Late Checkout: A Paradise So Close You Can Taste It At Auberge Susurros del Corazón

This year, my childhood best friend Kara and I were long overdue for a getaway, so we set out to find a destination that offered not just luxury but also a sense of place. We craved somewhere close to Los Angeles, perfect for a quick escape but filled with enough charm and indulgence to feel worlds away. After some research, we decided on Auberge Susurros del Corazón, a hidden gem on Mexico’s Pacific coast that promised both relaxation and refined elegance.

Nestled on the Nayarit coast between Punta Vallarta and Punta Mita lies Susurros de Corazón, an Auberge Resorts collection property with a lot of heart. Susurros de Corazón translates to “whispers of the heart,” which is an homage to its location between the mountains and the sea. 

The Warmest Welcome

Opened in 2022, this property set out to deliver an authentic Mexican feel with the elevated luxuries of today. Auberge resorts are  notorious for their first class, yet unpretentious hospitality, which was evident at this particular location from the moment we arrived. Upon entrance to the property grounds, we were awed by lush jungle and sprawling lily ponds, complete with local birds and blue herons gracefully greeting us with their songs. The welcome we received was made complete by the smiling faces of the whole staff and, of course, by the welcome margaritas.  

Auberge Susurros  forgoes the traditional “check in” desk process upon arrival for a more personal experience. Instead, they pair each guest with a personal “Cuate” or butler, who would be our point of contact via text message throughout our stay. As our bags were en route to our rooms, we were given an overview of the property, as well as the finalized details of the itinerary we had crafted with the help of the in house concierge. 

Our “cuate” Carlos took us to our two bedroom conjoined suite, which faced West to catch the nightly sunset  framed by the lush jungle canopy. The rooms were decorated with relaxing neutrals and furniture and accented with authentic local decor. An arrangement of fresh local fruits, crudite (my personal favorite)  and guacamole awaited us in our room, which was the perfect pick-me-up after our day of travel. 

Every room reflected a genuine thoughtfulness for guest comfort and convenience, with touches of little luxuries in every corner. Beyond the usual robes and slippers, each space offered beach tunics and locally woven beach bags for use during our stay. In the bathroom, speciality revitalizing body oils, and on our bedside table, pillow mist to promote sweet dreams were welcome touches that enhanced the in-room experience. 

From Sea to Table

After our travel day, the main thing I was craving was an elaborate meal, one that would set the tone for our stay. Following a quick change and refresh, we headed down to Casamilpa, one of the three restaurants onsite. It’s also the resort's oceanfront restaurant, where Chef Tona prepares a menu inspired by the flavors of the local Nayarit region; it’s the perfect place to unwind. The structures, which house the restaurants, are tastefully decorated with colorful local textile pillows and adorned with beautiful ceramic vessels overflowing with unique local plants, flowers, and trees. With views of the sunset-hued Bahía de Banderas beach, we savored the freshest seafood and homemade tortillas, all while sipping on a hibiscus and passion fruit mocktail—a nod to the local flavors. 

Casamilpa is the more upscale local Mexican restaurant on the property, and the vast menu offers  a variety of local appetizers, salads, and entrees, including the fresh catch of the day, Roosterfish, which we opted to share. The staff was friendly and helpful in making recommendations on what to order. And for dessert, they had no problem convincing us to try the restaurant’s dessert specialty of homemade churros con chocolate infused with mezcal (yes, you read that right, and we ended up reordering them every night thereafter). 

After I had nearly eaten my weight in tortillas, we headed back to our room just as a gust of wind picked up and heavy gray clouds signaled an approaching thunderstorm. As someone who has been waiting for the elusive rain in L.A. that never seems to fall, I took Mexico's rainfall as the perfect opportunity to cozy up, sink into the plush bedding, and let the soothing sound of the storm lull me into relaxation. Kara will tell you, however, that the thunderstorm was no match for her swimmer’s earplugs and trusted drowsy sleep mask; but once the brunt of it was over, she too melted into the sheets.

R&R on Repeat

The morning sun gently kissed the horizon on our second day at Auberge Susurros del Corazón, which began with a full breakfast at Casamilpa (yes, again because we were still obsessing over it from the night before). During the daytime, you can overlook the white sand beach with the nearby Marieta Islands looming in the distance. As soon as I sat down at our table, a warm, traditional Mexican hot chocolate was placed in front of me. This wasn’t your typical Swiss Miss —I’m talking about a decadent, velvety blend that instantly melted onto my taste buds, allowing me to ease even more into vacation mode. The richness of the chocolate had me wishing I could fill my reusable water bottle and sip it all day. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, a basket of freshly baked pastries arrived, filling the air with their delicate, buttery aroma. Each flaky, sweet bite was the perfect treat to kick off the morning in paradise. 

We both paired our bites with carrot and orange juices from a nearby farm. The morning menu was full of classic American breakfast items and some classics with a Mexican twist. Creatures of habit, we went with avocado toast on sourdough bread with eggs and bacon. It was the kind of meal where everything felt indulgent but wholesome. And, of course, I had to sneak in a bit of my own matcha, adding a scoop of collagen for good measure, because balance, right?

Feeling properly fueled, Kara and I went to check out the spacious fitness center on the property to get a workout. The gym was fully equipped with Precor machines, Peloton bikes, Woodway treadmills, and various free weight stations with an adjoining wellness room for scheduled classes including sound baths and yoga. The facility had everything you could need, even snacks like nuts and fresh fruit, along with chilled water and towels—a thoughtful touch that didn’t go unnoticed. It didn’t hurt that the space was quiet and pristine, making it easy for us to transition into a workout. It truly was the ideal set up to get our bodies moving before spending the rest of the day relaxing. 

We spent the early afternoon lounging on cabanas by the beautiful three-tiered pools framed by palm trees overlooking the glistening ocean. And to really set the scene, we snacked on fresh guacamole and local fruits and sipped on the most refreshing  iced tea and coconut water, which I drank straight from the shell. So dreamy! As much as I could’ve lounged there soaking up the sun all day, we packed up early to make our check-in at the resort’s spa, ONDA. 

Finding Our ONDA

As described on their website, “ONDA…is a sanctuary where joy fuels wellness, promising a holistic experience that cultivates flow, lightness and happiness. Drawing inspiration from its name, ONDA channels the rhythmic energy of waves into an array of immersive therapies and engaging workshops, all designed to ignite a profound sense of renewal and inner peace.” From the moment we  arrived at  the spa center, nature’s sounds flooded our senses along. We retreated further into the space where natural materials and stone laid a grounding foundation;  peaceful water features settled us into ease as we passed them throughout the facility. 

ONDA offered us robes for our treatments and we comfortably lounged in them, taking  a long moment to relax, in the communal quiet room awaiting the spa service. In the meantime we’d  helped ourselves to their  fresh chlorophyll mint water and hibiscus tea — a little boost of  hydration never hurts. Among ONDA’s  spread of healthy snacks, I  couldn’t resist nabbing one of the coconut cacao superfood balls, which was the perfect pre-treatment treat. 

The catalog of services offered at the spa was immense, including  signature treatments, bodywork, scalp-focused regimens, and a vast array of  additional  immersive experiences such as tarot and a “cacao circle,” led by medicine sages who walk  guests through a traditional Mayan cacao ceremony with the goal of  identifying their spirit guardians. Although intrigued, we opted for their ‘Remedio’ offering, a deep tissue massage with warm jojoba oil. For our individual massages, we were led to our own private casitas and enjoyed 60 minutes of pure peace and relaxation. After our treatment, we fell into a blissful routine: alternating between the salt-walled sauna and the outdoor cold plunge. This slowly but surely became a ritual we couldn’t resist repeating every day for the rest of our stay.