In Love With Mayakoba…. I must admit, I am in love! On my first visit to Mexico, a few years ago, I fell for the people, the culture and the beauty. But the Mayakoba Beach…. Ahhh! Love at first site! Our trip began at RIU Palace Mexico in Playacar. Grand lobby, friendly check in but honestly, not my cup of tequila. My colleagues know that I am hell bent on the hotel rating system in Mexico (and overall) and my review of the property reflects my frustration. Beware~ all 5 STRAR resorts are NOT created equal! RIU Resorts are known for their all inclusive value and they rank their “Palace” collection of resorts as their top tier. “5 STAR”. HHmmm… not really in my opinion. Rooms are in BAD need of repairs~ mold in the shower, ceramic lamps chipped/broken, stained sheets (I think they were cleaned but still stained) and non potable water. Funny, I have had clients tell me that they thought the beds were too hard. I thought it was a comfortable mattress. Oh well. A large shampoo/bodywash jug is attached to the shower wall. This is 5 STAR? Food is abundant and the cocktails flow freely. The spirits are “call”, NOT PREMIUM. Gin drinkers, for example, would not consider Gordons a premium. I am wracking my brain trying to think of a better system for the ala carte dining reservation process. Going to the desk every day from 8:30 to 10:30 am to make a dining reservation for THAT NIGHT seems like a hassle. (not 5 STAR service). We cut our stay short, but before leaving we did walk over to the RIU Tequila (across the street) and RIU Yucatan (next door). Both are rated as a 4 STAR and I would be happy to pay the”4 star” price and stay at either of them. They both have a very relaxed feel and such friendly staff! The beach in front of both RIU Palace MX and RIU Yucatan is very nice. The whale bags are there but seem to be doing what they are supposed to be doing. Now… On to my new Love… This was actually our second visit to Fairmont Mayakoba. The casitas are very large and comfortable. HUGE bathrooms~ soaking tub and shower with rainshower head! French press coffee, great bath amenities, fluffy feather duvets and flat panel TV. “5 Star”, si? I peaked into the “hotel rooms” (they are located in the building next to the lobby building) and they are large and nicely arranged. The casitas AT the beach are fabulous! Infinity edge plunge pool and steps leading directly onto the sandy beach. Fairmont has their own water purification system and the water is fine to drink from the tap. Because this is such a “Convention Friendly” resort, I think it makes a great choice for couples and families. The convention folks are busy with meetings during the day so the pool areas always have plenty of chairs (and personal space). The property is very large with a jungle area between the casitas and the beach but it is an easy walk and golf cart/shuttles run frequently. There are also bikes available. Fairmont Mayakoba has a good selection of restaurants~ fancy, casual and a café to scoop up snacks for your room. Las Brisas at the beach is casual during the day and more fancy at night. It would be nice if they kept the Las Brisas lounge are open longer than 6 PM. Playa del Carmen is 15/15~ 15 minute cab ride and $15 USD Is Fairmont Mayakoba perfect? NOPE! “Nickel and dime” is my biggest complaint. They have recently begun charging a fee to use the fitness center~ $10.00 pp USD. Plus a 10% tax on the fee. Really? Fee for business center~ I think it was $10.50 per half hour. But a 10% tax on top. A “resort fee’ of $15.00 USD per person PER DAY. This is for the bottled water and staff gratuities. But… you guessed it~ a 10% tax on that resort fee. WHATEVER! So why am I in love with Mayakoba when I have already been there once? The Mayakoba beach is AWESOME! Miles long, deep, powder white sand and very little seaweed. This rivals Maroma beach, a short distance to the north. AND~ The new Rosewood Mayakoba! In a word~ SPECTACULAR! Staff treats guests like royalty! The rooms are to die for! I LOVE IT! Check in is done in an open air lobby that is cool and contemporary. Then you are escorted to your casita in a boat along the winding lagoons. Each casita has its own plunge pool and roof top lounge area. Rosewood also has beachfront casitas. The pool close to the lobby is massive with excellent lounge chairs, umbrellas and cabanas. The pool at the beach is smaller but has a huge Jacuzzi and several cabanas. (Note to RIU: plastic resin chairs are NOT 5 Star). There is a large restaurant close the lobby with service all day. An amazing dining room for private events (peaked ceiling and Mayan artwork thoughout). A beachfront restaurant serving lunch and dinner (and... the best lobster tacos in the world) A wine room. A cigar bar. Are you thinking what I am thinking? 5 STAR! We also walked down further to see the new Mandarin Oriental. This feels like a nightclub to me. Super hip with a nightclub vibe. The design is ultra modern~ even the beach chairs are gray metal (they have a nice cushion though). Roof top pool at the beach and a sushi restaurant. The staff did make a killer “hand squeezed” sparking lemonade. They also have a pier (in need of repair) where hired boats can come and scoop you up for a day on the water. Between Fairmont Mayakoba and Rosewood, Viceroy is being built~ looks like it is a residence/condo gig. Going south from Fairmont Mayakoba is the soon-to-be Banyon Tree. This looks to be pretty spectacular as well (based on info from their website). The Mayakoba resort area has great ambiance! Inspiring beauty (those sunrises are etched in my memory!) and resorts built in a jungle with obvious awareness for preservation. Does Absence makes the heart grow fonder? AAhhh… Estoy enamorado de mexico (I am in love with Mexico) I do not dislike RIU Palace Mexico~ in fact I’ve had clients really enjoy the resort. The location is fantastic! But I do not agree with the rating system and do not agree that it is a 5 STAR.