Banyan Tree Mayakoba a Luxury Resort Riviera Maya on the Northeastern Yucatan Peninsula

Through the whistling wind and the warm Caribbean sun, through the robust foliage and freshwater lagoons, is a hidden gem. Located on the Riviera Maya on the northeastern Yucatán Peninsula, Banyan Tree Mayakoba is a luxury resort in Mexico intent on pampering its guests to outright relaxation. From the serene lobby peppered with potted plants to the warm reception hall where the staff greets guests with ice-cold beverages and flower bracelets, Banyan Tree Mayakoba is, from the beginning, a stroll through a peaceful paradise.

The resort is located in the city of Mayakoba, a hidden gem within the confines of the Yucatán Peninsula. With an array of mangrove trees and freshwater lagoons, guests of all ages can enjoy a variety of activities in Mayakoba including snorkeling, paddle boarding, tennis, golf and even spelunking. Nature is at its finest in Mayakoba, but you don’t have to venture far into the city to enjoy Mexico; Banyan Tree Mayakoba has everything you could ever want right at your door.

The resort offers guests a selection of private villas for the duration of their stay, and once you step foot into one of these cozy spaces, you’ll never want to leave. Even the most basic rooms at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba offer amenities that put other resorts to shame, including free WiFi, an outdoor bathtub lined with candles, complementary bicycles, a 55" smart TV, and a private swimming pool—and that’s only the basic villas, the Bliss Pool Villa. Some of the more extravagant villas—such as the Serenity Pool Villa—include pools with jets, an entertainment pavilion, and a wine fridge stocked with complimentary bottles. Whether you dream of an oceanfront villa with waves crashing against the shore or a quiet evening by the freshwater lagoons, Banyan Tree Mayakoba contains a villa for you.

Many of the larger villas also include kitchen amenities, though they certainly aren’t necessary. The Banyan Tree Mayakoba offers numerous restaurants and eating establishments fit for a king––or for whatever life throws at you. Looking for a casual lunch experience? Enjoy Sands, an outdoor restaurant that serves savory Mexican food. Craving cocktails like a refreshing margarita or a cold beer for your beach outing? The Beach Shack is a bar located on the warm sandy beaches of Mayakoba. Want to explore the lagoons and traverse the calm waters? Ixchel is a traditional trajinera boat ride that includes a fusion of local and international cuisine.

Perhaps the most stellar restaurant on the property, however, is Banyan Tree’s signature restaurant, Saffron. Serving traditional Thai cuisine that shocks your taste buds with a sweet and savory fusion, Saffron is a lavish, romantic restaurant. With meals served on an outdoor wooden deck situated on the lagoon, guests can dine on expertly prepared food by candlelight just bright enough to illuminate the tropical mangroves in the distance. Chef Renu Homsombat, the expert at the helm and creator of Saffron’s delicacies, has two decades of experience preparing Thai food. Fresh, flavorful and authentic, Saffron’s scrumptious seafood and perfectly prepared plates will make your mouth water from the moment the dishes hit the table. With unique sauces and an expertly handcrafted presentation, it’s impossible to leave Saffron unsatisfied.

Saffron is the ideal dinner location, but for a casual breakfast, Oriente is a flawless choice. This breakfast buffet overlooks the Reflections Pool and carries homemade Mexican and international breakfast foods. Anything, from sushi to quesadillas to omelets, are available at Oriente, with most dishes customizable to the guests’ desires. However, it’s the healthy beverages that offer incredible flavor combinations. Each fresh juice contains a combination of various tropical fruits. One standout is the cucumber, mint, and mango juice— it’s both detoxifying and satisfying for the palate.

Though the food is fantastic and the in-room services are unparalleled, the true draw to Banyan Tree Mayakoba is the outright pampering. From the private pools to the courteous staff, everyone at this opulent resort is dedicated to indulging the guests. The superlative spa, however, is the pinnacle of Banyan Tree Mayakoba. With freshly prepared ingredients, pure essential oils, and expert massage therapists, the spa is an oasis of relaxation. Indulge in a calming Swedish massage, a soothing rose petal foot bath, or a Royal Banyan Herbal Pouch Massage, in which guests are rubbed with a warm pouch dipped in sesame oil. The Rainforest in the spa includes a hydrothermal circuit that alternates the temperature in thermal cabins. The spa even operates an aroma steam chamber and a sauna to provide guests with a rejuvenating day. Guests can choose from numerous spa packages—including a fitness package that features a trainer— and be reinvigorated and relaxed in their favorite way.

With the pristine villas and the premier pampering, there’s almost no reason to venture outside of the resort. A perfect tropical getaway, hidden behind private gates, Banyan Tree Mayakoba is a tranquil paradise that floats your worries out to sea. Enjoy one of the best resorts that Mexico has to offer—so serene you’ll never want to leave.