Banyan Tree Mayakoba’s $50 Million Expansion Creates New Suites, New Experiences
Behind the gates of this complex south of Cancun in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Banyan Tree Mayakoba has always demonstrated a slightly different style: Asian elements from the hotel group’s origins and concentration in that continent mixed in with local touches. After a $50 million expansion, that mix is even more in play in the debut of new suites, restaurants and facilities within the property’s setting of turquoise sea, dense mangrove jungle, crystal clear lagoon and meandering canals.
Located directly on the beach, the 34 new suites include Beachfront Pool Suites ranging from 1,740 to 3,155 square feet with the option to connect two rooms to create two bedroom suites. They also feature an interior patio, outdoor shower, whirlpool tub, private solarium and a heated private pool. Beachfront Sunrise Pool Suites, positioned on the sand to take in those sunrises, are slightly smaller: one bedroom suites 1,675 to 2,470 square feet also with a heated private pool, outdoor shower, whirlpool tub, and an interior patio. Seven new overwater Lagoon & Sunset Pool Villas are scheduled to open in early 2022 as duplex cottages measuring 2,385 square feet with similar features and a location above the lagoon in the property’s interior. The design in all reflects the Asian/Mexican mix with local materials such as the limestone stucco chukum, vibrant colors and tropical woods blending with Asian designs. And each of the new villas will also include a dedicated host to supervise guests’ stays, beach amenities, packing and unpacking services if requested and two bicycles for exploring the property.
Also part of the expansion are the new Sands Beach Club with an infinity pool and seafood restaurant directly on the sand featuring local Yucatan ingredients as well as the Wellbeing Sanctuary set to begin in December, part of the overall program set to be installed across the brand. Intended to increase guests’ balance, resilience, self-knowledge and connection to others and to nature, Sanctuary stays include a 64 point wellness assessment assembled by a wellbeing host, daily access to 50 impactful wellbeing activities such as Conscious Grounding and Ocean breath meditation by the sea and access to nutritionally rich menu options. Guests can also develop their physical vitality, emotional awareness and learn to stretch their capabilities. At the conclusion of their stay, they’re given a wellbeing guide to continue wellness practices in their daily lives.
Apart from the new additions, the resort has other appealing facilities and programs; among them: the hydrotherapy circuit known as The Rainforest; yoga; pilates or boot camp sessions; sunrise or sunset cruises through the canals in the resort’s quiet motorboat or dinner cruises in the trajinera, a local square canoe.
Other atmospheric dinner experiences are barbecues on the outdoor patio of a guest’s villa and a Haab Mayan dinner deep in the jungle involving Mayan warriors, the four essential elements of wind, water, earth and fire and a sundown ritual to begin. Mayan traditional dishes including spiced suckling pig, lime soup and fish wrapped in banana leaves are cooked over an open fire and storytelling features in after the dishes are served, removing the sense of being in an international resort and instead plunging deep into the local Mayan culture, a true enhancement to any trip here.
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