I stayed at a 5-star Tulum resort that once belonged to Pablo Escobar, and the luxury amenities blew me away

Anneta KonstantinidesApr 13, 2024, 00:26 IST

I stayed at Casa Malca, a resort that once belonged to Pablo Escobar.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Casa Malca, a luxury resort in Tulum, was once a mansion owned by Pablo Escobar.
I spent the night there and was wowed by its delicious restaurants and gorgeous pools.

Originally a laid-back hippie town, Tulum has fast become a go-to destination for more than just bohemians. Celebrities have flocked to the resort-lined jungle on the Caribbean coast, while the wild beach clubs and restaurants are now a huge draw for partygoers.

I was heading to Tulum for a bachelorette party and booked a few extra days so I could explore. And at the top of my bucket list was Casa Malca.

Casa Malca was once a mansion owned by the Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar.

Casa Malca is Pablo Escobar's former mansion in Tulum, Mexico.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Lio Malca transformed the mansion into a five-star resort filled with his own art collection.

One of the bars is covered with Keith Haring's original Tokyo Pop Shop wallpaper.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

A sparkling chandelier dangling from a tree greeted me at the entrance of Casa Malca.

The entrance at Casa Malca.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

The lobby was flanked by regal purple drapes and a floating sofa that looked straight from the Victorian era.

The Casa Malca lobby was colorful and whimsical.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Before we were taken to our suite, Ria and I got a tour of the resort.

At night, Casa Malca's pool is illuminated by this gorgeous archway.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

The art looked beautifully dramatic against the night sky.

There are works of art everywhere you turn at Casa Malca.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

After the tour, we walked into our unique suite.

My suite at Casa Malca was huge.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

The room was definitely bigger than my studio apartment back in LA.

It featured a huge sectional and floor-to-ceiling windows.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

The bathroom also featured plenty of space.

The bathroom was stocked with amenities and plush bathrobes.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

But I won't lie, the toilet kind of reminded me of a dungeon.

The toilet was definitely unique.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

The shower looked similar, but it was one of the best I've ever experienced.

But the shower was glorious.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Then it was time for a late dinner at Philosophy, one of Casa Malca's three restaurants.

Inside Casa Malca's philosophy restaurant.Casa Malca

Every dish we ate looked beautiful, but this octopus was especially stunning.

I loved the gorgeous Carpaccio de Pulpo dish.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Our night at Casa Malca had been a memorable one. And the morning was off to a gorgeous start.

This lush garden was our front yard.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

We ate breakfast right by the stunning private beach.

Our complimentary breakfast began with fresh fruit and mimosas.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Our favorite dish was this quesadilla trilogy.

The "Trilogia de Quesadillas" was another highlight.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

After breakfast, we checked out the pool in the daytime.

The pool looked even more stunning in the daytime.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

The underground pool was even cooler.

Casa Malca also has a hidden underground pool.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

We enjoyed massages on the private beach, which was nearly empty.

The private beach features plenty of daybeds.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Then it was time for our first ever hydrotherapy session.

Our hydrotherapy session included time in the sauna.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Newly refreshed, we decided to get a closer look at all the art.

Sculptures from Malca's personal collection decorate the resort.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Each work of art is carefully selected with Tulum's climate in mind.

This sculpture, called "Head of Diego," is by Ravinder Reddy.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

I couldn't leave before taking a picture with the iconic chairs at Casa Malca's entrance.

The chairs at Casa Malca's entrance are a major Instagram spot.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

My time at Casa Malca had come to an end. And it was, without a doubt, the coolest resort I've ever experienced.

I'm already planning my next trip back to Casa Malca.Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Photos show how 700 of Titanic's 2,200 passengers were saved by the Carpathia when the ship sank 112 years ago

Cookies on the Business Insider India website