Rosewood Mayakoba

A meal always seems to taste better when you’re dining outside. With that in mind, Rosewood Mayakoba introduced La Ceiba Garden & Kitchen in October 2014. The 20,000-square foot outdoor dining concept features an organic garden of fruits, vegetables, and unique Mexican herbs as well as a dream kitchen with a wood-burning oven that’s fueled by the garden’s rare Zapote trees. An 18-seat communal table anchors the garden and the menu changes seasonally based on what’s available and the chef’s whims. Starters might include duck tostadas with mole sauce and mains range from charcoal-grilled langoustines with Mexican chutney and coffee-ancho pepper cured prime ribeye. A garden mixologist is available to guide guests through specific garden herbs and spices in the garden that enhance the cocktails paired with their meals. The space isn’t just for dining. Guests can attend cooking demonstrations, tastings or even forage for produce such as mango, guava, and purple basil.

Tequila and sushi may seem like an odd pairing but they actually work brilliantly together. At Agave Azul Sushi & Tequila Bar a master tequlier will help you navigate the more than 100 labels of premium tequilas and even concoct the perfect tequila-based cocktails to complement your meal. Don’t miss dishes such as grouper ceviche, shitake gyozas, octopus sunomono and Pad Thai made with the popular Mexican fruit, tamarind. Each week the restaurant hosts a tequila tasting where the tequiler will explain the distillation process of the agave plant. The setting—overlooking the lantern-lit lagoon and Rosewood Mayakoba’s main pool—couldn’t be more relaxing for sipping cocktails.

When I think of Mexico, I think of the beach. But Rosewood Mayakoba is a reminder of the Riviera Maya’s wilder side. Yes, there is a mile-long stretch of Caribbean sand to sun on at the resort and guests can opt for beachfront or ocean view accommodations. But it’s hard not to be captivated by the emerald green jungles and the turquoise waters of the lagoon that winds through Rosewood Mayakoba. Waking up to the jungle and lagoon is a truly special experience. The lagoon is home to many species of fish and the surrounding habitat is filled with egrets, iguanas, turtles, and other wildlife. It’s worth requesting a lagoon tour with Rosewood’s in-house naturalist to learn more about the flora and fauna and for a chance to spot Rosewood’s long-term residents.

Waking up in Casa Laguna is like waking up in a tropical fairytale. Large floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of a jungle fringed lagoon and your butler will have coffee and breakfast awaiting upstairs. Unveiled in September 2013, this secluded three-bedroom villa at Rosewood Mayakoba offers 9,400 square feet of luxury. Guests arrive via boat to their private dock and are greeted by their dedicated staff of five. If you’re lucky, you’ll get JC as your butler. He’s a veteran with Rosewood Mayakoba and intuits your every need from an evening rose petal bath to another bottle of Clase Azul tequila. Prior to arrival the villa can be stocked with all of your favorite wines, beers, spirits, snacks and foods. The lagoon level features three bedrooms, including two master suites with en suite bathrooms. There’s also a media room for movie watching. The interiors are decorated with coffee table books and art pieces making it feel more like a fabulous friend’s home. Outside you’ll find a private pool overlooking the lagoon, an outdoor shower and a private dining deck. Your staff can prepare meals and arrange for in-villa massages and yoga. On a clear night, be sure to use the telescope to stargaze. Really, once you’ve checked in to Casa Laguna, it’s very hard to find a reason to ever leave. Rates from $12,000 per night.

Sense, A Rosewood Spa, is a private oasis of relaxation nestled away on its own private island. The spa covers 17,000 square feet and features 12 treatment rooms and eight island suites. Treatments draw on ancient Mayan healing techniques and indigenous ingredients made from local plants such as agave cactus. For the ultimate authentic spa treatment, request the half-day Mayan Healing Hands Experience. Guests are taken to meet a local shaman who provides a consultation. Next, they participate in a sunset ceremony accompanied by Mayan chants. The shaman then performs an energy healing ritual and takes the guest to a cenote and guides them through a rebirthing ceremony. Afterwards guests can choose between a 90-minute massage or a 60-minute Temazcal Journey that features a purifying aromatic bath. The result is pure bliss.

Tucked along Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, the Rosewood Mayakoba features 120 suites as well as an overwater spa, which specializes in Maya health rituals. The spa’s Temazcál Ritual draws on ancient customs while providing mental and physical benefits. Maya history weaves through archaeologist- led tours of Yucatán temples.

We all know about the healing powers of a nice hot tub after a long day of travel, but a Mayan cenote might just have those steamy waters beat. The Yucatan Peninsula has around 6,000 of these natural sinkholes, results of collapsing limestone. The erosion creates wide caves with deep pools of clean, clear, earth-filtered water. The pools have held cultural and spiritual importance for local communities throughout the ages, thanks to their beauty, mystery, and potable water. In January 2015, Rosewood Mayakoba resort will introduce Mayan Healing Hands, a culturally immersive full-day spa treatment in the Riviera Maya. Sense, Rosewood’s spa, incorporates Mayan holistic healing practices with traditional spa treatments (like a 90 minute massage) to leave you feeling spiritually, mentally, and physically rejuvenated. The highlight of their new offering? A private rebirthing ceremony at a Cenote imbued with a blend of natural minerals to detox and cleanse the body. The cultural experience is definitely the draw here. Guests will get a private consultation with a Shaman Priest to determine the focus of the visit, followed by a Mayan ritual ceremony involving traditional chants, incense, and music. Guests can choose to do the whole sequence of treatments and rituals ($1,200/person or 1$500 for 2) or pick and choose elements of it a la carte.

Waking up in Casa Laguna is like waking up in a tropical fairytale. Large floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of a jungle fringed lagoon and your butler will have coffee and breakfast awaiting upstairs. Unveiled in September 2013, this secluded three-bedroom villa at Rosewood Mayakoba offers 9,400 square feet of luxury. Guests arrive via boat to their private dock and are greeted by their dedicated staff of five. If you’re lucky, you’ll get JC as your butler. He’s a veteran with Rosewood Mayakoba and intuits your every need from an evening rose petal bath to another bottle of Clase Azul tequila. Prior to arrival the villa can be stocked with all of your favorite wines, beers, spirits, snacks and foods. The lagoon level features three bedrooms, including two master suites with en suite bathrooms. There’s also a media room for movie watching. The interiors are decorated with coffee table books and art pieces making it feel more like a fabulous friend’s home. Outside you’ll find a private pool overlooking the lagoon, an outdoor shower and a private dining deck. Your staff can prepare meals and arrange for in-villa massages and yoga. On a clear night, be sure to use the telescope to stargaze. Really, once you’ve checked in to Casa Laguna, it’s very hard to find a reason to ever leave. Rates from $12,000 per night.

Tequila and sushi may seem like an odd pairing but they actually work brilliantly together. At Agave Azul Sushi & Tequila Bar a master tequlier will help you navigate the more than 100 labels of premium tequilas and even concoct the perfect tequila-based cocktails to complement your meal. Don’t miss dishes such as grouper ceviche, shitake gyozas, octopus sunomono and Pad Thai made with the popular Mexican fruit, tamarind. Each week the restaurant hosts a tequila tasting where the tequiler will explain the distillation process of the agave plant. The setting—overlooking the lantern-lit lagoon and Rosewood Mayakoba’s main pool—couldn’t be more relaxing for sipping cocktails.

When I think of Mexico, I think of the beach. But Rosewood Mayakoba is a reminder of the Riviera Maya’s wilder side. Yes, there is a mile-long stretch of Caribbean sand to sun on at the resort and guests can opt for beachfront or ocean view accommodations. But it’s hard not to be captivated by the emerald green jungles and the turquoise waters of the lagoon that winds through Rosewood Mayakoba. Waking up to the jungle and lagoon is a truly special experience. The lagoon is home to many species of fish and the surrounding habitat is filled with egrets, iguanas, turtles, and other wildlife. It’s worth requesting a lagoon tour with Rosewood’s in-house naturalist to learn more about the flora and fauna and for a chance to spot Rosewood’s long-term residents.

A meal always seems to taste better when you’re dining outside. With that in mind, Rosewood Mayakoba introduced La Ceiba Garden & Kitchen in October 2014. The 20,000-square foot outdoor dining concept features an organic garden of fruits, vegetables, and unique Mexican herbs as well as a dream kitchen with a wood-burning oven that’s fueled by the garden’s rare Zapote trees. An 18-seat communal table anchors the garden and the menu changes seasonally based on what’s available and the chef’s whims. Starters might include duck tostadas with mole sauce and mains range from charcoal-grilled langoustines with Mexican chutney and coffee-ancho pepper cured prime ribeye. A garden mixologist is available to guide guests through specific garden herbs and spices in the garden that enhance the cocktails paired with their meals. The space isn’t just for dining. Guests can attend cooking demonstrations, tastings or even forage for produce such as mango, guava, and purple basil.

Sense, A Rosewood Spa, is a private oasis of relaxation nestled away on its own private island. The spa covers 17,000 square feet and features 12 treatment rooms and eight island suites. Treatments draw on ancient Mayan healing techniques and indigenous ingredients made from local plants such as agave cactus. For the ultimate authentic spa treatment, request the half-day Mayan Healing Hands Experience. Guests are taken to meet a local shaman who provides a consultation. Next, they participate in a sunset ceremony accompanied by Mayan chants. The shaman then performs an energy healing ritual and takes the guest to a cenote and guides them through a rebirthing ceremony. Afterwards guests can choose between a 90-minute massage or a 60-minute Temazcal Journey that features a purifying aromatic bath. The result is pure bliss.

Beautiful architecture and ever-changing scenery as birds and turtles come and go. Get a place on the water if you can -- lovely!

Hi honey, I am home. First class in Mayakoba.