Following a $10 million renovation, Mahekal Beach Resort has opened in Playa del Carmen.
Situated on Playa del Carmen's largest stretch of beach (spanning 800 feet), the resort has 122 rooms located in individual thatched-roof bungalows, all less than a two-minute walk from the beach.
All room types -- Garden View, Ocean View, Penthouses or Ocean Front -- have individual outdoor terraces and personal hammocks, with hand laid stone pathways leading to each individual door step. Ocean Front accommodations are located directly on the beach, just 10 steps from the water, and come equipped with personal plunge pools.
The resort aims for an unplugged experience, meaning that there are no TVs in the guestrooms. A new Wi-Fi system throughout the resort and a new telephone system to access property services are expected to debut in early February.
Additional new amenities include two brand new swimming pools, a new seaside Jacuzzi, two completely renovated restaurants (Las Olas and Cocina) and three new bars (Boli’s Itzi and Las Olas).
Resort restaurants serve everything from traditional Mexican and Latin American fare at Cocina to higher-end “Land and Sea” dishes at Las Olas. The Modified American Plan covers daily breakfast and either lunch or dinner. In a few months, guests will order room service with a twist -- staff members deliver orders to rooms by riding vintage bicycles with woven rattan baskets. Personal hand deliveries are made to guests lounging beach or poolside.
The resort is also near nightlife and local culture along 5th Avenue. Nearby excursions also include exploring ancient Mayan life in Tulum and swimming through underwater caves at Xcaret.