Indeed it is. At Maroma, a Belmond hotel owned by LVMH, “luxury” does not mean flashy and extravagant. The entrance is unmarked; guests must drive past verdant jungles and areas where the tree roots rise six feet out of the ground and tangle together like spaghetti to reach the beachfront destination. The high-end touches here are thoughtful, subtle and steeped in convenience, like in-room check-in and check-out — and the well stocked mini bar which is, in fact, a full bar.
The 72-room resort reopened in 2023 after an extensive renovation; authentic Mayan elements and those paying tribute to the Mayan aesthetic — such as curved lines and minimal 90-degree angles — are everywhere. The white arches situated atop the two- and three-story buildings are striking against the bright blue sky, bringing to mind Santorini. Meanwhile, yellow striped umbrellas recall Capri, and a pool seemingly dropped into the middle of a jungle is giving Costa Rica.
Ocean-view suite
Maroma's main pool
Dining al fresco at Casa Mayor
But Maroma is distinctly Mexican. It was actually the first hotel on the now iconic Riviera Maya, which stretches south from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. As such, it occupies the most scenic portion of the bay. Casa Mayor, the resort’s main restaurant, was the first part of the property to open to the public, offering wealthy daytrippers fresh-caught seafood and, eventually, a place to stay overnight. Today, it serves authentic and shareable food on ceramic dishes handmade by local artisans. During the renovation, chef Daniel Camacho explored regional cuisine across Mexico, bringing back all the best flavors and cooking styles to Casa Mayor and also to Woodend, the resort’s Curtis Stone restaurant.
Breakfast is especially delightful, as Maroma’s Tia Olivia handmakes tacos and quesadillas in the restaurant foyer. Guests are invited to further explore the craft of nixtamal, the process of preparing corn for making tortillas; the Nixtamal Journey concludes with an extravagant spread of empanadas, machetes and other antojitos.
One of those luxuriously thoughtful touches is the Maroma “coffee experience.” At a time of your choosing each morning, an artfully carved wooden tray is left outside the door, touting a pitcher of coffee from the state of Hidalgo and all the fixings, each in their own little compartment. Choose your time wisely, though, because you’ll have to snag it before the coatis adorably rifle through your sugar packets.
Another is a personal favorite of this writer: The housekeeping staff is superbly detail-oriented, and will leave hand-painted bookmarks on top of any books you may have brought for beachside reading.
One aspect of Maroma that is conspicuously luxurious, however, is the spa by Guerlain, which “celebrates both Mayan culture and the French maison’s wellness expertise.” Scent and sound rituals, healing massages, hydrotherapy pools — it’s a fully immersive experience that should be given a full day of your itinerary. Exclusive treatments incorporate the honey of local bees, which is purported to heal cataracts and other ailments. Quite buzzy, indeed.
Bambuco, the lobby bar
Local fruit, juices and more at Casa Mayor breakfast
Maroma Spa by Guerlain
Maroma Spa by Guerlain
Maroma from above
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Jeff Gremillion
Jeff Gremillion
Bambuco, the lobby bar
Local fruit, juices and more at Casa Mayor breakfast 
Maroma Spa by Guerlain 
Maroma Spa by Guerlain 
Maroma from above