Best New Hotels Of 2023: The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya

Mexico’s bustling luxury hotel scene has added a new showstopper, with the debut of The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya.

Inspired by the neighboring Sian Ka’an Reserve—a 620-acre natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site–the resort, just a 10-minute drive from downtown Playa del Carmen and 30 minutes from Cancun International Airport, is a sumptuous gateway to the region’s complex biodiversity and cultural bounty.

“Kanai is a vibrant oasis yet to be discovered by many global travelers, but with its striking natural surroundings, rich cultural history, and inherent connection to the land, it is set to take its place among the world’s most coveted leisure destinations,” said George Fleck, Vice President and Global Brand Leader for St. Regis Hotels and Resorts, in a press release. “The St. Regis brand’s founding family, the Astors, were known for seeking out exquisite locations around the globe for their collection of homes, hosting luminaries and vanguards of the day in the most breathtaking natural surroundings. With The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya, we are continuing the legacy of that timeless era of luxury.”

Designed with a minimal construction footprint by Mexican architectural firm Edmonds International, with interiors by Chapi Chapo Design, the resort boasts unrivaled ocean views from nearly every vantage point, thanks to its singular, circular exterior design that nods to the constellation Pleiades, one of the galaxy’s brightest star clusters. Suspended above a mangrove forest, the property features elevated walkways that connect its various elements.

In the outdoor main lobby—where a multi-story water installation greets guests—floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of the mangroves give way to lush gardens and an expansive outdoor lawn, offering direct access to two miles of pristine white sand beach. Referencing ancient Mayan artistic traditions, the hotel’s refined contemporary aesthetic features a rich palette of limestone, walnut, and layered textiles, accented with bespoke furniture and locally sourced artwork. All 124 guestrooms and 19 suites come with dazzling ocean views, as well as a private terrace or plunge pool, and all guests enjoy access to the St. Regis Signature Butler Service.

The resort is home to eight culinary venues, including the signature, Latin-inspired TORO restaurant, by celebrated chef Richard Sandoval. Chaya combines local ingredients and Mediterranean flair, while the beachfront Riviera melds a French twist with Mexican culinary traditions. The Library is a prime spot to enjoy St. Regis’s afternoon tea and a Mexican chocolate tasting, and the intimate St. Regis Bar showcases the starry night sky and serves up tipples like the Kanai Mary, a local take on the brand’s signature cocktail, incorporating ingredients like corn, peppers, and cucumber. Other venues include Jack’s Club, a hidden speakeasy, and Pik Nik, a grab-and-go deli.

The resort’s St. Regis Spa ushers the region’s lush environs inside with eight treatment suites and a standalone salon. Signature treatments include the Secret Garden ritual—where guests hand-select ingredients from the hotel’s garden to personalize a body scrub and mask—and the Celestial Energy treatment, which references Mayan cosmology with herbal cleansing, hot stones, and aromatherapy based on the phases of the moon. Guests can break a sweat at the Athletic Club, outfitted with cardio and strength equipment and an outdoor yoga platform, while the Beach Club elevates glamorous seaside lounging, featuring adult and family pools with roomy private cabanas and access to water sports. Meanwhile, the Tortuga Children’s Club offers an array of activities tailored to help younger guests discover the Riviera Maya’s distinct magic. Located less than a half-mile from a virtually undisturbed coral reef—part of the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest reef system in the world—the resort is an ideal base for underwater exploration.

The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya, also boasts over 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space across six meeting venues. From the expansive Astor Ballroom to the 7,300-square-foot Great Lawn, the resort can accommodate a wide range of events for up to 600 guests.

The gated, 680-acre Kanai development—which has built on just 9% of its 1,200-plus acres in an effort to minimize impact on the area’s fragile ecosystem—will soon welcome another Marriott luxury standout: the EDITION at Kanai, the buzzy brand’s inaugural opening in Mexico, slated to debut this summer. Nearly two decades in the making, Kanai will ultimately play host to just four resorts (including Auberge’s Etéreo, which opened in December 2021), as it vies to lure well-heeled guests away from Riviera Maya mainstay Mayakoba.

For more information or to book, visit www.stregis.com/kanai.