Designer and world traveler extroirdinaire Laurie Blumenfeld joins us for this edition of Designer Travels, sharing her recent trip to the laid-back island of Holbox.
Destination: Holbox, Mexico
Month traveled: February 2026
Duration of trip: Planned for six days, stayed for nine (we were stranded due to the massive snowstorm in New York).
Temperature range: High 80’s and balmy. 70’s and windy during the storm.
Solo trip or vacation with family/friends? With my husband.
First visit here or repeat destination? First to Holbox, 18th trip to Mexico.
What drew you to this locale?
I have been visiting different areas of Mexico since I was a little girl; my grandparents owned a condo in Acapulco, and so began my love affair with the region. As always, we tapped the fabulous Erica Gragg of Escape Artists to help us select and plan our annual winter retreat. Holbox, in particular, was appealing to us because it’s an island off the Yucatán and essentially off the grid. Holbox became part of the Yum Balam Biosphere Reserve — one of Mexico’s largest ecological protection areas — shaping its development and land-use policies. One of the most delightful qualities of the island is that the town center streets aren’t paved — they’re soft white sand — and cars are completely absent. People get around by golf cart/jeep, bicycles, and on foot, giving the whole experience a casual, soft, and natural rhythm. Tourists and locals walk around town barefoot!
The lodgings…
We stayed at Nomade Holbox, an eco-conscious boutique hotel set directly on the beach. The design seamlessly weaves the island’s raw beauty into its architecture, creating a 30-room sanctuary that feels fully immersed in — and respectful of — its natural surroundings.
Accommodations range from oceanfront suites to treetop hideaways suspended in the palms. Throughout the property, locally sourced and sustainable materials — wood, canvas, linen, and stone — define the aesthetic. Our room felt like refined beachfront glamping: wood-framed architecture topped with a tented roof, and an open-air stone bathroom that blurred the line between indoors and out.
The overall vibe was effortlessly elevated yet deeply relaxed — luxurious without ever losing its connection to nature.
Must-sees for design and architecture enthusiasts…
The island of Holbox is slowly being developed while beautifully maintaining a deep respect for nature. Walking around the town, you can see the new structures in their early stages. Much of the island’s design has a local flavor; whites, wood, palm, and natural finishes. Contemporary hospitality and cultural spaces reinterpret vernacular architecture through a modern lens — embracing open façades, shaded outdoor spaces, and palm-thatched roofing to seamlessly weave local tradition into a refined, contemporary design language.
Postcard moment…
The breathtaking, magical, magnificent sunsets over the Caribbean Sea. The layered blues of the ocean and sky make a perfect palette for a bedroom design. I was also influenced by the use of macramé as décor; in fact, I just placed a beautiful macramé piece in our Park Avenue commercial space project.
Souvenirs…
Sourcing and curating while I travel is central to my design process and personal aesthetic. Yet on this particular trip, I found myself simply observing rather than acquiring — there were no “must-have” treasures, and that felt perfectly aligned with the experience.
Lasting influence…
In Holbox, I was struck by how naturally architecture coexists with its environment. Holbox is part of the protected Yum Balam Biosphere Reserve, where buildings are intentionally low-impact — constructed with wood, palm, and breathable materials that respond to climate rather than resist it. The result is architecture that feels organic and effortless. Indoor and outdoor spaces blur.
Greatest takeaway…
For my future boutique hospitality design, I rediscovered that true luxury lies in authenticity, sustainability, and harmony with nature. On a personal level, a week on the beach with my husband, combined with exploring sound therapy and massages, completely refreshed my creative mind. It cleared space for new ideas and deepened my design sensibility in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
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