Andaz Mayakoba
My first visit to Mayakoba was definitely something to remember. I'm a big fan of the Andaz properties! I have stayed at the Andaz Maui, Papagayo (Costa Rica) & Scottsdale, AZ. The staff, service and food/drink quality are consistent across locations, which is not always true with hotel lines. One thing that makes me so fond of the Andaz is how they reflect the local culture of the hotel location. The architect who designs each property takes this into account. The architect behind the design at Andaz Mayakoba zoned in on the Mayan Culture and the Cenote. The stunning lobby in the first picture below is open air. The roof has a circular sky light in the center so you can observe the stars in the evening like the Mayans would. You'll even find a book in your room about this intentional design.
My Experience: The warm welcome started the minute we sat down in the lobby with our guide. The check in at Andaz doesn't take place at a stuffy 'front desk'. Instead, it's more of a conversation. The Andaz staff really get to know each guest and their individual needs/expectations. It feels like you have a built in best friend upon arrival, someone who knows the lay of the land. It is almost like you've just met a local with all the best insight. The concierge team was amazing- more to come on that in a bit. We started our journey by taking a complimentary boat tour of Mayakoba. This luxury village is home to some of the most luxurious properties in the Riviera Maya. We saw all sorts of birds and even baby alligators on the boat tour. We ended at the stunning white sand beach, about 10 minutes from the lobby by boat or bike.
We had lunch at Olla Taco with some hand crafted beverages. The waiter called us by our first names, another personalized experience. We tried to sneak in a spa treatment in our stay and had emailed the concierge team requesting more information. A few minutes later, the waiter came back to our table asking if a 3:30pm appointment would work for the spa. All of these wheels were turning behind the scenes and we didn't even know it. It was such a wonderful surprise!! The staff knows you by first name, they make arrangements so your experience is seamless and their staff make sure to capitalize on opportunities to surprise you. This is the Luxury Difference. I will not soon forget my short stay at Andaz Mayakoba. For more information or if you'd like to stay at Andaz, contact me HERE to learn more.