Since it first opened in 2016, the Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya has become one of Mexico’s most beloved beachfront destinations. Located on the exclusive 1,600-acre Mayakoba property that is also home to the Banyan Tree, Rosewood Mayakoba and Fairmont Mayakoba resorts, which puts it in excellent company, the hotel is the first Mexican offering from Hyatt’s acclaimed Andaz brand. Andaz Mayakoba sits on 590 lushly landscaped, tropical acres boasting Mayakoba’s renowned beachfront, mangroves and lagoons.
The property’s 214 spacious and attractive guest rooms, including 41 suites, are spread out over several buildings designed to blend into the landscape, giving each a sense of privacy and seclusion. Most recently, the resort, which is done in color palettes reflective of stone, sand and water, with a few pops of tropical color, has tightened its focus on wellness and related issues. To that end, Andaz Mayakoba has introduced expanded wellness programming, new health-oriented culinary offerings, and nature activities, along with enhanced cleaning and safety protocols.
“In this new era of travel, we have put an increased focus on health, wellness and nature to help ensure travelers’ safety and comfort,” the resort’s General Manager Pascal Dupuis tells JustLuxe. “Our resort lends itself well to these aspects with our vast open layout immersed in nature, which guests can easily navigate on foot or by bicycle, including our breathtaking oceanfront, preserved mangroves and tranquil lagoons.”
In addition, “We recently introduced expanded wellness programming and a dedicated weekly Wellness Calendar including fitness classes, yoga, Mayan meditation, spa workshops and more,” he adds, “in addition to opening our new Vegan Bar (VB), which offers creative, plant-based seasonal snacks and food made with sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. Guests are easily able to focus on their wellbeing and reconnecting with family and friends in a serene, safe and beautiful setting at Andaz Mayakoba.”
The property, which has quickly become one of the most attractive options for visitors to the Riviera Maya, not least because it offers excellent value for money, also recently debuted the From Mexico to Andaz series, “a creative culinary and immersive cultural experience that spotlights different areas of Mexico through a variety of authentic local partners and resort experiences.” For the first installment, Executive Chef Miguel Gomez of Andaz Mayakoba’s acclaimed Casa Amate, one of our favorite restaurants in Mexico, ranked in the Top 120 Restaurants in the country by Guía México Gastronómico, among other honors; and Oaxacan chef Olga Cabrera from Tierra del Sol restaurant, also ranked amongst the Top 120 Restaurants in Mexico, have teamed up to highlight Oaxaca, the state in southwestern Mexico renowned for its food, drink and craftsmanship.
Guests can enjoy their creative menu collaboration during the partnership, after which one dish will remain on the menu at Casa Amate throughout the duration of the program (through June), with proceeds going to the Guadalupe Musalem Charity in Oaxaca, benefiting low-income women and girls by giving them scholarships and financial assistance to study high school and college. Additional partners include Oaxacan coffee from Finca Arabia, local chocolate and cacao from Pasión de Cacao, by Roberto Reta, mezcal from Mezcal Amarás and handcrafted jewelry, bags and art from ARIPO de Oaxaca. ARIPO artisan Angélico Jiménez Hernández will also be leading Alebrijes workshops for guests to learn how to make “brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures.”
“We are excited to take our guests on a cultural and culinary journey through Mexico in our new From Mexico to Andaz series,” Dupuis notes. “We have some wonderful local partners lined up that are very aligned with our brand and our commitment to diversity, authentic culture and giving back to the local community. We are looking forward to offering travelers a true taste of Mexico at Andaz Mayakoba this year.”
Casa Amate, designed to resemble a private and very elegant modern Mexican house, made to resemble “the home of an eclectic traveler passionate about Latin culture,” its different rooms are patterned after a library, living room, and dining room, along with a studio bar where the mixology is unparalleled, each designed and furnished in a distinctive style. is emblematic of the architectural excellence to be found at Andaz Mayakoba.
Its structures were designed by acclaimed architect and Costa Rican native Ronald Zürcher, who conceived of them as “conversational elements between trees, bedrocks and water without competing in form, inspired by the richness of nature and its wilderness, and organic forms and shapes,” as well as Mayan culture. Designed to “seamlessly integrate the property’s beautiful environment and local heritage.”
While the spacious suites are extremely popular, the most coveted accommodation is Andaz Mayakoba’s lavish Presidential Suite. Spanning a massive 4,575 square feet across two floors, it’s one of the most luxurious accommodations in all of Mexico. The beachfront suite with a private terrace overlooking the ocean has a private pool and separate outdoor dining area, along with two spacious bedrooms on separate floors, each with its own walk-in closet and private balconies and whirlpools. Natural light floods in from the floor-to-ceiling windows and can be further expanded via a connected room. Presidential Suite guests can opt for an in-suite private dining experience with one of the resort’s renowned chefs as well as tequila and mezcal tastings, and cooking demonstrations, while a personal butler looks after their every whim while in residence.
