Five-star boutique hotel used to be one of Pablo Escobar's mansions
You can now stay at a former mansion of one of the most famous drug barons of all time, Colombian Pablo Escobar.
In the Mexican coastal town of Tulum, the property was owned by Escobar during the 80s and early 90s, but is now being run as an art-filled boutique hotel called ‘Casa Malca’.
It first opened in 2014 and after recently completed renovations now has 40 rooms and luxury suites, operated by Design Hotels.
One of the rooms in the hotel featuring artwork from the owner Lio Malca. Photo: Design Hotels
“Here, luxury abounds with Egyptian cotton linens, rainfall showers, locally made artisanal products, and bold colours that embrace the creative spirit that flows through the property,” according to the hotel’s website.
The architecture is supposed to incorporate two different worlds: “One that showcases great art yet also emits the relaxed, casual feel befitting a property set between the ocean and a lush jungle.”
The mansion was abandoned after Escobar’s death in a shootout in 1993. The druglord ran the infamous Medellin Cartel and his life was made into a hit series on Netflix Original called Narcos.
After being left vacant for more than a decade, the property was purchased by art dealer Lio Malca in 2012, who transformed it into a resort that opens on to 180 metres of white sandy beaches.
Tulum has become a gateway destination for the world’s wealthy and has seen a hotel development boom. Photo: Design Hotels
Lio Malca’s art collection is rotated through the guest rooms – he owns works from contemporary artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring.
Casa Malca has two beachfront restaurants (Philosophy and Ambrosia), and a large rooftop bar with 360-degree views of Tulum.
Massages are offered to guests on their private terraces, along with private yoga sessions.
Even the pool is an artwork: there’s an underground steam room that projects light patterns onto the ceiling. Photo: Design Hotels
You may need to start selling artworks to be able to stay there – room rates start from $577 a night for a couple.
Tulum has become a trendy getaway destination for the world’s wealthy, according to Forbes, and has seen a boom in hotel and tourism development.
