This Luxe Waterfront Resort on Mexico's Riviera Maya Just Got a Makeover — With a New Beach Club and Fantastic Restaurants

After a multimillion-dollar renovation that started in February 2021, Fairmont Mayakoba, one of the five-star properties in the Mayakoba community along Mexico’s Riviera Maya, is ready to welcome guests with redesigned accommodations and in several brand-new spaces just in time for the busy holiday season.

The waterfront resort now has one of the best — and largest — beach clubs in the area with five dining concepts inspired by the five elements, an infinity pool with five cabanas, and an adults-only rooftop with sunken fire pits overlooking the Caribbean.

“Maykana’s sunken lounge area is a good representation of how the beach club pays homage to the Mayan culture as they resemble the cenotes that are a key feature of the Yucatán Peninsula region. The lounge area reflects the rich blues of the beautiful caves, and this was our way of infusing this natural work of art into the new design,” Luis Yunta, interior design director for Room 1804, the company behind the Fairmont Mayakoba’s new look, told Travel + Leisure.

He paired local woods and natural fibers by Riviera Maya craftsmen with designer furniture to give visibility to local artisans.

In the redesigned rooms and suites, Yunta and his team incorporated a neutral color palette with pops of blue to reflect the resort’s setting.

“The tropical nature of the destination combined with the swaying palm trees, pristine white sands, and crystal-clear turquoise water set the tone for the color palate,” he explained.

The resort has also added two new restaurants to its already impressive roster of dining spots. The beautiful La Laguna sits at the heart of the property overlooking the Mayakoba water canals and is an ode to Mexico. Colorful fabrics and custom art blend traditional and modern aesthetics while authentic fare showcases the best of Mexican cuisine.

And the new Bassano, a chic Italian eatery, focuses its menu around three simple ingredients — eggs, flour, and water — to deliver mouthwatering oven-baked pizzas and pasta dishes. Earlier this year, the resort also opened a brand-new fine dining steakhouse, Tauro, that boasts 4,770 square feet and has its own in-house steak dry-aging program and a martini bar.  

Guests returning to Fairmont Mayakoba will also notice that the property’s signature lobby bar, Hix, has also gotten a chic makeover. With an expansive terrace overlooking the canal, this hacienda-style space features elegant furniture, new lightwork, custom artwork, lush greenery, and a color palette inspired by nature.

“The renovation of Fairmont Mayakoba has completely elevated the guest experience and has made it one of the top luxury resorts in the world,” Marco Paramo, the area director of sales and marketing at ACCOR Luxe Mexico, told T+L.

“Guests of Fairmont Mayakoba will also have the opportunity to get a true sense of the Mayan community as the resort is committed to paying homage to their culture and history. The renovation showcases this commitment by not only the materials used throughout the property but through the extraordinary services, amenities, and activities offered as well,” he added.

The property is one of the few participating in Accor’s new exclusive experiences program, which launched on Nov. 3, 2022. “Beyond Limits” allows travelers to book one-of-a-kind events in selected properties in North and Central America. “Symphony is a Cenote” will take guests below the surface and into one of the peninsula’s thousands of cenotes, where, while sipping on Champagne and cocktails, they will enjoy a symphony. The remaining date to book this experience is Jan. 5, 2023. Tickets cost $250 per person and include a dinner at the hotel’s La Laguna restaurant.