Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya Hotel Review

Whereas my eyes fixate on the fiery oranges and reds on the horizon, toes buried within the heat sand, I take heed to a shaman in a feathered headpiece talking quietly in Mayan. It is 7 a.m. in Cancun, Mexico, and our group of 4—my mom, a yoga teacher, the shaman, and me—are the one individuals on a pristine stretch of white sand participating in a conventional solar salutation ceremony.

My mother and I spent three days within the 100-acre Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya, which formally opened on Nov. 1, 2022. Whereas this isn’t the model’s first resort in Mexico—it overtook an existing hotel in Los Cabos in 2019—Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya is the primary newly constructed resort within the Hilton-owned model’s Caribbean and Latin American portfolio.

“Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya distinguishes itself by its secluded beachfront location, design that harmonizes with the encircling mangroves, sturdy exercise and culinary programming, and a dedication to personalised service rooted within the model’s legacy of class,” Nazaret Carbonari, the resort’s common supervisor, instructed Journey + Leisure.

Cancun usually conjures up pictures of rowdy spring breakers and crowded seashores, however there’s none of that right here. The resort has clearly hit the situation jackpot, nestled behind a lush mangrove protect, however simply quarter-hour from the airport. And whereas, technically, all seashores in Mexico are public, the quiet stretch of white-sand shoreline fronting the brand new resort did not get a lot site visitors throughout our keep, so it felt like we had entry to a non-public seashore, along with the 2 massive swimming swimming pools overlooking the ocean. The resort positively takes benefit of its prime beachfront location, providing panoramic vistas of the water from all of its visitor rooms and eating places.

Nonetheless, the signature Waldorf Astoria sophistication permeates all through the resort. The grand foyer incorporates a collection of chandeliers, smooth sofas, marble espresso tables, and picket chairs. It’s anchored by the trademark Waldorf Astoria clock, a gathering place for friends. At this resort, it’s made from luxe marble and mom of pearl and options Mayan symbols. To make sure the sprawling resort would not really feel overwhelming, the areas are damaged down into smaller, extra intimate vignettes and lounge areas, with greenery and a impartial shade palette.

The outside areas have a dynamic, terraced structure with swaying palms and native vegetation rising in between the sundecks and cabanas, delivering privateness, loads of tropical vibes, and reminding vacationers of the richness of the Yucatán jungle.

Under, my full evaluate of the Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya.

The Rooms

Water is a serious theme all through the resort’s design. Together with the breathtaking ocean views, every of the 173 rooms and suites additionally has a non-public balcony with an out of doors soaking tub. Furnishings in natural kinds replicates pure formations whereas pearlescent inlays, shells, and shimmering motifs are harking back to the glowing sea’s floor,

“Leveraging using pure sensory stimuli and biophilia to assist wellness, emotional engagement, and restoration, the design imbues a connection to nature by trendy strains, repetitive patterns, and undulating kinds that mimic the ocean,” mentioned Stefano Falbo, vp and affiliate principal of SB Architects, which labored on the undertaking alongside inside design agency HBA and panorama structure and concrete design agency EDSA.

My mother and I stayed in a 675-square-foot deluxe oceanfront visitor room with two queen-size beds. The toilet featured double vanities and a duo of closets, offering every of us with our personal house to prepare within the morning. The glass-enclosed bathe had two doorways, together with one resulting in the balcony, so you could possibly technically depart it open to let in recent air (and benefit from the views) whereas showering. Naturally, we spent most of our time on the balcony, speaking, studying, absorbing the countless turquoise Caribbean vistas, and cooling off in our plunge pool.

Meals and Drink

The resort just lately appointed a brand new government chef, Jonathan Santiago, who transitioned from One & Solely Palmilla in Los Cabos.

“The resort’s culinary choices have a good time the area’s wealthy flavors, with Malpeque’s wood-fired seafood and Ja’o’s elevated Mexican dishes on the forefront,” Carbonari mentioned.

The 5 distinct eating areas embody Chaya, which serves breakfast and dinner (and severe décor inspiration), and the lunch spot Ja’o, the place highlights embody juicy pork tacos with grilled pineapple habanero puree, herb quelite salad with avocado, pink pine nuts, and recent cheese, and the sikil pak dip, ready from roasted pumpkin seeds and tomatoes.

However if you happen to, like me, are all about seafood, then Malpeque is your home. The elegant eating room options an open kitchen with a hearth grill—every dish incorporates a component of fireplace, char, or smoke.

We ordered the catch of the day for 2, which was snook from the Gulf of Mexico, grilled and marinated in spices. The fish was most likely sufficient to feed a household of 4, however as scrumptious and tender because it was, my mom and I did a fairly first rate job (nearly) ending it. We paired it with entire grilled cauliflower as a aspect dish and glasses of a light-weight, fruity Mexican cabernet sauvignon.

Actions and Experiences

Whereas for me, the principle occasion on the Riviera Maya is all the time the seashore and the ocean, friends preferring to lounge poolside have loads of house to take action—the resort has two waterfront zig-zag-shaped infinity swimming pools surrounded by chaise lounges, cabanas, and plentiful greenery. The impeccable pool service ensures that friends do not must raise a finger to take pleasure in a relaxing cocktail or a plate of sunshine bites. Wellness actions like yoga and Pilates lessons, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking, together with a totally geared up health club, are additionally accessible.

I discovered that the terrific service on the resort extends past its partitions, as properly. The resort has partnered with a neighborhood tour firm to construct a customized journey itinerary for friends of the Waldorf Astoria. The day-long journey, throughout which a particularly educated information accompanied us, took us in a non-public car (with loads of snacks for the highway) to the Ek’ Balam Mayan archaeological web site. Then, we have been off to a close-by cenote, Hubiku, the place our information had solar chairs and catering arrange. It was like a non-public seashore membership with cenote entry. After a refreshing dip within the water and a shot of tequila, we ended the day and the tour with lunch and a few free time at colonial Valladolid.

The Spa

Incorporating parts of native tradition and Mayan traditions is one other central theme all through the resort’s services and décor. And nowhere is that this extra evident than the 40,000 square-foot Waldorf Astoria Spa. Every part about it’s geared towards delivering an genuine expertise impressed by the character and cultural heritage of the area—from the intense and spacious, sun-filled foyer with a sunken round seating space, a nod to the 1000’s of cenotes dotting the Yucatán, to the spectacular landscaping surrounding the 21 therapy rooms and swimming pool, and the signature therapies impressed by the Ceiba tree.

Omar Sanchez, the spa’s supervisor, defined that the traditional Mayans believed Ceiba bushes, of which there are a number of planted right here, join our world with the underworld by their roots and with the heavens by their branches. That is why my luxurious 80-minute aromatherapy therapeutic massage, referred to as Yellow Ceiba, began from my ft (it ended within the personal plunge pool outdoors the therapy room). The spa’s vary of merchandise additionally options an unique physique lotion with Ceiba tree oil.

The spa’s hydrotherapy pool is one other spotlight, because it sits amongst palms and plush native vegetation, and is the proper spot to calm down between therapies.

Household-Pleasant Choices

Whereas I did not reap the benefits of any of the family-friendly actions on the resort, I’d positively deliver my six-year-old son for a seashore getaway. The resort has a household pool and affords actions similar to treasure hunts, portray, and cookie-making to maintain the little ones busy and entertained.

For households touring with infants, the resort additionally supplies cribs, child-friendly toiletries, bottle heaters, bathrobes, and coloring books.

Location

The resort is simply quarter-hour from Cancun Worldwide Airport, making it a great getaway, even for lengthy weekends (particularly if you happen to reside on the East Coast and your native airport has direct flights to Cancun). Whereas the resort itself may be very quiet and tranquil, if you happen to’re within the temper for a few of Cancun’s vibrancy and nightlife, the town is about 17 miles away and is simple to succeed in through taxi or personal switch, which the resort’s concierge can help with. For friends within the temper for snorkeling (be careful for whale sharks), the resort can prepare a yacht tour to Isla Mujeres.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya has visitor rooms geared up with roll-in showers, handrails, a handheld bathe head, and a bathe chair.

The resort’s grounds characteristic 237 acres of protected mangrove forest acknowledged as a “voluntarily conserved space” by the Mexican authorities. In the course of the resort’s development, the crew included aerial bridges, underground tunnels, velocity reducers, and particular crossings to guard the wildlife within the space. Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya participates in Hilton’s “LightStay” program to trace and scale back its environmental affect. In line with knowledge from the resort, it has recycled greater than 343,921 kilos of waste in 2024.

How one can Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya is a part of Hilton Honors, Hilton’s loyalty program, rewarding members with reductions, no resort charges once you ebook a keep totally on factors, complimentary facilities like WiFi, and precedence check-in. The resort can also be a part of the American Categorical Tremendous Motels + Resorts portfolio, which supplies cardmembers with perks like late check-in, room upgrades, every day breakfast for 2, and $100 resort credit score.

Nightly charges at Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya begin from $875.

Each T+L resort evaluate is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed on the property, and every resort chosen aligns with our core values.