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Banyan Tree Mayakoba is 'Simply Stunning'

Where: Carretera Federal Chetumal, Puerto Juárez Km. 298, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, 77710

Every so often we feature a hotel review from one of our readers that we feel should be shared with the rest of you dear hotel guests. These reviews are highlighted because they are timely, about cool hotels in cool places and are relatively level-headed. Think you can submit one just like this? Send it in.

March 1st marked the opening of the brand new Banyan Tree Mayakoba on the Riveria Maya, the first South-of-the-Border property from the chain of super-luxe retreats. With its 132 pool villas and a indulgent Banyan Tree Spa, this hideaway offers a bit more of an adult experience than the boozey Spring Break frat-storm of Cancun — but the peace and pampering is pricey. Could the several-hundred-dollar room rate be worth it? Reader L. from HeWhoTravels, one of the first guests at the property, weighs in:

I have to say, the Spa Pool Villas are simply stunning. The resort is built next to the ocean and linked via a series of lagoons/canals to other resorts throughout the complex. Each Villa is like its own self-contained house...

The rest of the review — plus a couple more snapshots — after the jump.

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Tags: Riviera Maya Hotels / Banyan Tree Hotels / Hotel Openings / → All Tags

The Banyan Tree Riviera Maya Wants You to Forget the Recession

Where: Carretera Federal Chetumal, Puerto Juárez Km. 298 , Playa del Carmen, Mexico, 77710

Just in case you still enjoy daydreaming about tropical resort vacations, we've just heard that the luxurious line of Banyan Tree Hotels is prepping to open their first Mexico property on the Riviera Maya on March 1st. Joining the Mayakoba development with other hotels and the first PGA tour golf course outside of the US and Canada, the Banyan Tree Mayakoba serves as an indulgent getaway option far from the cheap thrills of Cancun.

If the picture above and the fact that they'll have 132 pool villas and a complete Banyan Tree Spa get your motor running, then we'd advise you to jump on it now as they begin with an opening special rate of $495 a night for the month of March. This includes the serious incentive of a 90-minute spa massage, and the knowledge that you beat their usual rates of $655-$800 a night by a longshot. Let's not forget that each room comes with more than just a private pool, but also the exhibitionist's delight: an outdoor bathtub. That's it, we're down for it--when's the next flight south of the border?

[Image via Banyan Tree Mayakoba]