Luxury Travel

Evaluation: The St Regis Kanai Resort (Riviera Maya, Mexico)

May 15, 2024

Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a resort or flight overview.

Just a few weeks in the past, I loved a calming vacation within the Riviera Maya, Mexico, the place I stayed on the space’s high three luxurious resorts. You’ll be able to learn my journey reviews right here:

Immediately: Evaluation of The St Regis Kanai Resort (Riviera Maya, Mexico)

Securing its spot on numerous “finest” lists, the all-new St. Regis Kanai Resort boasts an an distinctive round exterior, signature butler service, and prime beachfront location inside a 680-acre gated group. However these aren’t the one causes you’ll like it. All 124 visitor rooms and suites supply ocean views (some even have non-public plunge swimming pools). And with eight distinct bars and eating places, you possibly can fulfill your longing for elevated Mexican delicacies one night time and Mediterranean, Center Japanese, or Asian Fusion the following.

The St Regis Kanai options in my high 10 lists of the finest luxurious resorts on the Riviera Maya and my favourite St Regis Lodges & Resorts on this planet.

Have you ever ever stayed at The St Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.

I made a YouTube video with full tour of The St Regis Kanai, which you’ll be able to watch right here:

On this overview (extra data and pictures under my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

The St Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya is ready throughout the tranquil, non-public resort space of Kanai. Kanai is called the celestial mythological birthplace of the Mayans, who first named the land Kanai, which means “the place the sky is born.” Situated within the coronary heart of the Riviera Maya, inside a half-hour drive from Cancun Airport and 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen’s Downtown, Kanai is a 680 acre secured gated group which is dwelling to three luxurious resorts: The St Regis, The Version, and Etereo (700 rooms and residences in whole). The resort sits amongst a jungle and mangrove reserve and options 2 miles (3 km) of pristine white sand seashores. Kanai can also be lower than half a mile away from an undisturbed coral reef, providing a blinding arrays of several types of coral and offering meals to tons of of fish species, marine turtles, and different marine creatures.

Designed by Mexican agency Edmonds Worldwide, The St Regis Kanai Resort options an distinctive round structure, resulting in open views from almost each vantage level. The spectacular design comes forth as two small intersected circles that include the general public areas and three massive semicircles which home the rooms & suites. The round buildings float above a seemingly infinite sea of lush inexperienced mangroves, which – when seen from above – nearly seem like an ultra-modern white spaceship that landed in bright-green vegetation. In truth, the resort’s structure reflects the constellation Pleiades, which the Mayans thought-about to be the birthplace of their historical ancestors. The circular design motif additionally alludes to the sun-shaped Mayan calendar comprising 13 moons lasting 28 days.

Upon arrival, company of The St Regis Kanai are instantly immersed within the resort’s beautiful structure with a multi-story open air water set up and luxurious greenery main into the resort’s majestic, double-story foyer. Throughout the huge, semi-open air foyer area, biophilic options like skylights and residing partitions merge indoor and outside environments, permitting company to bodily expertise Riviera Maya from inside. The reception and concierge space is tucked away in an intimate nook of the foyer, whereas a number of tranquil nooks and lounge areas are excellent for rest, meditation and statement of sunsets and starry nights. The foyer’s far finish provides floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of the mangroves and the Caribbean Sea past.

Drawing inspiration from historical Mayan tradition, The St Regis Kanai’s refined aesthetics and modern interiors have been created by Chapi Chapo Design. The elegant decor is accented with bespoke parts together with customized furnishings and paintings from native artisans. The Mayan Calendar is recreated by means of textiles throughout the public areas and guestrooms, with parts impressed by ceremonial Mayan clothes. The resort’s inside design additionally evokes the encircling parts from the mangrove bushes to the close by cenotes – pure sinkholes generally used for water provides by the Maya. Wealthy supplies imitating this pure ecosystem embrace marbles with hues of blue, gray and inexperienced that mimic the encircling parts and travertine to resemble native limestone, whereas walnut wooden brings wealthy heat and grounding to every space of the resort the place design imitates life.

The St Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya boasts 124 lavishly appointed guestrooms and 19 suites. Guestrooms characteristic customized hanging mirrors, bedside tables, ceramic gentle pendants, and complicated walnut wood-carved headboards, whereas ensuites bogs are geared up with double vanities, bathtubs and walk-in showers. The guestrooms on the primary and second ground all have balconies with uninterrupted sea views, whereas the ground-level rooms get pleasure from views over the mangrove and still have a non-public plunge pool. The very best suites are situated on the finish of every semi-circle since they arrive with a big outside area, with an out of doors bathe, hammock and/or pool. Visitors of all room classes have entry to the St Regis Signature Butler Service.

The St Regis Kanai Resort options two large beach-front pool areas, one devoted to households and the opposite one solely obtainable to adults. The household pool space is comprised of two massive swimming swimming pools, that are lined by dozens of sunbeds (a few of them set contained in the pool). Considered one of these swimming pools additionally options a number of luxurious cabanas – with lounge areas and a big TV display – which could be rented for the day for a price. The household pool space additionally has an indoor video games rooms, which comes with its personal TV lounge, bar and small outside pool. Situated subsequent to the household pool is the adults solely seaside membership, which options a big swimming pool, a separate Jacuzzi, and a bar serving cocktails and light-weight fare. Each the household pool and adults solely seaside membership open to an attractive white sand seaside, lapped by the turquoise Caribbean Sea.

The St Regis Kanai Resort’s wellness middle is a tranquil enclave situated on the finish of the big foyer. That includes eight therapy suites and a standalone rest salon, the spa provides remedies impressed by historical practices and that includes native elements. Signature remedies embrace the Secret Backyard ritual, permitting company handy choose elements from the resort’s backyard to personalize a physique scrub and masks. One other nice therapy is the Celestial Vitality therapy, which is impressed by Mayan cosmology and makes use of sizzling stones energized beneath the moon & stars and aromatherapy based mostly on the part of the moon. Subsequent to the spa is the unique Athletic Membership, that includes a variety of cardio and power tools in addition to an out of doors yoga platform.

The St Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya provides gastronomic journeys in eight culinary venues.
- The resort’s signature restaurant TORO by Chef Richard Sandoval is a bar and restaurant with a Latin-inspired menu led by the esteemed chef.
- Situated subsequent to the foyer, Chaya Restaurant encompasses a menu that mixes native elements and regional touches of Riviera Maya with culinary parts rooted in Japanese Mediterranean historical past. Every morning, a breakfast buffet with some native Mexican touches can also be supplied at Chaya.
- Situated alongside the household pool, Riviera is a brilliant informal restaurant, open for lunch solely, which seamlessly blends the South of France with the Mayan Riviera. The venue serves recent seafood and different dishes ready from native elements.
- A tea and chocolate salon situated subsequent to the foyer, The Library serves St Regis’s signature ritual of afternoon tea and it’s a fantastic backdrop to get pleasure from a tasting of Mexican chocolate.
- Situated on the second ground, the intimate St Regis Bar provides the Kanai Mary, a neighborhood tackle the model’s signature Bloody Mary cocktail, which includes elements from the traditional Maya weight loss plan together with corn, peppers and cucumber. Designed to characteristic views of the sundown, the bar marks the transition from day to nighttime with a celebratory champagne sabering every night.
- Extra eating venues embrace Jack’s Membership (a hidden speakeasy), Pik Nik (a grab-and-go deli), and The Seaside Membership for gentle bites whereas enjoyable seaside.

Designed with a minimal building footprint geared toward defending the Sian Ka’an Reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage Web site adjoining to the resort) , The St Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya is ingeniously suspended above a mangrove forest on stilts, minimizing the consequences on the delicate habitats beneath. To additional decrease ecological affect, the completely different components of the resort related by elevated walkways. To protect as a lot of the reserve and native flora as potential, the builders of the Kanai group constructed on solely 9% of their whole property. They left the rest – largely dense jungle and mangrove forest – untouched, constructing alongside a single highway by means of the reserve and placing all buildings and pavilions on stilts the place needed.

Combining basic sophistication with a contemporary sensibility, St Regis Lodges & Resorts – which at the moment manages Kanai property – is one among my favourite luxurious resort manufacturers on this planet. Combining timeless glamour with a vanguard spirit, St. Regis Lodges & Resorts is dedicated to delivering beautiful experiences at almost 50 luxurious motels and resorts in among the finest addresses around the globe. Starting with the debut of The St. Regis resort in New York by John Jacob Astor IV on the daybreak of the 20 th century, the model has remained dedicated to an uncompromising stage of bespoke and anticipatory service for all of its company, delivered flawlessly by the signature St Regis Butler Service. A part of the Marriott Lodge Group, St Regis participates in Marriott Bonvoy, the worldwide loyalty program from Marriott (permitting to gather factors and spend them at no cost nights).

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

The St Regis Kanai encompasses a beautiful structure, however your entire construction – comprised of a number of intersecting circles – is very large and doesn’t really feel very intimate. Additionally, the buildings are so huge you can stroll by means of them with out operating into lots of people (besides on the swimming pools). Some company will adore this mind-blowing trendy structure whereas others might discover it soulless and harking back to an airport or museum. Nonetheless, regardless of how you are feeling in regards to the structure, the general design of the resort – particularly the foyer – will depart you speechless.

The St Regis Kanai encompasses a whole of 143 rooms, however solely 19 of those are suites whereas the remainder are simply common rooms. Whereas the rooms are spacious and splendid, and geared up with non-public balconies and terraces, they don’t have the identical wow-factor because the villa-style lodging supplied at a few of The St Regis’ direct opponents within the space, resembling Rosewood Mayakoba (though the St Regis’ rooms are offered on the similar price because the villas at different properties).

The seashores of the Riviera Maya are affected by the presence of sargassum seaweed, which is a priority to many vacationers. Traditionally, the seaweed season usually began at the start of spring (April) as a consequence of an increase in sea temperature, and peaked through the summer season months. Nonetheless, within the final decade and doubtless as a consequence of international warming, seaweed has appeared at any time all year long, making it difficult to foretell its seasonal patterns. For instance, once I visited in late January, a large quantity of seaweed washed onshore throughout a number of storms that handed over the realm. That stated, the seaside in entrance of The St Regis Kanai appeared to be much less affected by the seaweed drawback when in comparison with different seashores within the space (resembling Mayakoba). Additionally, every morning and afternoon, the seaside is meticulously cleared of seawed by the resort workers.

MY VERDICT

Location: 9/10
Design: 9/10
Pool: 9/10
Rooms: 8/10
Meals: 8/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: 9/10
Service: 8/10
Wow issue: 9/10
Worth for cash: 8/10
Total expertise: superb 8.5/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when reserving through Virtuoso (e.g. room improve, day by day breakfast, early check-in, late check-out and $100 USD resort credit score).

Get monetary savings: learn right here my ideas for getting the most effective deal at a luxurious resort like Rosewood Mayakoba (and/or obtain many free perks).

Learn my ideas for getting ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The Riviera Maya in Mexico has a subtropical local weather with two seasons – a wet season (Might to October) and a dry season (November to April). The very best time to go to is December to March when the temperatures are a bit extra comfy and there are fewer rain showers. Through the wet season, interval temperatures stay excessive and though it rains each day, downpours don’t are usually extended. There’s a likelihood for hurricanes, particularly from July to October.

HOW TO GET THERE

The St Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya, Mexico is situated 40 minutes by automobile from Cancun Worldwide Airport, which is served by most North- and South American in addition to some European airways. Examine the Wikipedia web page of Cancun Worldwide Airport for a repeatedly up to date listing of airways that supply direct flights to Cancun.

PHOTOS

Right here’s a choice of my pictures of The St Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya in Mexico. To view extra resort pictures (together with breakfast and dinner), click on right here.