A Rose With No Thorns

Mexico’s Rosewood Mayakoba Leaves You Wanting for Nothing Except An Immediate Return

I thought I was dead.

How else could I be this relaxed without a hint of stress and a pinch-myself-moment to ensure that what I was experiencing wasn’t just my first allusion of serenity through those pearly gates of Heaven?

In over a dozen years of doing travel coverage, I have never used the word “elite.”

It’s a slippery slope because you never know what you might experience next that could make that word seem like a reckless, in-the-moment superlative.

The stunning images online don’t do the property justice. And they were really beautiful pictures.

The cinema jungle green rain forest setting that unites with the screen saver vision of sandy private beach brought me to almost immediately conclude the ultimate compliment that I could ever provide Rosewood Mayakoba…If I had to go back to the airport and fly back to Denver after only two hours here, it was worth it.

Under my lucky stars, I had three nights ahead of me to pay witness to this gift of an experience.

A duffy boat taxis me to the private dock of my residence. I paused before getting out because it didn’t seem real. If there was a camera rolling on my reaction to my arrival, I’m quite certain that I resembled a large-mouthed bass. But let’s play it cool. I’ve seen this before. (I hadn’t ever seen this before and I’ve stayed at some of the most prestigious properties anywhere).

I was told that my butler would be meeting me shortly to go over any needs during my stay. So, while I waited for Jeeves to arrive (his name turned out to be Alberto, a beyond-likable father of two children close in age to my own two sons), I familiarized myself with a Mezcal bottle, the hand-written greeting to me, the lagoon suite layout, and the call-to-me pool in the backyard, steps from the dock.

Once I finally went into the front yard, I noticed the prescribed beach cruiser at my disposal that would quickly become my best friend in exploring this undeniable dream.

The nine miles of lagoon that snakes through the heart of Mayakoba serves as the most romantic corridor that one could imagine. Granted, there are signs warning you of crocodiles that strongly encourage one to not channel their inner-Aqua Man of mermaid after a few too many mango margaritas. However, on the spectacular eco tour that all guests are privy to, the croc I saw was on the smaller size and just happy to be sunning itself on a large rock.

The FOOD

While the raccoons, iguanas, turtles, crocodiles and the rest of the Mayakoba Zoo don’t seem to be going hungry, neither are the resort’s beyond comprehension with its mastery in the kitchen. Rosewood, as a brand, doesn’t mess around. Anyone who has experienced any of their properties knows the nearly impossible standards that they hold themselves to. If you’re waiting for something to cross your plate that isn’t otherworldly, then you’ve discovered the definition of an exercise in futility.

Oh yeah…Michelin Star chef Johnny Curiel was here too as the highlighted chef. I can’t seem to get away from this guy (see our cover and Johnny Be Good feature in our last issue). And the pleasure is always all mine. His Baja bluefin with dried chili sauce, burnt habanero mayonnaise and Beluga caviar drew a line of guests hungry for more, resulting in more than a few requested pictures with the Denver maestro of menu nosh.

The SPA

There are spas, and then there’s this needs-to-be-seen-to-be-believed creation from another planet.

Sense, A Rosewood Spa is a sight like no other. Its tucked away corner shrouded in tropical jungle and secluded from the rest of the resort makes it a private portal destination within the Mayakoba destination. In fact, I spent two days at Sense for an average of three hours a day…and it was absolutely glorious.

I’ve never been in a sauna that appeared waiting for you with towels laid out in anticipation, and accompanied with cold face towels with a hint of rosemary for your skin and eyes. Again…beyond thoughtful service and thinking ahead to what the guests would need. And the guest gets everything here and more. The largest cold plunge you’ve ever seen coupled with a spacious whirlpool to soak and stretch. Not to mention the never-ending delicious consumption of pineapple infusion, strawberry juice and cucumber water between my rotation of 20 minutes in the cold plunge, 20 minutes in the sauna, and then the whirlpool before repeating it all over again. There’s a world-class fitness center and outdoor pool exclusive to adults. A private, secret getaway. Yoga. Pilates. Meditation and sound healing meditation. Core training. And eight overnight wellness suites if you want to go all in and have everything at your fingertips here in Mayakoba’s world of wellness.

The treatments and backdrop are what you’d come to expect by now, but it doesn’t make it any less magnificent.  Beneath the calm of lush-treed shelter, winding stone paths through luxuriant foliage reveal the experience to come by its mere passage to get there. And “there” is a remote, undisturbed suite that blends in perfectly with this outdoor paradise. When my massage was done, the therapist told me what they always say, “Take your time. I’ll be waiting outside when you’re ready.”

Only, this time was different.

And I told her as much when I explained, “If I truly took my time, then you’d be standing out here for an hour.” I’ve never wanted to move less in my life. This wellness cocoon had consumed me to the degree that I didn’t want to go anywhere but back to sleep in nirvana.

When I was upright and lucid during Mayakoba, I met some of the loveliest people. Of course, everyone is happy as hell to unwind here at Mexico Shangri La. I made lasting friendships from London, Ireland, Charleston, Houston, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Baltimore.

And then there are the unforgettable connections fostered with everyone who is making your stay here flawless. Everyone working at Mayakoba is family, and they want to meet you. They want to know you. It’s authentic. It’s a beautiful reminder of how the Mexican culture is all about community and love and family.

The BEACH

Quiet. Soothing. Sublime. A beach for adults. A beach for the kids whom you don’t necessarily want to see for a few hours. Not open to the public, this sandy stretch of still, calming aqua caters to whatever ails. I finally had to stop taking video and pictures, and just breathe it all in. It is so easy to unplug here. Dotted with fishing boats, the occasional jet skier, miles of coastline for leisurely walks or more intense workouts, Mexico’s signature palm trees reminding you that you’re where you absolutely need to be are all chaperoned by that slight salt water breeze and the hypnotizing wafts of the tropics.

It’s a trip that started out as a bucket list, and it now has transitioned to my grocery list…something I’m going need every couple of weeks.

As they say at Rosewood Mayakoba…Welcome Home.

editor’s note…

Two helpful tips I will share with you…

The mosquitoes ate as well as I did down here, primarily on my lower left leg, so remember repellant. It’s its own sport for these flying miniature munchers.

Be very careful wearing a white shirt. The humidity is very real. In an unbelievably regrettable move, I wore a white dress shirt to a fancy dinner, and once we moved on to Zapote Bar, I was unwittingly providing a wet t-shirt contest that was neither requested nor remotely appreciated by all its patrons.

Chef Johnny Curiel asked me between sips of his Mezcal if I had fallen into the lagoon.

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