The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya
Avant-garde architectural resort meets low-key Caribbean luxury. Cosmopolitan but never loud. The vibe is breezy minimalism with jaw-dropping design moments. Think meditation, sundowners, and slow mornings rather than DJ sets and swim-up bars.
Book the Serenity Pool over the Main Pool for a calmer atmosphere — it doubles as a spa wellness pool
Why It Matters
The architecture alone sets it apart from anything else in Riviera Maya. The structure covers over 1.5 million square feet but has a footprint of just 9%, floating above the mangroves to preserve the ecosystem below. It earned the IDA International Gold Award in Hospitality Design 2023, landed on Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards 2024, and was named to Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards 2025.
The St. Regis Kanai is one of those rare hotels that actually looks as wild from the outside as it sounds on paper. Half-crescent pavilions inspired by the Pleiades constellation hover above a mangrove forest on a 620-acre nature reserve — you arrive via a long winding drive that makes you feel like you've left the real world entirely. Inside: 124 rooms and 19 suites, all facing the ocean, all with a private terrace or plunge pool, all with a dedicated butler. The architecture is by Mexican firm Edmonds International, the interiors by Chapi Chapo Design, and the result is quietly dramatic — carved walnut headboards, limestone floors, ceramic pendant lights, floor-to-ceiling glass. It sits within Kanai, an exclusive multi-resort destination that also houses Mandarin Oriental, Etéreo Auberge, and The Edition.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
Atlas Suite
A 1,130 sq ft corner suite with an outdoor soaking tub on the terrace. The corner positioning delivers the most expansive views at this room tier. King bed only.
King
Caroline Astor Suite
A generous 1,711 sq ft corner suite with a whirlpool on the terrace. The larger footprint allows for a proper separate living area, additional bathroom space, and that signature corner window wall. For guests who want serious suite space without going Presidential.
KingDeluxe Room
The entry-level room at Kanai is already well above average. Floor-to-ceiling glass floods the space with natural light and views over the mangroves to the Caribbean. Hues of white, beige, and pale mint pair with limestone and walnut woodgrain. The carved-walnut headboard is the design focal point, dividing the bedroom from the expansive bathroom with dual vanities and walk-in closet. Private terrace included.
King or 2 Queen beds
Grand Luxe Room
Same 592 sq ft footprint as the Deluxe but with a private plunge pool on the terrace — fits at least four people comfortably. Views sweep from the mangrove canopy to the ocean in the distance. This is the room most Bonvoy elites are angling for on a points redemption. Note: if you want ocean sounds from your room, the rooms are set back from the beach.
King or 2 Queen bedsJohn Jacob Astor Suite
Same footprint as the Caroline Astor but adds a private plunge pool alongside the whirlpool — you get both. Still a corner room. The top choice for couples who want the maximum outdoor water experience without needing a two-bedroom layout.
King
Presidential Suite
The flagship two-bedroom suite at 2,313 sq ft. One bedroom has a king, the other two queens — maximum occupancy of six, making it the obvious choice for families or groups. Two patios, a whirlpool on the terrace, and 2.5 bathrooms. Corner positioning provides the most expansive views on the property.
1 King + 2 Queen (separate bedrooms)Riviera Luxe Room
A corner room — meaning two walls of views. Same 592 sq ft as the other standard rooms but gains an outdoor bathtub on the terrace and king-only configuration. The corner positioning makes the space feel significantly larger.
KingSt. Regis Suite
The entry-level full suite, nearly double the size of standard rooms. A plunge pool version is also available. Design elements draw from ancient Mayan artistic traditions — hanging mirrors, ceramic pendant lights, intricate walnut wood-carved headboards. Plenty of space for a separate living area.
KingVincent Astor Suite
A studio-style corner suite with a private plunge pool. Same square footage as the standard rooms but the corner positioning and open studio layout make the living area feel more expansive. Good pick for couples wanting plunge pool access without stepping into full suite territory.
KingThe Property
Eat & Drink
8 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
St. Regis's signature afternoon tea ritual, held at The Library from 9am to 6pm. Fine pastries, select tea blends, and the option to add the chocolate armoire experience for $34 per person.
Full-day tour to the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site, including the Pyramid of Kukulcan, the Ball Court, and the Sacred Cenote. Approximately 2.5 hours from the resort. Can be arranged through your butler.
Guided tour to the ancient Mayan port city of Tulum perched on coastal cliffs. Duration approximately 8am to 12:30pm. Reservation through your butler.
Access to an 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course near the Kanai complex. Spectacular views in every direction, accommodates all abilities. Reservation through your butler.
The St. Regis's house riff on the Bloody Mary — invented at the St. Regis New York in 1934. The Kanai Mary is made with local Mexican spices and served at The St. Regis Bar.
The nightly St. Regis signature ritual. A saber is used to open a champagne bottle at the transition from day to evening — dating back to Napoleonic tradition. Happens at The St. Regis Bar on the top floor. A legitimate crowd-pleaser.
Professional tennis courts within the Kanai private community, open daily 8am to 7pm. Court time available for guests. Locker rooms on site.
The raised wooden boardwalks connecting the entire resort serve double duty as nature paths above the mangrove ecosystem. A biologist-led sustainability initiative runs on property. The Sian Ka'an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve adjoins the Kanai land.
Premier snorkel tour to Akumal beach — a protected bay famous for sea turtles and the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world. Duration: 9:30am to 3:30pm. Reservation required; book through your butler.
The Athletic Club offers yoga, sound healing, and fitness classes alongside a full complement of cardio and strength equipment. Personal training also available. The gym is open 24 hours and complimentary for guests.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
A limited number of cabanas available at the beach. Reserve immediately upon arrival. They go fast during peak season.
A private beachfront directly on the Caribbean. Not vast, but guests rarely feel crowded given the resort's intimate scale. Palapas and loungers. Sargassum is managed proactively.
On-site hair salon.
A modest convention center with outdoor seating. Particularly popular for wedding groups and corporate retreats given the setting and remote feel.
Free for Marriott Bonvoy members booked direct. In-room speed 250+ Mbps. Mobile key service available via Marriott Bonvoy app.
On-site kids' club for younger guests. Activities tailored for families and children.
Located at lobby level next to the spa. Italian Technogym equipment. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Complimentary access via guestroom keycard. Full cardio suite, free weights, strength equipment. Fitness classes and personal training available.
Free parking on property. No valet charge. No EV charging stations available.
One pet per room allowed. Maximum weight 11 lbs. Non-refundable $200 USD fee per stay.
Family Pool (Mon-Sun 8am-11pm, lifeguard, towels), Main Pool (Mon-Sun 8am-11pm, lifeguard, towels), and Serenity Pool — a spa/wellness pool. Plus a whirlpool adjacent to the Family Pool. All pools are on the smaller side for a resort of this caliber — a known limitation.
The luxury resortwear brand Orlebar Brown opened its beachside boutique at the property in December 2024. Italian-made linens, swim shorts, and accessories inspired by the resort's Mayan heritage and architecture.
Full 24-hour room service available across the resort.
Daily housekeeping and evening turndown service. Note: some early reviews from 2023 mentioned inconsistency with turndown — the property was relatively new at that time.
Every room category — from Deluxe to Presidential — gets a dedicated butler. They handle everything from dinner reservations and coffee delivery to pre-arrival preferences. A genuine service differentiator for the brand.
Golf carts shuttle guests between rooms, restaurants, pools, and the beach. The property is spread out across elevated boardwalks — golf cart service is a genuine convenience, not just a luxury add-on.
BUILD YOUR THE ST. REGIS KANAI RESORT, RIVIERA MAYA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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