Alila Makes Latin America Debut with Mayakoba Opening
Alila’s first resort in Latin America debuts within the Mayakoba enclave with 182 rooms, lagoon-to-beachfront design, and a wellbeing program rooted in Mayan traditions.
Photo: Courtesy of Alila Mayakoba
Alila Mayakoba has officially opened within the Mayakoba resort enclave on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, marking the Alila brand’s first property in Latin America and the Caribbean. Developed by RLH Properties in partnership with Hyatt, the 60-acre beachfront resort introduces 182 guestrooms, suites, and villas set between lagoon waterways and Caribbean shoreline.
Located south of Cancún International Airport within the gated Mayakoba complex, the resort occupies a stretch of mangrove-lined coastline known for low-density development and canal access. Nearly 40 percent of the inventory is configured as suites, including a beachfront Presidential Suite, with terraces and outdoor areas designed to emphasize natural light and cross-breezes.
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Patrick Schori, general manager of Alila Mayakoba, said the intention was to root the resort in its surroundings from the outset. “From the moment guests arrive, we want them to feel at ease and fully present as they discover the connection between the Alila brand’s philosophy of mindful luxury and Riviera Maya’s natural beauty and cultural richness,” he said. “Every part of the resort is rooted in place—from unfolding landscapes and open-air architecture to subtle sensory details woven throughout the guest journey.”
Interiors by Huber Design incorporate materials sourced from the Yucatán Peninsula, including tzalam and parota hardwoods, Mérida limestone, and recuperated travertine. Public spaces and guestrooms are arranged to create two distinct rhythms across the property: quieter lagoon-side areas anchored by the spa and dining venues, and a more relaxed beachfront zone with outdoor gathering spaces.
The culinary lineup spans six dining concepts, highlighted by the return of Casa Amate, alongside Chef’s Atelier, a 12-seat chef’s counter focused on zero-waste cooking, and several casual venues positioned between the cenote, beach club, and gardens. Spa Alila at Mayakoba anchors the wellbeing offering, with rituals guided by local Mayan traditions and ceremonies tied to the Tzolk’in calendar. Programming includes temazcal experiences, cenote visits, and small-group cultural rituals developed with regional practitioners.
“Alila Mayakoba serves as a very natural expression of the Alila brand within its Mexican setting, and an important moment for the brand overall,” said Tamara Lohan, Hyatt’s global brand leader for luxury. “Here, the brand’s philosophy comes together as a fully realized reflection of what Alila stands for through singular experiences grounded in local culture.”
