Banyan Tree Mayakoba

In February 2009, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts debuted its first North American property and the only all–pool villa resort on Mexico's Riviera Maya. Based in Singapore, the company operates nearly two dozen resorts in the Asia-Pacific region, all renowned for their service, jewel-like design, holistic spas, and devotion to the environment.

The Banyan Tree Mayakoba combines its company's sensual sophistication and Asian sensibility with a laid-back appeal in keeping with the Mayan character of the Mayakoba development. The resort shares Mayakoba's water-laced, eco-sensitive environs with four leading hotel brands and El Camaleón, home of Mexico's first PGA tour event.

Built beside the water, each of 117 freestanding villas provides a terrace, sun deck, and swimming pool for lazing under the Caribbean sun and stars. While all have up to three bedrooms and the latest amenities, some have outdoor jet pools or sunken baths, massage beds, and steam rooms.

Banyan Tree's legendary spa concept contributed 16 private treatment pavilions and an array of Asian-inspired hydrotherapies. Restaurants range from exquisite Thai cuisine at Saffron and eclectic cuisine at Tamarind to international favorites at Oriente and light refreshments at the main pool and Beach Club. For incentive and executive retreats, a ballroom and meeting rooms host sessions for 10 to 180 delegates. For memory-making celebrations, the themes range from Evoke the Asian Soul to Mystic Expressions of the Mayan World.