Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that it will open a luxury beachfront resort with branded residences on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, on the Yucatan Peninsula.
The resort is expected to open in 2028 and has been meticulously designed to respect the diversity of the environment and reflect local culture, blending serene architecture and exceptional craftsmanship with Mandarin Oriental’s renowned legendary service. Notably, acclaimed Mexican artist Bosco Sodi has been chosen as the art curator for this project.
Located in the heart of the Riviera Maya with its year-round tropical climate, within a 30-minute drive from Cancun Airport and 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen’s downtown, Kanai is a 680-acre masterplan. The beachfront resort is nestled within a secure, gated community, surrounded by a pristine jungle, and protected mangrove reserve. Only 9% of the land is dedicated to buildings and roads, ensuring the utmost care is taken in preserving the natural habitat and its diverse wildlife.
Mandarin Oriental Kanai, Riviera Maya will feature 120 elegantly refined guestrooms and suites with private pools, offering views over the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Each carefully curated space will provide seamless indoor-outdoor living, enhanced by natural materials including marble, wood, leather and locally woven fabrics. Fifty thoughtfully appointed and spacious branded residences, with access to a private resident-only beach club, will also form part of the overall offering.
Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group said “Mandarin Oriental Kanai, Riviera Maya exemplifies our commitment to delighting our fans at every opportunity. Nestled in a breathtaking setting and embracing local culture through a curated range of exceptional experiences, art and design, this resort promises to bring the next level of luxury hospitality to the region. As shapers of culture and masters of our craft, we have designed every aspect of this resort with our guests at its heart, reflecting our dedication to legendary service and exceptional experiences. Extending our portfolio in the Americas brings the brand closer to our North American fans and will introduce Mandarin Oriental to many new audiences. We are particularly excited to have partnered with the visionary developer GIM Desarrollos and Abraham Metta Cohen on this ambitious project, and we are delighted they are fans of Mandarin Oriental.”
