Let's Talk About the Yucatan💃

Issue 103

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Ohhh-whoa, Mexico...

I spent the last 10 days bopping around Cancun and the Mayan Riviera and I feel so rejuvenated on all levels. Firstly, this is a reminder to my East Coast friends that winter can be long – so escape when you can for however long you can. I appreciate that not everyone can go to Mexico for 10 days in the middle of the winter, but make escapes for yourself – even if that means embracing the chill with a ski weekend or like these polar plungers – to break up winter in a way that’s approachable and meaningful for you.

Secondly, as readers who’ve been around here for a little while may recall, the last time I visited the Yucatan region, specifically Tulum, I did not have the best experience. This trip, however, enlightened me and portrayed the region in a new light. Which leads me to…

… Thirdly, I learned that Cancun and the Riviera Maya are not just, for lack of better words, a trashy, spring break or bachelorette destination designed for debauchery. There are a number of adult-focused, luxury resorts here waiting to welcome East Coast visitors into a world of wellness, sunshine and pampering. 

I stayed at two different resorts in different areas along the Peninsula and thought I’d highlight five things I loved about them:

Rosewood Mayakoba
*just named the best hotel in Mexico by U.S. News
 

Upon check-in, you’re swiftly guided to their boat dock and whisked away to your lagoon-side villa. Onboard, there’s papaya and pineapple sprinkled with salt and chili and a welcome cocktail that truly sets the tone for your entire stay.

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Mayakoba is a 600-acre oceanfront community in the midst of protected wetlands. There are four properties here but Rosewood presents a unique juxtaposition of lagoon-front villas tucked into the protected mangroves as well as the beachside community. You feel like you’re in two entirely different regions but under the same property as Rosewood puts all the luxury touches on every experience.

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Though the property is spread out, there are a number of ways to get around, from golf carts, to boats to my preference, bicycles. They’re available in adorable pastels and offer baskets to keep your belongings in when you’re heading down to the beach or to simply meander around the property at your own pace. 

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There are a number of dining concepts on the property, offering everything from traditional Mexican to Mediterranean flair, but the most sought-after experience by guests has become Ceiba dinner, a once or twice weekly garden-to-table experience in the middle of their greenhouse and under the Ceiba tree (or the tree of life). The dinner starts with welcome cocktails featuring herbs from the garden as you enter with passed hors-d'oeuvres and mingling with other guests. As dusk settles and the sky darkens, you’re seated around a shared table, for a chance to spark conversations with other guests but also rotating employees at Rosewood Mayakoba. Local wine, tequila and flavors are dished up for an inspiring evening of cuisine and connection.

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The attention to detail is immaculate. There are quite literally one hundred examples I can pull from but I think unexpectedly experiencing these nuances for yourself is what makes a stay so special. A few to mention: providing Peloton shoes in every size for the bikes at the gym; freezing rosé into ice cubes so it won’t water down your rosé by the pool; and turn down service, when candles are lit and aromatherapy scents switched on.

Rosewood Mayakoba is in Playa del Carmen, which is about 40 minutes from Cancun airport. They offer airport pick-up for a seamless check-in.

NIZUC
 

NIZUC's entrance is immediately calming with a steady flow of water and faultless design around elements of nature and fire to provide a soothing welcome to the resort. The attention to thoughtful nooks extends throughout the property as there is no boring area to sit and enjoy a peaceful minute – the main edifice is a work of art in itself. To put this in perspective, you can sit in the lobby or in a shady corner on the way to the beach with a beer and still feel as relaxed as if you’re in the comforts of your own room. 

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The beach is free of sargassum seaweed which is a problem in this region; the waters are calm, perfect for paddleboarding or on the other hand, dragging your chair down waterside and dipping your toes in while getting lost in a novel.

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The variety of cuisine available makes you want to spend a week solely eating at every one of the venues. From expertly rolled sushi and fresh catch fish at Indochine to Peruvian classics like leche de tigre at Ni, Mexican-Italian at Ramona and grill-forward offerings at La Punta, the flavors range from far-flung corners of the world and ensure you’re never going hungry, yet alone eating just to satiate or fill-up.

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Though the resort is kid-friendly, NIZUC undeniably caters to the 21+ crowd with areas like their adult-only section presenting twin pools, beachfront and restaurant, La Punta. As someone who doesn’t have kids, the option to retreat to a quieter, more intimate section of the resort was appreciated. And for those who have wee-ones, they do have a kid’s club so you can always drop them off and enjoy the slice of solitude for yourself, too.

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There are three different kinds of accommodations at NIZUC — Ocean Suites, Residence Suites, Private Villas — and I stayed in an Ocean View Junior Suite. The decor is wrapped in modern minimalism with floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors that open out to a private plunge pool, perfect for watching an uninterrupted sunset melt into the Caribbean Sea. Plus, the pool warms up with the day thanks to the strong sun, making an evening dip under the stars just as alluring.

NIZUC is about 15 minutes from the Cancun airport which is really quite shocking given it's all-encompassing serenity; I think it further speaks to the brilliant design here. They also provide airport pick-up.

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Some recent articles: 

Sommelier Aldo Sohm Shares Tips for Serving Wine in the Sun and Combatting Hangovers

Portugal, New York and Beyond: 8 Of the Coolest Places To Study Wine

Slice of Paradise: Australia’s Whitsunday Islands

XOXO,

J

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