The Belmond Maroma is truly a Mayan Paradise, luxurious and exotic, yet it feels authentic and grounded. Its just enough to escape reality without being obnoxious. This 5-star luxury boutique property sits off the main highway on a literal off-the-beaten path between Cancun airport (30 minutes to the north) and Playa del Carmen (20 minutes to the south). There’s no sign at the turn-in; you’ll drive past a small hotel and the Burger Stop (like red and white checkered paper in a basket type of roadside burger joint) before the pavement ends and you’re on a single-lane gravel road leading up to lobby-less foyer.
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted with chilled towels and freshly mixed margaritas while you “check-in”. A tour of the property is offered as you’re led to your room, allowing time for luggage to be delivered.
The property only has 63 rooms, most of which are just steps to the stretch of secluded white sand beach and the pristine turquoise water backdrop.
If you can swing the upgrade on the price tag, book a master suite and make sure to ask for one of the renovated rooms as there are 15 master suites but only 7 (as of this time) are renovated. Here is the renovated room:
I’d be pretty unhappy if I came to the resort expecting the above but getting the below so to show the difference, here are the lead-in category rooms that have not been renovated:
This demonstrates exactly why room categories matter and how it’s important to ask the right questions (or to go through a knowledgeable agent who will ask the questions for you).
Now on the other side of the spectrum are the one-bedroom oceanfront suites. The photo below is of Casa Del Mar which can be booked as a full private villa. This can’t be done online so you’ll need to contact resort directly (or through your agent). The upper unit has a private plunge pool with an ocean view. That can be booked as a standalone one-bedroom villa and you’d still get the private plunge pool as the bottom unit would be locked off. If you’re splurging for a one-bedroom suite, make sure to request unit 40 so you get that plunge pool for the same price as the other one-bedrooms.
Since there were guests at Casa del Mar, I couldn’t go see it but you can find photos of a similar one-bedroom suite that I was able to visit.
Some of the one-bedroom units have a second bedroom which has two twin beds which is great for families with children. Although the resort does allow children, it’s geared more for adults so if you just want the gorgeous view and extra space but don’t need the extra beds, make sure to request the one-bedroom suites where this area is set up as a small fitness room.
Now for those looking for a real fitness room:
I found this to be quite interesting – just below the gym is a juice bar and a little nook where you can come and color your own mandala (those blue circular patterns on the wall). You can see where this is getting to sound like a hippie retreat. And let me just take it another step further. There are no TVs in any of the rooms (except Casa del Mar where there is satellite TV) or by request but only DVDs available. There is a public TV in one of the lounge areas where you can turn on the game or something if you desperately just can’t pull away. But not once did I see anyone in there watching TV.
If coloring mandalas isn’t your thing, you can take a complimentary bike tour to look for monkeys in the rain forest, jump on the catamaran for hotel guests only (reservations required, additional fee) that departs daily at 11am to snorkel the nearby reef, use one of the 2 complimentary tennis courts, or you can lounge at one of 3 pools around the resort:
Visit the spa for treatments and spend the day exploring the facilities, taking a dip in several warm and cold plunge pools:
Have a cocktail at the beach bar:
Enjoy a meal with a view followed by laying out on one of the cushy chaise lounges that are for hotel guests use without anyone bothering you to get your hair braided:
Or just go for a stroll on the beach (i.e. take wedding/engagement photos):
Pricing: Starts around $500 for the lead-in deluxe garden view. Ocean view master suites around $1000. One-bedrooms around $1500. But make sure to book through an agent who can get you comped amenities at the same rates as if you were booking yourself online.
Overall feedback: Pros – white sand beach with turquoise waters just steps away, top-notch service, intentionally forces you to disconnect and focus on taking care of yourself, large property to explore (or not and just read a book on the beach), fantastic spa. Cons – its a distance from anything so you’d have to call a taxi to go anywhere. Their food is good but I like having restaurant options nearby.
At these price points, it’s not for everyone, but it’s a beautiful property and I have no doubt that everyone can find many things they’ll love about it.