Riviera Maya Mexico

Picture sand so powder white that the sun glaring off of it could practically blind you.  Turquoise water so clear you can see your toes buried in the sand at the bottom.  People so friendly they immediately put a smile on your face.  Delicious food and drinks that make you feel like dancing.  Now where do you think you are?  Somewhere in the Caribbean, perhaps?  Nope!

This is the Riviera Maya in Mexico!  If you went to Cancun in your 20s (as I did) and those images still conjure up some negative connotations of Mexico, it is time for a re-visit.  Sure, you still fly into Cancun Airport, but then waiting about 45 minutes south for you is a beautiful, wild stretch of land known as the Riviera Maya.  The resorts here are very uniquely situated in between the jungle and the beach, making you feel like you are somewhere very tropical and special (and you are.)

And here, you can be as lazy or active as you want!  Spend days lazing on the gorgeous beach conquering first world problems like which flavor of margarita you would like, or go crazy exploring nearby Mayan ruins and cenotes.  You may also explore the world’s second longest barrier reef just offshore.  Playa del Carmen is close by if you need a “city” fix (restaurants, bars, and shops) or head further south to the unspoiled Tulum, popular for eco-tourism and Mayan ruins right on the beach. The best part for me?  Two hour direct flight from Dallas.  No layovers or connections needed to reach this paradise.  Any time I can have breakfast at home and lobster tacos with a margarita on the beach at noon is my kinda trip.

I had the great fortune to visit the Riviera Maya in May and see some of the best resorts the area has to offer.  Please read on for more info & photos of:

• Nizuc Resort
• Rosewood Mayakoba
• Banyan Tree Mayakoba
• Fairmont Mayakoba
• Grand Velas Riviera Maya
• Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa

Viceroy Riviera Maya is covered in a separate blog post HERE.

NIZUC RESORT

Ok, so Nizuc is technically not ON the Riviera Maya, but is a great up-and-coming resort just 10 minutes from the Cancun airport.  I spent a couple of hours here, though, and never heard an airplane!  Refreshing to know that you can fly into Cancun and be at your resort in such a short time.  Nizuc opened recently, and was originally slated to be an Aman property.  Aman is known for its very Asian zen, calming aesthetic, and Nizuc feels the same way.  The word Nizuc means “nose of the dog,” and it describes the shape of the peninsula where the land meets the ocean, flanked by two beaches.  This resort is also uniquely situated to where you can view the sunset in the evening.

The resort offers six different and diverse restaurants (including Mexican, Peruvian, Mediterranean, Asian, a cafe for brunch and seafood grills at the adults-only pool and beach.)  Two of the five pools are adults-only, and one of the two beaches is adults-only, as well.  So this is a great place for either couples or families since there is room for all!  Nizuc is a member of Preferred Hotels.

The gated Mayakoba complex on the Riviera Maya is made up of three luxury resorts- the Rosewood, the Banyan Tree, and the Fairmont.  I was able to visit all three- and they are all just a bit different, with something different to offer their guests.  Each brand has its own character, while as a whole they aim to preserve the mangrove jungle environment that they share.  They also share Mexico’s only PGA golf course, El Camaleon.  Stay at any of these beautiful properties if you really want to feel like you are staying in the lush jungle, knowing that the beautiful white beach is just steps away.  Most of the accommodations are set back from the beach in the mangrove forest, though each resort does have some beachfront suites as well.

ROSEWOOD MAYAKOBA

The Rosewood is truly one of my favorites- for both decor and level of service.  I was welcomed to the resort by a friendly greeter who bore a welcome drink (virgin chaya mojito- so refreshing!) served on a cocktail napkin with MY INITIALS ON IT.  Welcome to Rosewood Mayakoba, indeed!  Guests will be wowed by the stunning architecture as they enter the resort.. it is done in a very contemporary Mexican style that just feels very clean and luxurious.  Check-in is really special, with a lagoon boat whisking you away to your suite.  The rooms are gorgeous, huge, and contain private plunge pools.  There are many different room categories so please ask me which may best suit you.  There are three pools, and the one by the beach is family friendly, and also the location of the Rose Buds kids club.  The Rosewood Mayakoba is great for couples or families.. a very 5* resort in the gorgeous setting of the Mayan jungle.

In addition to being a Virtuoso advisor, I am also part of a Rosewood Elite agency, so my clients definitely receive an extra warm welcome here!  Additionally, I am pleased to be able to offer my clients the following extra amenities at the Rosewood Mayakoba:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• $100 USD Spa Services credit, to be utilized during stay
  • (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out
  • subject to availability

 BANYAN TREE MAYAKOBA

The Banyan Tree is an Asian brand which brings a very calming, zen feel to it.  Standouts here include the large, very private rooms, as each is walled in with a private plunge pool.  Most are set back in the jungle, but some are beachfront as well.  The spa is to-die-for.. it is known as a “sanctuary for the senses” and even has a section called The Rainforest with hydrotherapy stations that you rotate through, providing a full relaxation and healing experience.  I am pleased to be able to offer my clients the following value-added amenities at this resort:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Complimentary International buffet breakfast
• $100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay
  • (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out
  • subject to availability
• Preferential green fees at El Camaleon
  • a PGA championship golf course
• 10% discount at our Banyan Tree SPA

FAIRMONT MAYAKOBA

The Fairmont Mayakoba is the third resort in the Mayakoba complex (for now!) and shares the charms of the Rosewood and Banyan Tree.  I think that this resort caters even better to families and large groups than the first two Mayakoba resorts.  They have a hotel-like building where their guest rooms are located, as well as lagoon-view and jungle-view casitas.  A huge and meandering family pool provides fun for little ones, while the adults-only pool provides a quiet respite for grown-ups.  As with the other two, guests can enjoy golf at El Camaleon, as well as many activities including kids and teen clubs.  I can offer my clients the following value-added amenities at the Fairmont Mayakoba:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• $100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay
• Early check-in/late check-out
  • subject to availability

GRAND VELAS

Grand Velas Riviera Maya is hands-down the best 5* all-inclusive in the area and is the only Virtuoso all-inclusive on the Riviera Maya.  But I think the great beauty in this resort is its SPACE.  Before you even enter Grand Velas, you know you are someplace grand based on the mammoth wall with “Grand Velas” emblazoned on it at the guard gate.  Once inside, check-in is a spacious lobby, and then you are shown to your room in one of three separate areas – Zen Grand (set back in the jungle and family-friendly), Ambassador (on the beach and family-friendly), or Grand Class (on the beach and adults-only).  As you can see.. there is something for everyone!  Gourmet restaurants (including molecular gastronomy, French, Asian, etc), wedding chapel, sports bar, karaoke bar, kids club, teens club, almost a half mile of pristine white sand beach.. honestly you never even have to leave the resort.  Perfect for both families and couples looking for a luxurious all-inclusive on a gorgeous beach.  I can offer my clients the following value-added benefits:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests (already included in rate)
• Complimentary one-way private airport transfers (for 2015)
• 50 USD Spa credit, per adult, per day (for 2015)
• A welcome tequila bottle
• Early check-in/late check-out
  • subject to availability

BELMOND MAROMA

The Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa is a boutique, 63-room resort located on the best stretch of beach in the Riviera Maya.  Wide swaths of powder white sand flow between the resort and the turquoise sea.  Comfy beach beds with the cutest wooden drink menus beckon you to sit and stay awhile.  I will not lie.  I accidentally dozed off after a few sips of Corona, because the atmosphere was just that comfy.. lends itself perfectly to an afternoon catnap!  The rooms are spread out over the lush jungle and across the beach area.  What differentiates this resort is service and style.  EVERYONE I encountered had a smile and wanted to help me, and the decor is so authentically Mexican- from the hand-painted tiles to original art to the colorful woven rugs.  The Belmond Maroma has a real sense of place, and I love that.  Another favorite of mine is the morning coffee service- you simply let them know the night before what time, and in the morning, a pot of delicious coffee magically is placed on the patio table by your front door.  I may or may not have curled up in the patio hammock, staring at the ocean while peacefully sipping on my coffee in the morning and watching the beachfront yoga class in the distance.  I am pleased to be able to offer my clients the following value-added benefits here:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• One 30 minutes body oil relaxing massage per person per stay
• Maroma floral bed decoration on arrival
• Early check-in/late check-out
  • subject to availability

I also had an amazing stay at the Viceroy Riviera Maya.. read about it in a separate blog post HERE.