Banyan Tree Mayakoba

The joy of Banyan Tree Mayakoba is that it’s a resort that’s geared completely towards rest and relaxation. From the moment Mr Smith and I arrived, we were completely cosseted by the staff and our every need was anticipated before we even knew what it was. There was a clear team effort in facilitating a complete switch-off for us during our stay, from the moment we were whisked over to the beach club in a buggy to check-in with our personal concierge, to the offer of restaurant bookings and guidance through all of the activities available. 

The enormous resort has the feel of a private island, but with no seaplane required (it’s less than 40 minutes away from Cancún’s airport). It’s set in a sprawling gated community, with mangroves, lagoons, serene waterways and immaculate coastline forming the immersed-in-nature backdrop.

Walking into our suite was a genuine wow moment. I’ve swooned at hotel rooms many times, but our lagoon-facing villa here was something else — bigger than a typical London flat and set beside one of the many mangrove forests, which meant total privacy and a sense of being completely cocooned in nature. Every element is created for comfort, relaxation and fun, from our private infinity pool and terrace looking out onto the lagoon to the always toasty hot tub and bed that could easily fit eight adults. Polished woods sit alongside sinks hewn out of rock and glistening porcelain in a design that nods to the natural world around it. 
 
It was a miracle we left the room, but we eventually managed it. There’s enough on site to occupy you for days and for the three blissful ones we had here, we decided to not head further afield. Instead, we explored everything the resort had to offer and after 72 hours, we still hadn’t exhausted the options. We spent the best part of a day on bicycles, pootling along the nature trails that thread through Mayokoba. We spotted racoons, coati, lizards of all descriptions, birds, butterflies and everything in between. We also took advantage of one of the free eco tours and explored the waterways by boat for 45 minutes, spying turtles, herons and even one of the (very tiny) crocodiles that call the lagoons home. The beach is, of course, a must, and cosy cabanas and sunbeds were ready to facilitate hours of reading, snoozing or watching Mr Smith zip around on a jet ski. And there are numerous pools across the resort, so you can while away an afternoon trying them all out.
 
We pedalled around the El Camaleón golf course (which Mr Smith informed me was ‘absolutely excellent’) and visited the superbly kitted-out gym daily. I felt duty bound to take myself off to the spa and indulged in a Sleep Essential treatment on day one. This supremely relaxing massage, which fuses Mexican and Asian traditions, was performed in a delightful private cabin, with teas and snacks on hand, and a choice of aromatics geared to help me drift off. Unsurprisingly, that evening I had the first night of uninterrupted sleep of our trip. 

And if you ever felt that you could tear yourself away from the beach, bars, pools and general leafy loveliness of the resort, there are lots of excursions to choose from, whether you want to explore nearby Tulum, go diving with turtles or tour ancient ruins. It’s perfect for a holiday with some dreamy down time, with a side helping of adventure. 
 
And then there’s the food. One of the cornerstones of the Banyan Tree experience is the fantastic fare and from breakfast to bedtime, there’s something to sate literally any preference. The buffet breakfast bested even my husband, a man who sees an all-you-can-eat as a challenge, not a treat. There were cereals, fruit and charcuterie, a pancake station and a smoothie booth, and even regional specialities and sushi for those segueing into lunch. 

The staff are what really makes it though and we made a point of sitting in a server called Omar’s section each morning for the humour, warmth and excellent guidance around our authentic Mexican breakfast choices. In the evening, you can opt for anything from Mexican to Thai to Latin American. We chose Cello, the Italian, because on the last day of any trip, I am guaranteed to want a carbonara wherever we are in the world. It didn’t disappoint — the olive oil was spectacular, the wine was superb, the carbonara was a tour de force and the staff were, of course, incredible. When I mentioned to our server how much I had loved one of the dishes, my sentence was barely finished before she offered to email over the recipe.
 
If you’re looking for a base to explore the Yucatán Peninsula or just a place to lose yourself completely, immersed in a laid-back kind of luxury in the most breathtaking natural setting, then Banyan Tree Mayakoba is the hotel for you. It’s a glorious playground you’ll never want to leave, where your wellbeing is the focus and life couldn’t be easier.