Mexzine Culture Edit - Issue VII
The most design-centric aquarium you've ever seen and an interview with a hotelier in Playa del Carmen.
Hello, friends!
Mexicans have a reputation for being hard-working. And while this is true, I think there’s something much more powerful behind it: our seemingly endless creativity and resilience (yes, I’m including myself, perhaps to justify my workaholism). This week, we are excited to share three incredible Mexican projects that could exist only thanks to the vision and energy of those who imagined them: a beloved hotel in Playa del Carmen, a chic linen brand, and a stunning aquarium with a story to tell.
As always, thanks for being here. Let’s go explore!
–Cristina Alonso, Managing Editor of Mexzine
Let’s Chat: Alexis Scharer, Co-Owner of Hotel La Semilla in Playa del Carmen
La Semilla is not your typical beach hotel. Lovingly decorated by owners Alexis and Angie Scharer, checking into this Playa del Carmen hotel feels like arriving at your friends’ home – unpretentious, relaxed, and with a big heart. Cristina Alonso talked to Alexis about his calling in hospitality, why he and Angie fell in love with the Riviera Maya, and why their faith in the destination remains strong.
Cristina: What brought you to the world of hospitality?
Alexis: I was born in Switzerland, and my family has been involved in hospitality for generations – my dad is a hotelier, and my grandfather ran a restaurant and butcher shop. My parents actually met in a hotel in Bern. Because of my dad’s work, we lived in Greece and Peru, where my mother is from. Hospitality is literally in my DNA, and since I was a teen, I have loved working in the kitchen or as a bellboy; I was fascinated by the adrenaline rush. Of course, I studied Hospitality Management in Geneva, and I worked all over the world: Switzerland, London, Spain, the Caribbean, and New York, where I met Angie.
Cristina: How did the two of you end up choosing the Mexican Caribbean for your project?
Alexis: We arrived in Playa del Carmen in 2007, so it was a whole different Playa back then, and Tulum was truly something out of a movie: the spectacular turquoise sea, cabins, hammocks… We fell in love with this place, and after a couple of years working on other projects, we knew it was time to venture out on our own. We found the plot where La Semilla is today; it was a garden with a small building. We renovated it, and we opened La Semilla in December 2013. Three years later, we had the opportunity to expand, and we opened Villa La Semilla in Bahía Solimán, near Tulum.
When we got here, we couldn’t believe how beautiful the beaches were. But we were also really attracted to Maya culture. Walking among the Tulum ruins or swimming in a cenote – it made us feel immersed in nature.
Cristina: The Riviera Maya is one of Mexico's most beloved destinations, but it has also faces challenges. How do you and the team navigate that?
Alexis: Security has always been a conversation topic in Mexico. Things vary from one region to another, and there are good times and not-so-good times, but overall, things have been under control in this region. For example, I’m half-Peruvian, and there are some safety issues there, but I think travelers know that, when they go to places like these, they just need to be a little extra careful. Sargassum, though, has now become an international problem; the entire Caribbean is experiencing this. President Sheinbaum was here last week, and it looks like the government has a major plan to collect sargassum on the open sea. Because when you collect it from the sand, you’re also using machinery that erodes the beach. I’m no expert, but I’ve heard about studies on potentially using it as biofuel, which could be great.
I believe that every crisis brings an opportunity. For example, I think this is a chance for us to look at places like Holbox, which is still very pristine, and realize we can’t exploit it. There’s another place I love, El Cuyo, and the people there are very fierce about caring for their land, avoiding massive construction. As for the team and me, we are doing what we can. At the villa, we make sure everything is flawless, because we can’t control the sea, but we can control what happens on property. I’m also part of a group of owners who are building a sargassum barrier in Solimán Bay
Cristina: What are your hopes for the Riviera Maya?
Alexis: I’m always very optimistic. We can’t depend only on our faith, though –we have to take action. As a society, as hoteliers, and as professionals, we have to be much more conscious about sustainable growth. Development doesn’t have to mean destruction. We have to plant trees; we have to take care of the water and the energy we consume. At this point, it’s unacceptable for a self-proclaimed eco-hotel to change guests’ towels every day or to offer plastic bottles. Things can get tough from time to time, but I still have faith.
Design We Love: Cardo Santo
Inspired by the wild beauty of Baja California, every linen piece by Cardo Santo feels like an invitation to leave everything behind and go where the desert meets the sea. “Cardo Santo is a flower with medicinal powers, so I felt like that feeling translates to linen: it protects you, it’s very free and generous,” says founder Fernanda Sela. 100% linen and gender-neutral, Cardo Santo’s kimono-style robes are as light as they are versatile, perfect as swimwear cover-ups, loungewear, or even over jeans. Napkins, place mats, and table runners promise to bring style to any table. –CA
Architecture: Gran Acuario Mazatlán, Tatiana Bilbao Estudio
Famously nicknamed “the Aquarium of the World” by Jacques Cousteau, the Sea of Cortez is one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. This extraordinary setting inspired Gran Acuario Mazatlán, an imposing concrete building whose walls seem to rise like rocks and reefs, with surrounding greenery evoking the feeling of a ruin gorgeously engulfed by nature. Envisioned by Tatiana Bilbao Estudio, the building was completed in 2023 with a clear mission: to promote conservation and resilience, and remind us of our role on this planet. As the largest aquarium in Latin America, the space features more than 25 habitats for guests to explore, populated by sharks, rays, and jellyfish. –CA
Where do you want us to feature next? Have a story for us? Shoot an email over to Cristina@Mexzine.com or Brandon@Mexzine.com.
Mexzine is a Hotels Above Par media brand that’s edited in Mexico City. Support independent media and real journalism via a paid subscription.