We’ll have to mark this as “developing” for now, but it would appear that something is up with Hyatt’s popular Andaz Mayakoba property, near Cancun, Mexico…
In this post:
Andaz Mayakoba rates shoot up as of March 2025
The 214-key Andaz Mayakoba opened back in 2016, and has been a popular property with World of Hyatt members. Historically, the resort has been fairly reasonably priced (I mean, at least compared to so many other resorts nowadays), but something seems to be changing as of March 2025.
Specifically, as of March 2025, rates at the Andaz Mayakoba shoot up to $1,000+ per night. Now, admittedly that’s around spring break time, but that higher pricing applies through the end of the booking window, including during hurricane season, when the resort would typically be the least expensive.
Also as of that date, the resort stops selling entry level rooms, but only starts selling rooms one category up. The upgraded lagoon view room doesn’t necessarily retail for a lot more when paying cash, but it’s a way to prevent World of Hyatt members from redeeming points for a standard room.
Suffice it to say that this is all very strange. Rates are basically just tripling overnight, with no sign of anything changing. My first thought was that the only logical assumption is that the hotel intends to close during that period, but the decision hasn’t been finalized yet:
- By greatly jacking up rates, it’s a way to prevent a lot of additional bookings, without formally closing the property (and therefore requiring everyone to be rebooked… yet)
- By increasing the rates, perhaps it’s more justifiable to move people to other properties in the Mayakoba complex, as the updated pricing is more in line with what those properties charge
Andaz Mayakoba to be renovated, become an Alila?
In the FlyerTalk thread dedicated to the Andaz Mayakoba, in-the-know poster bcosinteno suggests that the Andaz Mayakoba will be closing around the end of February or beginning of March, for a period of six to nine months, in order to be renovated. The resort could then open as a different brand, likely as an Alila.
So while we’ll have to wait for an official announcement, the logic here tracks. The way the resort is priced for the remainder of the year looks like what you’d expect from a property that’s closing, where people may need to be accommodated elsewhere.
It also would make sense that the owners would want to move the property upmarket a bit, in order to command higher rates. The Andaz is the most reasonably priced property in the complex, with the other resorts being the Banyan Tree, Fairmont, and Rosewood.
Alila is Hyatt’s higher-end resort brand, so it seems like a good fit. It also makes sense that this wouldn’t become a Park Hyatt, since there’s a Park Hyatt planned for Cancun.
I do have to say, Alila is evolving as one of the more unusual hotel brands out there in terms of consistency. The brand has everything from the $2,000+ per night Alila Ventana Big Sur, to the $60 per night Alila Solo.
If the goal is really to transform the Andaz into a great Alila, I’d expect it will take more than six to nine months to complete the project. Then again, maybe the owners are just doing a mild renovation and rebranding, and hope that will justify doubling the price.
Bottom line
It looks like the Andaz Mayakoba may be closing in the coming weeks. As of March 2025, rates at the property have been increased massively, and base rooms are no longer for sale, so it looks like the hotel basically doesn’t want to sell rooms over that period.
This all suggests that the property plans to close, but that the decision hasn’t been 100% finalized. Rumor has it that the Andaz will close to undergo a six to nine month renovation, and it may then reopen as another brand, possibly an Alila.
What do you make of the Andaz Mayakoba situation, and the prospect of it being rebranded?
That area has been notorious for openings, closing and rebranding. I remember the Mandarin there was quite nice - but lasted, I dunno, two years? Not even sure what it is now. I met the owner from Mexico City who stayed in the villa next door. He explained that most of the properties in Mayakoba are owned, or partially owned, by Mexican investment groups. Given that, I imagine there is a lot of shuffling going on over the years with these properties.
Cue a segment of the points community inevitably whining about Hyatt (a publicly traded company) and the property's owners taking efforts to make money.
I was just at Andaz Mayakoba a few months ago. While it's not on the level of Rosewood Mayakoba next door, the property is far nicer than the price point would suggest. I wouldn't blame Hyatt for repositioning the resort because it could easily fetch a higher price point with just...
Cue a segment of the points community inevitably whining about Hyatt (a publicly traded company) and the property's owners taking efforts to make money.
I was just at Andaz Mayakoba a few months ago. While it's not on the level of Rosewood Mayakoba next door, the property is far nicer than the price point would suggest. I wouldn't blame Hyatt for repositioning the resort because it could easily fetch a higher price point with just some small tweaks. It already has a great beach, excellent f&b, attentive staff, and generous square footage in entry level rooms. With a soft renovation, this storyline all makes sense. I would expect this to be a Cat 7 (and eventually maybe a Cat 8) property before we know it. It's hard to believe it was Cat 4 not so long ago.