Pampered in paradise
November 28, 2024
Mayakoba, an expansive resort on the Riviera Maya, emphasizes relaxation over sightseeing.
by Krisha Chachra
If luxury can come in the form of lagoons, pristine pools and beaches, then it is no wonder that Mayakoba — a private resort along the Riviera Maya on the eastern coast of Mexico — attracts visitors looking to indulge in comfort and lounge in leisure. The gated community just north of Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean Sea consists of private residences, four distinct hotels and El Camaleón — an award-winning, Greg Norman-designed golf course that has hosted numerous LIV Golf and PGA Tour events, including the PGA’s first tournament in Latin America.
Plan to visit Mayakoba if you’re prepared to stay put on the cushy campus. Unlike Cancun, the overhyped spring-break destination about an hour north, a visit to Mayakoba isn’t about sightseeing, cave tours or crazy nightlife. Instead, be prepared to pamper yourself in paradise during the day and turn in early for a restful sleep at night.
Imbibe and indulge as little or as much as you want — there’s an optional all-inclusive package if you desire the food and tequila to flow freely. Mayakoba has more than 30 culinary experiences across four hotels that are open to anyone staying on property. Though the restaurants do their best to accommodate walk-ins, it’s a good idea to make reservations ahead of time, especially if you hope to experience a signature dining event such as Ixchel, a romantic international fusion dinner served on a boat while you drift among the resort’s canals. The 595-acre property — mainly nature reserves — is easy to navigate using on-call shuttles and water taxis, transporting guests from hotels to restaurants and beaches. With a simple phone call, a concierge delivers umbrellas to your door when it is raining or lops the top off of a fresh coconut and hands it to you with a straw while you’re lounging poolside.
Punta Bonita pool and beach at Rosewood Mayakoba, top left; Naum Wellness & Spa, lower left; a beachfront pool suite, right.
The hardest choice you’ll have to make in Mayakoba is which beach to visit from day to day — and which location to choose as your home base. The four hotels — Andaz, Fairmont, Rosewood and Banyan Tree — represent recognizable brands and vary in price and room size. Each offers its own spin on luxury and ambience, with lagoon waterways that allow for easy transit between venues.
Fairmont is the most family-friendly hotel, boasting the biggest pool with a waterslide and the largest beachfront on Mayakoba. Enjoy the swings at Ki’ Beach Bar or grab a quick lunch at Brisas, an all-day cafe by the ocean. Hitch a ride to El Pueblito, a replicated town plaza on property with traditional architecture, retail shops, quick-service restaurants and a mission-style chapel. Fairmont’s Willow Stream Spa overlooks the vast mangrove forest — book a treatment inspired by ancient Mayan culture. In the evening, pre-game at Hix Bar in the hotel lobby before heading downstairs to Tauro, an American steakhouse with an in-house, dry-aging meat room and a martini bar.
Andaz, a Hyatt-branded hotel, showcases wildlife and tribal murals reflecting Mayan culture by local artist Senkoe. The recently renovated hotel has a kids club, two pools and a beach club where you can rent paddleboards or try kitesurfing. Andaz also has a “curator” program, where visitors can take classes and taste authentic Mexican and Mayan flavors. Naum Wellness & Spa offers a couples suite overlooking the Mayakoba lagoons.
El Pueblito Town Square, left; Banyan Tree, top right; Mayakoba Dive & Water Sports Center, lower right.
Of all the hotels on property, Banyan Tree is the dreamiest. The open-air lobby floats above the converging canals surrounding a live Banyan tree that lights up in the evening, reflecting soft, flickering lights like fireflies in the water below. Dine at Cello overlooking the tree, or sample tequila at La Copa before heading to Saffron, a Thai-inspired restaurant with water views. The boat dining experience, Ixchel, launches from here. Owned by a Singapore-based company, Banyan Tree’s Asian influences are evident in the décor and the resort’s spa, which offers ancient therapies (both Mexican and Asian) under tranquil, Balinese-style pavilions. The spa’s signature Rainforest hydrothermal experience includes a rain shower, full body scrub and massage. Or simply relax in the comfort of your room — each of the 162 villas has a private pool and a pillow menu, where you can choose from a range of soft and squishy options to suit your preference.
Of the four hotels, Rosewood is the most exclusive, where, depending on the season, nightly room rates can top $2,000. Each of the 129 suites features private butler service, plunge pools and lagoon-side docks for water taxi pickup. Dine with your toes in the sand at Aqui Me Quedo, a beachside restaurant serving ceviche, tacos and other Mexican fare. Or try an al fresco, communal dining experience at La Ceiba Garden & Kitchen, where guests share traditional Mexican cuisine prepared over an open flame, with seasonal ingredients hand-picked from the restaurant’s garden.
At Rosewood, even the relaxation is opulent: Sense, a Rosewood Spa, is situated on its own private island. End the evening at Zapote Bar, a cocktail destination ranked No. 11 on North America’s 50 Best Bars list, where handcrafted drinks are accompanied by live music from local musicians.
GETTING THERE: Mayakoba is a 35-minute drive from Cancun International Airport, a three-hour nonstop flight via American Airlines from CLT.
