Mayakoba, which is approximately 40 minutes south of the Cancun airport, is an amazing neighborhood of Cancun that is home to four top luxury resorts and a Greg Norman designed golf course. It’s a perfect destination for travelers who want an upscale, traditional hotel resort experience in an area more known for all-inclusive.

One main entrance welcomes guests to the four completely independent resorts and one golf course of the area: Rosewood Mayakoba, Fairmont Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Andaz Mayakoba, and El Camaleón, an 18 hole, par 72 Greg Norman designed golf course. El Camaleón is set within the Mayakoba compound, winding between all four resorts. The Jim McLean Golf School is a feature of El Camaleon with top instructors and Golf Swing Analysis technology. You’ll also find the Mayakoba Tennis Centre.

There are 17 restaurants on the Mayakoba compound, from fine dining to beach service. Cuisines range from Contemporary Mexican and casual ‘street food’ Mexican, to Thai, Italian, an American Steakhouse, and more! Top Napa Valley, Mexican and global wines are on the wine lists. Rosewood is home to an elegant tequila vault where a variety of top tequilas can be tasted and savored. Mayakoba has given attention to curated selections of craft beer, creative mixologists and even features a Patron Tequila that is made for and served only at the Andaz Mayakoba. The beauty of this family of luxury resorts is that there are shuttles to conveniently transport guests to all of the properties and reciprocity that allows guests to sign to their room account from all four resorts and golf club. Options and convenience are paramount.

All four resorts are sensational, each offering a different ambiance and each with its own state-of-the-art Spa. All are family friendly but not family focused and have lovely kids programs. While completely independent of each other, the resorts are connected by paths, mangroves, lagoons and waterways that wind throughout Mayakoba. In addition to carts to shuttle guests around, multitudes of bicycles placed throughout the resorts for guest use, a popular means of transportation. Here’s our lowdown of each resort and perhaps help you make a better choice for your next visit:

• Rosewood Mayakoba – The most luxurious of the four properties, Rosewood has a romantic, contemporary Mexican ambiance. Fire pits and the most amazing attention to outdoor lighting detail was considered in creating the mood at Rosewood. Most of the rooms and suites are situated on a waterway and have private plunge pools. Punta Bonita serves Contemporary Mexican cuisine right off the beach and Casa del Lago serves Mediterranean cuisine with a view of the lagoon. https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/mayakoba-riviera-maya
• Fairmont Mayakoba – A upscale resort that caters to all ages and families. Beach front casitas have plunge pools while being directly on the beach. All rooms throughout the resort have a very similar level luxury. A luxury spa, tennis and onsite cooking classes round out things to do during the day. A waterslide at the pool makes this resort the most popular for young families. El Puerto for Latin/Asian fusion cuisine is a standout, gorgeous restaurant. https://www.fairmont.com/mayakoba-riviera-maya/
• Banyan Tree Mayakoba – A quieter, Zen atmosphere, Banyan Tree is geared for guests who want to get away from it all. A massive spa has ‘over water’ bungalows for treatments. Saffron, a Thai restaurant is magically romantic, with seating on two over-lagoon piers and Cello features Italian cuisine. Three nights a week Tomahawk Steakhouse serves classic American steaks. https://www.banyantree.com/en/em-mexico-mayakoba
• Andaz Mayakoba – This resort is the younger and trendier option within the group. The median age of guest is probably 35 with the price point being a bit lower than other Mayakoba resorts. The swimming pool is located just off the beach, where a DJ spins music from morning until afternoon daily. Next to the pool are the two casual restaurants- Ollataco, which features tacos and casual Mexican food and a list of 17 craft beers sold by the bottle. Next door is Alloceviche, a raw bar made to feel like a family kitchen. Patron Tequila makes a special tequila made just for the Andaz resort, only to be experienced there. Cocina Milagro and Casa Amate are the fine dining restaurants are the resort, serving eclectic and Mexican/South American cuisine. A gorgeous spa rounds the experience. https://mayakoba.andaz.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

In addition to the resorts and golf on the Mayakoba compound, is El Pueblito, a quaint ‘town square’ where you will find shops featuring authentic Mexican/Mayan gifts and products, restaurants, a cooking school and weekly farmers market.

Concierge Insider Tips:

• Beaches are beautiful and resorts provide full access to all guests. Lounge chairs, umbrellas, and beach valets are present to make things perfect. Food and drink is readily available by a gracious wait staff who will bring everything from cocktails and small snacks to full lunch on the beach.
• With most resorts on the Riviera Maya, the beach area is small with resorts stretching back away from the ocean. You’ll find that most accommodations are without an ocean view. Only a very small number of rooms will have direct ocean access or ocean view. Do ask your Concierge to specify the request if you wish to have an Ocean View room.
• Swimming pools at these resorts are spectacular. Do bring along at least a few sets of swim gear to change into for that Instagram worthy shot!