A new luxury wellness-focused resort has opened on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, marking the debut of the Alila brand in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Developed by Hyatt Hotels Corporation in partnership with RLH Properties, Alila Mayakoba spans 60 acres of beachfront, lagoon and jungle within the Mayakoba resort enclave and offers 182 guestrooms, suites and villas.
The property combines open-air architecture, nature-led design and culturally rooted wellbeing experiences inspired by living Mayan traditions. Nearly 40 percent of accommodations are suites, including a beachfront Presidential Suite, while six dining venues and a dedicated Spa Alila form the core of the resort’s guest experience.
“From the moment guests arrive, we want them to feel at ease and fully present as they discover the connection between the Alila brand’s philosophy of mindful luxury and Riviera Maya’s natural beauty and cultural richness,” said Patrick Schori, General Manager, Alila Mayakoba.
“Every part of the resort is rooted in place – from unfolding landscapes and open-air architecture to subtle sensory details woven throughout the guest journey. Alila Mayakoba offers an experience that is grounded, intuitive, and deeply restorative.”
The resort is designed to blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor living, using terraces, natural textures and a palette inspired by mangroves, waterways and Caribbean light. Interiors feature locally sourced materials from the Yucatán Peninsula, including tropical hardwoods such as tzalam and parota, hand-chiseled Mérida limestone and recuperated travertine. Custom furniture created with local artisans reflects the region’s craft traditions.
Alila Mayakoba unfolds across two distinct areas. Along the lagoon, guestrooms, pools, dining spaces and the spa offer a quieter atmosphere aimed at couples, solo travellers and small groups seeking calm and immersion in nature. Closer to the shoreline, beachfront rooms and outdoor spaces provide a more relaxed, family-friendly environment set against white-sand beaches and the Caribbean Sea.
Wellbeing sits at the centre of the resort’s identity, developed in collaboration with local therapists, philosophers and Mayan elders. Guests are welcomed with ancestral rituals, including a drink made from coconut water, Melipona honey and regional botanicals, followed by a clay-and-honey cleansing ceremony inspired by traditional healing practices.
Signature “Alila Moments” experiences invite guests to engage directly with Mayan cosmology and natural elements. These include purification rituals using mineral-rich clay and sound, guided journeys to a private cenote, and water blessing ceremonies led by Mayan elders. The spa experience is shaped by the sacred Tzolk’in calendar, with treatments personalised around cyclical time, energy and seasonal rhythms.
Movement and fitness also play a key role, with a Technogym-powered training space offering personalised wellness assessments. Outdoor rituals, sunrise ceremonies by the sea and traditional temazcal heat experiences further extend the resort’s focus on restoration and balance.
Dining at Alila Mayakoba spans six venues, ranging from casual beachfront experiences to fine dining. Casa Amate returns as a signature restaurant known for elevated regional flavours, while Chef’s Atelier El Huerto offers a 12-seat tasting experience rooted in zero-waste cooking and ingredients grown on-site. Other venues include a beach club with live-fire seafood, an all-day restaurant celebrating local cuisine, a gourmet taqueria and a cenote-side bar serving tequila, mezcal and regional drinks.
“Alila Mayakoba serves as a very natural expression of the Alila brand within its Mexican setting, and an important moment for the brand overall,” said Tamara Lohan, Global Brand Leader – Luxury, Hyatt.
“Here, the brand’s philosophy comes together as a fully realized reflection of what Alila stands for through singular experiences grounded in local culture.”
The opening also marks a milestone for the Mayakoba resort community, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The destination has positioned itself as a leader in eco-conscious luxury development along Mexico’s Caribbean coastline.
“Alila Mayakoba signals a defining evolution in our collaboration with Hyatt and a meaningful expansion of our luxury footprint in Mexico,” said Luis Duran, CEO of RLH Properties.
“Celebrating Mayakoba’s 20th anniversary with the opening of this resort – the first Alila branded property in Latin America – is a significant achievement that reinforces our legacy as pioneers of eco-conscious luxury.”
With its combination of expansive natural setting, culturally led wellness programming and nature-integrated design, Alila Mayakoba aims to attract travellers seeking restorative luxury experiences rooted in local heritage rather than traditional resort excess.
