The first resort to open in Mayakobá, the Fairmont takes full advantage of the natural setting. You don’t even miss seeing the sea once you’ve spent an early morning watching cormorants and herons in the canals while sipping coffee on your overwater balcony. It’s as if you’d lucked upon a luxurious home in the Amazon. Granted, there are a few high-end suites by the sand, but the juxtaposition of sleeping in the jungle and playing at the beach is quite alluring. Rooms are spacious, with large, uncluttered desks, big bathtubs with windows or shutters facing the outdoors, Great thick mattresses, and large closets. The hotel is popular with families and groups and the sprawling pool area can actually feel crowded at times despite its size, as can the main restaurant. The Willow Stream Spa’s rooftop pool is a great escape and perfect for disciplined laps.