NE OF THE WORLD’S MOST desirable vacation destinations, the Riviera Maya is also a top choice for association meetings. Why? For starters, groups
couldn’t ask for a better location or a more ap- pealing environment. Situated along Mexico’s eastern coast, in the state of Quintana Roo, be- tween the Caribbean Sea and protected jungles, the Riviera Maya stretches 81 miles, beginning south of Cancun International Airport in Puer- to Morelos and extending through Sian Ka’an, Mexico’s first established biosphere preserve and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is home to tranquil, sparsely populated beaches; a vast network of underground rivers; more than 100 cenotes, or sinkholes; and many eco-activities, such as kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, trek- king, bird-watching, and deep-sea fishing.
Lodging Accommodations are plentiful and varied, with options ranging from luxury hotels and all-inclu- sives to charming boutique properties. Many of these have meeting and convention space, and nu- merous significant archeological sites lie nearby, providing visitors with the chance to experience the fascinating Mayan culture. In fact, the Riviera Maya has six of the 14 Mexican hotels that have received AAA’s Five-Diamond Award in 2010: Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort, Fairmont Mayakoba, Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya, Oc- cidental Royal Hideaway Resort & Spa, Rosewood Mayakoba, and Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya. TravelAge West magazine’s annual WAVE Award winners in the Riviera Maya include the Azul Sensatori Riviera Maya and Hacienda Tres Rios, named among the “Best New Resorts in Mexico,” and the Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort, Royal Hideaway Playacar, and Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya, named among the “Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico.” New developments continue to add to the Riviera Maya’s appeal as a meetings destination.
A major hotel-development boom is under way, making it even easier for planners to find ac- commodations to suit groups’ needs. Two major players — Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts — have projects on the horizon. In 2011, Marriott will introduce the JW Marriott Milla de Oro Resort & Spa, with 450 luxurious guest rooms, and the exclusive Renaissance Milla de Oro Resort, with 150 rooms. Next year, Star- wood will open the St. Regis Kanai Resort, in the exclusive Riviera Maya at Kanai master-planned beachfront community on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, just eight miles from Playa del Carmen and 42 miles from Cancun International Airport. The St. Regis Kanai Resort will have 1,500 square feet of event space, 124 guest rooms and suites, 32 exclusive villas, four restaurants,