This week, Area informant Lisa LeeKing takes us to Mexico to explore Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya. Located less than an hour south of Cancun, this once sleepy beach town has come to life as a destination for both adventurers and those wanting to nourish mind, body and spirit.
Playa del Carmen is a natural paradise boasting pristine sandy white beaches, crystalline Caribbean waters and plenty of activities. Don't miss the snorkeling, sink holes and caves (cenotes) to swim/dive in, underground rivers, natural preserves, and rejuvenating spa treatments. To fully experience Playa del Carmen we recommend the following boutique hotels and resorts.
Built by hand over the course of 20 years by Maya Masons, Maroma Resort & Spa is a luxury resort that promotes the beauty of nature. Gracefully landscaped gardens, candlelit stone walkways through the jungle, turquoise pools, and a Zen spa/wellness center will immediately let you transcend city into bliss.
The hacienda style suites allow for complete serenity, especially Sian Nah, which boasts a roof deck and plunge pool. Start your day overlooking the ocean sipping a freshly squeezed juice before working up a sweat in the 9 a.m. yoga class, set high up in a palapa. Afternoons include snorkeling, sailing, reading in the library, playing tennis, tasting tequila or relaxing at Kinan Spa. You'll reconnect with yourself and your partner during the spa's signature 2-hour deluxe Ritual Kinan treatment.
Esencia, an intimate 29-room beachside escape, is an antidote to the tacky high-rise hotels springing up along the coast. The main structure is the converted home of a European duchess, but the majority of guest quarters are situated in free-standing beach cottages with extra amenities like private pools and butlers.
On a budget? Basico is a small and sustainable hotel so individual and stylish you'll think you've walked into a design expo. An open-air food stall and juice bar doubles as the reception area. Unfinished concrete walls and exposed electrical ducts give an industrial feel to the guest rooms. And a live video feed brings the beach conditions right to your plasma TV, in case you need to check the surf or the scene before venturing out. Our only warning: a good night's sleep is best assured with earplugs as the upstairs bar spins music into the wee hours.
