Travel advice from a design addict

Hotel Interior Design, World

Hotel Design Mexico

Welcome to my first ever blog! Today, I decided to overcome my fear, stop procrastinating and just do it! It is rather daunting, after all I can’t help but wonder… “Will people read it?, Will they like it?” Then I thought to myself, there’s only one way of finding out, so here I go.

What to blog about? That’s what many ‘blog novices’, including myself, ask themselves. I figured that writing about something I am passionate and knowledgeable about, should be the best way forward. Interior Design is one, if not my greatest passion and of course there are endless aspects to interior design, which I will be exploring in my blog.

bird's eye view of luxury beach hotel

There’s quite nothing like a luxury boutique hotel on a tropical beach…

However, I also have another passion: Travel and Hotels – with a particular weakness for tropical places and luxurious spaces. In my ‘first life’, as I like to refer to it, I not only travelled the world extensively, but also worked in the hospitality industry across the globe (in 7 countries on 3 continents to be exact). This is actually also where the name ‘Global Inspirations Design derives from. When designing spaces I draw inspiration from the many gorgeous places and spaces I got to visit.

tropical lounge area on the sand

The Aqui Me Quedo – literally ‘I’m staying here’ – beach lounge oozes that ultimate beach holiday feeling.

In my first of hopefully many articles, I decided to write about hotel interior design. Having worked as a hotelier for nearly 2 decades for some of the most renowned hotel companies in the world such as Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt and Relais & Châteaux to name a few, I had the opportunity to experience some of the most exquisite and sought after properties around the globe. I have stayed at many a hotel, too many to possibly even remember, but there are those that have stuck in my mind over the years. Why? The answer is simple: Outstanding and unique design, impeccable service and stunning locations – which in my opinion are the three key elements of ‘the perfect guest experience’.

buildings on lagoon by night

The stunning architecture reflecting in the natural mangrove lagoons creates an uber romantic ambiance.

The first property I would like to introduce is Rosewood Mayakoba in Mexico, for it is one of my all-time favourite hotels and one of the most wonderful places on the planet. Mexico has so much to offer! Culture, beaches, cities, adventure, sports, entertainment, nightlife, striking architecture, stunning hotels, amazing food and beautiful and friendly people. In this post, I will focus on the hotel side of things, however, before I get carried away and jump on the next plane… 😉

Rosewood Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen Mexico is a dream come true! The architecture of the resort is truly stunning and very unique, the grounds are breathtaking, the staff warm and friendly and the food a simple delight!

boat at dock of lagoon

Being taken to your room by boat, takes the entire hotel experience to another level.

From the moment we entered the premises, we were swept off our feet with the sweet scent of Ylang-Ylang and the breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. We were greeted with a heartfelt smile, whilst being offered a seat in the hotel lounge, an iced towel and a refreshing natural fruit drink. After a smooth check-in, we were escorted to the dock on the mangrove lagoons, just steps away from the hotel lounge. From there we got on a lancha (a small fishing boat) and then were taken to our very own ‘over-the-water’ bungalow. It was love at first sight!

contemporary living space in hotel suite

The soothing colour palette and natural materials create a contemporary, yet authentic ambiance.

As if this hadn’t been enough to impress us, we were simply blown away by the beauty of our accommodation. The spacious and airy Lagoon Suite is decorated in soothing and earthy tones. The natural materials including stone, wood and rattan ooze relaxation and the oversized ceramic pots make a statement.

tropical four poster bed

Clean lines, soothing colours and lush greenery are the perfect ingredients for a good night’s sleep.

The Suite is fitted out with a living space, bedroom, a beautiful limestone bathroom featuring a mosaic tiled sunken Jacuzzi and an  indoor shower, as well as outdoor shower surrounded by a lush tropical garden. As if that weren’t enough, we had a terrace with a private plunge pool overlooking the lagoons as well as a roof terrace with views across the lagoons and the resort.

limestone bathroom

The bathroom designed with limestone and wood, featuring an indoor and outdoor shower was one of my favourite parts of the room.

Talk about getting spoiled! After we were taken around in a golf cart to explore the resort facilities, we returned to our bungalow to witness that all of our clothes had magically found their way from our suitcases to the walk-in closet and neatly put away according to colour. Do they have fairies in the mangroves, I wondered?

modern rattan chairs on lagoon deck

The subtle tropical design with lagoon views makes this a great spot for drinks before dinner.

For our first dinner, we decided to try one of the 3 on-property restaurants, but could not resist the temptation of a before-dinner ‘Margarita’ at the ‘Agave Azul Sushi & Tequila Bar’, before heading to the ocean front restaurant. The service was delightful with the same warm smile we had been getting from every single member of staff from the moment we had arrived. The ambiance was elegant, yet relaxed, the perfect place for our first dinner after a long journey.

wall covered with colourful Mexican baskets

The colourful baskets on the wall create an authentic Mexican experience and a sense of place.

After a wonderful first day, we were looking forward to withdraw into our very own haven of luxury to relax, sip a glass of wine on our deck and take a midnight dip into our plunge pool, before we headed off to bed and drifted off to dreamland…

Suites on Lagoon

Rosewood Mayakoba, a 128 all-suite resort, is one of the most luxurious resorts in the region. The overall design is leaning towards minimalism, but thanks to the natural materials and earthy tones, it feels warm and welcoming. The entire property though very luxurious is very much down to earth and offers a very relaxed atmosphere. The buildings are arranged sort of like a village, integrated into nature. The main materials used are natural materials authentic to the region, such as limestone, local woods and driftwood, dotted with local artwork.

grand spa entrance

Soothing colours and materials combined with minimalist design create an ambiance that invites you to relax.

For the ultimate relaxation experience head to the Spa, which is enclosed in the jungle, providing a distinctive approach to healing by offering curated treatments that call on traditional Mayan techniques to revitalise the mind, body and spirit. This oasis, situated on a private island designed around a cenote, one of the sacred water wells of the ancient Mayans, offers a surplus of amenities devoted to health and wellness, including a heated pool, saunas, steam rooms, Jacuzzi, cold plunge pool, secluded relaxation areas, a state of the art gym as well as yoga and meditation classes.

yoga deck on sacred cenote

The sacred Cenote and jungle create the ultimate backdrop for Yoga and moments of bliss.

The Rosewood Mayakoba certainly ticks all my boxes of the ultimate holiday getaway. All in all, it’s like a fairytale, but much better, because it’s real! 

Happy travels to all!

Simone x

P.S. I hope you enjoyed reading my first blog – yay… I did it! Some of the images were updated in March 2021 showcasing the latest design and some additions since my visit in 2008.

Useful links:

www.rosewoodhotels.com/mayakoba-riviera-maya

Photography:
Courtesy of Rosewood Mayakoba

 

About the Author

Interior Designer and Blogger

Welcome to Global Inspirations Design’s Blog!

I’m Simone Aïda Baur and I invite you to embark on a design journey with me. My blog is your passport to global inspirations and where I share my passion and discoveries from the world of interior design.

Social Media

Subscribe to our 'Design Journal' and receive curated interior design and lifestyle tips.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

We will process your data as detailed in the Privacy Policy.

Awards

Design for Diversity

Design For Diversity Pledge