Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya

Perfectly positioned between thick, lush jungle and a peaceful stretch of sparkling white sand, Maroma is Belmond’s jewel on the Riviera Maya. Recently reimagined by renowned designer Tara Bernerd in collaboration with local artisans, the resort embraces its Mexican heritage while maintaining the high standards for which Belmond is rightly famous.

Hemmed in by the emerald jungle, rooms and suites offer private terraces and views of the ocean or tropical foliage. The best are the Oceanfront Suites, several of which feature private pools or plunge pools, and the two-bedroom Oceanfront Villas, whose private pools, rooftop terraces and furnished patios offer unobstructed views of the Caribbean Sea.

Conservation and sustainability are at the heart of Maroma, with the on-site nursery cultivating over 2,000 endemic plants, including some that face the threat of extinction, and the four dining venues committed to using seasonal, sustainably sourced produce. At Mexican restaurant Casa Mayor, 90% of ingredients come from Mexico and over half from the Yucatan peninsula. Gorgeous beachside restaurant Woodend by Curtis Stone offers plant-based dishes and sustainably caught seafood cooked over an open fire. And some of the most exclusive mezcals in Mexico can be savoured at poolside bar Banbuco.

Facilities include three outdoor pools, a fitness centre and the Maroma Spa by Guerlain, a 30,000-square-foot sanctuary that draws on both ancient Mayan culture and Guerlain’s many years of wellness expertise. Experiences, meanwhile, range from sunset cocktail cruises on a luxury yacht to swimming in cenotes and guided tours of Mayan masterpieces, Tulum and Chichén Itzá.