Where the forest meets the sea: we review Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico
Naturally entertaining.
Almost half the size of Europe, Mexico is a country filled with diverse landscapes, from the valleys of Oaxaca to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. And on the country’s Caribbean coast, lush mangrove forests sidle up to the white-sand beaches, creating a veritable hot spot for wildlife and a wonderful holiday destination for wild humans. We recently stayed at the AAA Five Diamond Award-winning Fairmont Mayakoba and fell in love with this very special part of the Riviera Maya.
While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
We review Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico
Welcome to Mayakoba
If it’s a natural wonderland that you’re looking for in your next vacation, then a stay at Fairmont Mayakoba is just the ticket. Sitting within the luxe Mayakoba development, home to four 5-star hotels (Fairmont, Rosewood, Banyan Tree, and Alila) along with a range of luxury residences, guests to this slice of paradise are treated to an unforgettable stay that’s beauty is almost impossible to capture in words or pictures.
Set over almost 600 acres of mangrove forest and within walking distance to the beach, the properties are all connected by a channel of waterways, which everything from turtles to cormorants and colourful native birds make their playground.
The views are best taken in through the resort’s signature boat tour, something our private butler booked us in for as soon as we arrived so we could get the lay of the land. These boat trips run throughout the day and are free for guests at the property. Our captain, Oscar, was an absolute gem, giving us facts about the different local wildlife as he navigated us deftly through the 45-minute journey, showing us the animal breeding areas and neighbouring hotels.
Where the forest meets the sea
@thehoteljournalmag 🇲🇽 Fairmont Mayakoba in Mexico’s Riviera Maya is a stunning place to stay with the whole family. We loved the canals that cut through the property and especially loved taking the private boat to explore the waterways and all the wildlife that calls them home. | Riviera Maya Hotels | Travel Mexico | Riviera Maya travel | Where to stay Riviera Maya | Playa del carmen hotels #traveleditor #rivieramayahotel #playadelcarmenhotels #CapCut
Of the four hotels in the Mayakoba development, Fairmont offers the largest beachfront, making it an ideal choice for those who love the sea. When we weren’t busy on our loungers reading books and taking dips in the water to cool off, we were out on the resort’s catamaran taking in the coast. Captain Eric was a great guide, pointing out different landmarks, including Cozumel which can also be seen from the property.
The various parts of the resort are connected by a range of trails, perfect for walking or for grabbing one of the property’s bikes and cycling to wherever you want to be. We loved riding through the resort in the early evening when the temperatures were a little cooler, taking in the waterways and stunning forest views.
For those who prefer to be driven, and that was us most of the time, shuttles run across the resort every five minutes, picking you up and taking you wherever you need to go.
Where we stayed
We had a ground-floor Signature Casita with King Bed. It was decked out in a minimal style with crisp white linens and dark wood accents. The bed was huge and super comfortable, and when we awoke in the mornings, it was nice to open the shutters to take in the view of the lagoon. A highlight was the outdoor daybed, a great spot for catching up on a book.
I loved the bathroom here, which featured both an indoor and an outdoor shower along with a bath for luxurious soaking, complete with Le Labo products.
Staying connected to our butlers, Ali and Edgar, through WhatsApp was a breeze, and they gave us suggestions on what we might enjoy each day. They would personally drive us to dinner and went out of their way to ensure that my partner could watch his beloved Crystal Palace win the FA Cup on the big screen.
Restaurants and bars
The dining situation here is a feast for both the body and the soul. Breakfast sets the scene for the day and is enjoyed at the canal- and pool-side La Laguna. We were thrilled with the Mexican offerings here, devouring Oaxacan hot chocolate and Café de Olla served from traditional clay pots every morning as if our lives depended on it. The made-to-order quesadillas were my favourite things as there were so many vegetarian options, including fillings of zucchini flowers, huitlacoche (corn smut), and mushrooms. The buffet selection also included a range of tamales, eggs a la minute, fresh fruits, pastries, and western-style offerings. In the evening, La Laguna transforms into a refined Mexican restaurant with romantic outdoor seating dappled with fairy lights and views of the canal.
But our first dinner was to be at the open-air Fuego. Walking up the beach and being greeted by fire torches was a dramatic welcome to this restaurant, where cooking with fire takes centre stage. Our server was Gustavo, a consummate professional with a penchant for a joke and a keen eye for detail. He answered all the questions we threw at him and was bringing mocktails made to our personal tastes in no time. The standout dishes for us were the Yucatan Sweet Potatoes served with local mushrooms and the Mayan Octopus with a sensational eggplant puree. But the real fun came in the form of an impromptu live show courtesy of a sneaky raccoon, who was desperate to lick the plates left over at a nearby table. Clearly this was not Gustavo’s first rodeo. As he chased the critter off with ease, the whole restaurant was roaring with laughter, and he later told us that the animals are known as banditos thanks to their pilfering tendencies. Dinner and a show by the beach? What a vibe.
Up at Hix in the lobby, we had a stellar sushi feast crafted from local seafood and vegetables. Here, you get some wonderful views of the resort, including the winding canals, and you can see just how deep the mangroves go.
On our final night, we tried Tauro, the property’s American-style steak house, and we were looked after by Felipe, another exceptional team member who made us laugh and helped with our choices. While my partner delighted in his Midwest Ribeye, I was equally thrilled by my Cauliflower Steak, served with potato mouselline, asparagus, and hand-cut fries.
Our Suite also happened to be right by Cafe Maya, the resort’s cafe and ice cream bar. It was hard to pass up the delights here, especially after an afternoon by the pool.
Things to do
The property has plenty of pools for all occasions, including one by the beach. My favourite was the adults-only pool that looked out onto the lagoon, so as you’re swimming, you can watch turtles passing by and kingfishers diving for food. Killing time watching nature do its thing while soaking up the sun in the pool is my idea of a good time, and the fish tacos and cocktails made life even sweeter.
The Fairmont Spa has an impressive selection of treatments, including a traditional, Mayan Temezcal Ceremony performed in a handcrafted stone lodge. I was super keen to try this ancient purification ritual, but it only runs on Tuesdays at 17:00, so be sure to book ahead.
I’m not a golfer, but I’m told that the 18 holes at El Camaleón, the Greg Norman-designed course at Mayakoba, are some of the most picturesque in the world. In fact, while we were staying, the LGPA Tour was setting up to take to the venue, so it must be good.
The Kids’ Club is open to little people aged 5-11 between 9:15am-16:45pm. There’s a daily schedule of events like piñata-making and yoga and there’s a family hour from 13:00-14:00pm, so parents an join in on the fun.
Final thoughts
Unsurprisingly, many of the other guests I chatted with during my stay were regulars at the resort, with one man proudly on his twelfth visit, and I totally get why. Fairmont Mayakoba feels like a haven of absolute tranquillity thanks to its natural setting, and it offers both all-inclusive and standard options.
I regularly find myself daydreaming fondly about our time at the property and wondering what mischief our favourite little bandito is up to.
Learn more about Fairmont Mayakoba or Book through Booking.com
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