After a whirlwind year spent curating dream journeys for our cherished clients, the Resort to Laura Madrid team decided it was time for a little R&R of our own, and what better place to recharge than Mexico’s dazzling Riviera Maya? Our end-of-year celebration and reset took us to Kanai, the region’s newest luxury enclave and a fitting reward for a year well traveled.
Flying into Cancún is blissfully easy, with nonstop flights from over 100 airports worldwide. For me, though, it was also a homecoming. I lived here in the early ’90s while helping open The Ritz-Carlton, Cancún, back when the “Riviera Maya” wasn’t even on the map! In those days, the stretch between Cancún and the seaside ruins of Tulum was just a sleepy coastal road dotted with a few ramshackle margarita and ceviche shacks (which, I can confirm, were legendary).
Fast forward a few decades, and this coastline has blossomed into one of the world’s most coveted resort destinations — but thankfully, it still knows how to have fun. The Kanai development, much like its cousin Mayakoba, sits on a 620-acre protected nature reserve and now hosts three extraordinary resorts: The St. Regis Kanai Resort, The Riviera Maya EDITION, and Etéreo, an Auberge Resort. Between beachside margaritas that nod to those old shacks, über-elevated Mexican gastronomy and wines, and an enthusiastic sampling of every fish taco in sight, it was the perfect playground for our hardworking crew — Holly, Leyla, Gil Jr., Riley, Merissa, Sami, and Gil Sr.
We could not leave town, however, without checking out the drop-dead gorgeous, oozing with sophistication, utterly authentic beachfront boutique hotel – Belmond Maroma. Mexico always feels like home, but this trip, we just did not want to leave!
Here’s to sunshine, laughter, and the best kind of team bonding, all while scouting winter escapes for our clients, the Riviera Maya way. Órale!
Here’s where we stayed, and what each one gave us…
The St. Regis Kanai Resort
Mood: Refined. Sleek. Luxurious.
As our retreat headquarters, The St. Regis delivered exactly what we needed: that perfect balance of sophistication and relaxation that makes you feel both pampered and utterly at ease. The resort’s design celebrates Mexican artistry with contemporary flair, from the stunning cenote-inspired spa to the beach-facing suites that frame the Caribbean like living postcards.
The crowd here is beautifully diverse. International families, couples celebrating anniversaries, and yes, and yes, even travel advisors like us who appreciate when every detail is thoughtfully considered. Our days started with morning walks along pristine sand (coffee in hand, naturally) and ended with sunset cocktails at the King Cole Bar, where bartenders craft drinks with the same precision you’d expect from the St. Regis legacy.
Dureyas Beach Club
A pop up restaurant concept in conjunction with the famous Hamptons outpost.
The St Regis Bar
In addition to the evening champagne sabre tradition, we also enjoyed late night antics with no shortage of competition was had nightly by the RTLM team
TORO
This bespoke dining venue invites guests to sample dishes reflecting the spirit of Mexico and Latin America under the direction of Chef Richard Sandoval. We were wowed!
RIVIERA
Riviera captures the flavors of Mexico’s Pacific and Caribbean coasts, blending traditional techniques and fresh, local ingredients with an innovative touch for a seafood-forward menu that’s authentic, modern, and mouth-watering.
POOL CABANAS
Fantastic service, all of the amenities, food and drinks, beach and pool view, plus watch your favorite sports team or crank up the tunes while you live “la vida loca”.
ST REGIS SPA
This was an incredible experience and highly recommend soaking up the organic herbs, oils and scrubs on offer before you make your way through the water therapy areas.
Our Favorite Memories: The gastronomy and the legendary Bloody Mary ritual beneath the mangroves, where we savored the property’s signature “Kanai Mary” with smoky mezcal, tangy citrus, and chile tincture. Taking part in a St. Regis tradition that dates back to 1934, reimagined with distinctly Mexican flair is a must.
The Riviera Maya EDITION
Mood: Effortlessly cool. Design-forward. Playful with Mexican soul.
Just next door, Ian Schrager’s EDITION brought a completely different energy that had our design-loving team members practically swooning. This is where modern Mexican meets international sophistication, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. The property feels like a contemporary art installation that happens to have incredible beaches.
The vibe here is magnetic. Young creatives mix with seasoned travelers, all drawn to the property’s undeniable cool factor. We spent an afternoon playing at the beach club, dining at the unstoppable restaurant scene, and playing pool at the distinctive billiard table found at all Edition hotels.
BEACH CABANAS
Experience the beach while keeping your cool with oysters, cocktails, and shade.
SO’OL Beach Club, by Tomás Bermúdez
While this is the place to see and be seen while taking in the beach vibes, we also had an incredible lunch at the delightful Pool Bar below.
Never too tired for tacos!!!
KI’IS
One of the top meals out of a dozen extraordinary meals was at KI’Is, From internationally acclaimed Chef Francisco Ruano, recipient of The World’s 50 Best Restaurant accolade. Ki’is offers an innovative tasting menu in a modern Mexican style served alongside forward-thinking cocktails and a special selection of wines. Service was fun and indulgent.
After dinner we rolled into the lounge for card games, pool playing, and a chance to sway with the DJ.
Listen up families and groups of friends looking to celebrate good times with your posse? The Sky Rooftop Villa takes the experience to another level entirely. Perched above the property with panoramic views of the Caribbean, an experience here will change your views on what a hotel room can be. Two new beach front villas with 3 and 4 bedrooms have also just launched and are ready to receive our clients!
Our favorite memories: The seamless integration of contemporary design with natural beauty. How the property celebrates Mexican culture without ever feeling like a theme park. The DJ nights at the super sexy bar, and that Sky Rooftop Villa with its breathtaking views and architectural drama. The Gastronomy!
Etéreo, an Auberge Collection Resort
Mood: Soulful and rejuvenating. Indulgent fun. Cool, but not Showy.
Etèreo means ethereal and that is exactly how one feels upon entering this oasis of calm, well-being, and good times. The first hotel to open in the Kanai development, Etèreo is the boutique property of the neighborhood and it was wonderful to be back to see how it has evolved since my visit just after opening. (Read my blog here)
Entering the front doors of Etèreo, we were blessed by the resort Shaman, who like the generations before him in his family, acts as a spiritual healer, guide, and intermediary, performing ancient rituals to cleanse energy and heal physical and emotional ailments of arriving guests. Minutes later, we all felt a bit lighter and our attitude shifted. It’s a special way to arrive.
We arrived at sunset, and the property was just taking on its dramatic nighttime look.
The property is easy to navigate on foot and we effortlessly toured the property, exploring the beach, spa, boutiques, and inspected thestunning two bedroom suite just perfect for couples traveling together or a family.
No Riviera Maya exploration would be complete without experiencing Etéreo’s celebrated dining scene. We made the short journey for dinner at Itzam, where Chef Carlos Segura presents a series of sustainable menus that honor long standing relationships with local farmers, fishermen, and artisans, bringing local flavor and well-honed techniques to the forefront. The food was even better than I recalled from my first visit where I claimed you would be hard pressed to find food this good anywhere.
The personalized menu created for our the RTLM team was simply divine
Luckily Etèreo’s ethos is heavily enveloped in wellness, fitness, and spa, so there is always a way to detox after such decadent evenings!
Our Favorite memories: The “A Taste of Itzam” menu specially prepared for our team dinner and spending time with the management team who so warmly welcomed us back! The gastronomy!
Belmond Maroma Resort and Spa
Mood: Authentic private home. Understated sophistication. Secret garden by the sea.
While the RTLM team all stopped by to explore this breathtaking property, Gil and I decided we just could not bear to head home and opted to extend our stay at this utterly delightful seaside sanctuary, intimate gem, private paradise. Belmond Maroma feels like a well-kept secret, even though it’s been enchanting guests for years. With just 63 suites spread across tropical gardens and a mile-long stretch of powder-soft beach, it’s the antithesis of the mega-resort experience.
What sets Maroma apart is its commitment to place. The property celebrates its natural surroundings rather than competing with them. Our beachfront suite felt like a sanctuary, with hand-carved furnishings and locally-inspired artwork that told the story of the Yucatan, and the constant reminder of our location with waves gently folding below our extensive sitting area and plunge pool.
The Guerlain Spa at Belmond Maroma is simply dreamy, unhurried, other-worldly.
Despite the serene setting, the culinary experiences do not let their foot off the brakes at Belmond Maroma.
FREDDY’S BAR
BAMBUCO – a pop-up bar inspired by Mexico City’s acclaimed Handshake, often named among the world’s best. Every detail was exquisitely executed, with cocktails that were as artful as they were delicious. A sophisticated nod to Mexico’s vibrant mixology scene, and a standout moment of the trip.
WOODEND
Australian Chef Curtis stone focuses on fresh seafood cooked over fire, all served with outstanding Mexican wines while dining under the stars listening to waves lap the shore – it reminds us why intimate luxury often trumps grand gestures.
CASA MAYOR
Where tortillas and quesadillas are handmade by an auntie and the majority of the products are sourced locally from the Yucatan Peninsula.
The Beach is the way the Riviera Maya was way back when this delightful estate existed as a private home –
Our Favorite Memories: How the property feels both sophisticated and natural and truly Mexican. The rhythmic sound of the ocean dancing through the day and night, from nearly every spot on the resort. The way you pinch yourself for uncovering such a find. Oh, and the Gastronomy!
Final Thoughts
The Riviera Maya continues to evolve, offering experiences that range from intimate luxury to contemporary sophistication. From St. Regis’ refined elegance, to EDITION’s playful vibe, to Etéreo’s relaxed rhythm, and to Maroma’s secluded romance, each property reveals a different facet of this extraordinary coastline.
Sometimes the best research happens when you’re not trying so hard to research. Our RTLM retreat reminded us once again why Mexico’s Caribbean coast resonates so strongly with our travelers. The food is vibrant, complex, and absolutely delicious. The atmosphere is soothing in a way that invites you to exhale. And above all, the warmth and authenticity of the people – a kind of hospitality that feels as natural as the sea breeze.
What’s not to love?
Winter is here so, who’s ready to plan your own Riviera Maya escape?
For an expertly guided travel experience, Resort to Laura Madrid offers full-service itinerary planning for a select group of clients. We keep our client list intentionally small to ensure every journey receives the care and attention it deserves. Please click here for more information.
Want to do things your way? Check out PERK by RTLM our go-to SELF-BOOKING tool for quick, seamless hotel stays. It’s perfect for those who already know where they want to stay, love to do their own research and travel planning, and just need a fast, VIP-approved reservation.