Two Takes on Paradise: Belmond Maroma & Chablé Maroma
I have always loved the Riviera Maya, but staying at Belmond Maroma and Chablé Maroma made me realize just how differently two lovely properties on the same stretch of coastline can feel.
Both are wrapped in the same beautiful combination of jungle, white sand, and Caribbean water, yet the experiences could not be more different. Belmond Maroma feels deeply connected to the history and soul of Mexico, while Chablé Maroma is all about privacy, wellness, and the space to completely slow down. If I were planning a Riviera Maya trip for my clients, these are two properties I would consider for very different reasons, and both left me a little spellbound.
The Original Belmond Maroma
Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya was one of the places I was most excited to experience, because there is so much history behind it. Maroma was originally created in the 1970s by Mexican architect José Luis Moreno, who fell in love with this stretch of coastline and eventually built what became the very first hotel in the Riviera Maya. The property has since been beautifully reimagined, but it still feels rooted in that original spirit of Mexican craftsmanship, jungle, and sea.
This is where Belmond's touch really shows. Belmond has a way of curating each of its hotels so that it feels entirely of its place, never interchangeable, never something you could pick up and drop anywhere else in the world. At Maroma, that means locally sourced materials, handwoven textiles, ceramics, and details drawn from Mayan geometry, all composed with such care that the whole property feels intentional down to the smallest object. It is elegant without being overly polished, and there is a warmth here that makes you want to settle in rather than constantly be on the go.
One of the most magical details is something I did not expect at all. The property is home to native stingless bees, cared for as part of Maroma's connection to Mayan tradition. These tiny bees have been sacred to the Maya for centuries, and there is something genuinely enchanting about learning their story and knowing they can move freely among the guests without anyone ever needing to worry. It is the kind of small, soulful detail that tells you everything about how thoughtfully this place has been put together.
The beach is beautiful, of course, but the real magic of Maroma is how much there is to discover beyond the water. You can explore cenotes and coral reefs, lose an afternoon at Maroma Spa by Guerlain, take part in Mayan inspired wellness rituals, or simply disappear with a book and a margarita. The spa was especially memorable because it weaves Guerlain's approach to wellness together with Mayan traditions and local ingredients.
And then there is the food. Maroma has a strong focus on contemporary Mexican cuisine, with restaurants ranging from Casa Mayor to Woodend by Curtis Stone, where seafood is cooked over an open fire. Some of my favorite moments, though, were the simplest. Each morning, a woman presses fresh tortillas by hand, and the warm, just made scent of them drifting through the air might be the most inviting welcome to a day I can imagine. I love when a property makes food feel like part of the destination rather than just something you happen to eat while you are there, and Maroma does exactly that.
For my clients, I would recommend Belmond Maroma when the goal is to experience Mexico through a beautiful, relaxed, deeply rooted stay. It is especially wonderful for someone who cares about design, food, culture, and a true sense of place, not just a gorgeous beach.
A Slower Side of the Riviera Maya at Chablé Maroma
Chablé Maroma feels like another world entirely.
The first thing I noticed is how private it feels. Set within a protected natural area, the property has 70 villas tucked into the jungle, with the Caribbean waiting just beyond. There is a sense of space here that makes it very easy to let everything else fall away.
This is the property I would choose for someone who really wants to slow down.
Nothing prepared me for the beach. It is remote and completely private, and stumbling onto it felt like discovering a secret. I spent the most peaceful hours of the whole trip stretched out on a lounge chair under a palm tree with my book, the water in front of me and absolutely no one around but an occasional boat passing by. I truly did not expect it, and it turned out to be the most serene place I could have spent three days doing nothing but reading and dipping in the ocean. On its own, it would be reason enough to send a client here.
The wellness program is a huge part of the experience, but what I love is that it never feels rigid. You can do yoga on the beach, experience a traditional Temazcal ceremony, spend time at the spa, or simply do absolutely nothing. The entire philosophy is built around purification, balance, and transformation, with the ocean, the trees, and the natural surroundings playing a central role.
There are also some genuinely lovely ways to connect with the destination. You can take a cooking class centered on traditional Maya flavors, snorkel along the reef, kayak or paddleboard, explore cenotes, or head out on a catamaran. I would especially suggest a cenote experience, because it is one of those moments that makes you appreciate how unique the Yucatán Peninsula really is.
The food is another reason Chablé works so beautifully for clients who love to dine. Bu'ul focuses on contemporary cuisine inspired by central and southern Mexico, built around local and seasonal ingredients, while Kaban brings in the flavors of Mexico's coastal regions. It feels thoughtful and truly connected to the country.
One of the most memorable meals of the trip was one we caught ourselves. Just a five minute walk from the property there is a small fishing port, and we came back with a sizable mahi mahi in hand. The kitchen prepared it for us that evening, and there is something unforgettable about sitting down to dinner that was swimming in the Caribbean only hours earlier. It is the kind of experience you simply cannot plan for, and exactly the kind of magic that makes Chablé feel so special.
And then there are the villas. This is where Chablé really shines for clients who value privacy and space. Each of the 70 villas is designed to feel like its own quiet retreat, surrounded by nature and layered with Mexican artisanal details, and every one has its own private plunge pool for those moments when even the beach feels too far away.
For my clients, I would recommend Chablé Maroma when the priority is privacy, wellness, space, and really disconnecting. It is the kind of place where you could happily spend several days without ever feeling the need to leave.
Which One Would I Choose?
Honestly, I think both are wonderful, but I would recommend them for different trips.
Belmond Maroma is the one I would choose for clients who want a little more energy and personality, someone who loves beautiful design, Mexican culture, exceptional food, and a mix of experiences at their fingertips. There is a sense of history and curation here that gives the property real character, and I love that you can spend one day exploring cenotes or the reef and the next doing absolutely nothing on the beach.
Chablé Maroma is where I would send the client who tells me, "I just want to disappear for a few days." It is more secluded, more villa focused, and much more centered on wellness and privacy, with that hidden beach as the quiet heart of it all.
And if I had a client who could not decide between the two? I honestly would not make them choose. I think they complement each other beautifully.
You could begin at Belmond Maroma, soaking up the food, design, culture, and experiences, and then move to Chablé Maroma for a few days of complete stillness. It would be a really lovely way to experience two completely different sides of the Riviera Maya without ever giving up the beautiful beach and jungle setting that brought you there in the first place.
If you are planning a Riviera Maya trip and want something beyond the typical all inclusive experience, these are two properties I would absolutely have on my list. The right choice really comes down to what you want the trip to feel like. Maroma for character, culture, and a touch of magic; Chablé for privacy, wellness, and slowing all the way down.
