Imagine a place where modern design, white‑sand beaches, and elevated service come together to create the ultimate jungle escape. The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai embodies impeccable design and curates an experience well beyond your typical vacation.
Like it's neighbor, the St. Regis Kanai, exceptional thought went into the creation of this property. While the St. Regis is architecturally amazing, this hotel boasts one of the best interior and decorative designs we have seen. The night time experience is truly spectacular.
There are three main restaurants on premises and all have kids menus. Kitchen at EDITION is noteworthy and recreates the nearby cenotes for your dining ambiance.
EDITION hotels are known for providing an elevated level of service and this property does not disappoint. You will notice the higher staffing to guest ratio.
The onsite spa has all of the amenities you would expect including hot/cold plunge pools and outdoor treatment huts.
The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai participates in the Marriott Bonvoy program. This hotel is a great use of points and free night awards.
Guests of all ages are welcome at the EDITION. However, be aware that the hotel is geared more toward adults and the SO'OL Beach Club is adults only.
You will experience stylish relaxation at every turn of this hotel. The night time ambiance is particularly stand out with some of the best landscape lighting you will find at any resort. It creates a truly romantic atmosphere.
This resort is casual and smart casual dress is expected at non-beach dining venues.
Pricing at the resort is in Mexican Pesos.
The resort is mostly accessible to guests with disabilities. Elevators are present in each building building and ramps are available at the family pool. It is possible to walk to the SO'OL beach club and beach, but it is more difficult. Staff will take you by golf cart, but maneuvering around the beach area will be more difficult.
JetSetDNA brings you an in-depth tour of The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai. Check it out for yourself on YouTube!
Cancun International Airport is the main hub serving the entire Riviera Maya region. The Kanai resort complex is located 30 miles (48 km) south of the airport and is about a 40 minute drive.
The resort is a 10 minute drive from the main highway through a mangrove forest. Nothing is walkable from the hotel.
Vehicle transportation will be needed for every activity, so be sure to coordinate your transportation. The concierge can help coordinate safe transportation if you wish to go into Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, or Tulum.
Arranging transportation ahead of arrival is highly recommended. The hotel concierge is available via email and can arrange transfers for you before your trip.
The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai is one of the best designed hotels we have had the privilege of visiting. While the architecture is a treat on its own, the aesthetic design is what steals the show. The evening ambiance is especially spectacular with the best landscape lighting we have seen. Thousands of flower pots adorn the hotel, each with their own lighting. You really need to see it for yourself.
The only design complaint is the long walk to the beach and the inaccessibility concerns this may present for some guests.
Guests are greeted to the EDITION by a long, gravel, stately driveway. The entrance is subtle, seemingly appearing out of a jungle. One you arrive you will trek through a jungle-laden corridor to the main lobby.
The main lobby immediately sets the tone for what you are about to experience. Guests are greeted by a grand staircase lined with orchids. The top of the staircase showcases a floor to ceiling window wall complete with plantation shutters overlooking a reflecting pool.
A lounge and recreation area blends nicely into a cenote-inspired landscape making this one of the most unique lobbies we have ever seen.
A botique is located off the lobby to the right of the grand staircase. The boutique sells high-end apparel and accessories along with some EDITION branded items.
The spa and fitness center can be found down the hall from the grand staircase. The spa facilities offer a full salon, hydrotherapy with hot and cold plunge pools, and outdoor treatment suites. The spa facilities were overall very good and so were the treatments.
The fitness center at Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai is one of the best we have seen. It is a large size given the occupancy of the hotel and has tons of modern equipment. It even includes a separate cycling studio area.
A yoga pavilion can be found up the steps from the fitness center. This pavilion is a masterpiece and adds high design to the hotel. Yoga classes are run daily.
The main pool area at the hotel is nothing short of spectacular! A dark wood deck surrounds the pool providing ample day beds for the number of guests at the hotel. Colorful flower pots and lounge areas with colorful pillows set the tone for the entire space making it feel like a trendy haven. The pool itself is massive, but lacks a zero entry area and the shallow end is a little bit deeper than most pools. That is something to be aware of if you plan on bringing younger children.
It is an exhausting walk from the main pool area to SO’OL Beach Club, but it is worth it. This adults only area boats a fantastic infinity edge pool facing the ocean and is surrounded by plenty of loungers. Complete with a bar and restaurant, you will never have to leave!
Kanai beach is simply spectacular. There really is no other way to put it. Entering from SO’OL beach club, guests are greeted hammocks, loungers, and a fire pit seating area. Service on the beach is top notch allowing you to sit and relax and enjoy some of the clearest water you will ever see. The beach also gradually goes out making it better for younger swimmers.
Built within a mangrove forest, the grounds are amazing and filled with wildlife. You will see tons of lizards throughout the property. We even saw an ant-eater on the beach one day. The buildings look like mayan pyramids jutting out from the mangroves. The architects really did an amazing job integrating the property into the natural surroundings.
The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai is the best resort we have ever experienced at night from the standpoint of design. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of colorful clay pots with tropical flowers grace the property and are illuminated to create a truly magical aura at night.
With 182 guest rooms, the resort offers a quiet experience across its sprawling grounds. We chose the Premier Ocean View room for our stay. Equipped with 2 queen beds and a private pool with terrace overlooking the mangrove forest, this room has everything you need for an unforgettable stay.
The bedroom is spacious with 2 queen beds, sitting area and running TV table. The design boasts a contemporary look sporting earth tones throughout. The room may be our biggest gripe about this resort. The room is simply… too simple and a needs a little more character to give it that polished look.
The simple, contemporary design continues into the bathroom, which features a large soaking tub with rainfall shower. The single vanity sink is also a disappointment. We would like to see a double vanity at this level and price point. And, as always, you know how much we appreciate the enclosed water closet.
The minibar is equipped with a nice selected of beverages for a supplemental charge. Standard closets contain all the usual amenities including robes, slippers, a scale, and steamer.
A standard welcome amenity was provided, but seemed generic and didn’t have a personal touch to it. Regardless, Chaya is a well thought out amenity that gives guests a sample of the Mayan culture.
Our room included an amazing terrace with plunge pool overlooking the mangrove forest with ocean views. You can see from these shots just how close the EDITION is to the neighboring St. Regis. The terrace contained a lovely sofa seating area and rainfall shower to rinse off from the pool.
Kitchen at EDITION is the resorts primary restaurant and is open for breakfast and dinner. In keeping with the theme, the restaurant transports guests to a cenote-inspired rainforest. The stylish lighting creates a chic and intimate atmosphere at night.
Breakfast at this restaurant is a-la-carte only. There is no buffet and Marriott Bonvoy breakfast benefits are not honored at this resort. Despite that, the breakfast was excellent and had a nice variety of options.
The restaurant features a Mexican menu and serves up many local favorites from tacos and quesadilla to tlayuda. Kitchen at EDITION was our favorite restaurant at the resort.
Lunch is served at SO’OL beach club and the menu has all the staples you would expect from burgers and sandwiches to Mexican appetizers.
Chef Tomás Bermúdez brings his Argentine training to Riviera Maya at SO’OL beach club. Although specializing in seafood, the menu offers several options for meat lovers. The dishes were on the large side and are meant for sharing.
KI’IS is one of the signature dining experiences at the EDITION and offers a contemporary detached from the main resort.
Award winning chef Francisco Ruano brings a modern flair to authentic Mexican flavors with an artfully crafted menu. A fine selection of wines and thoughtfully mixed cocktails compliment the tasting menu.
Located off the lobby is the Lobby Bar. This stylish venue features chic decor and style with three story ceilings, floor to ceiling windows with dramatic drapery, and a feature wall behind the bar showcasing art from around Mexico. This bar exudes luxury and offers a tasteful environment to spend your evening downing cocktails.
The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai offers all of the typical beach resort amenities you would expect including a top-notch spa, numerous pools, a spectacular beach, and luxurious facilities. There are no water sports on-site and not many activities on a daily basis. This resort is a place to go and relax.
Riviera Maya is chock full of activities for adults and families. However, all of these activities are outside the resort. The EDITION is in a quiet development and is isolated from many activities. The concierge can arrange activities and transportation for whatever you wish to do.
The hotel concierge arranged transportation. It was easy through email communication before our trip and everything went smooth. Arranged transportation is highly recommended to ensure safe travels.
The resort offers twice daily housekeeping and the staff did a remarkable job keeping our room clean.
The overall staff at the Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai were excellent. I found all the team members to be friendly and I enjoyed many conversations with them. They were always attentive to my needs and no ask was too much.
The Riviera Maya EDITION is one of three properties within the Kanai development. It’s location 40 minutes south of Cancun offers peace, tranquility, and seclusion for a relaxing stay.
This resort is one of the best designed properties we have ever experienced. The buildings rise from the mangroves looking like Mayan pyramids and the decor is stunning with flowers and lighting everywhere. The resort is fresh, trendy, chic, and any other stylish word you can think of. Excellent facilities, signature restaurants, a beautiful beach, and top-notch, friendly staff far outweigh the nit-picky negatives of lacking room decor and missing water sports.
All in all, the Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai is a stunning, adult-centric playground where families can also enjoy a relaxing stay.
