Price Band: $$$$$
Tags: Luxurious, beach, nature, romantic, spa
Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Riviera Maya
Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Riviera Maya
Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Riviera Maya
Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Riviera Maya
Rates, availability and more…
In a nutshell:
The Banyan Tree is the most intimate and private of the Mayakoba properties. Accommodations are individual one to three bedroom villas, each with private pools. This hotel has an outstanding spa and several fine dining restaurants.
The Banyan Tree is the most intimate of the resort hotels in the upscale Mayakoba estate, and has a unique style for the area. Striking modern architecture with Asian influenced decor give an exotic and soothing ambiance. Water features dominate the two story lobby and reception building, where two of the exquisite restaurants are located. From here you can also depart by boat to visit the other Mayakoba properties and to take the Banyan Tree’s signature experience, a romantic dinner on board the private craft “Ixchel”.
To comply with Mayakoba’s ecological guidelines and in common with the other hotels on the estate, most of the guest rooms at the Banyan Tree are by the canals and lagoons, rather than by the beach. However, since this property is relatively small, it’s possible to walk between the rooms and the restaurants, main pool, lobby, and the extraordinary spa; even to the beach if you’re energetic (it takes about 10 minutes). Of course, transportation is provided throughout the property by golf cart should you prefer not to walk.
Accommodations at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba are individual one or two story villas, each with a private pool. The villas are surrounded by lush walled gardens and bordered by the canals and lagoons, so they are especially private – one of the reasons why this property is a favorite with honeymooners.
The one bedroom villas feature spacious and high-ceiling bedrooms with sitting areas or sometimes a separate sala for work or relaxation. There are also two and three bedroom units that are ideal for families.
Since each guest room has its own pool, the Banyan Tree’s beautiful main pool is usually very quiet. Most guests visit the luxurious beach club, with its attractive restaurant and pool area, at least once during their stay, but it rarely feels crowded. This is one property where privacy and serenity are virtually guaranteed.
The lavishly furnished guest suites, each with a private pool and landscaped garden, provide the ultimate refuge for a relaxing and stress free vacation. Many guests spend most of their stay in the privacy and comfort of their walled paradise. Room service is available and there’s space to enjoy both the tropical climate outdoors and the air-conditioned interior.
For honeymooners, we recommend the Spa Pool Villas as the most private and indulgent of the one bedroom suites. These accommodations feature an outdoor deck furnished with massage tables where two people can enjoy private treatments, as well as a separate air-conditioned pavilion for dining, watching TV or even catching up with some work.
The Luxury Pool Villas have a generous range of amenities and plenty of space for two, but we reckon that it’s worth upgrading to the Sanctuary Pool villa category to enjoy a heated jet pool outside as well as a separate pavilion for dining, working or relaxation.
The nearest accommodations to the beach are in the Two and Three bedroom category. For couples who want to stay in close proximity to the ocean, ask us for special rates for double occupancy in these luxurious quarters.
Summary of room facilities
All rooms
Luxury en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, iPod dock, coffee maker and tea kettle, outdoor terrace with sun loungers, private pool.
Luxury Pool Villa
Single story villa with private pool and garden, king bed, sitting area, outdoor bathtub, outdoor dining area.
Sanctuary Pool Villa
Single story villa with private heated pool and garden, outdoor jet pool, outdoor bathtub, king bed, separate living or study pavilion.
Spa pool villa
Single story villa with private heated pool and garden, outdoor jet pool, massage deck, two outdoor showers, king bed, separate living or study pavilion.
Sanctuary Two Bedroom Pool Villa
Two story villa with private heated pool and garden, one bedroom on the ground floor and one on the second floor accessed by an outdoor stairway, outdoor bathtub and outdoor shower, outdoor dining area.
Ocean Club Two Bedroom Pool Villa
Two story villa close to the beach with private heated pool and garden, one bedroom on the ground floor and one on the second floor accessed by an outdoor stairway, outdoor bathtub and outdoor shower, outdoor dining area.
Ocean Front Three Bedroom Pool Villa
Two story villa with direct access to the beach, three separate bedrooms, outdoor jet pool, outdoor bathtub and outdoor shower, outdoor dining area.
The Luxury Villas feature private swimming pools set amidst walled tropical gardens, with plenty of space to relax outdoors in the sun or shade. Slide open the glazed doors, and you can jump straight into the pool from your bedroom.
The interiors offer an air-conditioned haven with a luxurious bathroom and spacious sitting area. Extra high ceilings create an airy sleeping space for undisturbed slumber.
The Sanctuary Pool Suites and Spa Pool Villas have an additional pavilion that is reached by stepping outside and under the canopied walkway across the gardens. The pavilion is also air-conditioned and has wireless internet access, and is furnished with a sofa.
The pavilion provides a separate space for catching up with some work or watching a movie. Many guests like to take room service here, enjoying the views over the garden. In the suites that have a separate pavilion, the bedroom area is a little smaller, without the desk space.
Each villa features a magnificent bathroom with dressing area, walk in shower and separate toilet. The Sanctuary Pool suites also have an outdoor bathtub, and the Spa suites feature two outdoor showers for moonlit bathing.
The Banyan Tree’s beachfront accommodations are the magnificent Three Bedroom villas. Each has a garden courtyard featuring a generously sized swimming pool, with views to the Caribbean beyond. There’s plenty of space for a family or group of friends to enjoy al fresco dining, or to gather indoors for a pre dinner cocktail.
The Ocean Club Two Bedroom Pool Villas face the lagoon and canals in the beach section of the property (ocean views may be gained from their upper levels). The Sanctuary Two Bedroom Villas have a very similar design, but are located in the main section of the resort.
Exciting dining options await guests at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba. The resort’s signature restaurant is Saffron, serving Thai cuisine in a spectacular location above the lagoon; either al fresco on the deck or in the air-conditioned interior.
The Tamarind restaurant offers gourmet Mediterranean cuisine in the dramatically lit main building. This intimate and romantic restaurant delights guests with its contemporary decor and attentive service.
The charming Oriente restaurant serves a sumptuous breakfast buffet (one of the best we’ve experienced), also in the main building, whilst the restaurant at the beach club Sands offers a perfect setting for lunch. Back in the main building, la Copa bar is the place for cocktails and tapas.
The Banyan Tree, being the smallest of the Mayakoba properties, has the advantage of having most of its restaurants and bars within easy walking distance of each other. Only the Sands restaurant by the beach is more than a few minutes walk away.
“Sands” is the Banyan Tree’s beach club, providing guests with a comfortable place to relax and enjoy the Caribbean breezes. There’s an enticing swimming pool and a stylish restaurant that is the pefect place for lunch.
The Mayakoba beaches are pristine and picturesque. It’s possible to walk along the beach to the other Mayakoba hotels – in fact the energetic can walk all the way to Playa del Carmen in a morning or afternoon.
On the beach, there are ample places to snooze in the shade or take in the sun’s rays.
Since each guest room has its own swimming pool, the Banyan Tree’s huge main pool is usually gloriously deserted. If you want to swim some serious laps or just enjoy some quiet time reading in the shade, this is the perfect place.
There’s a smaller pool by the beach and a separate shallow pool that is good for children or for cooling off.
How to get here
By air
The nearest airport is Cancun – by road the journey to the Banyan Tree Mayakoba takes about 1 hour.
Driving directions from Cancun
From Cancun Airport, take a right (going south) to Highway 307 and follow the sign ‘Tulum -Chetumal’. Approximately 22 miles down the highway you will enter into the town of Puerto Morelos. Continue on for about 7 miles and on your right you will see the entrance to Mayakoba. Once through the main gate, the Banyan Tree is well signed.
