The Viceroy Riviera Maya, one of the Caribbean's finest and most romantic luxury resorts, is unique in combining an eco-friendly experience tailored to those who prefer quieter, private hideaways, while still being able to enjoy five-star services and amenities. With just 41 villas on an unspoiled six-acre sanctuary fronting a picture-perfect stretch of Mexico's Playa del Carmen, the elegant oasis is a seductive escape designed to keep guests' cares at bay.
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There is no noisy lobby to negotiate; no bright lights or loud music to grate on the nerves; nothing to interfere with enjoyment of the magical setting, beginning with personalized check-in at each guest's villa. As dusk falls it becomes an enchanting, torch-lit otherworldly refuge far from the bustle and bluster of most beach resorts. It's undeniably glamorous but in a low-key way, refined yet relaxed, elegant but informal.
The palapa-roofed villas lend an exotic allure to the accommodations and blend in seamlessly with the lush jungle foliage, a peaceful refuge of ferns, palms and guava trees inhabited by a family of friendly spider monkeys. The villas feature private patios with plunge pools, chaise lounges, hand-carved stone dining tables and handmade crochet hammocks, as well as indulgent baths with indoor and outdoor rain showers.
Some offer uninterrupted views of the beach while others focus on the private landscape, and wooden screens can be put up to offer more privacy should guests so desire. Mayan-inspired interior design with louvered mahogany doors and windows, rich woods, sisal rugs, rattan furniture and canopy beds with hand-stitched 500-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens set the tone for simple but sumptuous luxury.
There are five villa categories in all, in addition to a lavish 2,900-square-foot Presidential Villa, one of the most sybaritic escapes in all of Mexico. An A-list favorite, the duplex villa is decked out with lounging and dining areas, a guest bath and private swimming pool. A spiral wooden staircase leads to the villa’s opulent master bedroom, opening onto its own oversized, ocean-view terrace large enough to host intimate cocktails or catered meals.
The resort’s signature Mayordomo butler service ensures that no request is left unfulfilled and every one is carried out quietly, efficiently and courteously. Personal touches abound, beginning with a Mayan Blessing performed by an authentic shaman on arrival, while the butler cuts a personalized selection of hand-made soaps for each guest.
Hidden under the swaying palms are all the opulent amenities one would expect of a resort bearing the Viceroy name, known for its portfolio of luxury properties around the world, ranging from NYC to Abu Dhabi. A relaxing and refreshing swimming pool with a sun deck overlooks a postcard-worthy section of white sand beach dotted with thatched cabanas equipped for a day’s lounging.
There is nothing cold or clinical about the seaside Wayak Spa offers Mayan-style temazcal sauna baths, massages, facials, and treatments using natural marine elements combined with native, aromatic herbs in a natural setting designed to soothe and reinvigorate. A library lounge provides a comfortable nook for cozying up with a book or a cocktail. In addition to a comprehensive room service menu there are two restaurants on the resort, which feature a "dine anywhere, anytime" policy so guests can set their own schedule.
The Viceroy Riviera Maya’s fine dinner venue, La Marea, is centered on Chef Jetzabel Rojas Barragán’s artful contemporary interpretations of Mexican cuisine with Mediterranean influences. Barragán, a graduate of the culinary Institute of Mexico, gained early experience in restaurants in the United States and was profoundly influenced by renowned restaurateur Thomas Keller of The French Laundry and Per Se fame. She applies his culinary approach to her creations but they remain authentically indigenous.
The dining room is perched in the palms under a thatched roof with views of the swimming pool and shimmering sea. Fresh local seafood and carefully selected meats are paired with an extensive wine list. Signature dishes include a Black Paella with Valladolid chorizo from Spain, local clams, a Mexican corn-based delicacy called huitlacoche, and xcatic, an exotic chile. The Coral Grill is a more casual dining option directly on the beach serving three meals a day in addition to snacks throughout.
Of course, given its romantic appeal the Viceroy Riviera Maya is a popular choice for weddings as well. In keeping with its aura of exclusivity and indulgence, the resort is offering a truly unforgettable experience: the chance to take over the entire property for three nights at a cost of $125,000. The “Extreme Takeover” package offers accommodations for up to 82 people in total with private use of all the resort’s 41 luxury villas, as well as private use of the pool, spa, fitness center, beach and other amenities.
Included are exclusive use of both the resort’s restaurants, with breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, snacks and drinks, cocktail parties, a rehearsal dinner, the ceremony and reception, with various customizable options to suit each wedding party’s needs. Visit the Viceroy Riviera Maya site for more information on the property or contact Laura Reyes, Weddings & Special Events Coordinator.
