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Last updated: 13 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Alex Robinson

The Rosewood is the smallest and most private of the four luxury resorts in the gated Mayakoba complex just north of the Playa del Carmen. It sits apart, at the far northern end of the long white sand beach next to a mangrove-lined lagoon (with resident infant crocodiles).

The emphasis here is on living spaces, rather than rooms. Suites are huge – with ample glass, neutral tones and light wood. They open onto private sundecks with plunge pools set over the lagoon or facing the beach.

But it’s the lagoon or beach villas that really set the Rosewood apart. Beautiful modernist cubes fronted with wall-high glass and secluded by trees, each feels like a private holiday home rather than a hotel villa; with suites of bedrooms, living areas, swimming pools and vast patios.

Like the other Mayakoba resorts, the hotel has a suite of upmarket eateries, a spa and access to the Greg Norman 18-hole PGA golf course.

Surrounding area

The beach is one of the best on the Riviera Maya and the Rosewood shares the Mayakoba village complex – with its mock-Mexican village, boutiques, shops and PGA golf course with the neighbouring tree luxury resorts.

Playa del Carmen’s nightlife and restaurants are a 20-minute cab ride away or a half-hour cycle along the beach.

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Key facilities

Airport transfers*
Beach: Onsite
Creche
Fitness centre
Fitness classes
Golf course
Hot tub
Parking: On-site (free)
Pool (adults only)
Pool (indoor)
Pool (outdoor)
Pool (kids)
Spa
Tennis courts
WiFi: Free
Yoga

Food & drink

All inclusive
Kids menu
Restaurant on-site
Self catering
*
Additional charge

Room types

Apartments
Bedrooms
Cabins
Suites
Tents
Villas
Yurts

Room facilities

Air conditioning
Flat screen TV
Jacuzzi (private)
Pool (private)
Tea & coffee making facilities
WiFi

Bedding options

2+ bedrooms
3+ beds
Connecting rooms
Rollaway/sofa bed

Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Gran Cenote

Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Lily-covered, glassy-clear and filled with terrapins and tropical fish, this cenote near Tulum is easy to reach and fabulous to swim in. Big caverns make for spectacular cave diving.

Best for ages: 6+ | £7

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Mayan ruins of Coba

Quintana Roo, Mexico

An authentic, atmospheric and less-visited Mayan site, set in lush, wildlife-rich forest. Climb to the summit of the 126ft-high Nohoc Mul pyramid – the tallest on the Mayan Riviera.

Best for ages: 13+ | £5

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Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first

El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Club

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico[1.1 miles]

Designed by Greg Norman, the course weaves its way through dense jungle, beautiful stretches of white sand and mangrove forests, with cenotes – natural sink holes – providing natural hazards.

Best for ages: 13+ | £125

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Xcaret Park

Playa del Carmen, Mexico[15.8 miles]

With glassy pools and shallow lagoons offering dolphin, nurse-shark and manatee swimming, tame jungles, and spectacular Mayan dance shows, this huge eco-theme park is a Maya World, and a snorkel-friendly Disneyland.

Best for ages: 4+ | £80

Aktun-Chen

Akumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico

A simple nature-based theme park with a safari-park zoo, a cenote for swimming, a spectacular cave and a rainforest canopy zip-line adventure.

Best for ages: 4+ | £30

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Cancun Museum of Underwater Art

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico

British artist Jason Decaires Taylor’s underwater art gallery feels like a latter-day Atlantis – with statues covered with wispy sea weeds and baby coral, fish swimming all around sitting on the sand in vodka-clear water off Isla Mujeres.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay

Mayan Riviera

Mexico

Talc-white beaches, reefs teeming with life, ruined temples in misty rainforests – the Riviera Maya offers a family or romantic beach holiday with a dash of Indian Jones adventure.

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