Maroma is Set to Reopen in May 2023 in Riviera Maya, Mexico

Vacationer clued you into the fact that Belmond was one of the first hotel chains to have its own LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, and now queer-friendly Mexico is about to see a Belmond Hotel’s much-anticipated return next May! The Maroma, the storied hideaway in the beating heart of the Riviera Maya, will open on March 25, 2023. 

Nestled between 200 acres of lush tropical jungle and the secluded white sands of Mexico’s Caribbean coast, the legendary property will be completely reimagined with Mayan culture at its core – and will be the first, extensive transformation within Belmond’s North America portfolio under LVMH ownership. This new chapter of Maroma will reveal 10 new waterfront suites, a nature-focused wellness experience in partnership with Guerlain, ground-breaking sustainability initiatives, and a new gastronomic era under Mexican-born Executive Chef Daniel Camacho. 

A Mayan Legend Reborn 

Internationally renowned designer Tara Bernerd is at the helm of the comprehensive restoration, working hand-in-hand with local artisans to honor Mexican heritage. Blending contemporary craft with the careful sourcing of indigenous materials, the Belmond team will create timeless spaces that are authentic to their roots and channel the healing energy of the locale. The original design and architecture of the property will be preserved, including the white stucco buildings, aligned to the Sacred Geometry of Mayan masonry. Curved lines and organic forms inspired by the property’s wild surroundings will inform the harmonious indoor-outdoor flow of rooms, suites, and villas. An unrivaled beach resort, each of the 72 accommodations will be spread across Maroma’s private stretch of sand, of which three-quarters now have ocean views, including a spacious new waterfront suite complete with a private pool and garden. The property’s three pools will be completely redesigned, featuring Sukabumi tiles handmade from volcanic stone, in the same vibrant turquoise tones as the region’s many natural cenotes. 

“Maroma offered a rare opportunity to reimagine this iconic hotel, with its rich and storied history. We sought to retain and enhance the original character, working with local artisans, whilst simultaneously incorporating a contemporary elegance, a warmth that also has a sense of home, that speaks to the needs of the Belmond guest for generations to come,” said Bernerd. Maroma will showcase an extraordinary collection of pan-Mexican art and design. Eighty percent of furnishings and objects will be made by Mexican craftspeople, from a hand-blown glass chandelier and painted clay pots to traditional ‘Saltillo’ floor tiles, meticulously curated for guest rooms. 

A Wellness Destination with International Acclaim 

Founded on the principles of nature and vitality, wellness at Maroma will take on a new dimension with the launch of the first Guerlain Spa in Latin America. A temple for rejuvenation and a place of deep spirituality, guests will feel the vital flow of healing energies from the jungle oasis and wide-open sea in the newly renovated biophilic space. Treatment rooms will look out onto the jungle and will incorporate local design elements with geometric shapes and artisanal objects. Healing rituals will be inspired by the power of nature, ancient practices, and the sacred Melipona bee, revered by the Mayans for over 3,000 years as a symbol of spiritual resonance. Centered around balance and harmony, Guerlain will create a unique spa menu with its iconic face and body treatments as well as exclusive experiences designed around the Mayan wellness philosophy of sound and healing rituals. A true holistic wellness retreat, the spa will also include a selection of daily workshops in meditation, movement, and yoga to resynchronize body, mind, and spirit. 

Colorful and Contemporary Cuisine 

Mexican-born Executive Chef Daniel Camacho will continue his legacy of celebrating his country’s rich culinary diversity at Casa Mayor restaurant. Working on a sustainable provenance approach, 90% of ingredients will be sourced from Mexico and almost half from the Yucatán peninsula. A proud member of #PescaConFuturo, promoting sustainable fishery and aquaculture, freshly caught seafood will be sourced from Amigos de Sian Ka’an. Reinventing traditional Mexican cuisine, colorful dishes will range from seafood towers and Michoacan corundas to Jalisco-style Birria and chocolate cake with Oaxacan black mole, flamed with house mezcal. 

For the perfect sundowner, Bambuco will offer a more casual affair, where seasonal herbal drinks made fresh from the garden will sit alongside Mexican wines, tequila cocktails, and an extensive selection of Mezcal. The legendary beach hangout Freddy’s Bar will continue to channel the vibrant spirit of the Riviera Maya, with live music and DJ sets, fresh seafood, and cocktails. 

Biodiversity: It Begins with a Bee

Maroma has a long history of working with local organizations and will continue collaborating with Fundación Selva Maya and Mayahuum to protect the endangered Melipona bee, which is fundamentally important to the ecology of the Yucatán peninsula. Belmond will also launch a new partnership with Guerlain to further amplify this commitment. Combining a legacy of caring, research, and community programs, the collaboration will include expanding resident hives, unveiling a new Melipona sanctuary for educational guest experiences, and introducing Guerlain’s Bee School and “Women for Bees” initiatives into Yucatán communities. In addition to forming part of the wellness experience, Melipona and other types of honey will also be a feature on the culinary and mixology menus. Caring for the environment will be a priority woven into every aspect of Maroma and its guest programming, with further initiatives including turtle conservation and preserving the local flora and fauna.

Fotografia Maroma: A Living Gallery of Mexican Talent

The Riviera Maya is a fertile ground for creative expression and artistic development, with its rich culture, storytelling traditions, and spectacular natural landscapes. Maroma will further celebrate local artists through a multi-faceted creative concept, Fotografía Maroma, in partnership with curators Fariba Farshad (co-founder and director of Photo London) and Patricia Conde (the founder of Patricia Conde Galeria in Mexico City and the annual exhibition Proyectosjuancano68). Together with Belmond, the curators have hand-picked four Mexican photographers to participate in the inaugural photography series: renowned photographers Patricia Lagarde, Javier Hinojosa, and Ilán Rabchinskey, alongside up-and-coming talent Margot Kalach. The resulting photographs, which capture Riviera Maya through the photographers’ distinctive lenses and perspectives, will be exhibited during Art Basel in Miami, Zona Maco in Mexico City, and Photo London. 

For more information about the Maroma, visit its website and click here.