A couple of weeks back, I shared how it looked like the Andaz Mayakoba would be closing, and would become the Alila Mayakoba. Well, there’s now an update, as the plans have been officially announced.
In this post:
Andaz Mayakoba closing as of March 3, 2025
The 214-key Andaz Mayakoba opened back in 2016, and has been a popular property with World of Hyatt members. However, for most of 2025, the property will be closing — starting March 3, 2024, and until late in the year, the resort won’t be welcoming any guests.
Hyatt is reportedly offering to rebook guests at other Hyatt properties in the area, including Hyatt Inclusive Collection resorts. It doesn’t appear that the hotel is willing to accommodate guests at other properties in the Mayakoba complex without paying extra, as those include the Banyan Tree, Fairmont, and Rosewood.
On the one hand, those properties are way more expensive. On the other hand, they’re all owned by the same group, so you’d at least think that they could accommodate people there in the off season.
I imagine this will be a big disappointment for many. After all, we’re just weeks from the closure, and presumably many people have finalized spring break plans (and more) based on this resort. Being accommodated at a hotel that offers a very different experience might not appeal to some. Then again, perhaps some people can get a stay at an all-inclusive out of this, which could be an even better value.
Alila Mayakoba will open in late 2025
Once the Andaz Mayakoba undergoes a refresh, it’ll reopen as the Alila Mayakoba. 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.
With the investment in the property, it’s not surprising that the owners want to move the property upmarket, in order to command higher rates. The Andaz is (by far) the most reasonably priced property in the complex, with the other resorts being the Banyan Tree, Fairmont, and Rosewood.
Exact details of what this renovation entails remains to be seen. However, we’re told that as part of the transition, the property will reduce the number of guest rooms, and increase the suite count to be 40% of total inventory. For what it’s worth, currently there are 214 keys, with 41 of those being suites. So if suites will make up to 40% of total inventory, that represents a major change.
Alila Mayakoba is expected to feature indoor and outdoor wellness spaces, a renovated spa with outdoor communal hydrotherapy amenities, extensive gardens, and a new Temazcal (a traditional Mexican steam bath supporting therapeutic and spiritual wellbeing).
I do have to say, Alila is evolving into 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 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, especially with the increase in suite count.
Bottom line
The Andaz Mayakoba will be closing between March 3 and December 1, 2025. The property will be updated, and will then reopen as the Alila Mayakoba. It remains to be seen how extensive the changes will be, though it sounds like one of the most significant changes will be an increase in the suite count.
What do you make of the Andaz Mayakoba closing, and becoming an Alila?
We love the Rosewood Mayakoba. It became our getaway during Covid and we've kept returning. We've also enjoyed great meals at the Banyan Tree. The Andaz always seemed out of place at Mayakoba, and a bit cheesy compared to the Rosewood and Banyan. I've never heard of Alila. It would have to been incredible to tear us away from the Rosewood.
Thank god, this property has always seemed kind of crappy to me. Bad location in the middle of a swamp, reports of bad service, and room design going for minimalist that ended up looking bare and ugly. Alila seems like a much better fit.
I've stayed twice (and at the Banyan Tree next door) and it's actually quite nice with good service and good food in my experience. You do need to pay to stay oceanfront to have a nice experience, but it's not a massive cost jump.
Banyan Tree and Rosewood are of course nicer rooms and service, but for Mexican food I actually slightly prefer the Andaz over the Rosewood dining which is has other cuisines.
...I've stayed twice (and at the Banyan Tree next door) and it's actually quite nice with good service and good food in my experience. You do need to pay to stay oceanfront to have a nice experience, but it's not a massive cost jump.
Banyan Tree and Rosewood are of course nicer rooms and service, but for Mexican food I actually slightly prefer the Andaz over the Rosewood dining which is has other cuisines.
Fairmont Mayakoba is the resort that desperately needs to be shut down and heavily renovated.
From what I understand it’s around a 50 Million dollar Reno. Resort had good bones.
I agree Alila really needs to improve brand consistency. The Alila Kuala Lumpur is one of the worst hotels I’ve stayed in in a long time. Granted rates were sub $100, but horribly slow elevators, rooms falling apart and poorly furnished, very little service, made it feel worse than most HP. At best it is a low quality Hyatt regency.
I read the press release as well, but what I'm most interested to know is will this resort stay family-friendly? I sure hope so.
From what I understand, discussions are still ongoing and a decision on whether the resort will be family friendly or adults only, has not been made yet.