Stilted mangrove roost
Boardwalks wind above coastal wetlands, where resident shamans lead daily sunrise blessings and Caribbean breezes drift across the water.
“The interiors combine leather, wood and regional textiles, drawing inspiration from local craftsmanship without feeling cliché.”
Where it shines
Remarkable
Elevated boardwalks link stilted coral stone pavilions detailed with Manuel Felguérez lattice screens.
Remarkable
Dedicated Guía guides support guests in oceanfront studios with private plunge pools.
Remarkable
A cenote-inspired hydrotherapy pool sits beneath circular skylights beside dedicated sound-healing shalas.
What they say
Two Michelin Keys
Michelin
Forbes Recommended
Forbes Travel Guide
2026
set amid a dense mangrove forest and connected by elevated walkways to a pristine white-sand beach.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Secluded inside the gated Kanai reserve, coastal mangroves buffer the quiet shoreline six miles north of Playa del Carmen.
The rooms
Every room faces the sea through sliding glass, detailed with freestanding soaking tubs, artisanal bar boxes, and hand-carved plaster screens.
The pools
Bring a swimsuit.
Two tiered pools look straight out across the Caribbean, finished with submerged daybeds and shaded teak loungers.
The baths
An arched hydrotherapy bath rests under an overhead skylight, flanked by outdoor stone soaking tubs among the palms.
The gym
Technogym cardio machines line floor-to-ceiling windows inside the movement studio, looking out toward the coastal greenery.
Dogs stay too.
Restaurant
Itzam
Dishes come off wood embers and traditional comal griddles on an open terrace with sunken fire pits.
At the table
Thatched beachside bars and open-air lounges serve fresh crudos, baja tacos, and craft mezcal drinks beside the sea.
How it began
Perched on stilts above a protected coastal reserve, the coral stone pavilions were elevated to preserve the surrounding mangrove ecosystem below.
Good to know
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Riviera Maya
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.