WILLOW STREAM SPA, FAIRMONT MAYAKOBA
Luxury and Nature Live Harmoniously in Mayan Riviera Spa Resort
by Anne Dimon
Mangroves rule. Not everywhere, of course. The endangered tropical plant community - vital for healthy coastal ecosystems - often takes a back seat to tourism development. But here at the new Fairmont Mayakoba, the mangrove is king.
Located about a 40-minute drive from Cancun, 12 minutes from the village of Playa del Carmen, the new Fairmont Myakoba, its PGA-level golf course and its Willow Stream Spa, were painstakingly sculpted around this protected environment. I see it for myself as Fernando, at the wheel of one of the resort’s electrical lanchas, takes me on a nature tour around the property. Fernando maneuvers the sleek, canvas-covered boat along man-made lagoons fed with natural underwater springs, under curved wooden bridges, past villas with balconies hugging the shoreline, and along sections with wild greenery on one side, golf greens on the other. Within minutes we’re totally embraced by mangroves forests.
Water here is the colour of Spanish Olives. Fernando explains that the deep green hue is caused by mangrove pigmentation. Cormorants, also called “diver ducks” dart out of the bush and, for a moment, I think I’m in the Florida Everglades. An iguana basks on a rock, storks – long legs dangling – dash out from the reeds. We turn a curve and a sweep of manicured greens come into view, another curve and the mangrove forest envelopes us once again. It acts as a natural buffer between the resort and its glorious, sugar-sand beach.
Beyond the bounty of nature, there’s the luxury – you see it in the design, décor, service, quality of food, attention to detail…then, there’s the spa. Willow Stream is one of the more highly respected spa brands in the world, and this store lives up to expectation. Walk into the two-level facility, experience the water circuit, the spacious lounge and the roof-top pools, and my guess is you’ll want to spend the entire day. Good news is you can. The spa is open everyday until 8: 00 p.m., facilities are free to anyone who books a treatment, staff is genuinely helpful and welcoming, and, when hunger strikes, nourishment is offered from a Bento Box Spa Menu.
For those who, like me, tend to be partial to services that are “locally inspired” there is much to choose from including treatments that incorporate Mayan clay, cacao and honey. I indulged in the chocolate treatment, then topped it off with a mini chocolate muffin offered with other treats, fresh juices and teas in the Serenity Salon. The extensive menu of spa services also includes customized massage experiences, signature golf treatments and salon services. It doesn’t take long before you’re feeling totally relaxed and re-energized.
Other ways to re-energize (or work off chocolate treats) is to bicycle around the property, run along the pristine beach or work out in the gym where top-flight fitness equipment is complemented with regular fitness classes including guided yoga and Pilates.
There's a bit of Mayan magic here.
For more information: www.fairmont.com/mayakoba