The Best Room At... Rosewood Mayakoba
“Do you really want to rush to be at the restaurant before they finish breakfast,” asks Edouard Grosmangin, the managing director of Rosewood Mayakoba. The answer, to be clear, is no. And at the 129-suite property, which opened in 2008, you don’t have to.
To hear Grosmangin tell it, the most luxurious thing that the property can offer—and, keep in mind, this is a resort with eight dining outlets, a spectacular spa, a butler for each suite, and a boat that brings guests to their accommodations upon arrival—is choice. Whether that means sleeping in and enjoying your machaca cazuela when you feel like it or finding another way to personalize your trip to one of Mexico’s stunning Mayan Riviera.
From an adults-only beach club to aquatic activities, off-site excursions, cocktail-making classes, and more, there’s no shortage of ways to keep yourself busy on site, or to do nothing at all. Well, almost nothing; you’ll want to indulge in the property’s restaurants, which reflect different parts of Mexican culture and geography and include Casa del Lago (serving Mexico City-inspired dishes), Agave Azul (paying homage to Mexico’s Asian influences), and Zapote Bar (a delicious nod to the country’s ties to the Middle East that has been named one of North America’s 50 best bars).
Here, we speak with Grosmangin about the on-site event he visits twice a week and how even guests in private villas find the social swirl of the property hard to resist.
What do you consider to be the best room at the property and why?
We have a range of fantastic rooms. But I think when you're our kind of destination and guests are coming from the cold to sit oceanfront with their feet in the sand, there’s nothing more luxurious than a villa with a large private pool. Our Beachfront Presidential Suite has four bedrooms—and we can extend that with connecting suites—as well as terraces, a swimming pool, a plunge pool, and a full kitchen with in-suite breakfast daily. It’s one of our bestsellers and a hallmark of the property thanks to its comfort and privacy.
How much does it cost per night?
The suite starts at about $15,000 per night.
How would you describe the guests and vibe at the hotel?
When you’re visiting Rosewood Mayakoba, you know where you are. Every element of the property is designed to create the Mexican experience at its best, and not in all the ways newcomers might expect. We take influence from the country’s history and culture—there is Japanese influence and Lebanese influence apparent in the food and beverage and in our design—and we celebrate Mexico’s roots and offer a real sense of place. Our guests have the desire to experience that, and they’re usually also very social. Of course, they have the choice to remain private, but take for example our Chef’s Garden Dinner, which is held Wednesdays and Saturdays at our La Ceiba Garden & Kitchen; it’s one of our bestsellers and so many guests make the choice to sit and interact with one another. And with me—I make a point to attend twice a week.
What feeling about Riviera Maya do you hope to impart to guests?
Rosewood has four properties days in Mexico and we'll have one more in Mexico City in two years. So, the destination itself is very special to us, and there’s a high demand for Mexican hospitality. From what I’ve seen in Riviera Maya, our guests are very open to learning from us and from the destination. In large part, that’s culinary: For many years, hospitality meant offering fine dining everywhere in the world without a true sense of destination. Our team is offering guests their culture, their background, and their education. We also recognize that luxury means having a choice. Isn't it boring to go after one week vacation every day to the same place for breakfast?
What’s a local attraction that you always recommend?
We have the largest underground network of cenotes in the world here—and they’re amazing, whichever one you visit. Without a doubt, you should visit one. Also, it’s important to remember that while it’s lovely to be on the beach, you can also enjoy this destination from the sea; get out and spend some time on the ocean. That might make you enjoy the property even more when you come back!
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