Latest news with #ZicatelaBeach
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
A Saskatoon man reported missing from a Mexican beach has been found dead
A Saskatoon man reported missing from a beach in Puerto Escondido, Mexico over the weekend has been found dead. Authorities began their search for 31-year-old Braydon Bretzer on Sunday evening after he failed to return from a swim. According to several Mexican media sources, witnesses saw Bretzer and a 40-year-old American named Chris Ankele enter the water on Sunday afternoon at Zicatela Beach, which authorities say is known for its strong currents and is not suitable for swimming. Oaxacan state officials spent several days searching the area. Bretzer's body was reportedly found on Tuesday. The other swimmer, Ankele, has not yet been recovered. Global Affairs Canada told CTV News it was aware of the death and said consular officials are in contact with local authorities to provide help where they can. Here in Saskatoon, a friend of Bretzer's has launched a GoFundMe to support the family's expenses as they arrange to return his body. Graeme Bouvier, who started the fundraiser, says Bretzer 'lived life to the fullest.' 'He had a contagious energy, and a heart that made space for everyone. He was loved by many — he made people feel seen, valued, and cared for,' Bouvier wrote. He says Bretzer's family has pledged to donate any funds in excess of their $30,000 goal to his favourite local charities, like SCAT. Over $22,000 had been raised by Friday afternoon.
National Post
4 days ago
- General
- National Post
Canadian man who disappeared after going swimming in Mexico washes up dead
A 31-year-old Canadian man has been found dead at Mexico's Zicatela Beach in Puerto Escondido. Article content Braydon Bretzer was reportedly with American citizen Chris Ankele when the pair were last seen swimming in the water on Sunday, May 25, according to Mexican publication Ahora Oaxaca Noticias. Authorities said witnesses saw a current pulling them away and they drifted out to sea before disappearing, Daily Mail reported. Article content Article content The beach is a well-known surfing spot, per travel website Lonely Planet's review of the location. 'Nonsurfers beware: the waters here have a lethal undertow and are not safe for the boardless, or beginner surfers either,' the site warns. According to authorities, Zicatela is not suitable for swimming, 'especially during swells, which cause dangerous currents and waves up to three meters high,' local publication El Tiempo reported. Article content 'Consular officials are in contact with local authorities and are providing consular assistance,' said MacLeod, adding that no more information can be disclosed at this time due to privacy considerations. Article content On May 26, Puerto Escondido Lifeguards said there were two people missing at sea in a social media post. They cautioned beach-goers against walking along Zicatela Beach and said to avoid getting into the water. Videos shared by the account on Instagram showed white-capped waves slamming down onto the shore. Article content Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by SalvavidasLifeguard PuertoEscondido (@salvavidas_lifeguard_puertoesc) Article content The Municipal Government of San Pedro Mixtepec said a search for the tourists was underway in the area, in a post on Facebook on May 27 around noon. It urged 'tourist service providers to stay informed about the weather conditions.' It also said that locals should 'avoid entering the sea' and listen to instructions from lifeguards. Article content
The Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
American tourist, 40, missing in Mexico after being dragged out to sea as Canadian man, 31, found dead
THE body of a missing tourist has washed up on a popular Mexican beach as fears grow for a fellow holidaymaker who vanished alongside him. Canadian Braydon Bretzer, 31, and American Chris Ankele, 40, both disappeared after being pulled away by a strong current while swimming in notoriously dangerous waters. 5 5 Authorities said the pair were last seen off Zicatela Beach in Puerto Escondido on Mexico's southern Pacific coast. Both were caught being pulled away by the choppy waters and drifted out into the sea before vanishing without a trace, investigators said. A local Oaxaca Civil Protection unit and a team of lifeguards desperately launched a search and rescue mission but couldn't find either of the men. Tragic footage was later recorded on Monday afternoon showing Bretzer's body floating in the water. An emergency boat rushed out to bring the man to safety but he was pronounced dead due to drowning, according to initial reports. Ankele's body is yet to be recovered. Tributes to Bretzer, a former youth football coach and freelance marketing consultant, have been paid by his friends back home in Saskatoon. Graeme Bouvier said: "On the night of May 25th, we lost a very special friend, brother, son and teammate. "Braydon's sudden passing has left a deep hole in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. "Braydon lived life to the fullest. He had a contagious energy, and a heart that made space for everyone." A GoFundMe page has also been set up by Bouvier to help fly Bretzer's body back home to Canada and to give his family any additional support. It has raised over $8,500 so far. The San Pedro Mixtepec mayor's office said in a statement on Thursday evening: "Search efforts continue to determine the whereabouts of the second tourist, following the protocols established in the sea search plan. "The municipal government reiterates its commitment to addressing this emergency and maintains ongoing coordination with state and federal authorities." Zicatela Beach is known as a bustling tourist hotspot and is popular with surfers due to its massive waves. But due to the dangerous conditions and often fast flowing waters, holidaymakers are urged not to swim for their own safety. Braydon lived life to the fullest. He had a contagious energy, and a heart that made space for everyone Graeme Bouvierclose friend of Braydon Bretzer A number of deadly trips to the beach in recent years have resulted in these warnings being constantly repeated to travellers. In April, a 22-year-old Miguel Robles drowned at the beach with his brother Benjamín Robles, 26, having to be rescued by horrified onlookers and lifeguards. And in May 2023, Romanian holidaymaker Andra Kitsu, 33, drowned despite warning flags reminding visitors to stay out of the water. Last month, another missing tourist was also found dead just days after desperately trying to save his friend from a riptide during their vacation in Mexico. Alejandro Gonzalez, 20, vanished while swimming in the ocean after he managed to save his female friend who was in difficulty. His body was found after a three-day search. A loving mum was also killed in a Mexican beach horror story after a shark tore off her leg while she lifted her five-year-old to safety. Maria Fernandez Martinez Jimenez, 26, was just 65ft from the shore when she was savaged by the beast at Melaque Beach in the state of Jalisco. 5 5
Hospitality Net
6 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Introducing Eight New Members of Design Hotels
From charming retreats in Upstate New York and the Swiss Alps to urban wonders in Baltimore and Prague, discover the newest members of Design Hotels around the world. Situated in an array of locations ideal for different types of travelers, the following eight new members showcase unique transformations of spaces. In one, guests will discover underground concrete wine tanks that have become a series of inviting baths. At another, a family's former villa now boasts a beachfront all-suite hotel. And in a historic structure dating to 1912, visitors can sip craft cocktails amongst contemporary high-camp style in an homage to John Waters. Source: Marriott LA PUNTA ZICATELA, MEXICO At Hotel Humano by Grupo Habita in Puerto Escondido, local culture takes center stage. Steps away from Zicatela Beach, one of the most renowned surf destinations in the world, guests can blend in with the locals as they surf, chill, and repeat—or simply take in stunning Pacific Coast sunsets from a relaxed yet pampering atmosphere filled with gardens, fire pits, and poolside pleasures. Permeable lattice structures enable a seamless flow between interiors and the outdoors, while a rooftop garden and central courtyard provide ample room to lounge beneath the Mexican sun and fresh ocean breeze. Throughout the hotel, materials like exposed concrete contrast with clay tiles, raw bricks, and tropical wood details, all of which were sourced, produced, or handcrafted locally. Welcoming barefoot guests among simple luxury, the hotel places the focus on the enchanting Oaxacan coast and allowing visitors to effortlessly integrate with the local culture. TULUM, MEXICO A private coastal sanctuary of suites thoughtfully oriented toward the sea, XELA Tulum is a beachfront, soulful retreat for likeminded spirits seeking laidback luxury and an authentic experience in the heart of the Caribbean. The hotel was designed to evoke a sense of ease and a beach house ambiance, with a color palette dominated by soft, sand-like hues and warm oranges, accented by organic woods, woven fibers, and stone finishes. Originally a chic European family's private holiday home, the property now boasts a carefully preserved charm with the added amenities of contemporary communal spaces, a sophisticated bar, a serene spa, and a garden-facing gym. Additionally, three restaurants operated by the hotel offer a range of dining experiences: The on-property XELA Restaurant & Bar pairs a seasonal, local menu with signature cocktails. Nestled within a stylish nearby roadside shack, Los Bowls de Guadalupe presents healthy organic bites, smoothies, and bowls. And NÜ Tulum, an upscale experience also close to the hotel, was mentioned in Mexico's first Michelin Guide. Source: Marriott NEW YORK CITY, USA Tucked in the heart of Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, surrounded by old brownstones and tree-lined streets, The Moore greets guests with a classic façade that has deliberately been left untouched—a nod to Clement Clarke Moore, who developed Chelsea in the 1800s. Behind the historical façade is a lobby designed to feel like a living room and 81 luxe guestrooms, where the pervading feeling is more about home than hotel. Believing that the coziest spaces always present warm tones of woods and velvets, the hotel's designers augment a rich neutral pallet with off-white linen-textured walls, wide-planked oak-wood flooring, teak wall paneling, and furniture with brass inlays. Windows are draped in a modern, deep-charcoal velvet, framing plush fabric headboards and desk chairs upholstered in mohair and velvet. Downstairs, the 24-hour Cafe Moore serves pastries and resembles an old diner counter, while the seasonal roof terraces is home to Moore Wine bar. The hotel also has an intimate gym and offers partnerships with local businesses, including Bathhouse, Bombshell Pilates, Soul Cycle, and the neighboring restaurant Marsanne. KINGSTON, USA Less than 90 minutes north of Manhattan, Hotel Kinsley is spread across four historic buildings in the charming village of Kingston, close to countless hiking trails, local farms, breweries, and more. Graced by the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River, the hotel presents an inviting world of exposed beams, stone walls, and a mixture of locally scouted vintage pieces, custom furniture and millwork, and original moldings. Each of the four buildings, which date from the 17th to the 19th centuries, is set on a different street and contains its own unique story and aesthetic featuring designs by Robert McKinley, Vanessa Guilford and Aviva Blaichman. In one, guests will discover a serene gym. In another, infrared saunas and a private massage room await. Another hosts Restaurant Kinsley, which offers a fresh take on New American cuisine with indoor and outdoor seating. Similarly, every room has its own personality and gives the feeling of staying in a private residence, courtesy of features like original fireplaces and abstract art from the owner's private collection. Unifying the experience are watercolor illustrations, found throughout all buildings and created by a celebrated Brooklyn-based artist. Source: Marriott BALTIMORE, USA Farther down the East Coast is Hotel Ulysses in Baltimore's Mount Vernon Historic District. An homage to local icons John Waters, Edgar Allen Poe, and Billie Holiday, the hotel is a stylized world full of drama, mystery, and playfulness set within a nine-story structure built in 1912. Largely inspired by Waters's high-camp style, guests will discover vibrant leopard-print carpets, vintage furniture, and flamingo motifs. Rooms boast four color schemes—cerise, citron, jade, and azure—and are adorned with canopy beds, plush quilted bedding, hand-beaded Indian lampshades, charming antique finds, and handpicked artwork from around the globe. Public spaces, designed to pique curiosity, include the all-day café, market, and nightspot Ash—Bar, where guests can enjoy breakfast and afternoons can stretch long into nights; Bloom's, a plush cocktail bar serving up classics from the Prohibition era as well as famous drinks from the 1970s; and The Coral Wig, a cocktail bar tucked in the hotel's alley inspired by the clubs of 1980s-era Manila. PRAGUE, CZECHIA Set in a 19th-century landmark building with beautiful views of the Vltava River, Sir Prague Hotel is a Gothic wonder with an inviting contemporary spirit in the heart of the Czech capital city. Built in 1884, the structure was once home to Prague's Ministry of Coal. Inspired by this history, the hotel's designers drew attention to traditional stonework and ornate ceilings, while introducing geometric shapes and graphic patterns inspired by the Czech Republic's Cubist era. As a result, contrasting materials provide a unique and energetic aesthetic, with rooms also featuring whimsical artwork. Guests can relax in the library, where soft lighting, elegant woodwork, and Murano chandeliers create a quiet place to unwind or rendezvous. Steps beyond this urban sanctuary are the famous Dancing House and a unique mix of UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture as well as Art Nouveau and Cubist landmarks. Source: Marriott MARTIGNY, SWITZERLAND Located at the foot of the Swiss Alps in the once-thriving Roman settlement of Martigny (33 kilometers south of Montreux), Hôtel Borsari is situated within a stunningly renovated former agro-industrial site and winery. The hotel's bold design combines this history with an eclectic mix of midcentury pieces, embraced by warm deep-wine reds and complemented by concrete, brick, granite, terrazzo, oak, and larch. Each floor is characterized by dark green, dark red, basalt black, or blue, each of which represent the fundamental elements of the region: foliage, grapes, minerals, and spring water. Underground, guests will discover a series of original borsaris, or concrete wine tanks, that have been transformed into extraordinary baths. Back upstairs, a cobblestone courtyard between the hotel's two buildings offers the ideal setting for alfresco indulgence at the in-house dining outlets Le Cercle, focusing on culinary delights, or La Saucithèque, showcasing the hotel's emphasis on wine. MÜNSTER, GERMANY A welcoming city hotel that could easily belong in Stockholm, Amsterdam, or New York, Mauritzhof Hotel Münster presents sublime elegance with an artistic flair on a promenade just minutes from Münster's historical center. Oiled oak-parquet floors, regional limestone, and a warm, dark color palette create a sophisticated, inviting setting. Works by local artists abound, including those of well-known photographer Berthold Socha. The open-plan lobby features a fireplace alongside pieces by Gubi and Fredericia to create a relaxed lounge space. The hotel is perhaps most recognized for Reckos Restaurant, a unique and sought-after destination in the city, where locally inspired, down-to-earth dishes celebrate the region's finest produce and the changing seasons. Plus, an outdoor terrace equipped with heaters and canopies is the perfect year-round setting for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or enjoying a sunset cocktail with friends. About Design Hotels For 30 years, Design Hotels has been at the forefront of a movement in travel by crafting a handpicked portfolio of 300+ independently owned and operated hotels in over 50 countries. From cultural hubs in fast-paced cities to tiny off-the-beaten-path escapes, each hotel reflects the vision of its pioneering owner—or 'Original'—who possesses a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design, and architecture. More than a collection of hotels, Design Hotels brings forward-thinking member hotels insightful travel industry expertise – from trend forecasting and creative consultancy, to PR, marketing, and global sales representation. Design Hotels is headquartered in Berlin, with branches in London, Los Angeles, New York, and Singapore. In 2019, the company partnered with Marriott Bonvoy ® , expanding the reach of its member hotels and offering its community access to the industry's leading loyalty program. About Marriott International Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of nearly 9,100 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 142 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on X and Instagram. About Marriott Bonvoy Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International's award-winning travel programme and marketplace, gives members access to transformative, eye-opening experiences around the corner and across the globe. Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 31 extraordinary brands offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalisation and contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind. To enrol for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit To download the Marriott app, go here. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok. View source
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Travel + Leisure
12-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Underrated Mexican Resort Town Has Gorgeous Beaches, Magical Sunsets, and One of the Best New Hotels in the World
The guest rooms at Hotel Humano blend privacy with indoor-outdoor living with tropical wood sliding doors that open to a view of the pool. The hotel is an easy 20-minute drive from Puerto Escondido, Mexico's airport and in the thick of the buzzy La Punta neighborhood. Tiered, ocean-facing benches along the perimeter of the rooftop bar—plus a small pool and firepits—are the perfect place to watch the sunset. For a stretch of the short drive from the airport in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, to Hotel Humano, the road hugs an overlook of Zicatela Beach with a view of moored fishing boats, reminding newcomers of this boomtown's roots. This part of the resort town—Mexico's La Punta Zicatela, located at the tail end of Zicatela Beach—has recently started attracting international travelers. Its cluster of streets remains half unpaved, filled with boutique beachwear shops and raw wood counter bars. Featuring distinctive design elements, such as latticed brickwork and glossy tiles, the 39-room Hotel Humano, which opened in December 2024 and was just named to Travel + Leisure 's 2025 It List of best new hotels, is quickly evolving into a neighborhood hub. A day could flow seamlessly within the hotel's cool concrete walls: grab a coconut-lime-soursop smoothie for breakfast at the street-side lobby cafe, enjoy micheladas and your favorite read on a lounge chair by the palm- and cabana-lined pool, and finish with sun downers at the rooftop bar. The lobby and hotel coffee shop. Edmund Sumner/Courtesy of Hotel Humano During a recent stay, I started my first morning with a taste of what has put La Punta on so many travelers' lists: a surf lesson set up by the hotel on the beach's beginner-friendly waves. While the main Zicatela Beach to the north is a pro surfer's paradise, hosting international tournaments on its canyon-powered barrels, La Punta is an ideal spot for those learning the sport. My instructor, Angelo Donnanno of Art of Surfing, explained why: 'The angle of the beach is perfect for the south swells that are coming straight to the Oaxaca area," he said, his finger tracing a diagram in the sand. That evening, back at the hotel, I joined a gaggle of guests gathered on the west-facing rooftop, five stories up, to enjoy the sunset as the horizon bloomed in bright coral. Here, my full review of Hotel Humano. My nearly 600-square-foot Ocean View Suite made for the coolest luxury crash pad. On a sun-drenched patio off my bedroom, I could work on my laptop and do stretches along the built-in banquette. The king-sized tiled plunge pool felt like the most high-class way to relax in a surf town. Madrid-based Plantea Estudio drew inspiration for the interiors from Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier's Cabanon de Cap-Martin in France—a simple beach shack featuring clean woodwork, pops of metal, and natural sunlight. 'It's a balance between a holiday home and the playful, festive, technical feel of a surfer's camper,' Luis Gil Guinea, a founding partner of Plantea Estudio, told Travel+Leisure. Each of the hotel's 39 rooms, including eight suites, comes with a view of the lush pool courtyard. Most of the furnishings are custom-made by Mexican artisans: sturdy quilts from the Dushill studio in Oaxaca City, and cheeky ink drawings by Mexico City-based artist Lucio Muniain. The bathroom sinks—generous basins made from stainless steel—add a modernist edge to the otherwise earth-toned interiors. The bistro is the hotel's main restaurant. Edmund Sumner/Courtesy of Hotel Humano The port of Marseille, France, and Puerto Escondido may have little overlap in terms of aura, but chef Marion Chateau has found a delicious throughline, serving incredible fresh seafood. Chateau, formerly of Marseille's La Relève hotel and restaurant, is in charge of the dinner menu at Humano's Bistró, the stunning all-day restaurant set inside a soaring poolside palapa. Her cocinero, a local white fish similar to a sardine, crisped up on the grill with olive oil and cut with a zippy pico and lemon beurre blanc, was one of the best catches of the day I've had in a while. Hotel guests enjoying the sunset from the rooftop bar. David Shortell/Travel + Leisure Breakfast at Bistró features eggs—fried, scrambled, and poached in a variety of Mexican styles—alongside fresh juices. Lunch is a selection of the only dishes you'll want after a day of sun and seawater: guacamole, ceviche, and heaping fish tacos. For a quick and light option, the lobby cafe offers a great list of tropical fruit smoothies and pastries. (Before my surf lesson, I got hopped up on antioxidants with an açai bowl) To unwind, the rooftop bar has cocktails and local beers that perfectly complement the sunset views. Try the primo spritz for a Mexico City cool kid spin on an Aperol spritz, though it is less sweet and with a more subtle, burnt orange hue. The 46-foot courtyard pool, flanked by royal palm trees and maroon loungers that evoke a Moorish garden party, is the main attraction here. The rooftop bar is the best spot for mingling during sunset and into the night, with resident DJs setting a low-key dance vibe from Thursday to Sunday. The reception team can arrange a surf lesson with The Art of Surfing, a local school run by brothers Alonso and Sasha. My session stretched almost two hours, including a half-hour theory overview on the dunes. By the end, I was popping up with confidence and gliding baby waves into shore. The wellness spaces were not yet ready during my visit, so the hotel arranged an excellent massage in my suite. However, at the time of publication, the small spa, with massage rooms, a sauna, and two cold plunges, has opened. Rooms at Hotel Humano are not ADA-certified. Thoughtful architectural choices support Hotel Humano's sustainability initiatives. The hotel's layout, including the double-height ceilings, facilitates cross-ventilation, which, along with the use of concrete building material, helps maintain indoor temperatures low, Gil Guinea explained. Air conditioning in public spaces is powered by solar energy and is used sparingly, when heat and humidity are at their seasonal peaks. Exterior facade of Hotel Humano. Edmund Sumner/Courtesy of Hotel Humano The hotel runs for nearly half a block along the main paved road through La Punta, a prime spot in this neighborhood's small grid of streets. The walk to the beach takes less than five minutes—or less, if you take the hidden exit behind the pool that leads to a backroad shortcut. To get to the hotel, fly into Puerto Escondido Airport in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Hotel Humano is a member of Design Hotels, under the Marriott umbrella, and part of the Marriott Bonvoy program. Guests can earn points to redeem for complimentary nights and enjoy perks such as free Wi-Fi, late check-out, and more. Nightly rates at Hotel Humano start from $191 for a garden-level guest room and $300 for an Ocean View Suite. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
