‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Hotel: Burning Questions About Playa Escondida Answered
For the past two seasons, Bachelor in Paradise viewers have watched Bachelor and Bachelorette rejects look for “love” (or in most cases, a love-the-one-you’re-with hookup) in the picturesque village of Sayulita, Mexico. Their home away from home each season is an equally picturesque hotel called Playa Escondida — where the contestants break up their flirting, kissing, and crying with fun activities like lounging by the pool, frolicking in the ocean, and drinking. So much drinking.
As home base to all the action, Playa Escondida has become its own character on Bachelor in Paradise, as integral to the BiP experience as host (and Yahoo TV blogger) Chris Harrison and on-site bartender Jorge. So what’s it really like to stay in Paradise? We tracked down Playa Escondida’s head of marketing, Eduardo Rojero, for answers to all of our burning questions.
Have you received a lot of inquiries about the hotel from people who have seen it on the show?
I couldn’t say a number but yes, as soon as the premiere aired we got a lot of comments on our website, a lot of people asking if this is the location in which the show is taped, and that they would like to come and stay in the rooms that the cast is staying in.
When the show is filming, are other guests at the resort at that time?
No, the resort is fully closed. No one is allowed to enter, just the production company.
How long does filming take, and when do they shoot?
This time it took a whole month. They shoot in the summer, so in Mexico it is the low season in this part at least. Still, in summer we get a lot of national guests, but we have to close [when the show is filming].
Everyone is always very sweaty on the show — is there any air conditioning in the hotel?
Some of the rooms have air conditioning. The concept of most rooms is to be open-air rooms, close to nature so having air conditioner dilutes some of the charm of it. We try not to have too many appliances, but some of the rooms have air conditioning.
Does Chris Harrison stay at the hotel?
I can’t comment on that.
Viewers love Jorge. Are you happy with how he is portrayed on the show as an employee of Playa Escondida?
Of course. We love Jorge and people love Jorge, and he’s a great asset to the hotel.
If a fan comes to stay at Playa Escondida, is it possible that Jorge will be there?
Um, yes.
There seem to be a lot of crabs on the premises. Why is that?
Because starting in June — May, June, July — this is is the season when they reproduce. Thousands of crabs come down from the mountains to the beach where they put their eggs, so we have lots of crabs walking around. They are everywhere. They’re really fun to see. They don’t bother anyone… As soon as you approach them they just leave.
Do they ever go into the hotel rooms themselves?
We have some protections to prevent crabs from entering the rooms, because once they enter the rooms they could try to grab the food or anything that’s on the tables… Elsewhere in the road you can see those little creatures everywhere.
What would you say is the best time of year to visit the hotel?
That would be from December, January, February — this is our high season. It’s not too hot, and it’s great for you, for Americans and Canadians. When it’s cold in your country, here is just gorgeous.
Have you seen Bachelor in Paradise?
I have yes. We love it. We love seeing the hotel shown at that scale.
Who are you rooting for this season?
I don’t know. I think I just saw the first episode and mostly it was about this guy Chad.
Bachelor in Paradise airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC. After Paradise airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC.
