I recently traveled to the Riviera Maya, a popular destination in Mexico located on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. There are quite a few places to visit and stay along this 120 mile stretch of amazing beaches and natural wonders. The Riviera Maya runs from the northern tip of the peninsula down to the city of Tulum, where you’ll find stunning ruins of an ancient Mayan city located along the rocky coast.

We were lucky enough to stay at the amazing Belmond Maroma Resort, located just south of Playa del Carmen. If you’re not a luxury travel aficionado, then you may not be aware of the brand, but for those in the know, they’re famous for 40+ hotels around the world with amazing offerings, top notch service and one-of-a-kind properties. The Maroma Resort is no different and after our stay, we’ve come up with these 7 reasons you won’t regret splurging on a luxury retreat to this fabulous destination.

Amazing Beaches

The entire stretch of the Riviera Maya is known for its beautiful white sand beaches and stunningly beautiful, blue water. The Maroma beach is no exception and it has actually been voted one of the best and most exclusive beaches in the world by The Travel Channel. Go to the beach, take in the view and relax in perhaps the best feature of this property.

Delicious & Authentic Food

No trip to Mexico is complete without a total and utter food immersion. Mexico is one of those destinations where 10 Peso street tacos rivals that of the most fancy and elegant restaurants. The cuisine varies by region and it’s a destination where food is among the most memorable and exciting elements of your visit. The Maroma Resort has world renowned chefs that create regional favorites using locally grown ingredients that will leave your mouth watering for days. Eat at one of the many restaurants onsite or even book a private beach dinner or cooking class to see the food creation in action.

Relaxing Spa Experiences

Playa del Carmen is all about the beach, the warm weather and relaxation. While you can certainly leave the hotel and go sightseeing, unwinding and relaxing is a must. And what better way to give your body a boost than to experience an amazing massage or other spa treatment. From mud massages to aromatherapy treatments, the Kinan Spa at the Maroma Resort has it all.

Sunset Cocktails on the Beach

Obviously you can’t go wrong with cocktails on the beach. And there's no better place than the beachside bar Freddy’s, which serves up delicious cocktails of every kind imaginable. Complete with a bar full of more than 100 different tequila and mezcal varieties, you can enjoy the absolutely stunning sunset (one of the most beautiful we’ve seen) with a buzz.

Yoga, Yoga, Yoga!

Sure, you’re on vacation but why not try something a bit active. Wake up for morning yoga and you’ll enjoy an invigorating session from awesome instructors that help you out every step of the way – even if you’re not a yoga pro. We’re not usually morning people, but this yoga session was worth the effort to roll out of bed before the biological clock normally goes off.

Top Notch Service

The signature of any Belmond property is the service and the Maroma Resort exceeds every expectation. All the staff is extremely friendly and the service level you’ll experience will give any luxury property a run for its money. From the welcome margarita and daily in-room wake up coffee to the turndown service including your choice of scented oils, you won’t be disappointed with the pampering throughout your visit.

Tequila & Mezcal

Did we mention tequila? Of course, most people know tequila well, whether you love it or hate it. But tequila is not the only traditional liquor found in Mexico. In fact, mezcal has in recent years become extremely popular and trendy across the country. Made from the same plant as tequila, mezcal is similar but typically has a more smoky taste. It’s generally more handcrafted than tequila and it’s definitely a local favorite. Why not try a tequila or mezcal flight, or better yet try the cantina-style dinner at the Maroma – complete with both tequila and mezcal pairings.

The Verdict?

If you’re looking for a luxurious experience in Mexico to enjoy and relax, we couldn’t recommend the Maroma enough. Like any luxury property, you’ll pay extra for the experience but we think this property is worth the splurge. Plus, if you visit during off season, you can even find entry level rooms for around $300 a night – an awesome deal for everything included in the experience. It’s also worth nothing that all Belmond properties pride themselves on being LGBT welcoming and they’ve recently implemented a program to better welcome LGBT guests and even support their LGBT employees at all the properties around the world. Hey, we think that’s pretty cool!

[divider_10px]Have you ever visited the Riviera Maya before? Let us know in the comments which parts of this experience sound the best to you?[divider_10px]

Note: Our visit to Playa del Carmen was sponsored by the Belmond Maroma, however rest assured all opinions are 100% our own and we would never sacrifice our integrity for a sponsorship. This property really is as amazing as we’ve described and absolutely worth the splurge if you have the budget.