On a two-mile, velvet-like bed of fine, white sand beach in Mexico's Riviera Maya rests a crown of luxury, refined elegance, and pampering personal attention fit for royalty. And if Esencia, the 50-acre, seaside estate, is that exquisitely crafted crown, then its Casa Grande - the former mansion of Rosa, Duchess of Ferrari, Italy - is its adorning centerpiece.

In its modern-day incarnation as a luxury boutique estate, Esencia - located on Playa Xpu-Ha just 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen's famous shopping and nightlife and 46 miles south of Cancun - is a quiet, sea side refuge merging the deep-connection-to-earth philosophy of the Mayan world with the spirit of nature, tranquility and calm.

Esencia wishes for its guests to do what they want, when they want, should they opt, for example, to dine indoors, on the beach or in the garden; or have a massage on their private terrace - all without having to sign any checks. The attentive staff (with a staff-to-guest ratio of 2:1), knows each guest's name and preference within a short time after arrival. The resort provides around-the-clock Nanny-on-Call Service (including two hours per day of complimentary care) for parents wanting to indulge in the Spa or other amenities.

Guests have their choice of 29 enormous rooms and cottages. The Duchess' magnificent, three-story mansion houses nine suites including Rosa's Suite - replete with a vast balcony, private solarium and plunge pool all overlooking the magnificent Caribbean. Ten garden suites with plunge pools, located in the estate's enchanting tropical gardens are the perfect option for families or for guests seeking the ultimate in privacy. Esencia's two, two-story cottages offer another enticing option for families with high-tech media rooms, outdoor dining areas and large swimming pools.

All guest quarters are simple and elegant, featuring native hardwood furnishings, crisp white walls and floors, twelve-foot high ceilings, mahogany louvered doors and large windows that frame tropical garden and sea views.

The extra-large bathrooms have double rain-shower heads and private chef and butler service is available at all times. In-room refrigerators are stocked with complimentary water, soft drinks and beer and complimentary continental breakfast is delivered each morning. Each evening, the Essence Concierge infuses fresh scents into each room at night as part of the Turndown Ritual.

The resort offers two five/six day and seven night/eight day packages as well as Spa treatment packages for its Garden and Sea View Suites. It also has packages for honeymoons and on-premises weddings.

With its sophisticated simplicity, indulgent service, exquisite cuisine and lush setting, Esencia offers the perfect escape for those truly seeking to get away from it all.

SAL Y FUEGO: The signature Sal Y Fuego Restaurant and its world-class Chef Bernardo Garcia specialize in Meso-American cuisine, using traditional Yucatecan methods such as banana-wrapped fish and meat cooked in a pib (an earth oven). The menu showcases the freshest local seafood as well as dishes from the rest of Mexico, all flavored with organic herbs and fresh fruits and vegetables. The restaurant's ambience combines Mexican flair and rustic simplicity, with its palapa roof and view of a cenote, an illuminated underground fresh water pool.

Esencia's Aroma Spa, open since 2006 and set in a tranquil garden, is the first fully organic spa from its architecture to its products, specializing in fito-therapy. It harvests its own lush herb garden for indigenous fruits, plants and herbs to use in treatments such as a lemon ritual for energy, honey ritual for relaxation and chocolate ritual for stress-reduction.

The 2,500 square foot palapa-roofed spa offers five treatment rooms, four Jacuzzis and two Mayan-style domed steam rooms. Chemical-free herbs, plants and fruits are picked from the garden and custom-mixed while the guest watches. A beachside Temazcal Mayan Sauna is also featured. Complimentary group yoga and meditation classes are available with an instructor in the main house terrace or garden area. Children also receive their own specially adapted chocolate massage featuring organic cacao oil made locally in the Yucatan.

• Fifty-acre seaside estate on two-mile stretch of white sand beach in Playa Xpu-Ha, in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.
• 29 suites and cottages, with features ranging from private gardens to solariums and deep-soaking plunge pools.
• Estate centerpiece, the Casa Grande, a three-story, nine-suite mansion and former home of an Italian Duchess includes a private dining room.
• Furnishings crafted from native woods, bright and airy white walls and floors, twelve foot high ceilings, mahogany louvered doors and large windows with tropical garden and panoramic sea views.
• Cottages, each with large living room, media room with flat screen television and surround sound, gourmet kitchen, terrace with dining area, upstairs master bedroom with enormous terrace, second bedroom with twin beds, and large swimming pool.
• Rooms feature extra-large bathrooms with double rain-shower heads, California king beds, full-sized-bottle bars with refrigerator and separate freezer, 600-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, duvet covers, glorious down pillows and Molton Brown amenities.
• In-room audiovisual equipment includes plasma televisions and lighting with dual bedside controls, iPod docking stations.
• Gourmet restaurant overlooking a cenote illuminated at night, offers Meso-American cuisine, using Yucatecan methods such as banana-wrapped fish and meat simmered in banana leaves deep below the earth, resulting in deep rich flavors and buttery soft textures.
• Kitchen has its herb and vegetable garden.
• Fully organic, 2,500 square foot Spa, with round-shaped palapa-roof, offers five treatment rooms, four Jacuzzis and two Mayan-style domed steam rooms.
• Couples spa suites include a private shower and Jacuzzi with expansive views.
• Two main outdoor swimming pools facing the sea, one for families and one for adults-only; two private pools for the cottages and 12 plunge pools.
• Private chef and butler service available upon request.
• Complimentary nannies-on-call around the clock.
• Nightly 'Turndown Ritual' infuses fresh scents and aromas - from cinnamon and orange to lavender and mint - into each room.
  

COOKING CLASSES: Adults and children learn the makings of traditional Mexican cuisine at the resort's signature Mesoamerican restaurant. Including Mini Pastry Chef class for children 4 to 8 years; Junior Chef class for children 8 to 12 years; and an Executive Chef class for adults. Each chef is outfitted with the proper attire including apron and chef hat.

ACTIVITIES: Walk along miles of white sand beaches, go horse back riding, fishing, golf, bird watching, nature walks, tennis, jungle tours and adventure trails.

WATER SPORTS: Windsurfing, hobie cats, cenote diving, parasailing, kite surfing and snorkeling. Scuba diving outings and certification can be arranged via the concierge.