Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today: Top 10 best luxury hotels on the Riviera Maya, Mexico
Once belonging to the ancient Mayan Empire, Mexico’s Riviera Maya comprises a 130 km (80 mi) stretch of Caribbean coastline on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. A single main road – Highway 307 – runs the length of the region, from Cancun to Tulum. Branching eastwards are small roads leading to resorts and the beaches, while westward takes you inland to rural towns and ancient ruins. The area was originally called the “Cancun–Tulum corridor”, but in 1999 it was renamed as the Riviera Maya, analogous to the Italian and French Riviera. The Riviera Maya is full of natural and cultural attractions, such as authentic fishing villages and ancient ruins, but it also known as a hotspot for luxury resorts. Here’s my selection of the 10 best luxury resorts on the Riviera Maya, Mexico.
There is more information (with reviews and Youtube videos) below the slide show. Think I missed a hotel on the Riviera Maya? Leave a comment.
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10. ANDAZ MAYAKOBA RESORT RIVIERA MAYA
Nestled in the private, gated Mayakoba complex in Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya, Andaz Mayakoba has been consistently ranked among the top 10 resorts in Mexico in Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. The resort’s rooms and suites take their cues from local nature and heritage, with open layouts, a warm color palette evocative of stone, sand and water and a terrace. Treat yourself to an authentic Mayan spa experience at Naum Wellness & Spa; work out at a 24-hour, state-of-the-art gym; indulge in innovative Latin American dining at Casa Amate while tasting a variety of local tequilas, mezcals, and wines; or simply soak up the sun in one of the two beautifully landscaped outdoor pools.
- Hotel website: Andaz Mayakoba
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out and $100 USD hotel credit).
9. NIZUC RESORT & SPA
Sparkling, transparent blue water, soft white sand, and lush tropical gardens help set the scene at Nizuc Resort & Spa, a secluded beachfront resort along a secluded enclave of Punta Nizuc in Cancún. Its 29 tranquil acres on the Caribbean coast offer a slice of paradise with stunning scenery and an array of activities. The property’s 274 airy, artfully designed suites and villas offer breathtaking vistas with floor-to-ceiling windows; most have a private plunge pool. Six signature restaurants serve a range of authentic cuisine, from Peruvian tiraditos to East Asian fusion. Take in the beauty of its two exclusive beaches, or play tennis on our two courts. Water sports abound, with the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef – the world’s second largest – just offshore.
- Hotel website: Nizuc Resort & Spa
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out and complimentary one-way private airport transfers ).
8. VICEROY RIVIERA MAYA
When describing the luxury hotel Viceroy Riviera Maya, three words come to mind: sexy, secluded, and sea. Nestled within the dense Yucatán foliage near Playa del Carmen, this eco-chic refuge comprises just 41 thatched-roof villas with plunge pools, outdoor showers, hammocks, and enough space to get lost in (the smallest villa is 1,000 square feet). Accommodations are sprinkled throughout the grounds for the ultimate privacy, and range from jungle view to oceanfront – although you’re never far from the sand and the resort’s private pier. The spa draws upon ancient rituals; the cuisine fuses Mayan and Mediterranean traditions.
- Hotel website: Viceroy Riviera Maya
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out and complimentary one-way private airport transfers ).
7. PALMAIA – THE HOUSE OF AIA
Palmaïa – The House of AïA is an all-inclusive resort offering a level of privacy often associated with far-flung island resorts and an atmosphere of tranquility one would expect from a yoga retreat. Secluded beaches, ancient wellness rituals, and locally sourced plant-based cuisine set the sacred and eco-conscious tone at the property. Each of the resort’s 234 oceanfront, vegan-friendly suites feature feather-free bedding, kombucha-stocked minibars, and biodegradable bathroom amenities. The jungle-inspired Atlantis Spa offers chakra-based treatments to balance the mind and body. And in the four restaurants, you’ll savor lovingly prepared dishes such as soy-marinated watermelon poke bowls and smoked-carrot toast as you gaze out at the Caribbean Sea.
- Hotel website: Palmaia – The House of AiA
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out and complimentary one-way private airport transfers ).
6. BANYAN TREE MAYAKOBA
Located within an exclusive gated community on the Riviera Maya, the Asian-inspired Banyan Tree Mayakoba Hotel has it all. Set amidst a mesmerising tropical landscape of lush mangroves, serene waterways, and pristine coastlines, this luxury hotel in Playa del Carmen grants the splendor of connecting with nature. Secluded villas and suites with private pools, imaginative dining venues from tapas cruises to deep-in-the-jungle Haab-style dinners, and a championship 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course – the region’s first PGA Tour course. Plus, the restorative Banyan Tree Spa, with treatments ranging from Balinese massages to holistic hydrothermal therapies like the Rainforest Indulgence.
- Hotel website: Banyan Tree Mayakoba
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, preferential green fees at El Camaleon Golf Course, and resort credits ranging from $100 to $200 USD per villa, per stay).
5. ETEREO, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION
Taking inspiration from ancient Mayan philosophies, everything about Etéreo – meaning ethereal, something spiritual and heavenly – radiates spirituality and a connection to nature. The resort’s 75 indoor-outdoor studios and suites boast private plunge pools and vast ocean views, its four distinct dining venues draw on local, hyper-seasonal ingredients, and in the Sana Spa, treatments infuse traditional techniques with emerging wellness trends, making it easy to feel a million miles away from the distractions of modern life. Set against a backdrop of work by celebrated Mexican artist Manuel Felguérez, this luxurious property’s symbology and inherent spirituality permeate.
- Hotel website: Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out and $100 USD hotel credit).
4. HOTEL ESENCIA
Hotel Esencia is a majestic 50-acre estate at the midpoint between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. It has long enjoyed a storied past in this ancestral cradle of culture, cuisine, and comfort. Originally built as the private hideaway home of an Italian duchess on the most beautiful beach of the Riviera Maya, it later became a hotel, and, for some time, has been a sought after destination for honeymooners seduced by the serene comforts of this timeless mansion. The Main House remains the hotel’s centerpiece, around which footpaths lead to only 47 suites and 4 villas where guests enjoy genuine privacy and top flight hospitality. In 2023, The World’s 50 Best Hotels academy voted Hotel Esencia #19 in their debut worldwide hotel list.
- Hotel website: Hotel Esencia
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out and $100 USD hotel credit).
3. ROSEWOOD MAYAKOBA
Surrounded by verdant emerald jungle and white sands, Rosewood Mayakoba defines a private world of rare luxury and refined beauty. Located in the heart of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the ultra-luxury hotel lies along a stretch of Caribbean beach and features an indulgent Sense, A Rosewood Spa, El Camaleón championship golf course designed by Greg Norman and an array of active and leisurely recreational pursuits. A journey to this serene retreat captivates the soul with stunning natural beauty and pure refinement. Rosewood Mayakoba features 129 Suites – located either along the mangroves or along the beach – plus 15 Two-Six Bedroom Villa plus the famed Six Bedroom beachfront Founders Villa.
- Hotel website: Rosewood Mayakoba
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out and $100 USD hotel credit).
- Review: coming soon
2. THE ST REGIS KANAI RESORT
Securing its spot on countless “best” lists, the all-new St Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya boasts an an exceptional hotel design, signature butler service, and a prime beachfront location within a 680-acre gated community. But those aren’t the only reasons you’ll love it. The Pleiades constellation inspired the circular architecture of our resort’s avant-garde exterior, which floats above the canopy of the mangrove trees below. All 124 guest rooms and suites offer ocean views (some also have private plunge pools). And with eight distinct bars and restaurants, you can satisfy your craving for elevated Mexican cuisine one night and Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or Asian Fusion the next.
- Hotel website: The St Regis Kanai
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out and $100 USD hotel credit).
- Review: read my review of The St Regis Kanai here.
1. MAROMA, A BELMOND HOTEL
Located in the beating heart of the Riviera Maya, Belmond Maroma feels more like a Mexican hacienda than a luxury hotel. Here is where the true spirit of the Riviera Maya was born, between the jungle and the wide-open sea, and where Mayan mystique blends with refined vitality. This secluded hideaway captivates with the sights, sounds, and scents of authentic Mexican culture. Beautifully renovated and fully reimagined, the resort boasts light, airy, art-filled rooms by acclaimed designer Tara Bernerd. Beachfront restaurants offer zingingly fresh and mouth-watering cuisine while the bars serve up artisanal mezcals and rare wines. The property is also home to the best spa on the Riviera Maya.
- Hotel website: Belmond Maroma
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out and up to $200 USD hotel credit per stay).
- Review: read my review of Maroma, a Belmond Hotel, here.
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Exc
Excellent choice. Particularly looking forward to your review of St Regis.
Other options:
Waldorf Astoria (Cancun). Recent opening.
World of Hyatt (Secrets Tulum). Even more recent.
Azulik Tulum. Abominable service, but astonishing wooden construction on truly spectacular location, directly on the beach. Think Sonvea Jani or Gili Lankanfushi, but then a few levels below that (obviously).