As returning guests who just completed our 14th visit to Fairmont Mayakoba since 2009, we are happy to report that the resort continues to impress. We enjoyed a memorable getaway with great weather for most of our visit. Because we have written detailed reviews in the past, many of our previous comments still hold true, but we wanted to share some highlights and observations from this latest trip.
The Highlights: Staff, Grounds, & Dining
What keeps us coming back year after year are the stunning resort grounds with its flora and fauna, and the incredible staff. The maintenance and cleanliness of the common areas, landscaping, and housekeeping are consistently excellent. The Fairmont has the best beach of the Mayakoba resorts. We also enjoy using the water taxi service between the Mayakoba resorts, which made for a lovely trip over to Banyan Tree for dinner one evening.
•Overall, the food remains at a very high standard, and the cocktail selection is genuinely top shelf. All servers were happy to accommodate any requests. Tauro and Fuego remain our absolute favourite spots.
•Bassano was good but could use a few more protein options. Hix was also enjoyable, though we miss some of the past hot dishes/bar food'
•We highly recommend the cocktail mixology class at Cielo. Kikey was a patient, engaging, and wonderful instructor - it’s the perfect pre-dinner activity before heading to Fuego on the beach.
Constructive Feedback & Areas for Improvement
While several quibbles from our last stay were resolved, a few issues detracted from the 5-star experience:
•The Beach Chair Situation (Our Biggest Miss): For the first time during our visits this year, there were no cushions on the beach chairs. My wife has hip issues, and the bare chairs were uncomfortable for her. Other Mayakoba resorts and Fairmont’s own pools have cushions; lacking them here felt beneath the resort's class. Additionally, the beach towels and chair covers were inconsistent and mismatched. The mixed look feels a bit budget.
•Sargassum Updates: There was more sargassum in the water this time compared to earlier in the year. While the resort team does a commendable job cleaning it up, we would love to see daily sargassum updates posted back on Instagram and the website, as they are useful for trip planning.
•Accessibility: At least one of the stairways leading down to the beach at Brisas could use a handrail for guests with balance or mobility challenges.
Standout Staff Recognition
The service here is driven by a wonderful mix of long-term, familiar faces and pleasant new team members. We would like to recognize:
•Our Butlers, Javier & Fernanda: They were very responsive, checked in on us perfectly, and went above and beyond helping us navigate the large resort with a member of our party who required mobility assistance. Both helped us make the most of our time there.
•The Beach & Pool Team: Rudolpho at the adult pool recognized us immediately upon arrival (it is so wonderful to see long-term staff!). Nicolas greeted us at the beach every day and accommodated our setup requests perfectly. Shoutout to our hard-working beach servers: Hiberto, Gilberth, Miguel, Eziquiel, and Erick.
•Lobby & Dining: Maria at the Hix lobby bar welcomed us with a quick, friendly smile right from the start. At Tauro, Alfonso at the bar made us feel incredibly welcome with creative drinks, and Filipe provided flawless dinner service. At Fuego, Carlos was engaging and friendly without being intrusive.
The Verdict
Despite a few details that need management's attention regarding beach comfort, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Fairmont Mayakoba remains as good or better than anywhere else we have been in the Caribbean, and its setting delivers a unique experience. We are already looking forward to returning for visit number 15 this coming winter!
