The Mayan Underworld Is Top of Mind at New EDITION Hotel in Mexico

Canadian travellers — and how to tempt them — were a topic of conversation at the Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai, a stunningly beautiful, architecturally marvellous property. Leaders of the Marriott International’s Caribbean-Latin America (CALA) division gathered in May to refine their marketing and operational efforts, reviewing recent market analysis and how to take action on the findings. A recurring theme across the region was Canada.

“We can confirm that we’ve seen strong growth from the Canadian market, both at the hotel level and across the broader Riviera Maya region. In terms of our product offering and value proposition, the diversity of the Mexican Caribbean enables Canadian travelers to enjoy a wide range of experiences within short distances — often at a fraction of the cost compared to similar offerings in the U.S.,” Martin Castaño, VP Sales & Distribution for CALA, said in an email response.

Canadians never need a reason to travel to sun destinations. The opportunity that Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America have is to attract the snowbirds and beach travellers from Canada who traditionally would look to the southern U.S. first. With Canadians turned off by America’s political climate, everywhere else in the world has a chance to benefit from a demographic that contributed $20.5 billion USD to the U.S. economy in 2024, according to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO).

Not surprisingly, data shows that the Caribbean and Mexico are the first to see growth from Canadians’ shifting preferences. Seat capacity to the Caribbean is up 17% year-over-year, according to Travel Market Report. Castaño says CALA  anticipates a 20% increase in “group-related leads originating from Canada.” And while tourism overall is struggling globally, luxury travel is up, providing a boost to CALA and its properties such as the EDITION at Kanai.

Spanning almost 200,000 square metres along two miles of beach, the location is largely populated by mangroves and forms a unique wildlife habitat. Designed by Los Angeles architect Michael Edmonds, the stark white property was constructed to evoke cenotes, the underground pools and grottos that were formed millions of years ago when a meteor struck the Yucatan peninsula, forever changing the planet. Infinity pools are everywhere on the property, a gesture to the subterranean lakes and streams in the cenotes. Each of the EDITION’s 30 suites and all of its ground-floor rooms have private plunge pools, too. The spa is built underground with a circular sunroof that welcomes in the warm rays and hanging plants in the bamboo-laden lobby resemble stalactites from the caves, further design elements that are meant to connect with Mexico’s Indigenous symbolism.

While much of the hotel pays homage to the Mayan underworld and its centuries-old legends, it also has a modern wonder designed for today’s ultra-luxury traveller. North America’s largest penthouse suite costs $20,000 USD (about $27,500 CAD) per night. Dubbed the Sky Rooftop Villa, the 2,500-square-metre suite includes a massive deck with sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea and, yes, an infinity pool. It has five bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen, and touches of glamour throughout.

The contemporary luxury vibes mingle with Mexican aesthetics in the hotel’s vaulted lobby bar. Designed by Eon Schrager, the bar holds more than 180 pieces of art from all 32 states of Mexico. Much of the artwork is displayed in a towering case behind the bar that rises three floors, totalling approximately 12 metres (40 feet). The drinks are likewise eye-popping and pleasing.

With an emphasis on Mexican spirits, the cocktail bar features a diverse and growing list of craft spirits. La Diosa del Sur (Goddess of the Sea) is a clarified cocktail with a corn liquor from Chiapas called Pox (pronounced “posh”), Fino sherry, cream of corn, and bitter chocolate. It’s potent and smooth at the same time.

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The flair extends to the restaurant program where the EDITION and its next-door sister property, St. Regis Kanai Resort, have formed a culinary powerhouse with chefs Roberto Riveros, formerly of Barcelona’s highly acclaimed Hotel Arts, celebrity star Richard Sandoval operating an outlet of his Toro franchise, and Mexico’s Paco Ruano, who has landed on the World’s 50 Best ranking.

“Why I decided to move to Mexico is to discover different cultures,” Riveros said while standing bar below the ceiling of the EDITION’s lobby bar. “I wanted to go to the long line on the corner where locals are dining and see what it is they want to eat, and learn why. Then I can think about bringing that into our kitchen here and using our techniques and our abilities to create a new experience for our guests that is about this country.”

The Chilean-born chef who has worked at luxury brands around the world has found novel ways to use corn and chilies in the dishes at St. Regis and the EDITION. (Sandoval’s restaurant is located in the St. Regis.) Along with the lobby bar, the EDITION has three of Ruano’s restaurants: KI’IS, SO’OL Beach Cllub, and the Kitchen. It’s a connoisseur’s dream. And resonates with the CALA emphasis on regional cuisine.

“Across the region, with our food and beverage program, the idea is to have every ingredient from the local area, every recipe to be made of local ingredients and with knowledge of local culture,” Castaño said to the group of industry representatives. “One of the best things to do in Latin America is to try the food. We all know this.”

His colleague, Managing Director Hugo Desenzani, concurred, saying that elevating the dining experience is essential for properties such as the EDITION at Kanai, and doing so includes appealing to residents as well as travellers from abroad.

“Restaurants have to be relevant, locally. We are pushing the teams to deliver something that is very good for the community so that you can have that connection to place,” he said, noting that Marriott operates more casual-dining and fine-dining restaurants than any other corporation in the world.

The other hallmark of CALA that Desenzani is prioritizing is the recognition of luxury tourism’s evolution. It’s no longer only for high-cost experiences and a sense of exclusivity. It’s about customized consumer experiences that deliver deeper meaning, which allows brands to connect with a range of people, who travel to pursue their passions, not for spending on big-ticket status items.

“Luxury travel is more purposeful than it used to be in the past,” Desenzani told the CALA conference’s contingent. “You want purpose out of the trip. You don’t want to sip piña coladas by the pool — you want to connect with the location and the people in the destination, you want to see other travellers. They want to mingle and connnect with nature. It’s a purposeful relaxation. They want wellness offerings. It’s more than a cabana by the pool and keep on bringing the margaritas, it’s more than that.”

To that end, the EDITION, located in Playa del Carmen but in a secluded setting far from the frenzy of that location’s main streets, offers tours to area attractions, including the chance to explore the cenotes. You can dive into the underground pools, learn about the Mayan mythology that reveres the meteor strike and the landscape it created, and connect with the communities in the Yucatan. Then, when you return to the EDITION, you can immerse in its luxurious hospitality and gracefulness, balancing cultural experience with a pampering escape that is at the forefront of contemporary travel.

MORE ABOUT THE EDITION AT KANAI RESORT

Location: Paseo Kanai 14, Solidaridad, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico (see map below)
Room Rates: A weekend night in December starts at $734 USD (about $1,000 CAD), based on a recent search of the property’s booking engine.

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Note: Vacay.ca occasionally publishes content outside of Canada that our editors believe will be of interest to our audience. In this article, Managing Editor Adrian Brijbassi explains how luxury hotel brands are seeking to attract tourists to destinations such as the Mayan Riviera. His trip was supported by Marriott International’s Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) division.