On a recent trip to Mexico, I had the pleasure of staying at the newly opened Andaz Mayakoba Resort, one of four hotels in the greater Mayakoba resort area — which also includes Banyan Tree, Fairmont and Rosewood hotels and residences.
While Andaz properties are among my favorite hotels, I had the opportunity to explore the entire Mayakoba property, and I was blown away by its beauty and appreciation for its natural surroundings. The development was designed to complement and blend into the existing geography rather than to replace it.
The natural environment into which the resort area is built is a rich, geographically diverse region in the Riviera Maya in the state of Quintana Roo, along the Caribbean coastline of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The region is home to tropical jungles, mangroves, colorful flora and fauna and turquoise waters. The karst geology has yielded an extensive underground river network over time, making the region one of the best for cave diving and one of the most beautiful for its cenotes, or sinkholes.
During our stay, we walked through the mangroves, listening to the unique sounds of the wild animals that live on the property. We took an eco-cruise through the lagoons, spotting crocodiles and dozens of species of rare birds and fish, and we went swimming in the translucent blue waters of the underground cenotes.
I also had the pleasure of speaking with Andaz’s general manager, Lin Schatz, who filled us in on some of the preservation efforts the hotel is undergoing to protect and rebuild the reefs and beaches on the hotel’s property.
Andaz Mayakoba Resort embraces and celebrates the local Mayan culture, and an important part of that culture is the natural landscapes upon which it was built and has been sustained for thousands of years. It was so refreshing to see such a large company place so much value in preserving not only the local culture and history but the geographical integrity of the region as well.
— Nicole Quasté, assistant editor
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Nov 21, 2024Hotel Saint Augustine to Open in Houston’s Museum District Neighborhood
Hotel Saint Augustine, expected to open in Houston this December, is a design-savvy boutique hotel from Austin-based hospitality group Bunkhouse.
Sponsored Content
Explore Egypt on the Most Extraordinary Tour Ever
Picture this: You’re standing in front of the Great Pyramid, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in complete silence, with no crowds in sight. As you step inside, your guide leads you to hidden chambers inaccessible to other tourists. Here, you’re granted a rare chance to delve into the deepest mysteries of ancient Egypt.
November 2024
Nov 21, 2024Immerse in an Invigorating Thermal Journey at Scandinave Spa Whistler
The glittering green pines and burst of jasmine lake beyond almost made me forget about the aches in my legs that slowly developed after the promised hour-long hike ran into the third hour. And, oh, there were my hips, showing up to remind me I was no longer in my 20s. I didn’t mind, though, because the vision that surrounded me during our guided walk through Garibaldi Park to Cheakamus Lake in Whistler, British Columbia, with Mountain Skills Academy and Adventures proved worthy of a thousand postcards.
Daily
Nov 21, 20245 Can’t-Miss Black Friday, Cyber Monday Hotel Deals
Plan to shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Add these deals from hotels around the country to your shopping list.
Sponsored Content
Pick Your Paradise: Experience Bali at 3 Incredible Hotels
Bali is a name synonymous with island bliss. But there is more than just one side to this incredible place. Get a sense for the variety of experiences Bali offers by learning about three hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with distinctive opportunities for adventure and relaxation. With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card, earn points for free nights at each of these properties.
Daily
Nov 21, 2024Belmond Unveils First Luxury Sleeper Train in England and Wales
The first luxury sleeper train officially debuts in England and Wales next July thanks to the new Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train. This pioneering train seamlessly blends timeless rail heritage with contemporary British cuisine, culture and style. Guests will enjoy fine-dining experiences designed by Chef Simon Rogan and an on-board wellness suite offering therapies to relax and revive.
Château des Fleurs Review
eFlyer Reviews
Nov 20, 2024Save Up to 50 Percent Off HX Expeditions
eFlyer Deals
Nov 20, 2024eFlyer Deals
Nov 20, 2024Xanterra Launches Thankful for Travel Sale
Xanterra Travel Collection’s Thankful for Travel Sale is finally here! This travel company’s sale, through Dec. 2, offers the biggest savings on national park stays, yacht-style cruises, historic train rides, legendary resorts, and walking and biking tours.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines First to Purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel for ORD
Chicago O’Hare International Airport will soon receive sustainable aviation fuel, all thanks to United Airlines, which became the first airline to purchase SAF for use at the airport, one of the largest in the United States. Neste, a producer of SAF, will provide up to 1 million gallons of its Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The first supply arrived in August.
eFlyer News
Nov 20, 2024Orient Express Reveals World’s Largest Sailing Yacht
Orient Express just unveiled the design of its first yacht and the world’s largest sailing yacht, Orient Express Corinthian. Set to hit the waves in summer 2026, this yacht will sail across the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Caribbean.
ShareThis