NEW YORK, May 2, 2002/ --- Mexico's hottest hotel group, Design Hotels, is hot on the heels of the Schragers and Rubells of this world. They have just opened their second establishment, Deseo, meaning "wish" in Spanish.

Located in Playa Del Carmen in the Mexican Caribbean, Deseo is a far cry from tourist-heavy Cancun, which lies only a half-hour away.

"The group chose Playa, as it is a growing region that attracts a diverse crowd, and there was no hip hotel here," Alexandro Rueta, the hotel's manager, told FWD. "The main focus of this hotel is this area," he explained, gesturing to the terrace, which serves as the hotel's bar, pool, restaurant and lounge area.

With its wood deck flooring, enormous beds, pool and Jacuzzi designed by conceptual artist Silvia Gruner, and the complimentary sounds of the DJ's ambient music with the surf of the Caribbean Sea, it's easy to see why Deseo quickly became a favorite hangout for hip visitors to the region.

"A lot of young Mexicans from the fashion, music and entertainment industries come here to get a break from the hectic pace of Mexico City, as in New York they go to South Beach," said Rueta. "They come here and spend most of their time in the hotel, by the pool resting all day, and in the evenings sitting with friends watching movies and spending lots of money drinking and eating."

Deseo projects '50s and '60s Mexican films on the side of the hotel wall each evening.

The necessaries for beach going and partying have not been forgotten in the hotel's 15 rooms either. Each of the cool-toned white and blue rooms has piped-in music, a king-size bed, hammock, beach kit, extensive minibar and depending on your mood, room service includes earplugs and/or condoms.

Every morning guests kick start their day by helping themselves to café con leche, fresh fruit, boiled eggs, toast and cereal from the slick steel outdoor self-service kitchen area, and grabbing a newspaper or book from the adjoining outdoor library.

Hoteldeseo.com; phone 52.984.879.3620