Hong Kong- Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has today announced that it will manage a luxury beachfront resort with branded residences on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, on the Yucatan Peninsula. The resort is expected to open in 2028 and has been meticulously designed to respect the diversity of the environment and reflect local culture, blending serene architecture and exceptional craftsmanship with Mandarin Oriental’s renowned legendary service. Notably, acclaimed Mexican artist Bosco Sodi has been chosen as the art curator for this project.
Located in the heart of the Riviera Maya with its year-round tropical climate, within a 30-minute drive from Cancun Airport and 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen’s downtown, Kanai is a 680-acre masterplan. The beach front resort is nestled within a secure, gated community, surrounded by a pristine jungle, and protected mangrove reserve. Only 9% of the land is dedicated to buildings and roads, ensuring the utmost care is taken in preserving the natural habitat and its diverse wildlife.
Mandarin Oriental Kanai, Riviera Maya will feature 120 elegantly refined guestrooms and suites with private pools, offering views over the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Each carefully curated space will provide seamless indoor-outdoor living, enhanced by natural materials including marble, wood, leather and locally woven fabrics. Fifty thoughtfully appointed and spacious branded residences, with access to a private resident-only beach club, will also form part of the overall offering.
Migdal Arquitectos, an acclaimed architectural practise based in Mexico City, demonstrate a profound respect for the natural setting with designs that blend seamlessly with the environment, drawing poetic inspiration from Mayan architecture. Designed by the New York-based William Gray, a new luxury offering by renowned studio Meyer Davis, the resort interiors will beautifully blend a curated collection of art and design, resulting in a tranquil, luxurious ambiance, harmonising with the surrounding natural beauty, landscaped by Maat Handasa. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental and Beach Club will encapsulate special design elements by Esrawe Studio.
Adding to the resort’s unique character, Bosco Sodi will serve as Art Curator and design consultant. Known for his richly textured and elemental works, Sodi’s involvement brings a distinct artistic vision to the project. His approach, embracing the Japanese Wabi Sabi philosophy which finds beauty in imperfections and the signs of age, merges with age-old Mayan traditions and contemporary aesthetics. Bosco Sodi commented:” Our creative approach will enhance the resort’s ambiance, creating spaces that inspire contemplation and connection with the environment.”
Mandarin Oriental will bring its culinary expertise to a wide range of dining options, nestled in the natural surroundings of the resort, featuring distinctive international cuisines in specialty restaurants in addition to locally inspired culinary delights with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. A beach club, café and pool bar will also provide all day refreshments. Elegant event spaces traverse the resort indoors and out, creating the perfect backdrop for weddings and social occasions.
The spacious resort will feature three outdoor pools that blend into the environment, providing different experiences for families and adults. The beach club will offer opportunities for a myriad of watersports while a fully comprehensive Kid’s Club will deliver a wide range of experiences for children of all ages.
For those seeking relaxation, an all-inclusive Spa at Mandarin Oriental will offer a serene sanctuary and the most comprehensive range of wellness, beauty and massage treatments available in the region. Spa goers will enjoy Mandarin Oriental’s signature programmes as well as specifically developed treatments inspired by Mexican traditions and customs. The dedicated wellness space includes an indoor lap pool and outdoor spa trail experiences.
Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group commented: “Mandarin Oriental Kanai, Riviera Maya exemplifies our commitment to delighting our fans at every opportunity. Nestled in a breathtaking setting and embracing local culture through a curated range of exceptional experiences, art and design, this resort promises to bring the next level of luxury hospitality to the region. As shapers of culture and masters of our craft, we have designed every aspect of this resort with our guests at its heart, reflecting our dedication to legendary service and exceptional experiences. Extending our portfolio in the Americas, brings the brand closer to our North American fans and will introduce Mandarin Oriental to many new audiences. We are particularly excited to have partnered with the visionary developer GIM Desarrollos and Abraham Metta Cohen on this ambitious project, and we are delighted they are fans of Mandarin Oriental.”
Riviera Maya is a tropical paradise renowned for its inviting Caribbean Sea waters and lush tropical forests. Rich in Mayan heritage, the region is home to significant archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza and Tulum with their iconic pyramids. Guests will be able to explore these historical landmarks through curated Mandarin Oriental experiences and enjoy the region’s refined culinary scene, which offers a fusion of traditional and contemporary flavours.
The resort is being developed by GIM Desarrollos, prominent real estate developers with operations throughout the region. Abraham Metta Cohen, Partner stated: “We are thrilled to bring this exceptional luxury hospitality experience to Riviera Maya, offering guests an unparalleled connection to the rich cultural heritage of the region. Enhancing the guest experience by integrating environmental awareness and cultural richness is extremely important to us and to Mandarin Oriental and we are delighted to be partnering with them and to bringing the brand’s renowned levels of luxury hospitality to this unique resort.”
