Maroma hotel review: an exquisite beachfront resort on Mexico's east coast
You'll find this beautiful, secluded retreat tucked into a jungle of palm trees, facing a butter-soft sandy beach and sea the colour of Gauguin's tropical green. Part of the Belmond group, Maroma was once a series of private homes, and the curved, low-slug white stucco architecture leaves a light footprint at its crowd-free Maroma Point setting. The main sun-spangled pool is divine in jewelled turquoise with natty, teal-hued sunloungers and parasols; the reborn Maroma Spa by Guerlain is a sanctuary of beauty and peace; the food is expertly cooked and inventive. Spotting wildlife — coati, parrots and possibly an anteater along the winding paths — is an idyllic pastime. Across the resort, the vibe is super relaxed, except for the intrusive radio earpieces used by the concierges, but no matter, it ensures smooth service throughout. This is the perfect stay for couples and families with young children.
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Score 10/10The rooms, dotted across 200 acres of grounds, are a balm to the soul. Elegant and in earthy tones, they're accented with wooden furniture, striking ceramics, exclusive artisan-made hand-painted floor tiles, handmade fabrics and natural fibres. Bathrooms have double sinks, stencilling, bath tubs and some elegant carved stucco on the walls. All 72 rooms were spectacularly renovated in 2023 and reimagined by the London-based designer Tara Bernerd & Partners.
Most of the rooms — either dazzling white casitas or thatched-roof villas — face the ocean. Some of these come with private plunge pools, though fear not if your room is distant from the main pool and restaurants, there's an adults-only pool at the northern end of the resort. In-room treats include fresh fruit and a mezcal drinks cabinet and honesty bar.
Score 10/10You'll feast like royalty. Breakfast is a grand affair of huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, pancakes or granola served at the beachside Casa Mayor. Lunch is relaxed with tacos of battered Gulf shrimp, tuna ceviche and salads in the airy, curved dining room. Alfresco on the stone patio under the cream parasols has a castaway appeal. Belmond's highlight, without question, is Woodend by Curtis Stone, a chef with Michelin-starred restaurants in California. It's culinary stardust with dishes such as charcoal-cooked prawns, woodfired lamb rack with cashew tahini, and a brilliant banana dessert — yellow-painted, banana-shaped white chocolate filled with banana purée resting on caramelised almond crumble, banana ganache drops and served with burnt vanilla ice cream.
Bambuco by Handshake is an inner sanctum of the hotel in desert colours with a gleaming cabinet of liquors. The Pink Desire — made with the Lost Explorer Mezcal Tobasiche crafted exclusively for Maroma, with Lillet Blanc, strawberry and cacao and poured into a glass with an elegant dispenser — is a wise pick to raise a glass to a holiday choice well made.
• More of the best hotels in Cancun• Best all-inclusive hotels in Cancun• Discover our full guide to Mexico
Score 10/10Really, you'll need a week at least. Maroma Spa by Guerlain is a striking, biophilic sanctuary with a slim pitched-roof entrance and white walls reminiscent of a temple. Inside, you'll find spa cabins, an aromatherapy chamber, gardens, hydrotherapy pool and a forest hideaway for the production of honey by the endangered Melipona beecheii, a stingless bee, treasured as sacred by the ancient Maya of the region. The bees' soothing effects are incorporated into sound healing, a bee healing ritual and several other spa treatments.
Feeling active? There's an on-site gym and guided beach yoga in the mornings as well as paddleboarding, Hobie Cat lessons and private snorkelling tours. For youngsters there is a daily programme of nature-based activities in the sea and the garden, as well as a host of craft and culinary workshops. Adults can learn about the production — and drinking — of mezcal. And it's worth waking early for the bird life to see if you can spot nesting masked tityras, rare olive-throated parakeets and white-fronted parrots.
Score 9/10Belmond Maroma is about a 30-minute drive (traffic dependent) from Cancun international airport, and an hour's drive from Tulum town and the Tulum Maya ruins overlooking the sea.
Price room-only doubles from £720Restaurant mains from £34 Family-friendly YAccessible N
Claire Boobbyer was a guest of Maroma, a Belmond Hotel (belmond.com)
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