All posts by : Paula Altable

“The first and best victory is to conquer self.” –Plato  

Learning to effectively lead yourself and others all comes down to discipline. Happiness, success, and fulfillment stem from focus and self-control. Because with discipline and self-control we actually accomplish more of the goals we truly care about. Self-discipline is the bridge between goals defined and goals accomplished. 

There are specific strategies you can execute to learn self-discipline and gain the willpower to live a happier, more fulfilling life. If you are looking to take control of your habits and choices, here are three powerful things you can do to master self-discipline—which is imperative for life beyond your comfort zone—and maybe even redefining “extraordinary.” 

Know your strengths and weaknesses

Self-awareness is a powerful tool for comfort zone expansion, but it requires constant focus and acknowledging your shortcomings, whatever they may be.

 Set clear goals and have an execution plan

If you hope to achieve greater degrees of self-discipline, you must have a clear vision of what you hope to accomplish, just like any goal. A clear plan outlines each time-bound step you must take to reach your goals. Create a mantra to keep yourself focused. Successful people use this technique to stay on track, emotionally connect to their mission, and establish a clear finish line.

Change your perception about willpower

When we embrace the mindset of unlimited willpower, we continue to grow, achieve more, and develop mental toughness. It’s the same philosophy as setting “stretch” goals. In short, our internal conceptions about willpower and self-control can determine how disciplined we are. If you can remove these subconscious obstacles and truly believe you can do it, then you will give yourself an extra boost of motivation toward making those goals a reality.

Photos: @pixanphoto @focusintoflow

“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” –Robin Sharma

Everyday you have the opportunity or the best time to pursue your projects and goals in life, remember that life is happening now. Living deliberately is about purposeful action — choosing to use your time, attention and energy productively.

Purpose can give us energy, optimism, and motivation to live our life to the fullest. Forge a path that is unique to you — trust that your path, strange though it will seem to others, is right for you. 

If you are constantly day-dreaming about travel and wondering how you can possibly achieve all of your travel goals during this lifetime, we just want to repeat that everything you’re dreaming about really can be achieved.

It will take some hard work and determination for sure, plenty of it, but at the end of the day, when you find yourself living or traveling, enjoying rewarding experiences, you’ll be incredibly thankful that you decided to pursue an adventurous life.

We believe that anyone can do life on autopilot but that happy, fulfilled people are doing life on purpose.

We believe in living at a pace that feels right for us and our families.

We believe in growth, rest, the power of nature, and the feeling of freedom.

Most of all, we believe that your journey is unique and that with each experience you build your own history and priceless memories.

To live life to the fullest, choose to live in real-time — the present.

“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.”
— John Lubbock

We all know that nature doesn’t need people. People need nature. Right? We must understand there are aspects of how our planet evolves that are totally out of our control. But there are things that we can manage, control and do responsibly that will allow us and the planet to evolve together.

Through the global pandemic we have realized that the soul of nature is more alive than ever and has left us a very clear message.

The best way to cultivate a deeper connection with nature is to be more involved in it. Nature gives her gifts freely and we are rewarded with a deeper respect for the world and those in it. A walk through nature can get your creative juices flowing, help clear your head, or give you a much-needed sense of inner peace.

Picture by: @mordorable

If we see the journey from the perspective of full consciousness and contact with nature, we find an experience that allows us to rediscover ourselves and return to the source being more “us”— feeling better, with renewed energy.

We aren’t a part of this big, beautiful world to be mere spectators, but to let it take us to new heights, have new learning experiences, and to ultimately help us be better humans.

Picture by: @mordorable

This is our guide to enjoy and experience Riviera Maya to it’s full potential.  Each place shown here was specifically chosen for you to have a unique experience as a local…

Top Picks

1. Island of Cozumel 
   • Snorkel Adventure  Have a wonderful experience snorkeling around the island on different reefs enjoying the beautiful weather.
2. Soliman Bay
   • The Restaurant @ Hotel Jashita  This is a small eco-friendly hotel located in front of a beautiful bay with delicious Mediterranean food.
3. Xcacal
   • Beach and Cenote  This is a unique beach which is totally deserted.  It is a very relaxing place with a cenote within a 5 minute walking distance from the beach.
4. Akumal (Sea Turtles)
   • La Buena Vida  A nice and laid back ocean front restaurant that serves Mexican food in a mellow environment.  A great to place spend a day relaxing.
5. Xpuha (beaches)
   • KSM Beach Club  Enjoy your day in this great, calm beach club where you can learn how to kite surf.
   • La Playa Beach Club  A relaxing place with great service and delicious Mediterranean food.
   • Al Cielo Have lunch in this laid-back restaurant with a very relaxing view (reservation needed).

Parks and Tours

1. Xcaret
   • This park has a bit of everything from rivers, caves, and museums to a unique night show that highlights the best of Mexican culture.
2.  Xel-ha
   • This park is great if you like to snorkel as most of it’s activities are dedicated to water sports and adventures.
3. Xplor
   • This park is perfect if you are looking for a little adrenaline rush.  Here, you’ll find park activities that are more extreme such as cliff diving and ATVs.
4. All Tour Native
   • You can enjoy a different kind of tour with All Tour Native– it is a company we highly recommend.  Each tour has a bit of a cultural side– from architectural ruins to snorkeling and zip-lining each experience includes a Mayan ceremony and a bit of education.
5. Hertz
   • Feeling adventurous?  Renting a car is a great way to experience Playa del Carmen and beyond as a local.  We can help you decide what to do and map out your perfect day without the hassle of a group tour.

Cenotes

1. Jardin Eden
   • Enjoy yourself in this outdoor cenote.  It is a great place if you wish to feel relaxed and calm.
2. Cenote Azul
   • This best cenote for families.  Here you can enjoy many rock pools with shallow water where kids can play safely.
3. Cristalino
   • Very refreshing and usually pretty quiet.

Tulum

1. Papaya Playa
   • A laid back hotel that offers great food, great service and a unique view.
2. La Zebra
   • Have a calm lunch in front of the beach.  This is a family friendly restaurant but offers late night salsa lessons every Sunday.
3. Casa Jaguar
   • This wonderful restaurant is located in the middle of the jungle and offers a culinary adventure.
4. Gitano Tulum
   • A Mexican restaurant that is great if you wish to have a wonderful night full of great music.
5. Hartwood
   • An exclusive and small restaurant with all-natural cuisine.
6. Coqui Coqui
   • A unique property that makes it’s own perfume and scents.  Enjoy the beautiful beachfront with a romantic massage.

Towns

1. Puerto Morelos
   • This is a very small fishing town filled with local artisans, restaurants and more.
2. Puerto Aventuras
   • A very small town with a nice stretch of beach.
3. Valladolid
   • A typical Mexican town, rich in culture with authentic local restaurants and a beautiful plaza to stroll around.
4. Merida
   • This town is filled with authentic Mexican architecture from the houses to the main shopping streets.

Ruins

1. Tulum Ruins
   • This archeological ruin is located in front of the beach, a unique and breathtaking view.
2. Coba Ruins
   • Rent a bike and wander around getting to know these ruins that are located inside the jungle.
3. Muyil Ruins
   • This archeological site is very small but surrounded by lots of small towns and cenotes.
4. Chichen Itza
   • One of the seven wonders of the world– we highly recommend getting to know this capital city of the Mayan World.

We are happy to share this beautiful article, first published on chiccollection.com.  We believe it is a lovely explanation of our story and we are honored to share it with you all.  

As you wander into Hotel La Semilla Mexico, stopping at the front desk, you may notice a discrete message that displays on the desktop of the computer there. It says, ‘There is beauty in simplicity.’ For this quaint, boutique hotel, one block from the azure shores of Playa del Carmen, the significance of this phrase is striking. As you peer around the vintage inspired décor and whitewash walls, the absence of vibrant colors and noise is so calming and surprisingly distant from the party that rages on just a few blocks away.

It Started with a Dream

Hotel La Semilla Mexico is a retreat. It was carefully constructed and conceptualized by its owners, couple Alexis Schärer and Angie Rodriguez. The story of Hotel La Semilla Mexico is a love story and the passion they have for each other translates into the passion they have for the hotel they created. In their vision, La Semilla would be a place to call home. But what differentiates La Semilla from other sleepy bed and breakfast type hotels is that here, you are greeted with five-star service and impeccable attention to detail that all stem from the strong hospitality background the couple shares.

Angie and Alexis met while both working at Hotel Plaza Athénée in New York City, and it was love at first sight for the pair. From the beginning of their relationship, they dreamed of owning a hotel one day — a hotel near the water. Little did they know the twists and turns of life would lead them to Playa del Carmen to open their vision of the perfect boutique hotel.

Alexis grew up in a hotel lifestyle. He comes from a long lineage of hoteliers, and his father was a general manager for several properties, which afforded the family to live in hotels for most of Alexis’ life. This enabled him to develop a keen eye for detail, an intimate knowledge of the guest experience, and a strong affection for hospitality; all of these things he beautifully translated into the fibers of Hotel La Semilla Mexico.

When Alexis met Angie, they began fantasizing about the hotel they could have one day. During the couple’s journeys around the world together, they would always file away details they admired of places they visited: souvenirs, photographs, and journals filled with notes. Many years after leaving New York, Angie, being Mexican herself, developed a strong desire to return home and without much trouble convinced Alexis to move their growing family to Playa del Carmen. They both began working in hotels in the area until one day Alexis knew the time had come to take a risk and begin to fulfill their dreams of becoming hoteliers themselves.

Road Bumps Along the Way

The road to open Hotel La Semilla Mexico was not the smoothest. Angie’s father — well versed in finance and accounting — offered to assist the two in the development of the business plan, but tragically passed away during the beginning stages of the project. The path of departing from the stability of working in big brand hotels was scary for Angie and Alexis, who had two children at the time. But the troubled waters didn’t deter them from moving forward. When they were searching for a space to build the hotel, Alexis pointed to an apartment building and said to the realtor, ‘I would like a building like that.’ As luck would have it, that very building had gone on the market that same morning. And so the project began.

Angie, with a keen eye for design, resolved that all the furnishings in the hotel should be restored and repurposed antiques. They spent months scouring markets across Mexico City to assemble the authentic look and feel of the property; the inspiration being the old fashion haciendas of Mexico that provide a real feeling of home. This homeliness aura is among the finest qualities of Hotel La Semilla Mexico. Staying there is like being home, but better. The fragrance of fresh white lilies that welcome you as you ascend the staircase to find your room, the small packet of chocolates that welcomes you on your bed, telling you that chocolate was once only consumed by kings during Mayan times and the fresh breakfast of eggs, croissants, and homemade passion fruit jam — all of these signal that you are somewhere comfortable and very special.

As Alexis and I speak of their adventures in creating Hotel La Semilla Mexico, it is clear that he has achieved the success he has always dreamed of with the property. For him, he defines success as, ‘doing something well and with passion,’ but having enough freedom to spend with your family. In this, while he has plans to expand to Tulum with a second property next year, he and Angie wish to go no further.

‘The idea is to create a lifestyle, so this is why we choose to go into business for ourselves.’

The lifestyle both Alexis and Angie have is one that would make anyone envious, and their story of success serves as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work, passion, and the right types of priorities.

Isn’t it beautiful how we get a chance to reinvent ourselves every 365 days?  At Hotel La Semilla, we are always excited to shed our skin from last year and emerge as a better version of ourselves in anticipation for everything that lies ahead.  For this reason, we find it helpful to set an intention or purpose for the upcoming year.  In our opinion, part of the process is a proclamation of what you intend to do.  Our goal for 2016 is to expand the vision we have for our hotel and the community we’ve developed.  For this reason, we have started this blog as an outlet to share our dreams, ideas, and action with you all.

For those of you that do not know, the Spanish word Semilla, means seed.  This word is one we hold near and dear to our hearts.  To us, a seed is something that you nurture and love—something that blossoms right before your eyes into something more beautiful and extraordinary than you could have ever imagined.  They represent the things you are most passionate about.   Hotel La Semilla is the seed that we’ve nurtured for many years.  Long before this small hotel was even an idea, we were preparing and driving ourselves onto a path that has ultimately led us here.  We are living our dream and seeing our precious seed thriving—and for that, we are filled with gratitude everyday.

“Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul.”

– Thomas Merton

But as human beings, we have a few seeds to cultivate and the process of finding those seeds is an internal journey we must all face.  A long time ago, when creating the personality of Hotel La Semilla, we went on this journey to discover our most core values and find a way to live lives that nurture these values.  In this, we try to focus on community/family, nature, and self – these are our seeds and have become the pillars we live by.  We wake up every day with the intention of giving thanks to our community, to nature, and to ourselves—what a gift it is to be alive.  In the upcoming year, our aim is to share our seeds and inspire others into action.  We hope you will continue on this journey with us.

We know that living a purposeful life is not always easy.  Our daily lives do a wonderful job of setting us off course—and distractions are everywhere.  However, we invite you to the first step in being more aware and present.  We invite you to decide what your seeds are and write them down.  What are the two or three things you find the most joy and peace doing or thinking about?  During the year, we will be sharing the different ways that we nurture our seeds.  We hope that you can cultivate your seeds along with us and share them with our community.

Never stop dreaming…

With Love and Gratitude,

Alexis and Angie

This is our guide to enjoy and experience Playa del Carmen to it’s full potential. Each place shown here was specifically chosen for you to have a unique experience as a local. A few years ago, Playa del Carmen was a very small town, which became a unique destination rich in history and culture.

Brief History of Playa del Carmen

In it’s earliest days, Playa del Carmen was inhabited by the Mayan culture. It later spent time developing as a fishing area before growing to become the tourist destination we know today. Before the early 1900’s, Playa del Carmen started becoming more popular in the international community. In the midst of commercialization, Playa del Carmen’s local government has tried to keep the city’s reputation as a small, charming fishing area—making it perfect for travelers who want a comfortable and fun-filled vacation.

Our property, located in Calle 38, was once a remote area of Playa del Carmen; however, it is now in the middle of the trendiest part of town, next to the famous restaurant La Cueva de Chango, surrounded by cenotes, a Mayan ruin and jungle. Our neighborhood became a sanctuary for intellectuals, artists and other bohemian misfits and non-conformists from around the world.

Today it is considered, perhaps, the most charming neighborhood in Playa del Carmen, a vibrant blend of creative residents, lively bars, restaurants and unique small shops.

Restaurants

Los Aguachilies– A wide selection of Mexican sea food and Mexican-Caribbean taste. Calle 34 Nte, DOWNTOWN, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R

Almirante Pech– A Mexican restaurant with great atmosphere. A wonderful spot to have a fancy dinner with a loved one. 5ª Av Esq C/30 esquina Calle 30, Calle Quinta Avenida, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

Il Baretto – A restaurant that serves Italian and Mediterranean food right at your table. Calle Quinta Avenida, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

Cenacolo– A cozy Italian restaurant that serves Italian food and fresh, handmade pasta. Calle Quinta Avenida, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

Kampai – This Japanese restaurant has some of the best sushi in town with a unique gourmet cuisine. Quinta Avenida LOC-3 Mz 71 Lt1, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

Wok Playa – This is the perfect little spot if you are craving authentic noodles or curry freshly prepared.

Oh La La– A really wonderful little restaurant with very good food and personal service (reservation needed) Calle 14 Norte Bis #147, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

La Cocina (Hyatt)– Experience a Mexican and Caribbean style restaurant in a laid back environment.

Local Taste

El Fogon– Get a taste of Authentic Mexican tacos where every local eats from time to time. Av Constituyentes, DOWNTOWN, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

El Pirata– Restaurant/ Fish Market with fresh sea food prepared at the very moment. 40 Avenida Nte., Zazil-ha, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

Art and Culture

Nuestra Señora Del Carmen Church– It is simple, plain but architecturally very beautiful, take your time to see a monumental building here in Playa. 15 Avenida esq. Calle 12 Norte s/n, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

Art Gallery 5^th Ave- Walk down on 5^th Avenue to admire different artists who show their work and so many different styles of art (Thursday evenings).  20th Street between 5th Av. & 10th Av., Playa del Carmen 77710, Mexico

Live Music Bars and Restaurants

Fusion– A unique restaurant with live music and different shows during the night.  6th street and the beach, Playa del Carmen 77710,Mexico

Fah Bar– Late night dinner with a round of drinks listening to classics and fun music.  5a avenida between calle 8 y 10 norte Col. Centro 77710 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo Mexico

Beaches

Playacar Beach- A beautiful beach where you can relax on your own to enjoy the sun and the ocean.

Kool and Mamitas Beach Club- If you’re looking for a beach to mingle and meet people from all over, these are the hot spot in anyone’s book.

Mahekal Resort- Enjoy a day in this beautiful beach resort just down the street from our home.

Canibal Royal- Enjoy yourself next to the ocean listening to music having lunch and a few drinks.

Zenzi- The atmosphere of good vibes and peace; a great lively place to make friends and enjoy the day.

Our Neighborhood

Gluay Maai Thai– A great, laidback restaurant that serves Thai food.  Calle 38 Nte., Gonzalo Guerrero, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

La Piola– An Italian restaurant right in front of our hotel. They are well-known for their wide selection of pizzas.  Via Plaza 38, Avenida 38 Norte, Lote 2, Local-1, Playa del Carmen Centro, 77710 Q.R.

Cocotte Citta– A very small but good French restaurant (cash only).  Calle 38 Nte., Gonzalo Guerrero, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

Regina– A Mexican fonda that serves great meals and seafood.  Calle 38 Nte., Zazil-ha, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R

La Cueva Del Chango– One of the 1^st restaurants in Playa del Carmen, very popular and unique.  Av 38 Norte Mz. 4 Lote 3, Zazil-ha, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

Alamo Sakahua- A great tree located just down the road. It is more than 18 meters high.

Milos– This restaurant provides authentic Greek cuisine prepared by their Greek Chef.  Calle 38 Norte Mz 8 Lt 2, Centro, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

Markets/ Shopping

El Campeon- This is our typical local market similar to the ones that you would find on every corner around Mexico.

DAC– All natural store, well-known for their wide organic selection.  30 Avenida Nte. LB, Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

Troupe– One of the most well-known shops in Playa, with all 100% 1^st quality and handmade items.  L 2 B, Calle Quinta Avenida 101, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

Jula Luma- Get an outfit and dress like a local, this boutique has a great section of Playa-style goods.  MZA 152 LTE 2, Calle Quinta Avenida, Solidaridad, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

Casa Ines – Find many treasures from all over Mexico from blown glass, paintings, to pottery.

Biuriful Boutique – Tropical and authentic wear, perfect to go along with a calm and relaxing vibe.

Night Clubs and Bars

Santanera– 3 floors with different types of music from a blue techno room to a lounge area with a view.  Calle 10 Norte , Mz 29, Lote 1, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

Diablito– A great bar right in the middle of all the clubs—a great place to start your night and meet people.  Calle 12 S/N, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.

(Looking for late night fun? Visit 12^th street where most of the clubs and bars are located.)

Travel has played a big roll in our lives for many years. We believe passionately that travel and immersing oneself in other cultures broadens the mind and the vision… This is why we are sharing this section to promote local culture, artists, hidden places, and many other tips to encourage our guest, friends, family and fans to travel and explore the universe.

The foundations of our brand have always been rooted in the values we have kept throughout our lives. When we created our business, we knew that the philosophy of our company had to reflect the way in which we choose to live our lives (and yes, it is a choice). Early on in the process of creating Hotel La Semilla, we began playing around with the symbols in nature that remind us of our values. Of course we love the symbolic power of The Seed (or La Semilla in Spanish) but another image that kept reappearing to us was the almighty Root.   The Root became one of the center pillars of our brand because it reminds us of an important lesson in business and in life; “Change your leaves but keep your Roots in tact.” To us, this means that while trends and preferences may change the core of what you believe should always remain constant.

People are not one thing. There is a beautiful duality to the human condition. We are parents and we are lovers, we are friends and we are competitors. It is through this journey of being and learning that the ways in which we play out these roles morph with age and experience. We should never stop learning but while our façades may change through the years and interests or even political views, there are those core ideas that remain the same—and these are your Roots.

In this never-ending cycle of life, we find ourselves always looking to improve. We want to be better listeners, have less stress in our lives, or show the people we love our appreciation. However, too often we get swept up in the sea of life and bogged down by the small tasks and petty “to do’s” that we forget about our Roots in exchange for moving with the tide– regardless of where it brings us. Living this way is unproductive and damaging for our souls and is the reason that stepping outside of yourself frequently helps to keep your ship on course.

Getting back in touch with ourselves and the things we hold most dear is so important for staying grounded—and what better time to reflect upon these ideas then during your vacation. On vacation, you can revert back to your ideal self. You can voice your opinion and unleash your passions. We can be whomever you want to be when you’re out of your normal routine.

So how can we hold on to this ‘ideal self’? We think a good place to start is meditation or quiet reflection. Have you ever just flopped on the beach or spent hours in bed during a holiday? We think these vacation behaviors are wonderful opportunities for reconnecting with your Roots and evaluating your life. At Hotel La Semilla, our best ideas and most meaningful personal breakthroughs have been stumbled upon after hours of dreaming away on our terrace or swinging in the hammock. We believe that us humans don’t give ourselves enough time to just be. During vacation we may remember to do this—but certainly not in our real lives. We challenge you to create a time of inner reflection, where you can begin to tune out the external noise and being to focus on the deepest parts of your consciousness. While some people like meditation, we have found that nature walks and free journal writing can also be incredible effective.

Once you’ve begun to tune into the deepest parts of yourself, the trick is to pay attention to the messages your body is giving you. For many of us, this is the most difficult part and where we like to become a little more proactive. We ask ourselves; in what way can I change my life for the better? What actionable steps can I take in order to make my life feel more fulfilled and rich? Here is how we hone in on our desires and work to change our lives—we hope you find this helpful:

• List your main desire—what do you want to change in your life? Write it down and say it out loud to everyone who will listen. This will help make you accountable for reaching your dream.
• Break it down into actionable steps. For example, if you want to be healthier, why not start with some simple meal planning, fitting a 20-minute walk into you daily routine or just cutting one small thing from your diet? We found that starting anywhere is a good start.
• Set some achievable goals with dates: Things seem scarier when they are big but if you decide on a very small step to work on and set dates or milestones you’ll see how easy it can be to change your habits.
• Schedule “meditation moments”: Always be listening to yourself. This is the most important thing. Your life starts with your own happiness and health. Make yourself a priority. This isn’t selfish—it is essential. You can give more when you feel taken care of yourself. Even just 5 minutes each day of cleansing breaths or quiet reflection can make all the difference.

The last bit of advice we would like to expel on this topic is this: don’t take yourself too seriously. If we were focused on making everything in our lives and businesses perfect, we would be paralyzed by stress. The most we can do is to be true to ourselves and hold on tightly to our Roots. As long as you set yourself on a path that leads towards positivity and gratitude you will get to a more enriched state of mind.

A London-dwelling ex-fashion editor, one man on a mission to inspire clothes with personality, and a stunning German fashion blogger all graced the sandy-steps of Hotel La Semilla these months.  We are always honored to welcome extremely fashionable and enormously creative bloggers from around the world to stay with us. Every time we collaborate with bloggers it is incredible to see how their perspective and personality infuse into the photos and stories they share.  Below is a collection of some of our favorite images we hope will inspire your next Mexican trip to Playa Del Carmen.

1. 1. Fashion Me Now // Lucy Williams ( On Instagram @elsewhere)

   

   

   

   

   2. Your Mirror Style // Lorenzo Liverani

   

   

   

   

   3. Ohh Couture//Leonie Hanne