Rosewood Mayakoba

The Rosewood Mayakoba used to by my favorite hotel in the world but the service has majorly gone downhill. We came here with friends for my 40th birthday (our 4th visit) and it was a major let down. The staff used to be so friendly and would bend over backwards to help you in any way. That is not the case anymore. Rude and slow service at the pool where they used to be so friendly and fun. Rude and unaccommodating hostesses at the restaurants. The butlers used to check on you multiple times throughout the day to make sure everything was going great but that is not the case anymore. Lackluster all around, especially for the price you pay. The establishment seems to have gone downhill since the manager Daniel left. Very disappointing. The grounds are still beautiful but it’s just not worth the price with this level of service. Very disappointing.

This hotel has lost its magic. We have stayed several times, 2019 and before. The food is mediocre at best, but the prices are Michelin prices. The service is also mediocre. The beach is odd, for lack of a better word. It’s very small and feels dirty. The chairs are piled in on top of each other. The Rosewood pre 2020 was unbeatable. The service was spectacular. This place has changed so much. It no longer feels like a luxury resort, but you’re certainly charged luxury resort prices.

Wonderful service and property. Incredible stay!!! We loved the beach and pools. Food was also fantastic and the staff were too notch. A tiny bit frustrating that we coolant easily walk the facilities but they were so quick with golf carts that it didn’t matter at all!

I spent six days at this resort w my spouse. I had always heard how special this hotel is. I agree w the last two reviews that this hotel needs an update, especially the pools. I liked our lagoon suite and enjoyed staying on the lagoon. However, the swimming pools were too hot to swim in and the adult pool was quite small (and hot). The beach had a lot of seaweed and the chairs were packed close together. With nowhere on property for me to enjoy swimming, I decided to try the spa pool. The spa pool was an improvement but we had to make a reservation to use it and when I went inside to use the spa facilities (locker room etc), the staff followed me around rather closely (why?). We enjoyed the restaurants but there were a lot of babies at the hotel /restaurants which also surprised me. We liked our butler/concierge but on two occasions we had knocks on our door to pick up dishes at about 10 pm. We had no dishes and they later apologized and said that they had mistakenly knocked at our door. If it were my hotel, I would have at least sent a bottle of wine or something to apologize for waking up the guests. In sum, we enjoyed our lagoon suite and the restaurants but we would not return. I preferred Jumby Bay in Antigua, Four seasons and Mallouhana in Anguilla, Ritz reserve in Puerto Rico and other resorts we have been to over the years.

This resort is, not unexpectedly, a complete paradise. But what is exquisitely special is the warmth and inclusion of the staff. If you are lucky enough to arrive on a beautiful day, like we did, you'll take a short boat ride along the small river to meet your butler who will accompany you to your suite. Our primary butler was Gaby. She attended to our every need -- from making our reservations to small surprises. She worked seamlessly with the other members of the team to arrange transportation, too. Our suite was impeccable. The most gorgeous, toes-in-sand view of the ocean, a plunge pool, and daily beach set up, always ready for us. Our beach attendants were perfectly attentive. We enjoyed complimentary snacks each day from cucumber with tamarind to churros and caramel. Beach menu and service were similarly impeccable. The spa has a remarkable river view with welcoming staff and an assortment of offerings. A 90 minute massage is the perfect start to a stay! There is no end to the dining options as you can pick from Rosewood's offerings or the adjacent properties. The primary breakfast spot is a highlight of the property. Like many of the other options, it offers a gorgeous pool and river view. We had amazing service here from the hostess to the servers each charming in their own right. The Continental breakfast is excellent, but don't miss the menu offerings either. My spouse and I argue over which dish is the best, but do your best to try them all! The Heuvos Divorciados is delicious but the traditional pancakes are also just right on a rainy day. For dinner on property, one highlight was Agave Azul. It offers sushi but so much more plus a fantastic river view. You can also dine at Zapote Bar and enjoy live music and inspired, fresh cuisine. Truly a not-to-be missed adventure is La Ceiba Garden and Kitchen, a community dinner offered Wednesday and Saturday in the stunning greenhouse. The scenery is beautiful, but what is most remarkable is the way in which the staff (we were hosted by Sylvia whose enthusiasm and warmth are absolutely contagious) folds you into the moment and welcomes your visit to the culture of the evening. It is truly a sensory experience -- fresh herbs scenting the air, a fire pit in the distance, the chef (Jonathan Alvarado! I hope to enjoy his meals again soon), sous chefs, hostess and other attendants circulating and sharing their enthusiasm for the cuisine and culture they are sharing, the musicians strumming and meeting the moment of the celebration. If all of that wasn't enough, we were lucky enough to have our dinner on the night that wine importer Mary Taylor was visiting, offering her wines, and sharing her own story. It is appropriately adults only but goodness it was a shining star experience. The beach does have sand whales in the distance but the water in October was warm and clear, very little seaweed, and a perfect ripple to the ocean. We are beach, not pool, people but both