Snapshots from Maroma - Hi Sugarplum!

Last month we had the great pleasure of returning to one of our all-time favorite properties, Maroma, A Belmond Hotel in Riviera Maya . They recently underwent a massive, two-year renovation, and they invited us to come for the reveal, and I couldn’t say ‘YES PLEASE!’ fast enough! In fact, there was literal fist-pumping and happy-dancing when I received the email, ha!

I have a handful of destinations forever stamped on my heart, and Maroma, A Belmond Hotel in Riviera Maya is one of them. Over the years, we’ve gone to celebrate wins and grieve loss, and each time, we leave feeling at peace and with a profound sense of gratitude.

Truthfully, when we heard they were closing for a major renovation, I was concerned it would lose some of the magic… but from the moment we pulled through the jungle gate, and arrived to the smiling faces of the staff, I knew the magic of Maroma was still strong.

The renovation is still in the final stages, but our stay was just too beautiful not to share… so here’s a look at the newly reborn Maroma, A Belmond Hotel…

It’s definitely a splurge, but guests are spoiled with an abundance of amenities and top-notch service, and never with any pretension or stuffiness. In fact, the staff feels like family! Many of them worked at the property prior to the renovation, and it felt like being reunited with old friends.

The redesign was done almost entirely using Mexican artisans and local sources, with Mayan culture at its core. Every detail has been beautifully considered, from the over 700,000 hand-painted tiles to the authentically crafted textiles that celebrate Mexican diversity, culture, and heritage. Even the furniture created for the resort was 80% hand-carved!

The Belmond Maroma still has the feel of a boutique, secret hotel tucked away between the jungle and white sandy beaches, but is now truly luxury, as well.

Sugarplum Travel Tip: The Belmond Maroma is a short 30-minute drive from the Cancun airport, and we always arrange transfers through the hotel.

The water on this stretch of beach is a beautiful shade of turquoise, with white sand and rarely a piece of seaweed. Both the beach and pool chairs offer full-service with food, snacks, and drinks, along with coolers stocked with ice cold water and towels. Even sunscreen, bug repellant, and hydrating facial mists are on the ready for guests.

Straw Hat (code SUGARPLUM10) | Woven Tote Bag

Straw Hat (code SUGARPLUM10) | Sunglasses | Supergoop! Glow Oil | Supergoop! Glow Stick | Beach Read by Emily Henry

Cut-Out Slit Dress (Small) | Clear Strappy Sandals (Size up half) | Woven Clutch (Nat1) | Pendant Necklace (code SUGARPLUM10) | All-Weather Bangles

Feather Tee (Small) | Vuori Legging (Claret, Small Short) | ACTV Club Hat | ON Running Shoes

All stays include the famous Maroma breakfast, which starts with coffee and hot chocolate delivered to your room each morning, followed by a full breakfast in their beachside restaurant. You’ll start your day with pastries, fruit, yogurt, granola, fresh juices, made-to-order breakfast tacos, and a lengthy menu… all included in the rate.

Crochet Coverup | Straw Hat (code SUGARPLUM10) | Sunglasses | Heart Bead Necklace (code SUGARPLUM10) | Blue Bracelet Set

Woodend by Curtis Stone is the newest addition to The Belmond Maroma, a chic beachside restaurant with sweeping ocean views, and fresh seafood and steaks all grilled on an open fire. It’s insanely delicious!

There’s a full-service gym, with just about every piece of equipment you can imagine, and the yoga studio was almost complete during our visit. They also offer a range of water activities and toys, along with bicycles, and a long list of experiences that include trips to cenotes, exploring ruins, and cooking classes.

Pose Plyo Tank (Lake Heather, Small) | Vuori AllTheFeels™ Legging (Lake Heather, Small Short)

Energy Tank (White, Small) | Villa Shorts (Black, Small) | ON Running Shoes

The Maroma, A Belmond Hotel in Riviera Maya is passionate about sustainability and the environment, and houses an on-site nursery with over 2,000 plants, is EarthCheck certified, and has both a bee and sea turtle sanctuary.

They continually scan the beach for sea turtle nests, then harbor them safely until hatching. We were lucky enough to witness the babies being released to the ocean when they were only two hours old! It’s something I’ve wanted to do for YEARS, and it was such a special experience I’ll always remember.

No two rooms are alike, but all are outfitted with stunning textiles and decor, patios, rain showers, and an abundance of amenities from bath products and slippers to robes and beach bags. There’s a fully-stocked bar, snack fridge, and Nespresso maker, and we were greeted with guacamole and margaritas!

Straw Hat (code SUGARPLUM10)

The hotel is Starlight Certified, meaning they are intentional about reducing evening lighting to protect the night sky, making for exceptional stargazing. The lanterns, candles and globe lights create a magical setting!

The first phase of the renovation is complete… including the primary house and area, with 30 rooms, the restaurants, bars, and main pool.

The remaining 40+ rooms and waterfront villas, Guerlain spa, and additional pools are expected to be open by the end of this year…. and we’re already counting down the days until we’re back to see the project complete!

If The Maroma, A Belmond Hotel in Riviera Maya is on your travel list, I’d recommend booking once renovation is complete so you can experience the full property in all her glory! Maybe we’ll see you there, ha!

We were invited to experience the soft opening of The Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa, so a portion of our stay was gifted, but all opinions and experiences are our own.