Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo
Mexico
In a time when luxury hotels increasingly populate the Riviera Maya coast, one property stands apart for its uniqueness, sheer beauty, and profound connection to nature. Floating above the mangroves, the St. Regis Kanai is a place where architecture and the natural world exist in quiet conversation—where every material and detail has been chosen with exquisite care and intention. This is not simply a collection of buildings that redefines what a hotel can be but a place that has the ability to lift your spirits.
Often, when travelers encounter monumental works of ancient architecture — from the Acropolis and the pyramids of Egypt to Machu Picchu high in the Andes, or from the rock-cut facades of Petra to the cliff dwellings of Canyon de Chelly in the American Southwest — they are overcome with awe. It is nearly impossible to gaze upon these timeless masterpieces of human ingenuity without marveling at what came before us.
In the modern age, architects continue to create remarkable buildings—from the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Hotel Marqués de Riscal in Spain to Bordeaux’s Cité du Vin, Mario Botta’s Church of San Giovanni Battista in Ticino, Switzerland, and Renzo Piano’s Shard in the heart of London—or virtually anything designed by Santiago Calatrava. These and countless other masterpieces reflect the myriad ways we live, work, gather, worship, learn, and celebrate life, reminding us that architecture can truly transcend time.
Behind the remarkable creations that shape both space and time, whether ancient or modern, are the visionaries who once sat with sheets of papyrus, pen and paper, or lightning-fast computers to envision the countless and magnificent expressions of an art form like no other. Undoubtedly, their inspirations spring from countless sources- from the physical manifestations of wealth and power, to the mysteries of geometry and the cosmos, to a profound desire to create structures that elevate the living and enshrine the memory of the departed. To understand their contributions to architecture is to gain a deeper appreciation of our collective history, one that is quite literally built upon their work.
A peaceful retreat among the mangroves
One such modern architectural wonder is the nearly three-year-old St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya, which overlooks two miles of white-sand beach and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.
St. Regis Kanai embodies ultra-contemporary architecture, bringing materials, light, scale, and proportion together in a way that feels almost mystical. While Kanai certainly fulfills every expectation of a luxury hotel, it leans in a more thoughtful direction that embraces a sense of place and connection to a much larger universe.
Designed by the renowned architectural firm of Edmonds International under the leadership of Michael Edmonds, the St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya is a remarkable expression of respect for nature, the cosmos and for those who came before us. With its whitewashed spaces, both inside and out, the circular buildings that make up the resort are a profound reflection on the cosmology of humankind and the Mayan people.
The resort is situated within a 620 acre mangrove nature reserve which required years of meticulous collaboration involving extensive environmental assessments and careful planning to minimize impact on the environment. The buildings and connecting walkways that make up the resort are literally built on “stilts” so as to avoid disturbing of the mangrove forest. This gives the appearance that every element of the resort is floating above the vast greenery of the forest.
Much has been written about The St. Regis Kanai, yet reading about the resort and pouring over numerous glossy photographs cannot come close to seeing this amazing collection of buildings in person.
So it was in late September that Fernanda and I decided to celebrate our 30th anniversary with a two-night stay at the resort. We had visited Kanai for lunch shortly after it opened and vowed to return for our anniversary. Although it was a short stay we completely immersed ourselves in every hallway, overlook and corner of the resort. Being that it was the low season for travel in Mexico there were moments that we felt as though we were the only guests.
Entering from Highway MX-307 into the long, sinuous, driveway to the resort we immediately began to feel the same sense of wonder as we had upon our first visit and knowing that we had two days to stay only heighten our anticipation for what was to come.
As we pulled into the circular drive beneath the mid-morning sun, the first thing that struck us was the building’s brilliant whiteness. Its two-story mesh panels form an accordion-like rhythm, giving the exterior a sense of movement, while the luminous surface contrasts vividly with the surrounding greenery, both outside and within the lobby. Here, white is not simply a color but a thoughtfully conceived expression of purpose, clarity, and purity. For a structure of this scale, the overall design shows remarkable restraint, allowing the natural setting to provide the primary embellishment. The architecture never seeks to dominate the landscape. Instead, it exists in quiet harmony with it.
Another impossible-to-miss feature as you enter the courtyard is the “Spiral Vortex”, a massive (standing nearly 25 feet) mirror-polished stainless steel sculpture by internationally renowned sculptor Ken Kelleher. Standing like a metallic tornado frozen in mid-twist this gleaming sculpture is an imposing, yet graceful, form backdropped by the azure sky and lush tropical surroundings. It is an incredibly strong yet sensually evocative work of art.
Once inside the lobby, we couldn’t help but notice how mature the greenery had become since our first visit two and a half years ago. What had once been a vast collection of small plants and trees had grown into a lush, tropical display serving as a testament to both the climate and the careful attention they had received. It felt like standing in a tropical greenhouse, with birds flitting about and leaves drifting to the floor as fall began to claim them.
Check-in was seamless, and after a brief tour of the lobby, library, restaurants, and spa area, our butler showed us to our spacious quarters which featured a luxurious blend of contemporary design, warm wood accents, marble surfaces, and plush area rugs. Reflecting the designer’s deep respect for the natural surroundings, art was curated sparingly, allowing the sweeping views to take center stage rather than competing with an excess of interior ornamentation. An outdoor pool, together with generous seating and dining areas, made the suite feel even more expansive, especially when the floor-to-ceiling glass doors were opened to the outdoors.
Most of the 124 guestrooms and 19 suites offer views of the ocean while overlooking the mangrove forest. Although some of the rooms have ocean vistas that are farther out than others, the sensation of being surrounded by a sea of mangroves, with palm trees swaying in the distance, is mesmerizing. Our first-floor corner suite had just such a view, and the combination of deep green mangroves, blue sky, and the sparkling ocean in the distance created a stunning natural palette.
Responsibility for the hotels interior design fell to the multi-talented Tatiana Sheveleva from Toronto, Canada based CHAPI Design Inc. Tatiana’s extraordinary work can be seen in hotels, villas and luxury yachts around the world from Nashville, Mexico City and Toronto to Playa del Carmen, Turks and Caicos and beyond. Her signature style of modern luxury, clean, contemporary lines and generous scale combined with a locally rooted sensibility give her work an unmistakable style.
Public spaces at Kanai feel both cinematic and intimate which is a remarkable achievement for buildings of such size and scale. Contributing to the seamless indoor–outdoor experience are monumental sculptures, organic furnishings, and a network of water features complemented by lush plantings and thoughtfully curated art. The end result is a refined, serene, and deeply welcoming environment.
One of Kanai’s more distinctive features is its series of curving hallways leading to the guest rooms. There are no dimly lit, claustrophobic corridors carpeted in mundane, forgettable patterns here. Gone are the dimly lit, claustrophobic corridors carpeted in mundane, forgettable patterns. In their place are exterior hallways bathed in colors that evolve throughout the day, from soft pink to buttery yellow to warm honey, as light filters through the mesh screens. This thoughtful approach reinforces the sensation of openness, allowing the experience of the outdoors to permeate every space within the hotel.
Culinary & Libations
Kanai is home to a collection of restaurants that celebrate the region’s indigenous flavors and timeless traditions. From Chaya to the toes-in-the-sand Beach Club, Riviera and Toro, each venue expresses its own personality both architecturally and culinarily. The various chefs draw inspiration from ingredients native to the Yucatán such as chaya leaf, recado negro, and the day’s freshest seafood, then reinterpret them through a global lens, Italian at Chaya, Mediterranean at the Beach Club, Caribbean at Riviera and Toro, which leans heavily on Latin American fare. Service at all the venues is top notch and we never felt rushed during our meals.
The St. Regis Bar deserves special mention for several reasons, not least of which is its stunning location on the resort’s top floor, offering elevated views of the mangroves and the Caribbean horizon. While not a full restaurant, the bar serves light bites and snacks for guests who want something lighter than a full meal. Service at the bar and lounge is refined yet relaxed, and the indoor-outdoor layout is perfect for a pre-dinner aperitif or an after-dinner cocktail. One of the bar’s most striking features is a large mural, inspired by Maya astronomer-priests and constellations, that depicts the four seasons. At sunset, the mural, crafted by Tulum-based artist Kayta, glows with a radiant luminescence.
Time to relax
If you’re the type of traveler who prefers to relax and unwind during your stay, Kanai is an excellent choice. The resort offers several swimming options, including a family-oriented pool, an adults-only pool, and secluded spa pools for a more personalized, tranquil escape. As with most high-end resorts, pool cabanas are available by reservation. Many rooms and suites also feature private plunge pools for an extra touch of exclusivity and privacy.
Spa services at Kanai rank among the finest we’ve experienced, offering a wide range of treatments, massages, and Mayan-inspired therapies. Guests who cannot miss their daily workout routine will appreciate the resort’s 24-hour fitness center, equipped with state-of-the-art machines in addition to offering classes such as yoga and sound healing. Beach lovers, meanwhile, can enjoy two miles of pristine white sand, perfect for a sunrise or sunset stroll.
Staff & Services
At the St. Regis Kanai, the entire staff provides a professional, thoughtful, and deeply rewarding experience, qualities that are hallmarks of the St. Regis brand. From the moment we arrived until the day we checked out, every member of the team, from the valets and front desk associates to our personal butlers, offered service that was discreet, gracious, and thoughtfully personalized. The same level of care was felt by the waiters, bartenders, pool attendants, and housekeeping staff, each of whom contributed to an atmosphere of genuine warmth and refinement.
Although our visit lasted only two days, we experienced hospitality that went far beyond the usual perfunctory service. Every member of the staff conveyed a genuine warmth and pride in their work. It is one thing to have a well-trained and polished team, but quite another to create the feeling that people genuinely enjoy sharing this world class hotel with their guests.
A destination like no other
The St. Regis Kanai is more than a hotel, it is a bridge between the earthly and the ethereal. It’s a place where you can lose yourself in a cool ocean breeze or in the quiet of a warm afternoon. For those fortunate enough to experience a visit to Kanai, it will offer a rare glimpse into the soul of an architect and the lingering mysteries of an ancient civilization.
