Banyan Tree Mayakoba

The overwater bungalows at Banyan Tree Mayakoba open in June 2021. Reservations can be made now.

The newest of only three overwater bungalows in Mexico, the other two being the nearby Palafitos El Dorado Resort and the even more nearby Rosewood Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba is an exclusive resort near Playa del Carmen which has won consistently great reviews for its eco friendly principles, its choice setting, its luxury accommodation and facilities (including golf course and spa), exceptional service and excellent food.

The overwater bungalows (listed as Lagoon Sunset Pool Villa on the booking page) won’t be open until June 2021 so we sadly haven’t had the chance to check them out yet. If the rest of this fabulous resort is anything to go by though, they will be top of the range.

Two minor quibbles may be that externally the style is more chalet-like than the kind of traditional, rustic Polynesian you may have come to expect from an overwater bungalow and secondly – like those of the very nearby Rosewood Mayakoba – they stand over the lagoon as opposed to the sea.

That aside though their extremely plush interiors, set over two floors, sense of private space and overall aesthetic are bound to please. And in general Banyan Tree is a thoroughly enjoyable resort.

THE ACCOMMODATION:

The above mentioned overwater bungalows are listed as Lagoon Sunset Pool Villa on the booking page. They are all doubles with king size bed and seem very spacious – over two floors they cover a full 2400 square feet / 222 sq. meters. They have a (heated – quite unnecessarily perhaps!) plunge pool on the private terrace which has views over the lagoon. Their bathrooms promise to be particularly nice with spa baths as standard.

As with the resort in general, the overall aesthetic with the overwater villas seems to be harmony with nature. The decor and furniture are generally of wood or other organic materials and plentiful native Yucatan, potted plants give them an earthy, jungly vibe.

These overwater villas are eagerly awaited, and there are only 6 in total, so you can be expect to be disappointed unless booking well in advance. If they do happen to be booked out though the Banyan Tree has a tremendous choice of luxury accommodation, all with private pools, some of the finest in the Cancun region in fact. Check out all your other options right here.

PRICES:

Check out all the details – prices, reviews and more photos, on their Booking.com page here and on their Expedia.com page here.

FACILITIES & THINGS TO DO:

Banyan Tree has access to the Greg Norman designed El Camaleon Golf Course right next door and the resort’s top of the range spa facilities have won many plaudits and awards.

It has a choice of eateries from fine dining to relatively informal offering a wide range of cuisine, from traditional Mayan and contemporary Mexican to Thai and international. Their seafood being especially note-worthy, and plentiful

Along the beach and the resorts main pool area you can kick back with something from their extensive cocktail menu, grab a beer or choose from their lists of premium mixed drinks, spirits and wines.

Romantic, private dining experiences can be arranged – al fresco on beach or on a traditional boat floating peacefully through the lagoons for example and even fine dining deep in the jungle. The concierge team at Banyan Tree are highly praised and will be eager to make it special.

Jungle treks and bike tours can be arranged at Banyan Tree too, plus lots of other tours and excursions in the surrounding area. Water-sports are of course available too – paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving and more. You can also play on land sports such as tennis and archery.

The resort has a laid back, relaxed, romantic atmosphere, the accommodation is generally quite private, and it sees a lot of couples. Children though are also very welcome – they have their own kid’s club, which has a nice educational focus, kid’s meals are provided and overall they will be very well taken care of.

THE LOCATION:

The resort is just outside the very chic beach town of Playa del Carmen, in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. The journey from Cancun and its international airport (from where a shuttle bus will be waiting to pick you up) takes less than an hour.

REVIEWS:

“Without a doubt the concept wraps you up in the culture and nature of what Mexico represents, a magical place. Totally recommended….”

“Villas were spacious and gorgeous. Staff was incredibly welcoming and beyond reproach. Food was delicious and generous. The vibe was magical and uniquely memorable….”

>> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT BANYAN TREE MAYAKOBA

Location Category:

Caribbean

Mexico

Cancun

Playa del Carmen

**Near Florida