The Overwater Villas and Beachfront Suites at This Mexican Resort All Have Non-public Swimming pools, Out of doors Baths, and Loads of Privateness

It was the night time earlier than our journey to Mexico, and the forecast known as for rain all week lengthy. “Is it even value packing a washing swimsuit?” my husband requested in disappointment. In a vacation spot the place a lot of the enchantment is constructed round having sunny skies, the looming climate prediction was casting a cloud over our chatter about poolside piña coladas and afternoons on the seaside. “Carry one, simply in case,” I stated, optimistically. “Perhaps we are able to manifest the solar into popping out.”

However when the airplane wheels touched the tarmac, so got here the drizzle, and as we made our approach from the airport to our lodge, the rain solely continued to fall. "The climate right here is unpredictable — it may rain for just some minutes, then solar all day," our driver instructed us. We’d quickly study to this to be true, however what we’d additionally come to know is that the property we have been about to examine into is a real paradise, rain or shine.

Banyan Tree Mayakoba is undoubtedly a luxurious lodge, with the sort of property that lure individuals to Mexico’s coast all yr spherical: a wonderful seaside, impeccable service, and scrumptious, write-home-about meals. However it’s additionally one thing of an inconceivable resort. Unbelievable as a result of whereas it sits solely 45 minutes south of tourist-jammed Cancun and simply 20 minutes from party-heavy Playa del Carmen, it manages to really feel like a super-secluded world of its personal, a jungle-like lair with thick forested trails; a winding freshwater lagoon; and thrilling wildlife from colourful birds and coatis to turtles and even crocodiles.

Your introduction to this ecological enclave will start as you enter: A prolonged driveway meanders via lush mangroves, culminating at an open-air foyer and the lodge's pièce de résistance: an enormous banyan tree dripping with orange and white lanterns. Chilly towels and a refreshing shot of chaya and cucumber assist clear any lingering indicators of jet lag whereas a concierge handles check-in, then it's off to your non-public villa in a golf cart.

The 122 ethereal villas, all nestled into the panorama, include their very own non-public pool, daybeds, hammock, and a great deal of area — we're speaking room-sized closets, large loos, and a complete sq. footage of greater than 2,750 ft. Tremendous-high ceilings preserve the areas cool and comfy, floor-to-ceiling glass doorways imply you possibly can slip straight into the pool out of your bed room, and outside tubs beckon {couples} for a soak below the starry sky. With large partitions for privateness, these al fresco baths can be drawn with rose petals and candles.

The seaside is all the time a brief (and complimentary) bike or buggy trip away, however in the event you desire to remain nearer to the sand, dreamy suites — outfitted in limestone stucco, tropical woods, and a impartial palette — open straight onto the powder-soft shore and shiny blue sea. Come April 2022, the lodge additionally plans to open a further seven over-lagoon villas. Suite or villa, although, the lodging are designed with utmost privateness in thoughts, so you will not often stumble upon different visitors.

However there's extra that makes Banyan Tree a rarity on this a part of Mexico. Although the property — considered one of 4 within the 640-acre Mayakoba complicated — is Mexican at its core, it mixes in a little bit of Asian hospitality, too. In any case, the Banyan Tree lodge group acquired its begin in Thailand, with this being its first Mexican outpost. This japanese affect will be discovered all through the resort, from the pagoda-like entryway to the fragile incense wafting from the oil burners in rooms, although it's maybe most pronounced at Saffron, the on-site Thai restaurant the place visitors can dine on flavorful fare by cooks who hail from the Southeast Asian nation. Right here, candle-lit tables strewn a couple of picket deck below the quilt of glowing, lantern-dotted timber make for a very romantic setting, however there are different eateries to satiate all palettes and moods — from the Mediterranean-influenced Cello restaurant to the Sands Seaside Membership, which serves up recent seafood dishes with native components. There's additionally Tomahawk Den for scorching steaks and Oriente for bounteous buffet breakfasts and a la carte meals with native and worldwide choices.

For extra of a culinary expertise, visitors can go for a sundown tapas cruise alongside the pure waterways; a romantic dinner aboard a standard Mexican trajinera; or Haab, a novel Mayan meal that includes interactive performances, in addition to a number of programs from the Yucatan, like cochinita pibil (spiced suckling pig) and chaya empanadas. After all, in the event you really feel like staying in your cocoon, in-villa meals are only a faucet away 24 hours a day.

Spoiled for alternative, you'd be hard-pressed to search out something missing at this lodge. And anticipate considerate touches each step of the best way: At our villa, we have been instantly greeted with a guacamole-filled molcajete and my favourite drink (micheladas), simply as I had famous on the pre-arrival preferences type given to all visitors. And upon checkout, the concierge handed me a plastic turtle: "Turtles are the one ones that come again to the identical place the place they have been born," she stated. "We offer you this as a fortunate attraction to carry you again to your second dwelling at Banyan Tree."

As for actions, there are various. Indulge your wild facet on a day by day eco boat tour that lightly glides via the serpentine canals — a quiet, tranquil journey, till a turtle or crocodile comes into view, prompting audible, excited gasps from passengers. Or, hit the tennis courts, PGA championship golf course, or cenote and kayak excursions for much more giddy exploration.

In the event you'd quite sit back and unwind, the placing spa has a hydrothermal circuit with cold and warm cabins, a vitality pool, sauna, and steam rooms, every designed that can assist you detox, in addition to all types of remedies — massages, facials, physique scrubs — in overwater rooms.

Although, admittedly, we have been merely content material to whereas away each afternoon at our non-public villa pool or on the sun-blasted seaside, which guarantees an oceanfront infinity pool, complimentary snorkeling and stand-up paddelboarding, and even these long-awaited piña coladas — sure, with out getting caught within the rain.

Alisha Prakash is Journey + Leisure’s senior digital editor. A New Yorker via and thru, she’s caught in a love affair between large cities and the nice outside. Comply with her adventures on Instagram @alishaprakash and Twitter @alishasays.