Along a landscape of grassy dunes, mangroves and freshwater lagoons, Banyan Tree Mayakoba is a majestic sight upon arrival to a dark-concrete motor court with koi pond entrenched with firepots and Asian-inspired roofline leading to the interior lobby. Along a series on water inlets and saltwater mangroves leading to the Caribbean, Banyan Tree brings 21st Century architecture to the Mayakoba coast with series of detached resort buildings joined together through rectangular slate tiles and trickling fountains. A pitched-roofline contains a towering main lobby housing an in-house restaurant in a dining room of Aztec-inspired stacked-stone walls and mosaic tile detailing that brings a more intimate edge to the thoroughly modern architecture. A smaller than expected main pool compensates with private lounge areas with personal tanning ledges and nearby pool bar with collection of spa-inspired drinks and cocktails. The Banyan Tree signature spa, one of the best in Mexico, is housed within a sprawling villa of glass walls and mangrove views for hydrotherapy procedures like Rain Walks, Aroma Steam Chambers, Brine Cavern and Ice Fountain. El Camaleon Golf Course designed by Greg Norman offers one of the best courses on the Maya Riviera, just in case idle laying at Sands Beach Club with waterfront swimming pool with café and lounger service on the sand isn't your thing. 

The Room:

The only resort on the Maya Riviera to come with private pools in all room categories, our initial impression was Banyan Tree Mayakoba was devoid of almost any local architectural or design references opting instead for a Thai-inspired resort that could just as easily be in Phuket or Samui. Entry-level Garden Villas are located in the interior of the resort with grassy views of neighboring rooms from towering living spaces with prominently positioned beds in front of sliding glass doors opening to small plunge pool. Courtyard Villas offer the additional perk of separate living area with LCD-TVs and built-in sofas and dining room tables. All bathrooms feature separate bathtub and shower combination with vast array of spa-inspired bath products and double earthenware sinks. Our favorite room, however, isn’t even in the main resort but instead at the beach with its Three-Bedroom Pool Villa offering a 5,000-sq. ft. pad with waterfront swimming pool and hot tub perfect for large family gatherings.