Banyan Tree Mayakoba

Banyan Tree Mayakoba Opens New Family Villas

"Banyan Tree Mayakoba, situated in Riviera Maya, offers newly renovated two- and three-bedroom family residences with modern amenities. The standalone villas feature living rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, kitchenettes, and outdoor heated swimming pools with secluded terraces. The resort is known for its family-friendly services, including complimentary bicycles, regionally inspired welcome gifts, and various activities such as cooking classes, eco tours, and a kids’ club. The renovations are part of a multi-year project to enhance all accommodations." - Regan Stephens Regan Stephens Regan Stephens is an award-winning freelance writer living in Philadelphia. She covers travel, food, and culture for outlets like Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, People, and Fortune. Travel + Leisure

The 40 Best Resorts in Mexico: 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards

"A resort with private beachfront pool suites and a brand-new beach club." - CNT Editors

13 Surprising Hotel Perks You Can Get for Free - AFAR

@afar

"The Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, provides free eco-tours of the nearby mangrove forests that showcase the region’s rich biodiversity." - Cat Sposato

"Why book? After its recent $50 million expansion, the Banyan Tree Mayakoba is the star of the Mayakoba development in Playa del Carmen, with 34 private beachfront pool suites and a brand-new beach club with an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. The backstory: Set within Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, the Riviera Maya is known for its luxury resorts that mostly cater to upscale travelers from North America who prefer to stay in one location during their vacation. Within the 620-acre Mayakoba development, Banyan Tree Mayakoba stands out amongst its neighbors with its recent renovation: The $50 million expansion also established a brand-new beach club with an infinity oceanfront pool and an all-day restaurant and raw bar. Set the scene: Beneath wooden pergolas and linen umbrellas of the Sands Beach Club, city dwellers on a seaside escape bask in the balmy Yucatán air before the languid Caribbean waters of Riviera Maya. The rooms: The property has an array of rooms, from older models more attuned to the Thai hotel group's roots to recently-debuted sleek and contemporary beachfront suites, each with a private heated plunge pool and direct access to the resort’s white-sand beach. Food and drink: With several restaurants at the resort, a few stand out above the rest, including the relaxed Sands Beach Club, where guests dine on omelets for breakfast, and guacamole and ceviche by lunch. Saffron is the resort’s mainstay eatery for classic Thai dishes like crispy crab-fried rice and classic wok-cooked pad thai. Guests can also opt for the Ixchel dining experience to enjoy breakfast of a moonlight dinner aboard a traditional Mexican trajinera, or flat-bottomed wooden boat. The spa: A retreat within a retreat, the Banyan Tree Spa offers wellness therapies within opulent treatment pavilions, each adorned with distinct Balinese interior design. Treatments range from Chinese-inspired, correcting the flow of qi within the body, to Ayurvedic, rooted in India’s most ancient healing science. Before or after their treatments, guests can add on the spa’s hydrothermal journey, which includes steams, saunas, themed showers, and hot tub jets. The neighborhood/area: Banyan Tree Mayakoba is located within Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and is part of the greater 620-acre Mayakoba development, which also includes a Rosewood, Fairmont, and Andaz property. The development includes a waterway lined with mangroves perfect for kayaking excursions, over two miles of biking and walking trails, and a Greg Norman-designed, 18-hole golf course. The service: Though this property is at the beach, so to say, service is exceptional—with the entire staff ready to assist every guest. For families: The resort offers a program called the Rangers Club, a space located in the Sands Beach Club that’s filled with books and games for kids to enjoy. Eco effort: The resort has various sustainability initiatives, including a commitment to operating as a single-use plastics and managing its very own turtle field since, where four of the seven species worldwide come to nest on the beaches of the complex. Anything left to mention? Some of the resort offerings feel a little forced (or like an episode of White Lotus), especially the Haab dinner experience when locals dress up in traditional Maya garb and put on a performance to honor the four cardinal directions." - Michaela Trimble

Banyan Tree Mayakoba

12 Hotels Around the World That Offer Forest Bathing, Meditation, and Transformative Nature Activities

"This luxury resort is all about sustainable tourism in the majestic Riviera Maya region of Mexico. Accordingly, visitors can learn more about these extraordinary environs by hopping aboard a boat with tour guide and naturalist Jesus Cervantes, who has led the eco-tour program for five years and was originally trained by a local biologist. During the eco-tour, you'll see the local flora and fauna, along with plenty of wildlife that calls these mangroves home, for many a fun photo opp." - Travel + Leisure Editors

Tim O

Google

My wife and I stayed at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba Resort for a relaxing get-away for five days. This was our second stay within 12 months and the experience, like last time, was amazing. The atmosphere at this resort is truly breathtaking with its stunning design built into the rain forest. We were fortunate to receive a room upgrade and stayed in the beach villas with its private pool and jacuzzi over looking the Gulf of Mexico. Everything about our experience was first rate. From the time we arrive to the time we are dropped off at the airport, our concierge service team of Juan and Rene takes care of us to ensure our experience remains at a high level. They are so professional, appropriately attentive, friendly and make great suggestions. The Spa is world class. The breakfasts at Orient are very good - try the Mexican Coffee! Great restaurants and bars. The staff are all incredibly friendly and gracious. Not one person goes by without a hello - “Ola!” The manager, Rafael, was wonderful. This is hospitality at its best!

traveler8884

Google

We went there in Oct and had a great time with the family. My family was really impressed by the facilities and friendliness of the staff. The Sands staff was particularly exceptional. Kudos to Victor, Naara, Maggie and Roger for making the trip really inviting and hospitable. They loved the face painting and I loved the bike ride along the path. They also loved the spa/massage which they mentioned was heavenly.||A few misses was that the unit we were staying at had some issues. Our TV was missing some functions, the pool was not heated, and the master en-suite had some issues with both shower heads (bath and shower). This took away from the experience as we had to call the service a few times in order to get the problem resolved and could not enjoy the heated pool for one day. I guess the age of some units are starting to show.||A side note is that the restaurant prices are pretty expensive for what you get but to be expected for a hotel of this caliber. If you are looking for value for the money this might not be a good option for you.||Overall we had a good experience, we have been to other 5 star hotels where the experience was better.

Arlette Y

Google

My husband and I spent our 20th anniversary here and it was the best decision we could have ever made. The villas had everything we could ask for to reconnect privately and comfortably. René and Juan, as well as the entire staff, took excellent care of us! They always made sure we were happy without being bothersome. They arranged meals, activities., and answered all of our questions. The resort was beautiful, quiet and relaxing and the food was delicious!!! We will definitely be back.

Sabine P

Google

We celebrated my 60th birthday here and I can’t wait to go back! The concierge made sure I got everything I wanted and the service , food, activities were amazing! This place is heaven , so beautiful and magical I would highly recommend it! We stayed in a beach villa where you have the beach and a pool and hot tub, couldn’t be better. |It did rain a lot so we couldn’t experience it all but this gives us a reason to return |Gracias 🇲🇽🙌

Alex C

Google

THIS IS A VERY HARD REVIEW for me to leave. I never leave reviews good or bad as everyone has off days and unfortunately when things are amazing we forget to be grateful. ||I have visited this place twice in less than a year.. I was so excited to re-create what was a fabulous experience in April… shout out to Oscar, my favorite Miquel, and Felix and many more… I actually pointed out to all the amazing staff that I remembered them. ||Unfortunately when at the pool bar one of the bartenders called me Gordita thinking I didn’t hear or know what he was saying. I can absolutely get over that that.. I cried… I was offered a free dinner ( don’t know how I could eat after being called fat?) also that the pool tab would be taken care of ?. I spoke with Karen who was fabulous but had limited abilities to help me navigate my stay… I waited 3 hours to speak to Able the manager. He was dismissive, condescending and all around not solutionary. He tried to make it seem as though I made everything up. Let’s pretend my perception of being called fat was wrong.. as he said that Gordita is also food … I respect that he wants to protect his employees.. but our conversation could have kindly been… Alexandra where do we go from here?… I could go on about how much worse things went… I instead went to the room told my sister to pack our things … she was crying… we ended up leaving that night to stay at the Rosewood. ||I don’t know who will hear this but to Banyan have more people like Karen and speak with Able about not leading with ego and hearing how people feel.

Nicole R

Google

We stayed here for a quick weekend. I wish I would’ve had more time here. The property is absolutely gorgeous. The restaurant food was good and all of the staff that we met was polite and accommodating. there’s different kinds of rooms, we stayed in a villa which was super spacious. Spa was great! There are bikes available for getting around easier within the property

Nicole B

Google

We loved our trip to Banyan Tree Mayakoba! The service was excellent. Juan and Rene were our concierges during our stay. They went above and beyond, checking in on us throughout the day and making sure we had everything we needed. We loved the villa with our own private pool. The housekeeping was incredible! They worked so hard twice a day cleaning and caring for our villa. We also enjoyed visiting the other properties throughout Mayakoba. Mayra was very helpful getting us back and forth to the Rosewood for dinner. We loved our stay!

Sarvat Chakravarthy

Google

Great place to be. Surrounded by greenery & a huge water canal, drive way through the golf course. I stayed at a beach side villa with a personal pool & Jacuzzi, also enjoyed their hospitality, different variety of food options, the beach side restaurant & pool. It offers great spots for selfies 😉 😁 Wow!!! What an experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the stay.

Sarah B.

Yelp

Without a doubt, the best resort I've ever stayed at. Why? - when you check in, you get this delicious herbaceous drink and welcoming overview of the resort - every restaurant on the property is fantastic. Cello, Saffron, Oriente (the chilaquiles at breakfast are SO GOOD) - the villas have beautiful foliage and fauna for you to enjoy - each villas has bikes that you can ride around the beautiful property - the eco tour that leaves daily from the lobby is magical - the beach club drinks, food and chair set-up - perfect The only downside is that it's all quite expensive, from the room costs to the restaurants to anything. However, you get what you pay for, and then some. This place is magical. Cannot wait to come back.

Ronnie N.

Yelp

The Banyan Tree Hotel and Resort near Playa del Carmen is a five-star property located about 45 minutes from the main airport. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed and taken by boat across the scenic Mayakoba River to the check-in area. We were offered a room upgrade, which we appreciated. However, during our stay, we noticed several areas where maintenance and improvements were needed. For example, the light switches in the restroom didn't function properly, and many of the outdoor light bulbs were out, including the LED lights above the bed. While I understand that proximity to the ocean can cause wear and tear due to saltwater exposure, I believe that management, especially the concierge team, should ensure that rooms are thoroughly inspected before guests are allowed in. On a positive note, the dining options were excellent, and there's convenient access to nearby resorts with the option for room delivery (with a small fee). However, from a management perspective, I noticed a recurring issue with staff members frequently being on their phones. I recognize that this may be for communication purposes to keep staff informed of activities around the resort, but I would recommend a more discreet approach. For instance, hosts standing at the front of a restaurant should avoid being visibly on their phones, as it can come across as unprofessional, especially in a four- or five-star environment. A discussion between management and staff on maintaining a professional presence in front of guests would be beneficial. Lastly, when I shared my feedback regarding these areas for improvement, the management responded promptly with some thoughtful service recovery measures, which I appreciated.

Brian C.

Yelp

I am very disappointed with the customer service we received from Banyan Tree. They have a very strict cancellation policy but it is extremely difficult to reach someone at the resort who can help you change or cancel your reservation. We booked our reservation through American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts so we initially contacted them to change our dates. AmEx called us back later that day and told us they weren't able to reach anyone at Banyan Tree and all of their calls were going to voicemail. They suggested that we try calling the resort directly, which we did 6-7 times over the next two days and got their voicemail each time. We even contacted the concierge at the resort who said someone would call us back in 15 minutes, but nobody ever called us. Because we missed our cancellation deadline, we were forced to pay a $1,400 cancellation fee, which is the cost of one night's stay plus the taxes and fees for the entire stay. We now understand that they often have only one person working in their reservations department and she is not helpful or responsive at all. We simply wanted to either change the dates of our reservation or cancel it and Banyan Tree has not shown any flexibility. It has been a frustrating, time-consuming, and very expensive ordeal. I caution anyone who makes a reservation at this resort because all they seem to care about is your money. If our travel agent (American Express) had been able to reach Banyan Tree when they tried calling them the first time, all of this probably could have been avoided. It feels like we are dealing with rigid bureaucrats who are not interested in helping us. We expected much better service from a resort that claims to deliver a 5-star experience for its guests.

Sunil R.

Yelp

Wonderful resort! I would put this right at or slightly below the Rosewood. The property is stunning and there is so much nature. The difference is as always the service and everything from the management to every one of the staff was exceptional. The property is slight older and there are some nits but in the bigger scheme of things, they were not a big deal.

Patrick W.

Yelp

Just beautiful location on the other side of Andaz Mayakoba. Shall we say the rich side of this enormous resort? I kid you not it's lavish lifestyle living over there. Got dressed up to have dinner at this locations that were superb! It's a real score finding this place to take a date or your loved ones.

Donnis M.

Yelp

The property is beautiful and the room is amazing. It's definitely bucket list worthy.

Natasha N.

Yelp

The food and beverage prices here are absolutely ridiculous. There is a reason you won't find them on their website. 379 pesos for a margarita, plus 16% sales tax, plus tip. That's a $25 margarita for those of us who are bad at math. Pad Thai is 900 pesos, which is $51, plus tax and tip. A cheeseburger is 700 pesos, which is $39 US, plus tax and tip. If this "More than you can afford, pal" pricing is up your alley, you may find Banyan Tree enjoyable. The staff is nice and the bungalows are huge. There is a breakwater at the beach and thus no waves. The exchange rate on our final bill was also one peso worse than any other place we swiped our card in Mexico, which is fraud. Will never return.

Juan Y.

Yelp

Banyan Tree is one of the best resorts we have been to. The service was exceptional. The food was amazing. I really enjoyed cruising the property on the bikes wifey not so much ( lol). The privacy is unmatched here. We were told the resort was full but we barely saw anyone during the day only at dinner and there still was no crowd. We are already planning our return trip!

Withers T.

Yelp

Terrible food. terrible management. The guests are censor less trash (who scream at women and management does absolutely nothing about it. Don't waste your time or money. Everything about the place is a complete nightmare. I have been crying for two days about the way in which we were treated. It was almost surreal, but in the worst possible way.

Maxine P.

Yelp

Our recent stay at Banyan Tree Mayakoba was from start to finish a perfect experience. The property is stunningly beautiful, the food exceptional and the staff, who are the star of the place, so hard working, kind and accommodating. We met so many great staff, Jorge and Gemi at the beach club worked tirelessly and cheerfully everyday taking care of our large group. I can't thank them enough. They set us up daily, literally moved heavy umbrellas to keep us out of the sun, brought endless rounds of food and drink with what seemed like no wait time at all. The service was exceptional and made our time here so enjoyable. The best part and our greatest memory from the trip was our son brought his girlfriend and proposed to her on the beach one night while we were there. This is when we met a staff member and the most beautiful soul Francesca who made their entire trip. I happened to mention the plan to someone at check in and later that day was contacted by Francesca offering ideas to honor the kids engagement. What Fran did for these kids in what was literally a couple of hours blew us away. She went to our villa and set up the most special celebration for them so when we returned they had such a beautiful surprise. I'm not talking just a bottle of champagne, I'm talking full blown personalized decorations in room after room of our villa. Our DIL to be actually cried when she saw all that Fran did. Francesca alone made their whole trip hands down. She is such an asset to Banyan Tree and they are very lucky to have her. We will always remember her fondly as she touched our family with her care, kindness and expertise. Overall, Banyan Tree is not just a vacation spot but a real, true experience that although the rooms and the grounds would be far and away enough just to go, it's the staff that make this place exceptional with the warmth and care and service they offer.

Primo L.

Yelp

Absolutely five star the whole way through. Service is beyond, the grounds are lush and huge, and the beachfront restaurant is out of a magazine.

Mary I.

Yelp

Would highly recommend against staying at this hotel. Overpriced and underdelivered.

Jo J.

Yelp

This has been by far the worst experience at any resort I've ever had. There's NO way all the 5 star reviews are legit...do yourself a favor and trust all the negative reviews here. Total con job to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists. Stay away.

Monica S.

Yelp

Amazing Solo Trip of Rest & Relaxation!! I cannot say enough about this property. I decided on the Banyan Tree Mayakoba (October 2019) based on the great reviews as well as what I was looking for in a solo getaway. It had everything from privacy and exclusiveness to the ability to venture out for excursions. Kudos to the HR team for hiring such amiable, professional, friendly staff focused on an exceptional customer service experience! I needed a few days to check out "mentally"... and this was totally worth it!

Norell H.

Yelp

I just wanted to say how awesome this resort was. Nothing short of expectations, i recently returned home from 5 nights, 4 days at BTK, everything they helped planned for my lady bday went great, from the flowers, chocolate covered strawberries upon arrival, to the "in villa bbq" awesome food, great personal chef. We ate at Saffron (thai), Cello (italian), Room service & in villa BBQ. Everything was just 5's, especially during this travel pandamic (covid 19). We also did the Eco friendly boat tour throughout the property (free, daily). The staff went beyond the call of duty, We had the Serenity Pool Villa w/Living room (Villa 211) , came w/2 complimentary bikes also. Be sure to tip the staff. They work hard, every staff member i encountered i tipped. Thank you for everything. i'll definitely be returning.

Rebecca H.

Yelp

My boyfriend and his friends have been staying at the Banyan Tree for the past for years. This year, I got to crash the guys' trip and see this resort they're always talking about. First, it is more of a couples resort, so it cracks me up that they come here to party. Now to the review- The grounds are immaculate and everyone is amazingly friendly. The Banyan tree connects to 3 other resorts, so the grounds are expansive. So many places to ride your bike, which they provide for you conveniently right outside your villa. Although, if you are riding, I suggest you limit the number of cocktails you imbibe. There is lots of iguanas during the day and you get to see bats at night. Oh, and I saw a 5.5 foot alligator by the golf course. And a coatimundi! A guy with a hawk usually walks around during breakfast and lunch, so that's also cool to see up close. Turn down service was on point. She even organized my makeup that I had left sprawled about. I felt super safe the whole time. When I would go on my morning walks alone on the nature trail, I would see a security guy on a bicycle about every ten minutes on the road. Now the downside- You would think that for around a grand a night, you would be some decent shampoo. This is not the case. I respect that the banyan tree is environmentally friendly and they have biodegradable soap, but everyone on this trip (me and 3 guys) that the shampoo and conditioner sucked. It reminded me of the cheapest dollar store brand that you can buy. So my advice, bring your own shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. Maybe even body wash. Or ride your bike over to the neighboring resort and get some of theirs. The restaurants at the Banyan Tree had amazing ambiance and decent food but exorbitant prices. My favorite cocktail was priced at $23 US. You can get a quesadilla at the bar for $18. $28 at the restaurant downstairs. And I wanted to spend some time at the spa but when I saw the prices I decided I better wait until I get back to the US. So, in conclusion, the grounds were amazing, the service was on-point, bicycles outside villas were cool, but the prices on food and spa services are off-putting.

Kelsey P.

Yelp

This resort is as luxurious as you can get - it was truly stunning! Both the security & service are unmatched and thus allowed for total relaxation the entire time we were there. You get what you pay for here, and from the number of different 5 star restaurants to choose from, private villas, and plenty of space to explore, we ended up not leaving the resort during our entire stay in Playa Del Carmen. Absolute bliss:)

Nld D.

Yelp

While the hotel itself is nice, I am so offended by the pricing for food and extras that I felt compelled to call this out. $109 USD to use the steam room, $30 USD for a burger at the pool, $22 USD margaritas, $55 USD for breakfast, etc. They know they have you captive as its difficult to leave, so they make every effort to rip you off. This place makes any Ritz or Four Seasons dining and spa options feel cheap!

Brandon B.

Yelp

Terrible experience. When you peel back the onion on the newly opened beach front overpriced rooms as part of the Sands Club addition, you see many problems in the rooms that you would never see in other higher end hotels, and even a Motel 6 for that matter (massive bug infestation, leaking AC unit placed right above the bed that dripped on my head while trying to sleep, smell of sewage, electrical issues, and the list goes on....and on. Food is not that good and way, WAY overpriced. Don't waste your money. From the moment we arrived, it was truly a terrible experience, We left days early with my wife in tears due to the awful experience. I will say that most of the staff members were really pleasant, but clearly their hands are tied given the many issues with the property. Most of them privately acknowledged my critique. I have travelled all over the world, staying in luxury hotels, and this was by FAR the worst travel experience EVER. Predict this property will be financially under water and closed very soon. Based on what I've researched online, looks like my comments are not novel.

Sarah G.

Yelp

Absolutely stunning! The grounds and villas are so uniquely beautiful. Staff and service impeccable An Oasis that will left us completely satisfied: relaxation, fun, amazing food. I would come back here over and over again. One of the best hotels/resorts I've ever stayed at- comparable to Four Seasons.

P S.

Yelp

Inaccurate description of "Rainforest Experience" at the spa, beware! My friend and I had a 2:30 PM appointment on May 4, 2015 for the Rainforest Experience at the spa. Music effects are supposed to accompany the spa treatments to imitate a rain forest. This was why we booked it. However the music/sound effect track was not working. When I addressed this, the kind attendant said it needed "maintenance." The result was a nice spa experience but it surely had nothing to do with the rainforest. Please, Banyan Tree, be truthful when advertising spa treatments, especially when they cost $160 USD each. We also dined at the restaurant "Tamarind." It was pleasant but can be considered pricey for Playa Del Carmen: $65 USD for the tasting menu, not including drinks. The soup wasn't very hot, and most of the dishes were on the cool side. We asked for spicy but it seems they played it safe and did not make it too spicy. The staff were highly attentive. The beach club Sands is nice, with a pretty view. The beach attendant promised to bring us fresh water after 30 minutes. After an hour it was clear he forgot. The tractors raking seaweed, with staff, are distracting and loud. It was easy to find a private spot. Our villa is very beautiful. The cleaning staff do a good job. The jacuzzi in our private villa was not heated the second night. We came back from our outing to find it luke warm. The breakfast buffet at "Oriente" is first rate. There is a made to order taco, omelet, and waffle bar. The staff help bring your plates to the table. You may order espresso drinks and mimosas. There is a large array of fresh fruits, cheeses, bread, cereal, juices, cold cuts, jams, bacon, sausage, pancakes, scrambled eggs, and regional foods like conches, refried beans, plantains, etc. It's very relaxing here. The bicycles are a nice touch. We have been taking advantage of them. We enjoyed riding to the beach during the day and by moonlight. The bikes are rusty and could use some attention. One of our bikes has a loose seat and the other has a bent fender. At $650 USD a night, it's not for the average Joe. I did expect slightly better at the spa, I would have liked better service at Sands, and better care can be taken to keep the jacuzzi heated in our private villa. This is why I rated two stars versus the price.

Noel S.

Yelp

I'm writing this review for the oriente for breakfast, I was that pleased with the food here I want to inform everyone. Don't bother eating breakfast/lunch anywhere else on the entire mayakoba resort. The service here is on top. We had a little of everything and it was all very good. The chicken nachos were over flowing the chicken. Recommend the mango dish, I've never had anything like it. Mango carpaccio with Carmel corn? The fajita tacos were good as well. Check it out.

Benjamin N.

Yelp

Along with the Rosewood, also in the Mayakoba development, this is likely the top resort in Playa. If you can afford to stay here, I can't recommend it enough. Banyan Tree properties remind me a bit of my all-time favorite resort chain: Aman. The level of service, atmosphere and luxury is high. The guest is cocooned. The experience is always about how you truly feel versus just getting a job done. I was impressed with my week at Banyan Tree. Reading through the reviews here, it's clear that many of the quibbles people have had with BT are things they could have avoided with better, more clear personal planning. Don't blame the resort for things that were out of their direct control. That's an amatuer move.

Cecilia A.

Yelp

Fantastic! The personal service is beyond incredible. I had an accident during my stay and the staff at the resort showed such concern and care about my well being, beyond words. Food is outstanding, villas are gorgeous and even if capacity is high it feels very quiet and still. Love the fact that we had our bicycles parked outside of our villa and could get around on these so easily. Just beautiful! I cannot say enough about the fantastic service, just incredible

Albert K.

Yelp

I just went to Banyan Tree Mayakoba for 3 days to attend my good friend's wedding. He frequents the venue and highly recommended it, so we decided to support him and explore a new resort in Cancun. The resort is astounding when you get in. You drive though forests with many trees. The staff are extremely courteous and their English is well spoken. Their buggy system of golf carts is effective in which they pick you up, drop you off, and more. Sometimes it takes 5-15 minutes to get one, but that's no big deal since the resort is so massive! WiFi is also available at the resort, and consistent/fast. Always important! GOLF VIEW VILLA REVIEW - 3 floors: As for the villa, we tried a 3 floor golf villa. It's quite massive and comfortable. The AC was strong. The master bedroom was massive, but the other 2 rooms were not large in size. I would highly not recommend placing 6 people in this villa. As for the villa bathrooms, every villa bathroom has a serious problem. The shower door is formed irregularly like half of a hexagon. Because of this, and no rubber on the door protecting water from leaking out, if the showerhead faces the slit, it will shoot through and into the bathroom. However, the general manager did alert us that they are going to be updating the showers! So, if you're reading this review, you're likely to be lucky enough to have the updated rooms in which the bathrooms will be fixed, there will be a safe in each room, and more. Makes a big difference for a 5-star resort. There was one snag we ran into: - Operations - upon arrival at 11am, we were alerted that the room would not be ready until 3pm. Completely reasonable since that is check-in time. They committed to 3pm, but by 3pm, the room needed another 10 minutes. At 3:10pm, it needed another 15-20 minutes. At that point, I needed to pick up my fiance at the airport and ended up having to leave in my swimming trunks to drive to the airport. Not the most pleasant experience since I expected to have access to the room to change. However, the general manager has addressed this issue and spoken to his staff about it. As long as action is taken, no biggie. Hopefully it won't happen next time. While I expected more from the 5 star resort (and the villa ran us over $2K), I am satisfied with the action the GM has taken in proactively reaching out, and letting us know that he has handled the situation. Ideally, I'd want them to be more proactive about it and address it on the spot, but sometimes there are hiccups. I am definitely open to going to the resort again as the Saffron restaurant was really delicious and it was a great way to get away from the bustling city. Thanks to Peter for being proactive in trying to provide customer service!

M C.

Yelp

Beautiful, exclusive resort located in Mayakoba part of Playa Del Carmen. The staff is extremely courteous. Everyone is very attentive and well spoken. We stayed at the 3 bedroom, 3 story villa overlooking the golf course. All restaurants give a free light appetizer before meal. Water complimentary at poolside. Book the Eco Boat tour that tours Mayakoba lake. It's complimentary! We saw a baby crocodile and beautiful birds. Check out the hotel's very own cenote, underground cavern, river. It's free and not too be missed. Take the nature trail! Amenities: Complimentary water, fruits, milk daily Use of umbrellas, ponchos 2 bikes per villa Free toiletries - mosquito repellent and personal hygiene necessities Private pool Kitchenette with 4 burner stove, refrigerator, microwave Placeware for 6 Buggy service to lobby, beach Kids floaties or vest use available at kids club Cons: Very pricey. All restaurants add 15% service charge and 16% tax No market, so bring light snacks No cookware in villa

Rigo T.

Yelp

Just experienced this Amazing resort on a company trip with Mattress Firm. All I can say is WOW. A truly amazing experience, the staff is so courteous and polite and very helpful. Our villa was amazing, the food was delicious, truly an experience of a lifetime. If you ever stay here be sure to visit La Copa and have the bartender Erik make you some of the best drinks. Especially his micheladas! Thank you Banyan Tree Mayakoba, and Erik for making our experience unforgettable.

Doron K.

Yelp

I must admit I was wary of going to mainland Mexico having read many nightmarish stories in the news. I was hesitant but went on a paid trip hosted by a business connection. I must say that I came away not only loving Playa Del Carmen and surrounding areas but would absolutely recommend the area and this resort highly. Banyan Tree Mayakoba may be one of the nicest resort accommodations my wife and I have ever stayed at. We had a private villa with a good size swimming pool and sun area. The villa had amazing amenities like an outdoor bathtub with a candle wall (you could call to have it filled up and candles lit for you). The Villa was spectacular but I must mention one thing: the lighting. As a man I can deal somewhat but my wife was very disappointed in the lighting. There was little to no lighting to do her hair and makeup. Even when I was getting ready I felt like I was doing so in twilight and could hardly fix my hair in the mirror. My wife joked that this may be a dealbreaker in staying here again but in seriousness it was a fairly big deal. We called to see if they had another makeup mirror or a lamp or two but never went through with it. The resort is truly spectacular and the service was 5 star all the way. The level of courtesy and hospitality was what you would expect from a top rated resort. The beauty of the area was also something to be noted. We loved having our own bicycles and used them to go to the beach and tour the resort. There really is too much to say about the Banyan Tree Mayakoba as well as Playa Del Carmen and Tulum. My recommendation is to go check it out for yourself. We certainly will go back! P.S. The Wifi was truly amazing! I know that sounds pretty nerdy but I have no idea how they got such strong, stable wifi everywhere on property. I mean everywhere including the beach! It was so helpful for business and staying in contact with our kids back in the states. Using WhatsApp and Facetime saved us tons in international texts and calls.

Atoosa M.

Yelp

By far one of the most restful, beautiful and amazing trips I have been on. The staff here is amazing, they attend to every detail and are genuine and kind. The villas are out of this world, they are kept clean and who can complain about having a private pool. The food here is probably one of the best foods I have had when on vacation, and everything from the beach, to Eco tour and nature walk was gorgeous. I will be coming back here and highly recommend it for both couple retreat or family get away.

Kitae K.

Yelp

Very well managed property. Breakfast buffet is just fantastic. Pool villa is big and one of the best I've been to. Employees here are VERY polite and always eager to help. Only thing I wasnt too happy was the dinner here. It is too expensive. Not only in a dollar term but the quality and quantity they serve don't justify its hefty bill. But don't get me wrong, their room service foods are amazing. Reasonably priced and it is REALLY good. But then you're not going to stay in your villa for the whole stay....so I strongly recommend you rent a car and goto downtown for dinner...u will have a much better time. Overall, we had an exceptional time and plan to come back someday!

Drew H.

Yelp

This is the most luxurious resort i have ever been too. Every thing is wonderful. The staff treats you like royalty or a close family member. Any and every request is a accommodated promptly and with a smile. As being part of a group the staff and facilities are top notch. We had is a standard villa and it was kept immaculate. The staff brings their personal pride into there work and it shows. The beach is well kept and beautiful.

Danielle M.

Yelp

This is hands down the most amazing, beautiful, and respectable hotel in all of playa and cancun. I visit playa and banyan tree 3-4 times a year and can say it is phenomenal and has incredible staffs, restaurants, and spa packages. Don't hesitate to book at all. It is better than rosewood and fairmont, see for yourself.

Mauricio F.

Yelp

This review should be 5 pages on why I think it deserves 5 stars. Firstly the staff is amazing. Everyone is extremely polite, helpful, and resourceful. The private villas all have infinity pools with a hot tub. Staff comes 2-3 times a day to fix your room. I left very expensive gear in the room and never had a missing item. The gym was a decent size and was well maintained with drinks, snacks, fresh towels, and more. Transportation to anywhere you want to go around the clock. I could keep going but I don't want this to be a jimmy falon monologue.

Chike O.

Yelp

Listen. They have specials here - shop for them. Best rates are in and around hurricane season. They can be quite significant. Second, go to the Banyan. Before you arrive, be sure you have secured a good stash of snacks and alcohol for late night swims in your private pool (yes, every room has its own private pool that you can jump in from your bed). It is a sexy place. Third, secure your free bicycles to parade around the properties under a nice sun hat. Fourth, get a margarita by the beach pool (awesome). Fifth, DO NOT MISS THE BREAKFAST BUFFET (also awesome, negotiate to be inclusive with room rate). Your next meal will be dinner. Sixth, jump in your rent-a-car and head to Aguachiles in Playa (the epitome of living - ridiculous margaritas and street seafood tacos for an amazing price). Seventh, repeat. You are lucky to have me.

Kelly K.

Yelp

I do not recommend this property due to lack of standards and unsafe conditions. During my visit March 2016, I stayed in a 3 bedroom villa overlooking the golf course and the resort provided us with old, rusty bikes during our stay. Unfortunately, they did not have helmets nor any safety protocols in place to check the bicycles before we rode them. My bike's handle brakes did not work and most of the bikes were in very poor condition. On our bike ride from the beach club back to our villa, I witnessed my friend fall off the Banyan Tree bike path and hit her head on the concrete sewer system, fracturing her skull and putting her body into a seizure. It was terrifying. Banyan Tree had no safety barriers to prevent her from falling 4 feet. There were many dangerous areas I witnessed and photographed along the path with eroded gravel drop offs. This was a very preventable injury had the resort offered us helmets and safe bikes as well as installed sidewalk barriers at treacherous drop offs. ***Please be aware that the resort has been asked to fix these issues and they have declined. They have also refused to reimburse my friend's medical expenses.

Melissa G.

Yelp

This is a very pretty property with a lovely beach. Unfortunately, I was unable to enjoy it due to a very serious accident while riding one of the resort's bikes. When a friend I was riding with had trouble with her bike, I veered to the other side of the bike path to avoid hitting her - and fell several feet off a bridge onto concrete below, landing on my head. I was knocked out and bleeding from my ear. Thank God one of my friends is a nurse as she took control of the situation and helped much more than the hotel staff before the ambulance arrived. I spent a week in the ICU in Mexico with a fractured skull, ear and shoulder and spent months recovering back at home. I was very, very lucky, as it could have been much worse and apparently I could have died (according to the neurologist). I am very shocked and disappointed that the resort has refused to help cover my outrageously high medical bills from the accident. This accident could have been avoided if the resort had some very simple safety measures in place. First, they should absolutely have helmets - which they do not offer guests. Second, there should be a guard rail on the bridge. The hand brakes on the bike also did not work, making the bikes very difficult to operate. You have to rely on the pedal brakes which are unnatural if you're not used to using them. As a former mountain biking enthusiast, I have a lot of experience riding bikes - and could not avoid this accident. I am extremely concerned for less experienced riders, and especially children, and hope the resort will follow the appropriate safety measures to ensure that an accident like this never happens again.

G G.

Yelp

Well maintained hotel with great personalized service. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Beach looks impeccable. Book the complimentary Eco tour with front desk and you'll enjoy it.

Jessica D.

Yelp

I am only giving the 4 stars because of the food. It was good, not exceptional and very pricy. For example, I had a club sandwich and 1 margarita my husband had 2 beers and the tacos. The bill was $81 USD. We did eat at the Italian and Steak place. The Tomahawk Steak was alright, it did not wow us, but the presentation and atmosphere was great (that bill was almost $250). The Italian was very good (that bill was $223, I had 1 gals of wine). I do believe the food costs are very high especially the drinks. $21 for a margarita...... $23 for 1 glass of wine. I do not mind higher prices vs all inclusive, but I want to be wowed and I wasn't... But only for the food. The service is impeccable! 5 Star hands down. There is not one complaint with the service, from the warm welcome we received upon arrival to the house keeping. The landscaping is beautiful and the gardeners are always working to keep it so well kept! The rooms are wonderful! We stayed in the Spa Villa. We did not have an massage upstairs because during the say it was too hot and at night too many mosquitoes (the massage beds are outside). The privacy is amazing! We loved it! Very relaxing! We would have liked it if they had some type of entertainment at night. Not a "club like" but maybe a piano bar to have a drink at and listen to music. Water is complimentary at the pools, which is nice. We did not receive anything "free" like appetizers are some others said, might be considering the room choose. The bikes are great to have and a lovely ride through the property and to the beach. The beach was "OK", nit really swim friendly I thought, but we did not care because we had a private pool and jacuzzi. The massage was the best we ever had, but that was $450 for the 2 of us, 60min relax/Indian massage- But it was nothing like we have ever had in any other country before. We will come back if we go to the area and I certainly recommend this is you are looking for peace, tranquility, and relaxation.

Loni B.

Yelp

A beautiful resort with genuinely friendly staff who go out of their way to provide excellent service to guests. The private villas are amazing. This is a perfect romantic getaway. We have stayed at this resort twice and will probably come back again.

Bianca J.

Yelp

perfection! the place was so beautiful and the people were so nice and the food was bomb! can't wait to go back

Andrea M.

Yelp

Everything about this place was wonderful but what really made it stand out heads above other luxury resorts was the staff. They were incredibly accommodating, kind and helpful people and paid careful attention to detail. Highly recommend and will be back!

Pablo G.

Yelp

From the moment you are greeted to the moment you sit at one of the restaurants you have absolutely no doubt this is a 5 diamond hotel. You are greeted with a local chaya juice, a beautiful hand made bracelet and your personal concierge that checks you in all the way to your private villa. The hotel is not all inclusive and a bit pricey but its 100% worth it. Having stayed at all the Mayakoba resorts this is the best hands down. The masseuses are from Thailand, you have your own pool in your villa, and you get personalized service. If you are looking for luxury and privacy don't look anywhere else, this is the perfect place. The staff is fantastic and always willing to bend the rules just to please you.

Dalia Z.

Yelp

Terrible service at this hotel! Supposedly a luxury resort, our villa smelled moldy! They say the villa has a kitchenette, it has a stovetop and no pans! Staff said they did not provide any! After 5 calls and arguing they sent a pan to our villa. Stove broke after 1 use and they never fixed it! In general staff was not helpful. Any request took at least 2 or 3 phone calls. At checkout we had charges that we didn't make! Careful! Someone signed with our villa number. I would NOT recommend staying here at all. Food is average at best. Bad service. Too expensive and not worth it.

Steve H.

Yelp

Great Thai Food. Curries could have a little more spice and heat but still excellent.

Lisbeth G.

Yelp

Thank you for giving us such a special experience for my friends, who are like family, wedding. You run such a classy and magical place. Thank you

Amanda L.

Yelp

It was our first time staying in Playa del Carmen and I am so happy we picked Banyan Tree Mayakoba. We stayed there for three nights. It is such a gorgeous resort and the staff is so amazing! We went there for our Anniversary and they made our stay so special. Our villa had a private pool, jacuzzi, and a separated pool house with large table, tv, and daybed. Our actual room was very large with a separated bathroom with an outside bathtub. When we walked into our room it was full of candles, rose pedals, wine, and a little note from the hotel. We would hang out for a couple of hours at the beach and get lunch and have a beer. We would get the chicken quesadilla, I know seems a little plain, but it was really big and so good. Our waiter was so sweet, he saw it was our anniversary and the hotel comped us a bottle of sparkling wine. If you have a chance go on the free eco-tour they provide every day at 11. You have to call and make reservations just to ensure there is room, but there were only three other people on it with us. It is a small boat that goes around the lagoon and you see a ton of fish, birds, turtles, and we even saw a small crocodile! You also see the other hotels that are in Mayakoba, but Banyan Tree is by far the prettiest. They also provide two bikes to ride around the resort and we rode them every single day! We went to 5th ave. every night because it is only about 200 pesos one way. That is where all the restaurants, bars, and nightclubs are. The only thing I wish they had that I didn't see was a place to get snacks at the hotel. You just have to remember to grab stuff when you are in town. We had a really nice time and would definitely go back if we go back to Playa del Carmen.

Steve S.

Yelp

In my opinion the nicest resort in the Mayakoba Resort Property. Banyan Tree has lots of choices for rooms and villas. Three main restaurant choices. Saffron is the Thai flagship that is a must. They can spice it up HOT if you want. Be sure to tell them and they will accomodate. We had a private villa with our own pool and hot tub. The beach bikes are a blast and come included. You can ride all around the Mayakoba resort area. Golf Cart transports are available all the time, bikes, boats in the canals, or you can walk/jog. VERY unique resort with well maintained mangroves and grounds. Immaculate and very clean. This is a five star resort and it is amazing. You will be blown away. The guests are "maxing out" as we say. Eating, drinking, and beaching. Kayaks and Paddle Boarding is free on the beach and highly recommended. Eat lunch there too because they have great Ceviches and drinks in coconuts!

Danielle K.

Yelp

I honestly don't know where to begin. We have stayed at many resorts over the past 10 years and not one comes close to Banyan Tree. The level of service provided by the staff exceeds anything I've ever experienced before. They cater to a different kind of guest. Those who expect nothing but the best and I assure you, that's exactly what you'll receive here. They listen to every word that you say. They remember the smallest details about you, and use that information to make your stay more personable and enjoyable. You will sometimes feel that you are the only ones on the resort because they cater to your every need as if you were the only ones here. The room are not regular rooms but villas. Everything about it is private. You have your own private villa, private garden, private pool, private outdoor bath. Your villa is literally like your own private gated community. The smallest details are thought of in advance and taken care of for you. There are 2 other resorts on the property that you also have access to. They will transport you to and from those properties anytime of day or night, and even that is done in style (brand new surburbans). Honestly, if I could give this 10 stars, I would. I am so glad we decided to spend our 10th wedding anniversary here. We arr already discussing when to come back. Absolutely amazing experience. I promise you won't regret staying here. Like no other!!!!! I could go on and on for days but hopefully this paints the picture.

Chris L.

Yelp

spent a couple of nights here. truly a 5 star experience. the staff was very attentive. room was very clean and comfortable. loved that there was a swimming pool in my villa. the property is big. you can call the front desk for a golf cart to take you around. there is also a boat that you can take to close to the beach. I got a massage. it was great. felt like a king. if it wasn't hot and humid I would go back.

Banyan Tree Mayakoba Opens New Family Villas

The 40 Best Resorts in Mexico: 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards

"A resort with private beachfront pool suites and a brand-new beach club." - CNT Editors

13 Surprising Hotel Perks You Can Get for Free - AFAR

@afar

"The Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, provides free eco-tours of the nearby mangrove forests that showcase the region’s rich biodiversity." - Cat Sposato

Banyan Tree Mayakoba

12 Hotels Around the World That Offer Forest Bathing, Meditation, and Transformative Nature Activities