About this hotel
General information
Banyan Tree Mayakoba lies at the heart of the Riviera Maya, within Mayakoba, a gated resort community where mangroves, freshwater lagoons and canals run down to a white-sand Caribbean beach. The resort pairs Mexican tradition with the Asian — and especially Thai — hospitality for which Banyan Tree is known.
There are 159 villas and suites, each with its own pool and generous outdoor living space, from beach suites to multi-bedroom lagoon villas and family residences overlooking the golf course. Complimentary bicycles are the easy way around, while eco-tours and sunset cruises run along the canals. Highlights include Saffron, the Thai restaurant, a Banyan Tree Spa with its own temazcal ritual, and two beach clubs, one of them for adults only.
Location
The resort is at kilometre 298 of the Chetumal–Puerto Juárez federal highway in Mayakoba, Quintana Roo. Downtown Playa del Carmen is about 20 minutes by car, Cancún International Airport 45 minutes and Cancún itself an hour. Transfers are handled by a partner transport company and must be booked at least 48 hours ahead.
Spa
Banyan Tree Spa Mayakoba blends centuries-old Asian practices with Mexican influences, in pavilions and treatment suites that nod to local heritage, guided by the brand’s eight Pillars of Wellbeing. The menu covers signature massages, wraps, scrubs, facials and hand and foot care, the Rainforest hydrothermal circuit and Ixmucané, a temazcal ritual led by a shaman in a dome of volcanic stones and herbs. Therapists train at the Banyan Tree academy in Phuket, and a daily programme includes yoga, Pilates, SUP stretching and forest bathing.
Sports & leisure
Bicycles, canal eco-tours spotting birds, turtles and crocodiles, beach kayaks and paddleboards, arcade nights at El Pueblito and a nature trail of almost five kilometres with bird-watching towers are all complimentary. Through Mayakoba Experience guests can add lagoon kayaking, golf at El Camaleón, archery, hydro-bikes, tennis, snorkelling, underwater scooters and Seabobs. Mayakoba has its own cenote, Burródromo, reserved for its guests, and the resort helps plan trips to the Maya sites of Tulum, Cobá and Chichén Itzá. There is also a fitness centre, cooking classes in Thai, Italian, Mexican and pastry, and wine, tequila and mezcal tastings.
For children
The kids’ club by Sands Beach Club runs supervised daily activities for ages 5–12 with no booking needed; children aged 3–5 join with an adult. The Reflections pool, with a gently sloping beach-style entry, suits little ones, and the two- and three-bedroom family residences have kitchens and rooftop pools.
Restaurants & bars
The resort has seven restaurants, two beach clubs, a pool bar and a programme of dining experiences:
- Saffron — Thai cooking in Mayakoba’s most romantic corner
- Tomahawk Open Fire Latin Grill — Latin American cuts cooked over open fire
- Oriente — breakfast buffet overlooking the canals
- Cello — Italian cooking with a considered wine list
- La Copa Mexican Terrace Bar — Mexican spirits and antojitos on a terrace above the lobby
- Cocina Corazón — Mexican street food at lunchtime
- Suna — Nikkei cuisine
- Sands Beach Club — seafood on the beach from breakfast to dinner
- Sur Beach Club — adults-only beach club serving the local catch
- Reflections Pool Bar — drinks and snacks by the pool
Beyond the restaurants there are Haab, a dinner rooted in Maya tradition, meals aboard Ixchel, a traditional trajinera boat, a Latin beach barbecue, a Mexican night, private barbecues at the villa and sunset cruises along the canals. In-villa dining is available around the clock.
Swimming
The resort’s white-sand beach is good for swimming and snorkelling. Sands Beach Club has a family-friendly infinity pool, the adults-only Sur Beach Club two pools, and the Reflections pool, with its beach-style entry and swim-up bar, works well for children. Every villa and suite has its own pool.
Pets
Small dogs and cats weighing up to 10 kg are welcome for an additional fee; details should be agreed with the hotel in advance.
Rooms
The 159 villas and suites range from beach suites with plunge pools to lagoon villas with full-size pools and two- and three-bedroom residences; every one has a private pool and a generous terrace.
Each villa or suite has a private pool, a terrace or sundeck with lounging space, and 24-hour in-villa dining.
Beachfront Lanai Pool Suite
One-bedroom suite right on the sand, with a balcony and plunge pool; a king bed (up to two guests) or two queens (up to four).
Oceanfront Veranda Pool Suite
Upper-level suite with a front terrace holding an outdoor bathtub and a rear veranda with a bubbling jet pool; king bed or two queens.
Lagoon & Sunset Rooftop Pool Villa
Two-storey, one-bedroom villa over the water a few steps from the beach, with a pool and sunset views across the lagoon. Up to two guests.
Oceanfront Balcony Pool Suite
Upper-level suite with a balcony facing the Caribbean and a plunge pool. Up to two guests.
Beachfront Terrace Pool Suite
Suite with a private terrace opening straight onto the beach, a plunge pool and a jet tub. Up to two guests.
Harmony Three-Bedroom Beachfront Pool Villa
Three-bedroom villa near the beach among landscaped gardens, with a full-size pool and a bubbling jet pool. Up to six guests.
Harmony Two-Bedroom Lagoon Pool Villa
Two-storey villa with two bedrooms reached by separate entrances, lagoon views and a full-size pool. Up to four guests.
Three-Bedroom Family Residence
Three-storey residence with living areas, a kitchenette, three bedrooms and a rooftop solarium pool overlooking the golf course. Up to six guests.
Two-Bedroom Family Residence
Three-storey residence with a full kitchen, two bedrooms and a rooftop pool facing the golf course. Up to four guests.
Serenity Two-Bedroom Pool Villa
Two-storey villa with two independently accessed bedrooms, jungle and lagoon views and a pool. Up to four guests.
Wellbeing Sanctuary Pool Villa
One-bedroom lagoon villa with a full-size pool, a bubbling jet pool and an upper-level solarium. Up to two guests.
Serenity Pool Villa with Living Room
One-bedroom villa with a living room, a full-size pool overlooking the lagoon and a hammock on the terrace. Up to two guests.
Bliss Pool Villa
One-bedroom villa between jungle and lagoon, with a sundeck, a full-size pool and interiors of wood, wicker and ceramic. Up to two guests.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.