Maroma, St. Regis Kanai, and Etéreo: An Honest Review of Riviera Maya's Best Luxury Hotels
Note: Full image gallery located at the end of the post
Quick Take: Which Riviera Maya Resort Is Right for You?
After experiencing all three, Maroma stands out as the strongest overall choice due to its unmatched beachfront positioning, intimate scale, and soulful atmosphere that newer developments struggle to replicate.
That said, the best resort depends on personality and travel style:
Maroma, A Belmond Hotel: Boutique authenticity shaped by 40 years of Riviera Maya history
St. Regis Kanai: Modern luxury, social energy, and a polished beach-club atmosphere
Etéreo, an Auberge Resort: Design-forward boutique luxury rooted in wellness and Mayan-inspired culture
Choosing the right room category matters just as much as choosing the hotel itself, and that’s where firsthand guidance makes all the difference.
St. Regis Kanai Review: Jungle Luxury Meets Ocean Views
The arrival at St. Regis Kanai feels grand yet effortless. Even before my room was ready, I dropped my luggage and headed straight to spa.
The Spa "Reset" Hack
If you arrive early, go straight to the spa. It’s the perfect place to freshen up after a flight and mentally switch into vacation mode.
The "3rd Floor Rule" for Views
Backdrop of the mangrove forest at St. Regis Kanai
I stayed in a Grand Luxe Ocean View room with a private plunge pool, but all plunge pool rooms are on the ground floor. Because the resort sits behind mangroves, lower-level rooms lose wider ocean views and can attract more mosquitoes during certain times of the year similar to all of Kanai.
The Fix: If views matter most, skip the plunge pool and request a third-floor room. The higher elevation makes a noticeable difference.
The Beach Club
The beach is the true highlight here. While the rooms are set back from the shoreline, the main pool sits directly on the sand, making it easy to enjoy both the beach and pool experience in one place.
The overall vibe is relaxed and social, making St. Regis Kanai especially strong for groups.
Dining Tip: Toro Kitchen is the best at the St. Regis, I’d highly recommend taking a golf cart over to Etéreo to try Itzam or Che Che as well at Kitchen at Edition.
Belmond Maroma Review: One of The Best Beaches in Riviera Maya
View from the Deluxe Room at Maroma
Where St. Regis feels expansive, Belmond Maroma feels intimate and exclusive. Originally a private villa, it retains a residential, almost secret atmosphere.
Why Location Equals Luxury
Maroma was developed in the 1970s before stricter coastal regulations, allowing buildings to sit unusually close to the shoreline. Newer resorts like St. Regis and Etéreo must be set back behind mangroves.
The Room Flip: Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better
I stayed in both a Deluxe Room and a Two-Bedroom Suite with a partial ocean view during my visit.
Surprisingly, the Deluxe Room was my favorite. It felt cozier, more authentic, and had a stronger ocean view.
The Two-Bedroom Suite offered significantly more space but a more limited view, proving that a larger room doesn’t always mean a better overall experience.
Advisor Tip: Couples shouldn’t feel pressured to book a larger suite. The Deluxe rooms often offer more charm and stronger vistas.
That being said 75% of the hotels accommodation have ocean views.
Villa Xuxú at Marome
Freddie’s Bar & Beachfront Breakfast
The real gem of the property is Freddie's Bar, Maroma's take on the classic beach bar. It lives up to the name because you truly get a mix of people there: some wrapping up their beach day with a cold drink, others arriving early for sunset cocktails before dinner. It's the social heart of the resort, and it's impossible not to feel the energy and joy of the place when you're there.
Butler Service: Is It Worth It?
At Maroma, yes. The butlers act like personal concierges, handling logistics so you can start enjoying the property immediately.
Etéreo Riviera Maya, an Auberge Resort: The Design-Forward Choice
Etéreo strikes a strong balance and feels unmistakably Auberge, with a contemporary, refined, wellness-driven approach that thoughtfully leans into Mayan culture and design. The resort’s in-house Shaman greets you upon arrival, helping guests shift immediately into "vacation mode." The resort sits within the Kanai development, with rooms set back behind protected mangroves unlike Maroma.
It’s a strong choice for someone who wants a modern, boutique feel without the mega-resort footprint.
Dining at Itzam and Che Che
The food is consistently excellent. Standouts included the bluefin tuna experience, the chef's roll of the day, and the local fish at Itzam, the resort's signature Mayan-inspired restaurant with panoramic ocean views. Daily breakfast at Che Che, their Japanese-Mexican fusion venue, was also a highlight.
Room Category: Ocean Studio
At Etéreo, the Ocean Studio with Plunge Pool was my favorite room category thanks to its elevated views of the beach, mangroves, and Caribbean Sea. While the entry-level rooms are the similar if not the same layout, upgrading to an Ocean Studio is worth it for the stronger ocean views and overall sense of space.
The design feels contemporary yet deeply connected to its surroundings, with photogenic angles throughout the room and resort. With just 75 accommodations, all oceanfront or ocean-view, Etéreo delivers the boutique scale and signature Auberge quality while leaning into Mayan-inspired design.
The Service Experience
One thing that defines the Etéreo experience is elevated and personalized. The team constantly checks in to make sure your experience exceeds expectations. Any issues, even minor ones, are handled promptly and generously. Each guest is assigned a dedicated Guía (personal butler), and the attention to detail and genuine care make you feel well looked after the entire stay. It's the kind of service that reminds you why you choose properties at this level.
Final Advisor Take
If beachfront proximity and atmosphere matter most, Maroma is the standout. If you want social energy and a beach-club vibe, St. Regis Kanai shines. For design-forward travelers loyal to Auberge, Etéreo delivers a more curated experience.
Book with CFS Travel for Exclusive Amenities
Belmond Bellini Club (Maroma): Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability, Daily breakfast credit of $45 per person (up to two guests per bedroom), $100 resort/hotel credit per stay, 2- and 3-Bedroom Villas receive an additional $150 credit (total $250 per stay), Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
Virtuoso Amenities (Etéreo): Upgrade on arrival (subject to availability), Daily breakfast for two, $100 hotel credit, Early check-in / late check-out (subject to availability)
St. Regis (Virtuoso/Luminous): Upgrade on arrival (subject to availability), Daily breakfast for two guests per room, elevated $200 hotel credit, early check-in / late check-out (subject to availability)
