Rugged by Design
Nick Kendall & Hannah Kendall 

Words Allison Reiber DiLiegroImages Max Mair

Siblings Nick and Hannah Kendall spent days combing Mexico’s Valle de Guadeloupe for the rockiest piece of land they could find before they settled on one. 

Born in Australia, raised in outdoorsy Boulder, Colorado, and extensively travelled in South America and New Zealand, Hannah and Nicholas are lovers of landscape, great food, and thoughtful, high-end hospitality. Their hotel MIRA Earth Studios is a perfect unison of these concepts, an homage to expansive, unpolished luxury.

“It’s a fusion of luxury and nature—an experience that allows guests to reconnect with the landscape and completely unwind,” Nick tells us. “It’s part nature retreat, part luxury getaway, part spa experience.” We sat down with the siblings to find out more about their inspiration, their partnership, and their favorite vineyards in Mexico’s premier wine region.

Can you tell us a bit about your upbringing? 

Nick: We left Australia in 1996. I was six and Hannah was four. Growing up in Boulder, Colorado, and later spending time in New Zealand, had a big influence on me. Being surrounded by nature, with so much access to hiking, camping, and outdoor activities, helped shape my respect for the land and a deep connection to the natural environment. After high school, I spent time traveling through Central and South America and later returned to New Zealand to study Tourism and Hotel Management, while Hannah went back to Australia to study Psychology.

Your family is also in the hotel business. Why did you both choose to go into hospitality?

Nick: My path into hospitality solidified while working in our family business in Tulum. I developed a strong passion for details, food and beverage, and creating thoughtful guest experiences, which later evolved into a deeper interest in design.

Who had the idea to create a hotel together?

Hannah: That was Nick. He had the education and experience. I had a crash course from the family business and then learned the rest on the job. But I jumped at the idea because I wanted to be closer to my family. These last five years—building something together and living in the same city—have meant a lot to me.

Are there any lessons from your family that you brought with you?

Hannah: One big one is not putting off today’s tasks until tomorrow. I can’t say I follow it perfectly, but it’s a work ethic I picked up from my dad: a very no-better-day-than-today mindset.

How would you each describe the other person in three words?

Hannah: Nick is design-driven, sociable, and resolute. Nick: Hannah is loyal, good-hearted, and genuine.

What is it like working together? 

Nick: We disagree at times, and I can be stubborn and push ideas forward, but we have found a rhythm that works. Hannah is very present day to day, managing operations and the behind-the-scenes work. I focus more on overall direction, design decisions, and communication. Together, it balances out.

Tell us about the idea behind MIRA Earth Studios.

Nick: The philosophy was simple. Much of the land in the Valle is flat and agricultural, so we focused on finding a higher property with views over the vineyards. From there, we focused on filling the rooms with thoughtful details and amenities, especially given the remote nature of the location. Many of those details felt like necessities rather than luxuries.

Why did you choose this part of Mexico as a destination? What was your first impression?

Hannah: We’d heard so many good things about the Valle—so we came to explore it, and we loved it immediately. The landscape, the people, the community, the proximity to the border—it all felt right. The rocks were non-negotiable from the start. We actually spent days driving around the Valle looking for rocky areas—spotting for-sale signs, stopping the car, and asking realtors for land with as much rugged terrain as possible. I’m pretty sure we ended up with the rockiest property in the Valle de Guadalupe.

You’ve travelled extensively. What did you want to do differently with this property?

Nick: Travel has definitely shaped how I think about hospitality. With MIRA, I wanted to create something more design-driven, with a high level of detail and comfort, especially within the rooms.

What does your design motto, “natural luxury,” mean to you?

Nick: “Natural luxury” resonated with us because luxury can take many forms. It can be space, quiet, remoteness, or being immersed in nature. Those things are becoming increasingly rare. We wanted to be clear that our version of luxury is not marble floors and polished perfection.

Regenerative thinking is woven throughout the property. Can you tell us about your approach to sustainability?

Hannah: We try to minimize impact wherever possible. The rammed earth walls provide natural thermal qualities. The green roofs support local ecosystems. We treat our water, use solar lighting where we can, and source locally for the restaurant and minibar. Even small things—like encouraging online check-in to reduce paper—are part of the bigger picture. It’s an ongoing mindset.

What is one local dish that a visitor must try?

Nick: I love trying everything. Some must-try dishes in the region include fresh seafood tostadas and shellfish from street vendors, a classic Baja fish taco, northern Mexico carne asada tacos, and borrego tatemado. These are some of the flavors that really define the area.