Maroma, A Belmond Hotel
A few weeks ago, Tim & I escaped to Maroma, a Belmond hotel in Rivera Maya, Mexico, for a quick 3-night getaway. Our stay was heavenly. This hotel is such an authentic beauty. I cannot wait to return! Read on for details on our stay.
Easy Travel: With an early morning (6am) direct flight from JFK, we were seated at the resort’s oceanfront restaurant enjoying breakfast by 10am - which was amazing since our stay at the resort would not be too long. The cost of our flights was quite reasonable as well. Because we landed early on a Sunday morning, immigration was empty, but our driver did tell us that ordinarily, there can be quite a bit of a wait.
Sense of Place: The resort is full of character and authenticity. The recent renovation is incredible - the entire property, which used to be a private home, is designed by and decorated with the work of local artisans. The blend of beach and jungle also creates such a unique vibe on property. One of the things I loved most are the candles - yes, real candles - that the staff put out to line all of the paths every evening. They were absolutely breathtaking! (Sadly, my pictures of those did not come out well).
The Rooms: The rooms are amazing! Look at the details like the tile floors and the sink. We were in an ocean view deluxe room, but the finishings and decor are very similar to those used in the suites that I toured. My favorite room for families is the 2-bedroom oceanfront suite with plunge pool. Since no two rooms on property are the same, I took detailed notes on the best room numbers!! (Also, just fyi: If you have any mobility concerns, some rooms are located on the second floor and require walking up a flight of stairs).
Here is a video of our room and patio. It was stunning! Absolutely no complaints on anything.
Amazing food: Every meal was beyond delicious. We also loved the coffee experience that is delivered to your room every morning.
Beach: Maroma is blessed to be located on a gorgeous white sand beach. No seaweed while we were there and the water was so much clearer than I was expecting. Bonus points for the fact that the beach is a good size (if you like to walk which we do). Plus, the beach attendants were super speedy and attentive and they are constantly bringing around yummy treats & complimentary drinks of the day.
Spa: I have never been to a more beautiful spa. Ever. From the entry to the cold plunge to the Guerlain perfume experience and apothecary to the treatments themselves, I could have spent a week at just the spa. The spa, and the entire resort, are designed to evoke such a sense of tranquility and wellness. You feel it from the moment you walk in.
Things to Do Off Property: We didn’t have time to go to Chichén Itzá, the pre-Columbian ruins from one of the largest Mayan cities or swim in the cenotes, but I highly recommend both!
Room for Improvement: In my opinion, the only room for improvement at Maroma that I saw was: (1) The open-air restaurant, where you eat breakfast everyday & dinner some nights, is lovely, but it does not have air-conditioning. Two mornings, we were uncomfortably warm at breakfast (aka, totally sweating) which was not ideal, especially since the service can be a bit slow. Plus, we were there in October so I can see how this could be an issue in warmer months. (2) Depending on where your room is located, you ma find yourself close to the resort next door, which is not nearly as nice as Maroma! That can easily be avoided, but you need to understand the ideal locations on property.
Who Should Go: I was surprised at the number of families at the resort since it is a small, intimate and romantic property, but I do think Maroma is a good fit for couples & families alike so long as you are not looking for a kids club or tons of kid-specific activities. There is a nice area on the beach off to the side that kids could play football or frisbee without disturbing anyone and there are several pools on property, along with bikes which could be fun. There are also watersports - kayaks, paddleboard, etc. and lots to do off-property which we did not have time for on this trip.
Bottom line: Run, don’t walk, to Belmond’s Maroma!! You won’t regret it. As a Belmond Bellini Club partner, make sure to reach out to me to ensure you get the best insider perks & amenities!
