Banyan Tree Mayakoba

Bottom Line Review

Definitely in the top 5 resorts we have been to in the world. The base room is a villa with a private courtyard and pool. The two pool areas are gorgeous, one overlooking the lagoon and the other overlooking the beach. The restaurants are all top-notch, both in ambiance, food and service. And the service covers the 3 big "P's" - personal, proactive and professional. Highly recommend!

Location:

The Banyan Tree Mayakoba (BTM) is located in a secure gated area called Mayakoba, about 15 minutes north of Playa del Carmen. It's about a 45 minute drive from the Cancun International Airport.

Mayakoba is a protected reserve area for birds and other animals. There are four resorts inside Mayakoba - Banyan Tree, Rosewood, Fairmont, and Andaz. There is also a world-class golf course and a massive man-made lagoon that winds throughout the entire complex. The Mayakoba complex is not within walking distance to any restaurants or shops. However, within Mayakoba, all four resorts are connected for charging privileges so you can go to any of the hotels and charge food, spa, and shopping back to their room.

Room:

The base villa, appropriately called the Bliss Pool Villa, is roughly 3,000 square feet including the private courtyard and pool. We were upgraded one level up to the Serenity Pool Villa. The difference between the two villas appears to be the separate stand-alone "entertainment" room and a hot tub added to the pool.

The villa we had was wheelchair accessible so the standard villas will look somewhat different inside.

Entering the private villa courtyard

Looking back at villa entrance

Private pool and whirlpool tub

Private pool overlooking the lagoon

Entire private villa courtyard with entertainment room on left side and bedroom/bathroom on right side

Separate entertainment/dining room

Another view of entertainment/dining room

The bedroom/bathroom part of the villa was very spacious. The bed, pillows, and sheets were very comfortable, the air conditioning worked great, and the water pressure was amazing. The villas are very private and felt extremely secluded.

Entrance into bedroom

Villa bedroom

Bedroom view of private pool and courtyard

Villa bathroom

View of outside bathtub

Bathroom looking towards bedroom (closed door is the walk-in closet)

Hotel:

The Thai influence in the architecture is unmistakable but more than anything, this resort transport you to "somewhere else". We really loved that feeling and it's the perfect way to escape on vacation.

Entrance to Banyan Tree

Looking out from resort driveway

Hotel namesake actual banyan tree in the center of the resort

One of the lagoon boats that do tours and transport guests between resorts

View of the lagoon from the main resort area

Haab area where the special Mayan dinner show takes place

The Sands Beach Club is really one of the most beautiful pool and beach areas we have ever seen. The decor, the variety of seating and loungers, the soft white sand, and the infinity pool overlooking the beach create an extremely relaxing atmosphere.

The video below is from when you enter the Sands Beach Club and walk towards the pool and beach.