Mandarin Oriental to open resort on Mexico’s Riviera Maya

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is set to manage a luxury beachfront resort with branded residences on Mexico’s Riviera Maya on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Mandarin Oriental Kanai, Riviera Maya is expected to open in 2028 with 120 guestrooms and suites with private pools. Each space will feature indoor-outdoor living and natural materials such as marble, wood, leather and locally woven fabrics.

The property will also have three outdoor pools for families and adults, speciality restaurants, event spaces, a kids’ club, beach club, cafe and pool bar.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental will offer a range of wellness, beauty and massage treatments including specially developed treatments inspired by Mexican traditions and customs. The dedicated wellness space will feature an indoor lap pool and outdoor spa trail experiences.

A total of 50 branded residences will also provide access to a private resident-only beach club.

The resort will be set within a secure, gated community surrounded by a jungle and protected mangrove reserve. Mandarin Oriental said only 9% of the land was dedicated to buildings and roads ensuring “the utmost care is taken in preserving the natural habitat and its diverse wildlife”.

The property is a 30-minute drive from Cancun Airport and 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen’s downtown.

Laurent Kleitman, group chief executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, said: "Mandarin Oriental Kanai, Riviera Maya exemplifies our commitment to delighting our fans at every opportunity. Nestled in a breathtaking setting and embracing local culture through a curated range of exceptional experiences, art and design, this resort promises to bring the next level of luxury hospitality to the region.

“As shapers of culture and masters of our craft, we have designed every aspect of this resort with our guests at its heart, reflecting our dedication to legendary service and exceptional experiences.

“Extending our portfolio in the Americas brings the brand closer to our North American fans and will introduce Mandarin Oriental to many new audiences. We are particularly excited to have partnered with the visionary developer GIM Desarrollos and Abraham Metta Cohen on this ambitious project, and we are delighted they are fans of Mandarin Oriental."

Riviera Maya is rich in Mayan heritage and is home to significant archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza and Tulum. Guests of Mandarin Oriental will be able to explore these historical landmarks and enjoy the region’s culinary scene.