Centrally located along the Riviera Maya Coastline, the Mayakoba complex is home to four luxury resorts. The four luxury hotels of Mayakoba are the Andaz, Fairmont, the Rosewood, and the Banyan Tree. All hotels except Fairmont are part of Virtuoso, share one golf course, and are all situated amongst a Mangrove forest and natural canals that were once underground waterways. Guests staying at any of these resorts can walk or bike around the entire complex, dine at any of the restaurants, and take water safaris around the lagoon. However, each resort has something unique to offer, and deciding which resort is right for you will depend on your taste in design as well as the type of facilities you are looking for.
The Fairmont Mayakoba
If you’re traveling with kids of any age, the Fairmont Mayakoba is the first resort to consider. The casual atmosphere and family-friendly facilities make this resort the perfect fit to entertain kids of all ages and keep their parents happy! For the kids, the Fairmont Mayakoba features a clubhouse with games and activities and a large pool complex with a water slide. The rooms are spacious, with options for two double beds, connecting rooms, or flexible suite configurations. Several casual dining options are ideally suited for kids who might not have the patience to sit through a formal meal. For Mom and Dad, you can enjoy a fabulous spa and babysitting services that will allow you to enjoy a romantic dinner without any worries!
The Oceanfront Premium Suite with a connecting Oceanfront Casita is a WOW option at the Fairmont Mayakoba. I loved this suite when I entered the spacious living area with a large dining table. I could immediately imagine multi-generational families enjoying this suite over the Thanksgiving holiday or for Spring Break! I was already in love, but the private infinity pool with ocean views completely sealed the deal.
Rosewood Mayakoba
With its sleek design and flawless service, the Rosewood Mayakoba is the best fit for our guests with refined tastes who need more extensive and private accommodations. The Rosewood Mayakoba feels exotic, comfortable, and luxurious all at the moment. Your arrival experience takes you from the main lobby area to your suite via a romantic boat ride through the lagoons. There are several suite categories, but my favorite is the Deluxe Overwater Lagoon Suite. This is one of your very few opportunities to get an overwater experience without the long flight to Bora Bora or the Maldives! These rooms feature water views, private plunge pools, and outdoor showers – all the fixings you need for a sexy couples getaway! The butler service is just icing on the cake, and you will truly feel like royalty during your stay!
For an upgraded experience, consider the Beachfront Studio Suite, which has direct access to the beach. There’s nothing better than relaxing on your deck, sipping your Clase Azul tequila, which is a welcome amenity, and listening to the ocean waves. Your hardest decision here will be between the ocean or the plunge pool.
The highlight during your stay at the Rosewood Mayakoba will most surely be your trip to the spa. I love the secluded outdoor relaxation areas, spacious dressing rooms with plunge pools at different temperatures, steam rooms, and saunas. You could spend a whole day luxuriating before and after your spa treatment!
Dining at the Rosewood Mayakoba is a special treat. My favorite was the Agave Azul Sushi and Tequila Bar. I would have never thought to pair sushi and tequila together, but I can tell you from personal experience that it works!
This resort is a gem, but don’t just take my word for it. Read what Wendy Perrin, former editor of Cande Nast Traveler, had to say here and here. She doesn’t hold back on her love for this beautiful resort!
Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Finally, we get to the Banyan Tree Mayakoba, my favorite. So many people have commented to me that they don’t understand this resort. They ask, “Why would you want to stay at an Asian resort in Mexico?” I admit that there are some Asian elements, from the pagoda roof lines to the Thai restaurant, but that is not the whole picture. As a company headquartered in Singapore, The Banyan Tree highlights Asian design and 5-star hospitality at the heart of its resorts. But you don’t lose any sense of place at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba. I think it is accentuated. I love the hybrid of traditional Mexican adobe architecture with some Asian flare. And I LOVE the blend of flavors featured every morning in the elaborate breakfast buffet featuring huevos rancheros and Mexican coffee side-by-side with fish curry and dumplings.
But, the real reason why I love this resort above the other Mayakoba options is the accommodations. I’m enamored with the layout of the stand-alone villas with private outdoor courtyards, large bedrooms, and even larger bathrooms with outdoor bathtubs. Then, the private pools are too large to call a plunge pool and add it to the list of villa amenities. These things are enormous! I was lucky to earn a certificate for two free nights here. So, we packed our bags and headed to Mexico to see what this resort offered. Within 20 minutes of our arrival, we had extended those two nights to four… it was pouring down in a torrential rain storm. It didn’t matter; we were in love! I returned for a second visit to get some pictures in the sunshine.
I have so many positive things to say about the Banyan Tree Mayakoba that I don’t know where to start.
I can’t write about the Banyan Tree Mayakoba without devoting some space to the best Thai food I have ever had outside Thailand. Saffron, the gorgeous Thai restaurant above the Mayakoba lagoon, is a must-see for anyone visiting Riviera Maya! Even if I can’t convince you to stay at Banyan Tree, I insist you make a dinner reservation at Saffron. You won’t regret it!
Andaz Mayakoba
We had the pleasure of visiting Andaz Mayakoba soon after opening for a long weekend getaway, and we both fell in love with the property! You can see our full site inspection report here. The property is filled with bright colors and local decor. It’s hip, trendy, and has a little something for all guests, from a romantic couples’ weekend getaway to a week-long family-friendly vacation.
While we loved everything about the property, the highlight of our stay would definitely be the food! The resort offers four full-service restaurants on the property, so you will never tire of the cuisine available. We highly recommend the private tequila tasting and ceviche dinner at OllaCeviche!
