Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya recently began an extensive renovation of its 45-acre property tucked inside the gated Mayakoba community. The first phase, which involves three new beachfront pools, will be unveiled at the end of this month.
Nestled on the white sand along Mexico’s Riviera Maya, all pools will look out on the Caribbean Sea. They will be steps from Ki’ Beach Bar, offering convenient access to cocktails like the Ponche de Mayakoba (a mixture of rums muddled with fresh strawberry, housemade spicy pineapple syrup, Mayan honey and fresh lime juice). The beach also will have well-appointed lounge chairs and day beds as well as sleek, slatted cabanas for a more private setting.
According to general manager Robert-Jan Woltering, the pools will enhance its ultra-luxury beachfront offerings. “It is part of a new luxury trend that blends a range of outdoor wellness activities for a well-rounded experience,” he says. Plus, they will allow for extra social distancing among the guests.
Up next in the renovations will be the beachfront restaurant Brisas, which will be expanded to provide new areas to relax, dine and enjoy the stunning vistas. The elevated bohemian-chic main dining area will house a seafood restaurant with spaces that can be transformed for private events. Adjacent to it, the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel will build a new Mexican cantina. At this casual, alfresco grill, you will be able to watch your meals being prepared while sinking your toes into the sand.
“The Brisas Restaurant will be the heart and soul of Fairmont,” Woltering says. “With several unique areas to enjoy, Brisas offers a new experience with each visit. It will also offer guests a connection with the ocean blended with an exquisite culinary experience. Furthermore, there are moments throughout the day that will reconnect visitors with the world’s greatness, such as experiencing the sunrise while you are having breakfast.”
In addition, the renovation will introduce the resort’s first adults-only rooftop. Overlooking the ocean, the rooftop will feature a bar and an infinity pool with sunken circular lounge areas reminiscent of cenotes. The inspiration came from a rooftop dining experience Woltering had with his family in Tulum while overlooking the ocean.
“It was a moment that, until this day, it remains in my memory, and our Fairmont essence is to create unforgettable moments in the heart of each destination,” he says. “Therefore I want all our guests to have the same experience when they leave.”
The 401-room resort tapped Room 1804 Design (whose other projects include Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay) to create a modern look that incorporates the area’s rich Mexican heritage. The spaces will use locally sourced materials in a neutral, texturized palette with touches of cool shades that represent the mangrove and canals surrounding the property.
Woltering describes the look of Brisas and the rooftop as refined, with an unrivaled presence and a contemporary touch. “For example, the use of the infinity water is modern architecture featuring simple luxury,” he says.
Fortunately, the onset of COVID-19 did not hamper the hotel’s plans. “The pandemic reassured us that the setup is the right way to protect our guests’ habitat, and it confirmed that this is the best place to connect with nature,” Woltering says. “Therefore, a renovation comes at a perfect time to provide our guests an enhanced and more sophisticated stay.”
Work on Brisas is expected to wrap up by spring 2022, but this is just the start of Fairmont Mayakoba’s renovations. More changes are scheduled to come.
