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Nestled within the new luxury resort community of Kanai and its natural mangroves, lagoons and beaches, EDITION’s newest gem, The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai, marries its signature brand of hospitality with the Yucatan Peninsula’s modern and ancient cultures. The premiere of The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai introduces a completely new concept of laidback luxury to the Caribbean coastline, combining unparalleled dining and entertainment, services and amenities with the unique traditions and tastes of the famed locale. Created by Ian Schrager as a result of a partnership between Ian Schrager and Marriott International, the EDITION brand has become synonymous with individualized, customized, and one-of-a-kind hospitality experiences, and The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai is yet another example of Schrager’s visionary magic. This is the best new luxury hotel in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Image Courtesy: The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai

Abundant with rainforest plants, palms, cacti, tropical fruit trees and flowers, and home to iguanas, raccoons, spider monkeys, deer, anteaters, indigenous white-nose coatis, Yucatan squirrels and hundreds of species of birds, Kanai is a nature-lover’s paradise. The turquoise waters of Riviera Maya are also home to flourishing marine life including sea turtles, which are protected both by the Mexican government and the property’s comprehensive conservation program, which to date has hosted 12 nests, each containing an average of 120 eggs. The timber-covered exterior walls of the property come into view, appearing to rise from the forest, then vanish again as guests continue down a gentle slope, sinking below the tree line to the root level, nearly touching the water. At the property’s entrance, water meets jungle and guests alight below a tunnel of greenery, gazing up at the terrestrial world through the leaves. This leads to a grand travertine staircase, ushering guests back up to land in an almost ceremonial fashion, where they’re immediately greeted by a view of the ocean and vast expanses of water in the massive reflecting pools flanking the lobby. Beyond the lobby, an oversized lagoon-like swimming pool continues the water concept, seemingly bringing the ocean into the hotel, complete with floating cabanas. Meanwhile, a meandering white sand path connects the main buildings to the SO’OL Beach Club, home to a second outdoor pool with an infinity edge.

With interiors by Ian Schrager Company in collaboration with architecture and design firm Rockwell Group, and architecture by Edmonds International, the three main buildings that make up the resort converge in the architectural equivalent of a cenote. A massive rippling bamboo structure, designed by Eduardo Neira, seems to rise from the water and funnel back down into it. This striking structure serves as the resort’s dedicated yoga space as well as a visual and spiritual centerpiece anchoring the terrestrial world and the realm below it, while also drawing the eye towards the sky and stars above. The undulating walls of the surrounding limestone buildings mimic the seismic ripple that occurred when the ancient asteroid hit the earth. Everywhere, the natural materials that make up the structures – local limestone and sustainable bamboo – seamlessly coexist with the lush mangroves, where the architecture takes guests on a journey of discovery and wonder at every turn. Playing with scale and dimensions, what could be an ordinary hallway becomes an extraordinary experience, as walls narrow and widen, curve and straighten to lead to various spaces. Paths rise and fall above and below the greenery, and EDITION’s signature timbers cast visual shadows across courtyards as the sun moves through the sky from day to night.

The property boasts 182 guestrooms, including 30 suites, with numerous rooms featuring plunge pools and terraces that provide stunning ocean or mangrove views. Additionally, it offers a one-of-a-kind Sky Rooftop Villa - the largest hotel penthouse in North America. The classic neutral EDITION palette within the property’s rooms and suites, uses materials that pull in the embroidery and patterning techniques from the region to ensure that the local culture is honored throughout.

In every guest room, light and airy materials and colors create a calm oasis. Slatted wood paneling, reminiscent of the screens in the lobby but on a finer and more delicate scale, enclose the large bathrooms, entered through 5-foot-wide sliding doors, ensuring the bath and living spaces flow into one another. Custom four-poster beds, bespoke lighting, nightstands and a curved sofa create an intimate sleeping area and allow the furniture to segment the large-scale space and create softness.

The Sky Rooftop Villa presents a 2,500 sqm/27,000 sqft super suite featuring unmatched ocean views through floor-to-ceiling glass on three sides, with a mid-Olympic-size outdoor infinity pool, and an expansive landscaped entertainment deck. 1,486 sqm/16,000 sqft of interior space presents a living area, catering kitchen, guest kitchen, and five apartment-like suites each with their own plunge pool, jacuzzi and private terrace. In the Sky Rooftop Villa, the lounge area of each suite contains plush, contemporary furniture, natural stone floors, sheer drapery and a natural fiber handwoven area rug.

The flexible living and entertainment area is flanked by integrated grand reflecting pools with an infinity edge, giving the appearance of a penthouse floating on water. An expansive covered outdoor terrace, accessed through full height sliding glass doors, transforms the floor into a space for large private events. An adjacent uncovered terrace of the same size leads to an outdoor raised private swimming pool with an infinity edge creating a waterfall on one end, while a sunken garden lounge on the prow of the pool deck boasts views out to the ocean.

Helming EDITION’s signature restaurant, KI’IS (a Mayan word that translates to “zest”), Chef Ruano creates a modern Mexico dining experience with a tasting menu inspired by regional flavors, local ingredients, and a clear focus on the sea and the Mexican vegetable pantry, especially that of the Yucatan Peninsula. His talent earned Alcalde a spot on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and the honor of being named to The Best Chef Top 100 list. Honoring flavors from Guadalajara and taking inspiration from Mexico's Pacific coast, KI’IS mirrors Alcalde's culinary offer with ingredients found in the Riviera Maya. The restaurant itself is located on the south side of the property, accessible by golf cart or walking paths, surrounded by mangroves. Beyond the timber and limestone structure, the interior of KI’IS projects a clean and light aesthetic enhanced with white artisanal ceramics and serve ware and punctuated with greenery and local flora, both edible and decorative.

Between Kitchen and the Lobby Bar is a captivating black-and white photo display featuring 80 images extracted from authentic film strips by Gabriel Figueroa, a renowned Mexican cinematographer from the golden age of Mexican cinema. In the Lobby, guests will recognize brand signatures such as soaring, three-story windows with floor-to-ceiling crimson drapes intermingled with pops of citron and pink and a warmly lit wood and plaster double height backbar which showcases a grid of unique Mayan sculptures and vessels behind the statement bar. The design creates an intimate and energetic environment with burnt orange, citrus and chocolate fabric armchairs and sofas to enjoy a range of agave distillates, regional wines and inventive cocktails infused with local ingredients, and to socialize before and after dinner.

Integral to The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai experience, sustainability and ecology are at the forefront of every aspect, from the careful preservation of the surrounding red mangroves to the protection of and respectful coexistence with local flora and fauna. The developed land comprises less than 10% of the 620-acre reserve, and the resort operations strive for the highest possible environmental and sustainable practices certified by and in compliance with the Mexican government. This is the best new luxury hotel in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

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