Review: Chablé Maroma

_Location: In the cute beachside reserve of Punta Maroma, which is hidden away on the stunning Riviera Maya between Cancun and Tulum. The hotel is 12 miles north of Playa del Carmen. This under-the-radar, discreet property doesn’t have the same signposting that other hotels along the coastline have, but we need not worry, as our driver whisks us there from the airport in 30 minutes without any issues. When picking us up, he presents us with a couple of bottles of Modelo beer and urges us to start relaxing immediately. We happily oblige.

_{First impressions:} Pulling up at the lobby – a gorgeous open-air space complete with a soaring thatched roof and floating daybeds, and encased entirely by luscious foliage – you can’t help but feel at ease. There’s an air of peace and serenity that filters throughout the hotel. Chablé Maroma embodies barefoot luxury, with a spiritual ethos at its core.

_{The facts:} The rooms, which are in individual casitas, are dotted through the jungle landscape, with racoons scrambling between them as they attempt to steal food. There are 70 one to three-bed casitas, all of which boast private plunge pools and are named using Mayan words, which are proudly displayed on the pathways that wind around the resort. The jungle canopies that surround each casita afford a decent level of privacy for guests, with foliage providing the perfect veil. There are two pools – one of which is ideal for those travelling with small children – and two restaurants. Kaban is pretty casual and open all day, while Bu’ul opens only for dinner serving Mexican dishes. The tacos in Kaban are a must, believe me – I lost count of how many I devoured. Guests also enjoy an ‘eye-opener’ – a hamper filled with coffee, tea, Mayan hot chocolate, juices and pastries that is served directly to each casita early every morning.

The basket of goodies was ideal for our first day in Mexico when jet lag caused us to wake up at the crack of dawn, way ahead of breakfast being served in the restaurant. It’s a lovely touch – just be sure not to leave any leftovers outside or the racoons will strike. The spa is impressive and clients will definitely want to book a treatment or two. These are centred around themes of purification, balance and transformation, with numerous options available for those seeking experiences that run deeper than traditional massages. On the menu you’ll find forest awakening rituals, a two-hour ‘sound of the sea’ experience and ‘nature’s wisdom’, which combines exfoliation, an obsidian stone massage and a facial.

_{Ideal for:} Guests seeking relaxed luxury with a wellness focus will feel right at home here.

_Explore: The property organises immersive on-site activities such as cookery classes and Mayan hot chocolate-making using fresh cocoa (a lovely activity if travelling with kids). Recommend clients take a day trip to a nearby Mayan archaeological site or a cenote for a dip in the clear waters. Trendy Tulum is about 90 minutes away by car and likely to appeal to affluent clients more than Cancun.

_Wow: The privacy and seclusion impressed me most. You’d never know you were in close proximity to such a wealth of hotels. It’s peaceful and relaxed. You feel as if you’re on a remote island, and that’s a huge part of Chablé Maroma’s charm. The private beach is also a big draw – it’s enormous (almost 200 metres) and the sand is exquisite, although, sadly, choppy water conditions meant we weren’t able to get into the sea during our stay.

_{Book it:} A night in a villa with private pool at Chablé Maroma leads in at $990 including breakfast and taxes.
maroma.chablehotels.com