with these harmless gentle giants
  
• The mini fishing trip is excellent. You'll visit 3 islands, lunch on ceviche of fresh fish, and grill your catch of the day for a sumptuous dinner
  
• Take a Classic 3 Islands tour to visit Passion Island, Bird Island, and Yalahau Island - where you can swim in the fresh bubbling cenote (sink well) of Yalahau Spring
  
• Go riding along the blissful beach - complimentary bicycles are available for guests to use and explore the island
  
• Snorkelling is best on the other side of the island - you get taken around in a motor boat
  
• Back on the mainland, you can visit Nuevo Durango (a Mayan village) with a bilingual guide, discover Mayan culture, see the ceiba (the Mayans' sacred tree), visit an orchid sanctuary, or venture deep into the jungle to climb a 20m watchtower
  
• Ser CasaSandra also arranges day trips to the Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá
  
• The hotel hosts Cinema Paradiso, an alfresco film screening, every Friday night

  Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Birdwatching
  • Boat trips
  • Cycling
  • Fishing
  • Historical sites
  • Horse riding
  • Kayaking
  • Kitesurfing
  • Private guided tours
  • Sailing
  • Snorkelling
  • Spa treatments
  • Swimming
  • Traditional cultures
  • Whale watching
  • Wildlife
  • Windsurfing

Kids

Children are very welcome at Ser CasaSandra but note that it is primarily a hotel for couples.

If your child requires lots of organised activities then Holbox may not be the place for him/her, but swimming, boat trips, birding, cycling, whale sharks (mid-June to mid-Sept), kayaking and splashing about in the pool will keep most amused. Infants under 2 stay free and travel cots are available on request.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Master Suite can be connected to a Superior Double room next door to create a proper family apartment. Luxury Residence (sleeps 3) and Villa Dreams (sleeps 4) are both great options, with 2 bedrooms (double and 1-2 twins) and 2 bathrooms, as well as a kitchen. Villa Dreams can also take an extra bed. Note that, of the suites, only Master Luxury Garden and Master Suite can fit an extra bed; these suites can take 2 adults and 2 kids if the children are less than 12 years old.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Ser CasaSandra is set on Playa Norte on Isla Holbox, a sandspit island located off the northeastern tip of Quintana Roo on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.

By Air
Cancun International (160km away) is the closest airport. Alternatively you can fly to Mérida (259km away).

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a transfer in a minibus from the airport to the small coastal village of Chiquilá. There are also direct buses thrice daily from Cancún and daily from Mérida. From Chiquilá, you then take the scheduled 9 Hermanos ferry on the 25-minute voyage to Isla Holbox (the ferry runs 9 times each way every day). If you're travelling outside of ferry hours, a private boat can be arranged. The whole journey takes about 3 hours from Cancún.

By Car
There are no cars on the island, but if you're on a tour of the wider region you can self-drive to Chiquilá and leave your car there - charges are per day. See our car rental recommendations.

Getting Around Holbox:
Walking is the preferred mode of transport, but you can also rent golf carts if you want to explore as much of the island as possible.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.