the interviews
–The Series II–
Los Hoteleros de México - A BajaTraveler® Exclusive Series
Mexico’s luxury hospitality landscape has never been more extraordinary — or more Mexican. Behind the world’s most celebrated independent hotels, from the cliffs of Baja California to the sacred cenotes of Yucatán, stands a generation of visionary builders who refused to sell, refused to franchise, and refused to follow the conventional wisdom of an industry that told them to think smaller. BajaTraveler® is proud to present Los Hoteleros de México — an intimate portrait series of the minds shaping the future of Mexican luxury hospitality. We sit with the founders, the heirs, the reinventors, and the outliers. Five conversations coming soon.
Ernesto Coppel – Founder/ CEO Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resorts
ERNESTO COPPEL built an empire from a view. The grandson of a Polish immigrant who arrived in Mazatlán in 1855, he sold timeshares in a small apartment overlooking the sea — and never stopped building. Today, Grupo Pueblo Bonito anchors the most coveted stretch of coastline in Baja California Sur.
Juan Velas – Founder/ CEO VELAS Resorts
JUAN VELA RUÍZ – In 1989, Juan started construction of a condominium in Puerto Vallarta, the first one with a beach front. At the beginning of construction, sales were successful. But then a recession hit. By the end of construction, Juan was left with half of the condos unsold and a huge debt. One afternoon while having a tequila in the lobby – Juan and Eduardo asked themselves – How difficult could it be to run a hotel?