Luxury Travel to the Mayan Riviera made for you

For those that prefer a more intimate and ‘natural’ stay along the Mayan Riviera, than Esencia’s private fifty-acre beachfront boutique hotels offers up a wonderful alternative to the resorts that pepper this coastline. The Escencia channels the luxury of simplicity with palapa-style villas and white-washed rooms adorned with plantation shutters, arched orchids, oriental furniture, all the mod cons, elegant open gardens and beach area, and cultivates a general and genuinely palpable warmth to the entire property.

A resort with flair, seclusion and serious style: it’s not hard to see why Rosewood Mayakoba is one of the World’s Top 100 Hotels (according to Conde Nast). This 1,600-acre luxury resort enclave along the coastline, just north of Playa del Carmen (4 miles) and south of Cancun (35 miles), is built along a serene Caribbean lagoon and you arrive to your suite’s own private dock via a luxury boat or by golf buggy. Each of these luxurious and cutting-edge suites is self-contained for privacy and enjoy their own rooftop sundeck, plunge pool, terraces and boat dock. With a couple of infinity pools, powder-white beaches to swim in, golf, and full-spa to spoil you, the hotel is also well placed to explore the natural and archaeological wonders of the Mayan Riviera. The service is outstanding, as is the food, making this possibly the best hotel in Playa del Carmen if not on this entire stretch of coastline. The hotel is also lauded for its actions in sustainable tourism and social responsibility, having helped build a local school that provides education to over 200 students.

Belmond Maroma, an oasis designed and crafted according to sacred principles and traditions, can be found nestled between lush jungle and the tranquil Caribbean Sea.

Set seven miles out of town on a secluded stretch of beach, the Viceroy’s exquisite 41, individual palapa-style villas gives you that extra dose of privacy and pampering. Furthermore every villa benefits from its own plunge pool, private terrace, hammock, sitting area and the usual five-star amenities. The services, space and seclusion grow with the six categories of villa you can opt for, and the staff remain conscientiously attentive to your every need. Rewarding wining and dining can be enjoyed in the shape of the resort’s award-winning restaurant and lounge, while the two-floor Beachfront Coral Grill showcases even more rewarding culinary treats. A large menu of activities are available as well as a full spa for the utmost in relaxation, while further rejuvenation can be found in the shape of the resort’s pool deck with poolside cabanas and a pier with overwater hammocks.

Maintaining both its worldwide standards in luxury and signature Asian style, Banyan Tree has folded its elegant villas into a gated resort entwined in the Mayakoba coastal ecosystem of mangroves, lagoons and dunes. The setting is spectacular and its eight categories of villas, ranging from the one bedroom garden pool villa right up to the 3-bedroom townhouse adds a great element of choice this remarkably well-equipped resort, not to mention an extra element of seclusion. Dining here is also a delight with options of in-villa dining, a romantic ‘floating dinner’ on the Ixchel boat that drifts on the Mayakoba lagoon, then there’s private dining for groups in the La Cava wine cellar and chilling out at the pool bar, Mojitos at La Copa bar, followed by either Mexican, Mediterranean or Thai cuisine. With its own El Cameleon golf course, full spa and a range of local and regional activities, you are well connected to the treasures of the area too.