Maroma, A Belmond Hotel: Tara Bernerd-redesigned Mayan coastal palace with Woodend by Curtis Stone and 3 pools

Reigning gracefully on a secluded 200-acre private jungle estate along the legendary white sands of Maroma Beach in Riviera Maya, Mexico (directly fronting the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, just 30 minutes from Cancún International Airport), Maroma, A Belmond Hotel opened as Mexico’s premier Mayan coastal grand palace. Completely redesigned by celebrated British designer Tara Bernerd in collaboration with local Mexican artisans, the 72-room luxury haven features 80% handmade materials including hand-painted Talavera tiles, indigenous sapote wood, and woven henequen textiles. Featuring the acclaimed open-fire oceanfront restaurant Woodend by Michelin-starred celebrity Chef Curtis Stone, the contemporary Mexican dining room Casa Mayor by Chef Daniel Camacho, three outdoor heated freshwater swimming pools, and the first Guerlain Spa in Latin America (Maroma Spa by Guerlain), this property is the Riviera Maya’s ultimate luxury grand palace.

Arrival introduces travelers to unvarnished Mayan jungle mysticism and Caribbean turquoise splendour: personal hosts greet guests beneath thatched palapas on Maroma Bay before entering the open-air lobby with reflection pools, hand-carved stone stelae, and chilled Mayan copal and citrus elixirs. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Riviera Maya reef, cenote, and culinary pursuits: walking down to the calm, powdery white sands of Maroma Beach (steps away), private catamaran sailing and snorkeling on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (steps away from the resort pier), swimming in sacred jungle cenotes (15 minutes away), swimming in the three heated pools (including the adult quiet pool and main pool), indulging in Melipona bee honey and sound healing rituals at Maroma Spa by Guerlain, enjoying artisanal mezcal flights at Bambuco Bar, and reserving dinner at Woodend by Curtis Stone.

Palace living balances active marine exploration with serene Mayan wellness: Maroma Spa by Guerlain features 9 private treatment suites, under-canopy hydrotherapy pools, temazcal sweat lodge ceremonies, and therapies utilizing organic Melipona bee honey harvested from the resort’s on-site sanctuary. Dining is an extraordinary Mexican-international culinary summit: open-fire coastal gastronomy at Woodend by Chef Curtis Stone (featuring wood-grilled Caribbean lobster, wagyu steaks, and Mexican/Californian Grand Crus), authentic regional Mexican dishes at Casa Mayor, mezcal cocktails at Bambuco, and beachfront dining on the sand.

Accommodations comprise 72 rooms, suites, and private beachfront villas styled by Tara Bernerd in custom Talavera tiles, saltillo flooring, and private plunge pools ranging from 45 to 350 square metres. Each residence features sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea or jungle gardens, plush king beds with custom linens, and marble bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs, embedded TV mirrors, and custom amenities.

Design connoisseurs, culinary enthusiasts, and luxury travelers seeking Maroma Beach sands, Curtis Stone dining, and Guerlain Spa in Mexico should book Maroma, A Belmond Hotel without hesitation. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 3,600 reviews and a 4.9 out of 5 on Google across 4,800 reviews.