Last weekend, I had the honor of attending one of the most beautiful weddings in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It was my first destination wedding and, boy, did it set the bar high for future destination weddings. From the moment I stepped out of my taxi and entered the lobby of the Fairmont Mayakoba, I knew I was in for a treat for the next three days.
Located roughly 40 minutes away from Cancún International Airport, the Fairmont Mayakoba is nestled between an aesthetically pleasing security wall and the beach. It is surrounded by freshly manicured tropical greenery and a massive golf course, which has hosted PGA tours in the past. Whether you are in town for a wedding or vacation, this property has everything you need to keep busy during your stay – I’m talking five pools, beachfront, nature trails, underwater caves, water activities, spa things, bars, restaurants and so much more.
If that’s not enough to keep you busy, you can head downtown to Avenida 5. Just 20 minutes away from the Fairmont Mayakoba, this commercial tourist hub has everything from stores like H&M, MAC, Victoria’s Secret, and Zara to small souvenir shops, trendy glasses stands, and more. Not interested in shopping? You can hop on a ferry and head over to Cozumel for a day trip, grab some drinks and a bite to eat or watch fútbol at one of the many restaurant bars. TRAVELERS PREPARE YOURSELF: As you walk down Avenida 5, you will be greeted by hawkers and feisty owners trying to sell you everything and anything from “Plata y Oro for your queen” to “ganja” or any souvenir that comes to mind. Just politely decline, keep walking, and all will be well.
[THE ROOM]
Room 101 was super spacious and comfortable. I love how my room had a waterfront balcony, a massive tub, and a walk-in shower with a rainfall showerhead AND showerhead attachment (for my ladies who can’t get their hair wet). My room, also, had a king size bed, double closets, double sinks, and a private washroom. BONUS: Housekeeping came to clean my room twice a day – first at 10 am to tidy everything up and again around 4:30 pm for a room refresh (i.e., restock free water, towels, redress the bed if we took a nap, and so forth).
[THE FOOD]
Breakfast was complimentary (or worked into our reservation), so we had breakfast at the Laguna in the Fairmont every morning. I know that sounds boring, but it felt like we were at a different restaurant every single day because we had so many options. I’m talking omelets, salmon, and tortillas one day. Waffles and eggs the next day. Huevos Rancheros the day after that. This restaurant had everything and anything you could think of – an assortment of bread, pastries, cold cuts and cheese, cereals, fruits, exotic fresh made juices, potatoes, and so much more.
The majority of my stay I ate from a special menu curated by the bride and groom on Friday and Saturday nights. However, on Sunday, we had dinner at Agave Azul at the Rosewood. Honestly, the ambiance was 5-star, but the food was a solid 3.5 at best. It was mediocre and overpriced. We had two rolls, edamame, nigiri, and a bottle of Riesling for around USD 190. If I’m fair, I could judge myself for purchasing Japanese food in Mexico, but it was the only restaurant opened on Sunday evening at the resort. So, I’m lowkey judging Agave Azul while acknowledging the fact that California spoiled me when it comes to sushi.
photo credit: The Rosewood Mayakoba
[THINGS TO DO]
Here are my 3 things to do when staying at the Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya:
- Lounge by one of the many pools and sip a refreshing Caipirinha. My favorite was the infinity pool and the pool by the bar.
- Bike around the property – mainly to and from the beach. The bikes are free to use, so grab them anytime you see them lying around the property.
- Get a 60-minute light massage at the Willow Stream Spa. It will change your life. Here are a few pictures from the spa facility. Check out the images below!
[THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND]
SUNSCREEN – The sun is a beast, so sunscreen is key to maintaining radiant skin under the sun. My Neutrogena and face reality sunscreen did wonders for protecting my skin from sun exposure during my three nights and four days stay in Playa del Carmen.
SECURITY is no joke at these hotel resorts. You can’t get into this resort without being a guest or having a real reason for being on the premises (i.e., a wedding, business meeting, etc.). The level of security is comforting because you know you will be “safe” for the duration of your stay.
MOSQUITO REPELLANT – I laughed when I saw mosquito repellant amongst the lotion, soaps, and other toiletries, but quickly learned why it was there. You will need to use mosquito repellent, or mosquitoes will eat you ate. My arms and legs suffered at the hands of these mosquitoes.
TRANSPORTATION – The fastest way to get around the property is by bike or cart drove by hotel personnel. Walking is not that fun in sweltering heat, and you will be walking forever if you want to travel between hotels or indulge in amenities outside of the Fairmont.
GRATUITY – Pay attention to your check. Most of the time, gratuity is already included in your bill so you won’t have to worry about adding another tip. But if you are anything like me –wowed by the phenomenal guest services and tentativeness of all staff members – you will find yourself giving additional tips to everyone as if your money grows on trees.
[FINAL THOUGHTS]
If you are visiting Playa del Carmen and want to relax, I highly recommend staying at the Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya. The hotel staff is excellent – they are attentive, polite, and incredibly helpful. The property is beautiful, and you are guaranteed to get your money’s worth.
Hasta luego mis amores! Xoxo, Michelle Ijeoma