This Luxury Resort Opening on Mexico's Riviera Maya Has Stunning Infinity Pools and a Beach Club, and We Got a First Look

The gated community of Kanai sits less than an hour south of Cancun’s bustling downtown, but the 680-acre stretch of lush Caribbean coastline has become one of the most serene luxury hot spots on the Riviera Maya in recent years. After welcoming Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection, in 2021, and The St. Regis Kanai last year, Edition is the latest hospitality brand to set up an outpost in the gated community that boasts two miles of white-sand beaches and protected mangroves, buzzing with wildlife.

With multiple infinity pools, a serene spa, and a beach club, the 182-key resort delivers its signature modern aesthetic and luxury amenities, but it also immerses guests in rich Maya culture and tradition.  A winding three-mile drive among the mangroves separates Kanai’s entrance from the resort. A tunnel of plants and flowers welcomes guests, followed by a lobby flanked by reflecting pools and offering panoramic water views. 

The guest rooms and suites are exactly what fans of the Edition brand will expect, with an earthy color palette and timeless furnishings, but also plenty of natural materials and handwoven textiles. The spacious accommodations also have custom-made beds, living rooms, and sliding doors that let plenty of sunlight in. Guests can choose from rooms with ocean and mangrove views; some have private plunge pools, too.

However, the crowning jewel of this property is the spectacular Sky Rooftop Villa, which, at 27,000 square feet, is one of the largest hotel suites in North America. But it’s not just its size that’s impressive; the residence has five suites, each with a private plunge pool, balcony, and a jacuzzi. Another outdoor 80-foot-long infinity pool, two kitchens, and more than 10,000 square feet of exterior space with stunning ocean views complement the range of mind-blowing amenities.

Acclaimed Mexican chefs Francisco “Paco” Ruano and Tomás Bermúdez helm the resort’s food and beverage program. For the hotel’s signature restaurant, KI’IS, Ruano has dreamed up a menu of modern Mexican flavors, focusing on fresh seafood and local ingredients served in a bright dining room surrounded by mangroves. 

Bermúdez’s masterful culinary skills are on full display at the resort’s beach club casual eatery SO’OL, where patrons can indulge in eastern Mediterranean flavors with a Mexican twist, like fresh oysters and aguachiles. The property’s all-day restaurant, Kitchen, is located just off the lobby, overlooks one of the hotel’s pools, and is the go-to place for classic Mexican and Yucatán dishes.

Guests can unwind and hide from the sun at the sumptuous spa; the architecture is inspired by this area’s many cenotes. Several hydrotherapy pools, a Turkish hammam, an infrared room, and six treatment spaces (including a couple’s suite) offer complete relaxation.

The Riviera Maya Edition at Kanai will officially open in February, but guests visiting now can take advantage of the special nightly rates, from$637. You can book your stay on marriott.com.