About this hotel
General information
Etéreo — Spanish for ethereal or heavenly — is an Auberge Collection resort on the Riviera Maya that seems to float above a mangrove forest beside the white beaches of the Caribbean. It sits within Kanai, a gated resort enclave north of Playa del Carmen built over some 250 hectares of protected mangroves. The concept draws on Maya philosophy, and the architecture and interiors set contemporary lines against regional motifs; works by the Mexican artist Manuel Felguérez appear throughout, including carved wooden walls in the rooms.
There are 75 accommodations — 57 studios, 14 suites and four penthouses — many with their own plunge pools and rooftop decks. Etéreo is valued for the modern Mexican cooking at Itzam, SANA spa with its cenote-inspired pool, and a snorkelling reef directly off the beach. It suits couples and families equally, with an adults-only pool, a kids’ club and multi-bedroom options.
Location
Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, on the Caribbean coast. Central Playa del Carmen is about 12.5 km away, Cancún International Airport roughly 39 km (about 45 minutes by car) and Tulum around 75 km. Private airport transfers are arranged on request, and rental cars are available at the airport or the resort.
Spa
SANA, Wellbeing by Auberge blends ancient Maya practices with contemporary wellness from Mexico and beyond. The space is finished in natural stone and pebbles amid tropical planting, with a cenote-inspired pool, sauna, full-body shower, clay room and sound room; the signature treatment is The Cleanse. The menu also covers couples’ massages, facials, private yoga, daily rituals and seasonal group classes in the yoga studio.
Sports & leisure
Activities centre on the sea and the culture of the region:
- snorkelling on the reef directly off the beach, kayaks, canoes and paddleboards
- scuba diving with the resort’s own Dive Master, including courses for beginners; boat trips from the pier
- tennis and pickleball at Kanai Tennis & Recreation Club, a few minutes from the entrance
- fitness and seasonal group classes
- the Comal Cooking Class, The Obsidian cocktail evening and a weekly tasting of seven lesser-known Mexican spirits at Itzam
- guided trips to one of the most important Maya sites on the Yucatán Peninsula; golf nearby
For children
Chavitos Kids Club runs paddleboard and kayak races, karaoke and game nights, nature walks and crafts rooted in Maya culture; an evening programme runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 6 to 9 pm at extra cost. Families also have the Vivo pool, 30 and 120 cm deep with a hot tub for parents, a 45 cm kids’ pool with splash pad beside the club, children’s menus, babysitting, complimentary cribs and rollaway beds for under-12s, and a library of books, games and films.
Restaurants & bars
Executive Chef Carlos Segura works closely with local farmers and fishermen, and the cocktail list is directed by Jeff Bell, owner of New York’s Please Don’t Tell. In-room dining runs around the clock, and private dinners can be set on the beach or above the mangroves.
- Itzam — the main restaurant, serving modern Mexican cooking from local, seasonal produce
- Che Che — open-air venue marrying Japanese technique with Mexican ingredients: Japanese-style tacos and sushi from the local catch
- El Changarro — toes-in-the-sand lunches built on the daily catch, as ceviche, tacos or grilled
- Alberca — poolside and cabana menu
- Chu Chu — coffee and pastries daily from 7 am to noon
Swimming
A private 300 m beach of white sand and palms fronts calm, clear Caribbean water, with beach cabanas served by El Changarro. The pools are Tranquilo, for adults only, with in-pool loungers and private cabanas; Vivo, the family pool with a hot tub; and a kids’ pool with splash pad.
Pets
Pets stay free of charge; they must be registered before arrival and kept on a leash, and are not allowed in restaurants or pool areas. A bed and bowls are provided at check-in; pet sitting and special diets can be arranged at extra cost.
Rooms
57 studios, 14 suites and four penthouses facing the forest or the sea, with floor-to-ceiling windows and large terraces; many have plunge pools and rooftop decks, and studios can be connected for families.
Terrace with outdoor seating, floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, bathroom with soaking tub, furnishings and textiles by local artisans, in-room streaming, and a personal concierge in the suites.
Mangrove Studio
Mangrove-view studio with a large terrace and outdoor seating, floor-to-ceiling windows and a soaking tub.
Two Bedroom Mangrove Studios with Plunge Pool
Two connecting mangrove-view studios with a terrace and in-ground plunge pool and bathrooms with soaking tubs.
Two Bedroom Ocean Studios with Plunge Pool
Two connecting sea-view studios with a terrace and plunge pool and bathrooms with soaking tubs.
Ocean Studio
Sea-view studio with one king or two queen beds, a terrace with loungers and a soaking tub.
Ocean Studio with Sky Deck and Plunge Pool
Top-floor sea-view studio with a terrace plus a private rooftop deck with plunge pool.
Ocean Studio with Plunge Pool
Sea-view studio with a terrace and plunge pool and a soaking tub.
Mangrove Studio with Plunge Pool
Mangrove-view studio with a terrace, in-ground plunge pool and soaking tub.
Three Bedroom Ocean Veranda Duplex with Plunge Pool
Two-level residence with three bedrooms, the main bedroom upstairs, two plunge pools and a personal concierge.
Two Bedroom Ocean Veranda Duplex with Plunge Pool
Two-level residence with two bedrooms, a separate area for entertaining and dining, and a plunge pool.
Three Bedroom Ocean Penthouse with Plunge Pool
Penthouse with three bedrooms, the main bedroom on the upper level, two plunge pools and a personal concierge.
Two Bedroom Ocean Penthouse with Plunge Pool
Penthouse with two bedrooms, the main bedroom on the upper level, and a plunge pool.
Two Bedroom Ocean & Sunset Suite with Plunge Pool
Two-bedroom suite with sea and sunset views, a separate entertaining area and a plunge pool.
One Bedroom Ocean & Sunset Suite with Plunge Pool
One-bedroom suite with a separate living area, a nook for watching the sunset and a plunge pool.
Ocean Suite with Sky Deck and Plunge Pool
Sea-view suite with a separate sitting area, plunge pool and rooftop deck.
Ocean Suite with Plunge Pool
Sea-view suite with a separate sitting area and a plunge pool.
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.