Intro
Andaz Mayakoba is a new resort just north of Playa Del Carmen, Mexico that is within the Mayakoba Resort complex. The resort is surrounded by canal-like lagoons and tropical vegetation with plenty of nature trails to explore. With all the canals crisscrossing the various resorts in Mayakoba, it made it feel like a tropical Amsterdam. While the Andaz resort of located on the beach, it feels more like staying within a nature reserve with an abundance of unique flora and fauna. Mayakoba has four distinct ecosystems; dune, water canals, tropical forest and mangroves with over 200 species of birds. This resort is truly a unique experience.
Andaz Main Entrance
Booking
I booked two nights using the nightly points plus cash rate of 10,000 points + $125. I also used my last diamond suite upgrade to get booked into a suite for the stay. Not a bad deal considering the normal nightly rate for the Lagoon View Suite was $850. I booked by contacting @HyattConcierge on twitter since it is not possible to apply diamond suite upgrades online and calling is more of a hassle.
Andaz Boat Pier
Getting There
I flew into Cancun International airport and then proceeded to use Uber to catch a ride to the resort at a cost of about $25USD. Not bad for a 75km drive which took about 60 minutes. When I arrived in January, Uber had just begun operations in Cancun and technically Mayakoba is out of their area of operations. However, Uber drivers don’t seem to have an issue driving you all the way to Mayakoba. Just don’t expect Uber to pick you up in Mayakoba for your return flight home. I had the hotel arrange a taxi to pick me when it was time to head home to the airport. I suggest paying the taxi in Pesos since the driver gave me a USD rate much higher than the daily exchange rate.
Check-In area called “The Sanctuary” intended to look like a Cenote, sometimes used by the ancient Maya
Check-In
I arrived very early in the morning, but luckily the friendly staff allowed me to check in early and have breakfast at the beach front restaurant. Travel within the resort is only possible by golf cart, bike, foot, or canal boat.
Check-In Desk
There are over 200 species of birds in Mayakoba
Andaz Mayakoba
Room(5/5)
The room was open, spacious, minimalist, with some interesting colorful localized design features. The suite included two separate balconies and its own private plunge pool overlooking the lagoon. At first I was a bit bummed I did not get an ocean view suite, but after staying in the lagoon area, I can say I much rather prefer viewing the natural lagoon habitat and spotting all the various birds migrating in the area.
Room number signs are shaped like a flying bird
Bedroom
Bedroom
Living Room
Welcome Amenity
Walk-in closet included robe, beach bag, sandals, and iron
Bathroom
Shower
Soap
Toilet is in separate room
Bedroom Balcony
View from balcony
Living Room Balcony
Private Plunge Pool
View from private plunge pool
Well lit at night
Property (5/5)
The Andaz Mayakoba Resort is actually clustered into two distinct areas within Mayakoba about 1km apart. One section near the beach includes several rooms overlooking the ocean with its own pool area and restaurants. The other area is the lagoon area set in a tropical forested area lined with canals which included pool area, rooms, restaurants, gym, and check-in desk. You can travel between the two areas by riding in golf carts driven by staff or by the Andaz lagoon boats.
What I liked most about this resort is that is was not designed to get an insane amount of people into a small area. The property is spread out with plenty of walking trails with only 214 guest rooms. There is nothing relaxing about being stuck at a beach resort with hundreds of people fighting over beach chairs. With all the different activities going on and various pools spread throughout the property, it is unlikely to feel like the resort if being overrun with people.
Lagoon view rooms
Canal view from the walking bridge
Sunrise on the way to breakfast
Cool looking palm trees
Lagoon boat that will take you to the beach area of the resort.
The hotel also offers extended tours of the lagoon that will explain all the various wildlife and birds in the area. I saw dozens of different species of birds I have never saw before in my life. It was fascinating.
Large bird in tree
Andaz Transport Boat
It is also possible to visit other resorts withing the Mayakoba complex such as the Fairmont or Banyan Tree. This is great in the event that you get board of eating or spending time at the Andaz.
Banyan Tree Mayakoba Resort – Canal Entrance
Breakfast (5/5)
Breakfast was included for free since I has a diamond member. The breakfast spread was among the best I have ever experienced.
Excellent dining facility in the lagoon area.
Go early to watch the sunrise and have the restaurant all to yourself.
Every kind of breakfast food imaginable with local Mexican options.
Omelette station. Nooice!
Options for the GF people
Stuff making me fat
Cool juice machine
Honey straight from the honey comb, the only way to eat honey
Food (5/5)
The food was so good here that I couldn’t stop eating. Everything was well prepared, flavorful, and with great ambiance. I couldn’t wait for the next meal as soon as I finished the last meal.
Olla Ceviche
Ceviche was awesome at Olla Ceviche on a beach. The local amber ale was great as well.
Olla Ceviche
Some food I got from the buffet
So much good food
At the lunch buffet, you can point to various plates of meat and then the chef will cook it up for you.
Seafood was amazing
Various oils
Fancy food placement
The food here was not playing around. Very good!
Things to Do
If you have the Citi Prestige credit card, you can use one of your 3 free rounds of golf vouchers at the El Camaleón golf course at Mayakoba. This is a PGA tour golf course where the OHL classic is held and a round of golf costs $300USD! So if you have the Citi Prestige credit card, you can experience this course for free. It was by far the best golf course I have ever played on and this is coming from someone who used to live in Hawaii.
El Camaleón golf course right on the beach
Serious sand trap
Watch out for alligators, but don’t worry, they are small.
They space out the players on this course so I felt like I had the whole course to myself
Such a beautiful course
Gym (4/5)
The gym had plenty of treadmills but could have used more lifting equipment.
Gym
Hydration Station at the gym
Great for runners, but why not just run outside on the beautiful trails?
Pool Areas (5/5)
The pool areas were awesome, large, and with many seating options all over the place. Staff would walk by frequently to make sure you had enough towels or if you would like to order some food or drinks.
Pool area on the lagoon side
Pool area at the beach side
Sunblock or spray tan machine
Cool fire pit at night time
Service (5/5)
Service was awesome at this place and the people were very friendly, genuine, and welcoming. Everywhere you went the staff made sure that you were well taken care of and fulfilled any request as soon as they could. Only area of improvement would be the shuttle service between the two separate locations. Sometimes it would take a while for a golf cart to arrive if you wanted to go to the other end of the resort. I’m sure this is something that will get resolved over time. When I visited, the hotel had only been open for three weeks but it was already being run like a well oiled machine.
Live music
Beach (4/5)
When I visited in January, the beach was very windy and the waves were rough. I’m not sure if that is normal for that time of year. However, the beach area was still very beautiful nice to walk on.
Stairs to the beach
Sunrise on beach
Conclusion
In conclusion, this place is awesome and I’ll be back for sure. Not many places combine nature, beaches, and luxury in perfect harmony the way this resort does.
Just curious as a Diamond member if you inquired about the Oceanfront Studio room type if it was available? It would theoretically fall under the “best available non-suite room” that Globalist and Explorist members are entitled too even though it’s priced higher than lagoon and beach area suites.
The lack of any ocean view has to mean that the room is at most 4/5. Not to mention that it’s funny to think that anyone who might spend $850 wouldn’t want an ocean view. If the view were of beautiful scenery and not ocean, I could see the resort getting away with it and getting 5/5 perhaps, but the view is just terrible. Looking into the other wing of the resort is tragic and reflects very poor design. I’ll give this property a pass.