February 3, 2018

Hotel Feature: Rosewood Mayakoba, Mexico

By Annie Chambers

Rosewood Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Rosewood Mayakoba ranks in my top five luxury hotels worldwide. I didn’t expect to find tranquility and luxury less than one hour from the hustle and bustle of Cancun. I arrived during a thunderstorm and was welcomed by the happy faces of employees who take pride in their positions with Rosewood.

Location:

45 minutes from the Cancun Intl Airport. Nestled in the Mayakoba complex, this five-star resort neighbors the Fairmont, Banyan Tree, and soon-to-be Andaz. When originally constructing the Mayakoba area, which consists of a golf course and El Pueblito village for events, they found mangroves and water. While unexpected it allowed for a stand-out element which other Riviera Maya resorts can’t offer: boat tours through mangrove canal systems AND a beach. In this area, you usually find either or – jungle or beach—not both.

Vibe:

Designed to fit its surroundings. For example, turn-down service left me with a different painted wooden animal each night with a story about its Mayan significance. Upon arrival, I was welcomed to my suite with homemade tortilla chips and the BEST guacamole I’ve ever had, not to mention two local beers and a bottle of the finest tequila. An iguana lived by my pool and greeted me each morning.

Personal faves:

BUTLERS – Upon arrival, my butler greeted me and gave me a cell phone to text and a number to call with any requests. Would I like to have a bath drawn for me after a long day of conference meetings? Did I need help packing my suitcase so I could enjoy an extra hour at the beach before departure? Why, yes– to everything. Their attention to detail was above and beyond.
BEACH CRUISERS – When I first saw them I was giddy. Any type of relaxing beach sport that keeps me out of the gym is top of my list. I knew the property was quite large and just to get to the beach from the lagoon rooms was a hike. I signed a bike out my first day, and just parked it outside my door each night after. The grounds are beautiful and it’s fun to wonder around the chef’s gardens, mangroves, and forested areas down to the beach. Highly recommend! You can, of course, just call a golf cart to escort you.
CEVICHE + BEET MOJITO COMBO – Sounds really odd, I admit, but for some reason I was dying for a mojito and I’ve always loved beets. The ocean was inches from my feet, so I figured ceviche was a great idea.
LOCATION – I fell in love with Mayakoba. This complex comprises five luxury properties and golf courses: Fairmont, Banyan Tree, Rosewood and Andaz. It’s just one exit off the main thoroughfare and within a cab ride to Playa del Carmen. You can go downtown for a show and some excitement, but return to the utter tranquility of Mayakoba.
BOUTIQUE – I could’ve (and maybe did) spent hours in here. Local artisans from Mexico are featured in everything from hand-painted shoes, to beachware, to handcrafted jewelry, pottery and bags. I was blown away by how obviously the store manager picked each of these items to highlight different regions and artists. It was more like being in a museum than a store.
LAGOON TOURS – You can move between the five luxury properties in the Mayakoba complex via wooden, electric boats. It’s like a mini safari through mangroves in crystal blue water to see the local flora and fauna. There are docks at every hotel and schedules posted. You can even check into your lagoon suite at the Rosewood by pulling up to your local dock.

Below are some specifics on the property so you can fall as in love as I did.

Room types:

Lagoon View Suite

Beachfront Suite

Overwater Bungalow

Presidential Suite

Restaurant Options:

Casa Del Lago (chef’s garden)

Punta Bonita

Agave Azul Sushi & Tequila Bar

Amenities:

SPA – Hidden in a jungle and on an island separated from the rest of the resort, lies Sense Spa. The most intriguing offerings are the Sense Journeys, which are designed to align energies with the surrounding environment. Examples include: The Cenote Temazcal Purification and Mayan Healing Hands.

There’s even a junior spa menu for kids!

Sense Spa – treatment menu