The Best of Riviera Maya: Banyan Tree Mayakoba

Villas & suites

Live it up in luxury with a slew of different villas and suites to choose from. These private escapes feel more like vacation homes than they do hotel rooms. We stayed in the new oceanfront balcony pool suite, and wow—this is one of the best hotel rooms I’ve ever stayed in. Rooms feature spacious terraces, full to mid-size swimming pools, and stunning views of the beach. You can’t go wrong with any room you choose.

Restaurant & bars

• Saffron: The highlight restaurant of the hotel—eat dinner floating above the water.

• Cello: Italian specialty restaurant for dinner.

• Reflections Pool Bar: casual dining at the more low-key pool.

• HAAB: deep in the jungle dining experience, most pricey of the restaurants.

• Sands Beach Club: indoor/outdoor all-day spot right off the main pool.

• Oriente: international food served for breakfast and lunch.

• Tomahawk Open Fire Latin Grill: outdoor steakhouse.

• The Ember: Mayakoba’s only all-Kosher restaurant.

• La Copa: The lobby lounge bar serving Mexican food from lunch til late-night—also tequila shots.

• The Burger Shop: burgers all day every day.

• Ixchel: Ixchel offers a truly unique culinary experience aboard a traditional Mexican Trajinera. Enjoy breakfast or dinner while exploring the waterways of Mayakoba. This was awesome and the most memorable activity of our trip. We did the daytime cruise, which featured wine and a spread of different foods. We loved seeing the other hotels on the Mayakoba compound from the water.

Ixchel

Beach life

Any hotel that offers up beach couches, cushioned loungers, daybeds, and bean bags for no additional cost, is a place where I will be spending the entire day. We ordered oysters and sushi right to our spot on the beach, and the experience was exceptional. The service was very attentive and the quality of both food and drinks was top-notch.

Pool daze

There are two pools to choose from depending on the vibe you are looking for. The main pool is attached to the beach and that’s where you’ll find all the action. You can grab a drink from Sands Beach Club or order directly to your day bed. Those looking for a private and tranquil experience should check out Reflections Pool. They have a swim-up bar and serve lunch from 12–5 pm. And then of course, for the ultimate luxe pool experience, your private villa pool is the place to be.

Spa

The first item on our agenda? Indulge in some serious pampering. The spa itself is gorgeous with tropical vibes and views throughout. Each treatment room is completely private and v-spacious, making it feel like a true escape. The signature massage starts with a foot cleansing ritual and ends with complimentary ginger tea you can enjoy with no rush. Book a couple’s experience, a solo massage, or honestly, anything on the menu.

How to get here & around

The Cancun International Airport is the main airport within the Yucatan Peninsula and the closest to the resort. It’s about a 45-minute drive and the hotel can help arrange transportation ahead of time, or you can grab a taxi when you exit the airport. Uber is also available in Cancun.

Once you’re at the resort, you can visit the other hotels in the compound by private car that the hotel will arrange for you. If you are looking for assistance getting around Banyan Tree, there are golf carts constantly driving around to assist guests.

Accessibility & dietary

The food accommodations are next level at Banyan Tree Mayakoba. They are beyond accommodating with dietary restrictions and are proud partners with the best and most reputable Kosher supplier in the area, The Ember. Enjoy authentic Kosher meals for lunch and dinner at Banyan Tree Mayakoba.

The lobby and public areas are adapted for wheelchair users, including an elevator and easy-access areas on the beach. They even have specific villas available for those with different mobility needs. The team here is trained to offer the best experience for their guests, and together we can create the ideal experience for you and your fellow travelers.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Playa del Carmen page.