Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Tommy and I stayed at the Fairmont Mayakoba from May 12 - 17th (2008). When we arrived we were given a beach bag filled with two large beach towels, sunscreen, and a one time use digital cameras. We were escorted to our casita suite which has large sliding doors which open to a corner balcony overlooking the swim-up pool bar. Room amenities include comfortable Fairmont beds and expansive bathrooms, each with a soaker tub, double sinks, and a separate glass-walled shower stall. There were robes and slippers for our use, and a refrigerator in the room.
Our bathroom
There was a hospitality suite set up and if there was anything we needed, all we had to do was ask.
The property is beautiful with the buildings set amidst the lush greenery with winding pathways throughout. To get to the beach guests can take a ride in one of the golf carts that services the resort, ride a bike provided by the Fairmont, or walk, however, the walk was about 25 minutes from our room. There is also boat service on the resort property.
One of the walkways on the property
This trip was a company trip for Tommy, so we were with 100 other sales reps and their guests. The first night we had dinner on the open grounds, buffet style, with a band playing in the background. The next morning's breakfast was at the same place. We each had a stone massage at the Willow Stream Spa. The spa is 37,000 square feet and features 20 treatment rooms including a unique couple's suite in the treetops, plus two mineral pools and steam rooms. There is also a full-service fitness center, complete with classes, and a beauty salon. The spa was beautiful, with a separate men's and women's area, as well as a co-ed area. Our massages were great, very relaxing, and afterwards we had some tea while relaxing by the large picture window overlooking the outdoor area to the spa. Remember to get your massage early in your stay before getting sunburned!
There is an 18 hole par 72 golf course on site as well.
Tuesday evening we all went to the awards dinner held in a cave at Xcaret Eco Park. When we arrived we were greeted with mango cosmos, beer, or soda, and hors d'oeuvres. We were treated to a Mayan ceremony complete with the Mayan costumes and body painting. Then we made our way down to the cave which is just above the underground river. Dinner and the awards were very nice, and there was also a band that played for the evening. We were bussed back to the resort afterwards.
Flamingos and Parrots at Xcaret
Wednesday we spent most of the day at the beach after breakfast. There are four restaurants on the property as well as a lounge in the main building and a small cafe where you can get a sandwich or a snack. The property is not an all inclusive like most of the resorts in the Riviera Maya. Breakfast was wonderful each day. You had a choice of the breakfast buffet or ordering off the menu. The buffet included an omelet station, made to order waffles, and many Mexican specialties as well as the traditional breakfast fare Americans are used to eating. The wait staff are very eager to learn your name and very pleasant to get to know. The entire hotel staff couldn't have done more for us. One woman who ran one of the restaurants made reservations for us in Playa del Carmen.
1 & 2: at the beach 3. Where we had breakfast ~ you could eat indoors or outdoors
The beach is very large; the Fairmont owns acres and acres of property and the beach is very private. The sand was soft and very white, not hot at all although it was about 93 degrees each day. The staff comes around to you while you are on the beach and sets up chairs, brings you drinks and food. The water was a bit rough most of the week. We went in the water but not too far. There is an infinity pool right by the beach as well. Along the beach there are large villas with their own plunge pools. The villas are larger than our house!
One of the pools by the restaurant
Wednesday evening we took a catamaran sunset sail followed by dinner when we returned. The boat was nice, and it was a fun ride with the water as choppy as it was. We had drinks on the boat with some small snacks. Two mackerels were caught while we were out to sea. The crew cooked dinner on the grill when we returned.
pictures taken on our catamaran ride
Thursday we spent the day back at Xcaret Park. This was our second time there during the day and we still haven't seen it all. You can swim with the dolphins there as well as visit the butterfly farm, tour the graveyard, see a show during the day and at night, swim in the underground river, visit the aquarium, see the animals (tapirs, jaguars, deer), snorkel and snuba, or just relax and enjoy! There are several restaurants and entertainment while dining. In the evening, we all went to the beach dinner where we were served traditional Mexican cuisine.
At Xcaret: 1. on the beach 2. at the Butterfly Farm 3. In a cave
Friday we went to the beach again and in the evening ten of us went in to Playa del Carmen for dinner and to just walk around. It was about a 15 minute ride from our hotel. This was our last night there and we were so sorry to see it end.
In Playa del Carmen
There was a photographer named Ken who spent the week with us taking pictures. Each night when we returned to our room we had some sort of treat: chocolate tower; margarita mix and chips with salsa and guacamole, and two souvenir margarita glasses; a shirt for Tommy and a pareo for me. The last night we came in to our room and there was, already set up, a digital picture frame showing all the pictures of us that had been taken during the week.
Good thing there was a scale in the bathroom because we weighed our luggage and had to rearrange a couple of times so we would not be over the 50 lb limit.
I would highly recommend this property. It is not for someone who wants an all inclusive. It is for someone who wants to get away from all the hustle and bustle of daily life, who wants to be treated like royalty. There were children there, but I would not really consider this a resort for children. Children might be bored because there weren't many others to play with and there is no formal kids club. This is a great resort for couples, honeymooners, those who like privacy and luxurious accommodations.
