The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai Gets its Big Break

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.

Situated within a 620-acre nature reserve with two miles of pristine white-sand beachfront, the property rises up from a forest of mangroves and tropical flora. Set within Kanai, a new luxury resort community in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the latest EDITION was designed with a minimal construction and environmental footprint to protect and preserve the area renowned for its mangroves, lagoons, ancient Mayan cities, tropical beaches and the Mesoamerican Reef, the world’s second-largest coral reef.

Designed to be in harmony with its surroundings and local culture, whilst also making an architectural statement, the resort takes inspiration from the ancient Mayans’ concept of the universe. Encompassing the heavens, the earth, and the magical realm below, this tri-level world is embodied in the unique native elements of the land as well as the architectural structures.

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. 

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.