How A Superyacht Captain Married His Chief Stew And Built A Boutique Hotel In Todos Santos

Forbes

4 days ago

Federico and Ditte outside of their Casa Hygge in Mexico Casa Hygge
On the wild Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, lies Pescadero, a lush green Mexican oasis just five miles from Todos Santos and a short drive from Cabo San Lucas. It's here that a former superyacht Captain and his Chief Stew have traded high seas for desert living, opening Casa Hygge, a 13-bungalow residential retreat blending Nordic minimalism with the raw beauty of Baja.
Their story reads like a Hallmark romance. Ditte Perschke, the youngest of three sisters from a small town in Denmark, studied Service & Hotel Management in Copenhagen before swapping hotels for the elite world of luxury yachts, working as a chief stewardess catering to the demands of high-profile owners. Federico Martinez Archdale, born in Acapulco and raised by the sea, became a captain after years working his way up from watersports instructor to managing superyachts.
Poolside at Casa Hygge Casa Hygge
The couple first met on the French Riviera when Federico was working as a bosun on a superyacht stuck in St. Tropez by stormy weather. Ditte was aboard a neighboring yacht anchored at Pampelonne Beach. A ride on a tender, freezing winds, and a warm smile later, a series of 'accidental' encounters between the two followed. The Riviera became home for both, until they set sail together on a superyacht traveling to the Mediterranean, where their bond deepened, eventually inspiring them to leave behind decades at sea and pursue new opportunities on land.
By 2021, they were ready to retire from yachting—'pretty much the day France lifted all the Covid restrictions,' Ditte recalls—and chase a dream they had long talked about: creating a cozy seaside escape where comfort was defined not by opulence, but by thoughtfulness.
Fred and Ditte at work on the superyacht. Casa Hygge
Finding the right location was a journey in itself. Baja was love at first sight for Ditte—the oasis-like greenery of El Pescadero with its dramatic surf and sunsets. 'Driving through all that desert and then suddenly seeing this lush, green patch… it took my breath away,' she says. After four winters of 'test living' there, they bought a farm plot, with no neighbors in sight.
When their first construction budget came through, it was a shock for the couple, at around $1,400,000 US, including the land. 'That's a big jump for two ex-yachties working with limited savings and budget,' says Ditte. 'In the end, we spent close to $1,700,000,' she adds. 'We didn't fully account for landscaping, which was way more expensive than on the mainland, or the level of custom, high-quality decoration and finishes we wanted to achieve. Despite the unexpected costs and obstacles, we adapted and learned a lot along the way.'
Interior bungalow at Casa Hygge Casa Hygge
But building in Mexico tested their resilience. They fought off dishonest contractors, survived lawsuits, learned the art of negotiating 'gringo prices,' and built much of the property while running on generators for over a year. 'When the power finally came on, we sat on the terrace, drank Scotch, and cried,' says Federico. 'It wasn't just electricity—it was the moment we knew we'd made it through the worst.'
Casa Hygge's design is exactly what its name promises: warm, intimate, unfussy. Locally sourced woods, handpicked stone, hammocks on private terraces, and open-air spaces that blur the line between indoors and out. There's no restaurant, but a communal lounge and pool surrounded by gardens invite conversations. 'Guests often don't know if it's a hotel or a private home,' Ditte laughs. 'That's the sweet spot.'
Communal spaces for fireside chats at Casa Hygge Casa Hygge
In the world of superyachts, 'service goes far beyond five stars,' says Federico. 'If they think of it, fancy it, or want it—they'll get it one way or another.' That culture of anticipating every need shaped Casa Hygge's DNA. Yet here, they've swapped bottomless budgets for resourcefulness, trading gold-plated perfectionism for handmade imperfection that feels warmer and more human.
While they are still involved in the hospitality business, the experience is different. 'Even though we both mostly worked for incredibly generous and respectful bosses on reputable yachts, it's not an easy industry,' says Federico. 'In both yachting and hospitality, you've got to predict your guests' next steps, their next request, their next need. But on a superyacht, service goes far beyond five stars. The sky's the limit for any kind of unique, unexpected, or extravagant request. The expectations are incredibly high, but their budgets mean pretty much anything can be done.'
Living area in bungalow at Casa Hygge Semko Balcerski
'We learned from the best, trained to deliver safety, experiences, and service at the very highest end of hospitality,' he adds. 'It doesn't get more luxurious than superyachting, where luxury is always front and center. Because of this background, creating a functional property with genuine comfort for our guests today is, in many ways, easier.'
Rates at Casa Hygge run around $120–$180 per night, with the option to rent out the entire property for weddings or reunions. Most guests arrive via San José del Cabo International Airport, an easy 90-minute drive, and are welcomed with the kind of personal touch that once won over oligarchs and movie stars on the high seas.
Rooftop sunset view patios at Casa Hygge Casa Hygge
'When someone walks into Casa Hygge, I want them to instantly feel like we've been expecting them,' says Ditte. 'That's the superyacht training talking—you don't wait for needs to be voiced, you anticipate them.'
When they designed the property, they focused on the residential condominium concept, and selling each property to friendly, like-minded people at a reasonable price. They included a full property and rental management program, owners get a return on investment, and they keep the monthly income from managing the properties.
Aerial view of bungalows at Casa Hygge Casa Hygge
Though they could split their time, Ditte and Federico live year-round in El Pescadero. Their integration into the local community—learning Spanish, hiring locally, supporting artisans—has earned them deep respect. 'It's more than just business,' says Ditte. 'It's about belonging.' 'The locals have been incredible,' adds Federico. 'They saw us show up every day, sweating and working alongside the crew. That mattered.'
As for the future, their next project, Casa Hygge Villas, will expand the concept with larger homes, organic farmland, and staff housing to support their growing team. Yet the heart of it will remain the same: a place where simplicity feels luxurious, where guests slow down, exhale, and feel—if only for a week—entirely at home. 'We've always believed good people attract good people,' Ditte says. 'That's why Casa Hygge works.'
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