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The Kinan Spa at Maroma Resort & Spa offers services inspired by ancient Mayan cultures |
Whereas luxurious suites, culinary hot spots and all-inclusive family resorts grab most of the attention in the Riviera Maya, it’s the spas here that put the finishing touches on a relaxing getaway. Here are three favorites to pitch to clients.
Maroma Resort & Spa
The Kinan Spa, opened in 2005 as an addition to the Maroma Resort & Spa, brings the Mayan heritage of the region to its treatments and design.
The 7,000-square-foot spa provides a range of services in different environments, such as treatment rooms with private gardens, palapas for open-air massages and a rooftop yoga pavilion. Inspired by the ancient local culture, each treatment room (nine in all) is named after a Mayan god or goddess.
Some of the spa’s highlights include a massage tower with 360-degree views of both the jungle and the ocean, and a Flor de la Vida (Flower of Life) pool. In many cultures, the flower of life symbolizes balance of life and spirit within the universe.
The spa boasts a menu of signature treatments, which use local ingredients to promote wellness and balance. For example, the Kinan Ritual treatment uses herb-infused towels as a wrap for the body to draw out impurities. This is followed by an exfoliation using honey and salt. The treatment ends with an intense, four-handed massage.
Decorated by a family of Mayan stonemasons, the spa is built from native materials, including the wood from the zapote tree and mahogany. The gardens within the spa are designed to match the resort’s tropical location.
Guests can choose to dine at the spa, either poolside in the Cilantro café or in their treatment rooms. In addition to healthy, locally inspired food, the special tonic made of Mayan Chaya, pineapple and cucumber is recommended. Knock one of these back to start stimulating blood circulation and easing digestion. Agents can contact Spa Director Alejandro Leo (011-52-998-872-8200, ext. 423, [email protected]) for more information.
The Tides Riviera Maya
Housed in its own circular palapa, The Maya Spa at The Tides Riviera Maya uses the region’s two best resources, the ocean and jungle, as its theme.
The full-service spa includes an herbal steam room, cool whirlpool, outdoor rain room, a selection of treatment rooms and suites and a special temazcal sweat lodge on the beach. (Temazcal is a native Mexican steam house used for purification rituals performed by a shaman.) This treatment should be recommended to clients who want to indulge in an ancient and unique tradition.
The spa also provides traditional treatments such as massages, facials, body treatments and body wraps. All of these are available either on the beach or in a private spa villa.
There are six treatment rooms in all but we recommend the Jungle Spa Suite, found inside the tropical forest. The suite’s seclusion (and private, outdoor shower) makes it ideal for couples. Unique to this suite is the Hammock Massage, which uses reflexology on the back, feet, hands and neck. Combine that with the gentle rocking and the sounds of the nearby waterfall and it is truly a relaxing experience.
New to the spa is the Fertility Ritual House. Here, want-to-be-moms can experience a full-body massage with a special scrub mix, including the chia seed, which supposedly helps fetal development. The treatment also includes a special “love cocktail” made from the xtabentún flower, whose nectar is said to be irresistible and intoxicating. Following a soak in a tub, cut from a whole tree trunk, a shaman performs ritual blessings while guests are massaged.
The spa is open until 9 p.m. but after-hours treatments can be made on request. Agents should contact Spa Director Vanessa Infante at 011-52-984-877-3002 for details.
Ceiba del Mar
The Spa at Ceiba del Mar, like many Riviera Maya properties, puts its location by the sea and jungle to good use. Spread over 8,600 square feet, the spa uses its own organic products in each of its holistic treatments.
There are six suites, including a Spa Couples Suite with private lounge and Jacuzzi terrace. Ask for a bottle of champagne with couples’ treatments and kick the romance up a notch.
The aromatherapy facilities, including a sauna, steam room, Swiss shower, cold plunge pool and warm whirlpool are decorated with local crafts.
A must-try signature treatment is the Top’Nikte (Mayan for cocoon) massage. After a 50-minute massage, guests are wrapped up cocoon-style with herb-infused fabrics. This is followed by a scalp treatment and facial.
The spa also features a wooden walkway that winds through mangrove trees and leads to the Meditation Palapa, elevated on a platform. Contact Director of Sales and Marketing Manuel Lamadrid at 011-52-998-872-8060, ext. 6800, with queries.
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The Maya Spa at The Tides Riviera Maya has six treatment rooms, set amid a tropical landscape |