Lodged between the emerald mangroves and sapphire sea, the St. Regis Kanai in Riviera Maya feels like a dream sculpted from nature and luxury. This celestial-inspired resort floats above the jungle canopy, offering guests a rare blend of architectural wonder and barefoot elegance. From the moment you arrive, every detail whispers indulgence—inviting you to slow down, savor, and sink into serenity.
The St. Regis Kanai is one of the most architecturally impressive resorts we have experienced. You can tell that years of planning and thought went into this project.
There are several dining options available and each venue has kids menus.
As you would expect from St. Regis, the staff is amazing! Your butler is only a WhatsApp message away!
The sprawling spa complex has every amenity you could ask for in a stunning setting.
The St. Regis Kanai commands a hefty price tag, especially during peak season. Being part of the Marriott Bonvoy program helps make this resort more accessible for those lacking deep pockets.
The resort caters to adults looking for relaxation and romance to families. Everyone is welcome!
Relaxation and rejuvenation are the name of the game at the St. Regis Kanai. Enjoy multiple pools, an enormous spa, and stunning Kanai beach.
This resort is casual, but elegant at night. Upgrade to smart casual for dinner.
Pricing at the resort is in Mexican Pesos.
The resort is completely accessible to guests with disabilities. Elevators are present in each building building and smooth walkways stretch all the way to the beach.
JetSetDNA brings you an in-depth tour of The St. Regis Riviera Maya 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 in a remote location, nothing is walkable. In fact, it is a 10 minute drive through the mangrove forest to reach the main highway.
Vehicle transportation will be needed for every activity, so be sure to coordinate your transportation. Cancun is 40 minutes away, so this resort is not for you if you enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city.
Arranging transportation ahead of arrival is highly recommended. The hotel concierge is available via email and can arrange transfers for you.
The architecture of St. Regis Riviera Maya at Kanai is absolutely stunning. This may be the most impressive architectural wonder we have visited. The resort is built upon a natural mangrove reserve and floats on thousands of stilts making guests one with the surrounding nature.
Built in a series of three rings, the circular design mimics the Pleiades star cluster, a constellation considered by the Maya to be the birthplace of their ancestors.
After driving seemingly forever through a mangrove forest, guests are greeted with a massive St. Regis sign as they pull into the porte-cocher. An eye-popping sculpture sets the tone immediately after stepping out of the car.
The open air, atrium-style, lobby brings nature into the resort. You will immediately be greeted by the reception staff. The concierge is also found in this area. The open air atrium continues to wrap around to a central area with access to Chaya restaurant, guest rooms, and the central part of the resort.
The boutique is located off the lobby and features goods sourced throughout Mexico. The store also has necessities in case you forgot anything.
Libraries are found at many St. Regis properties, including Kanai. Grab something to read while you lounge by the pool. Be sure to stop in during the afternoon for tea!
The Iridium Spa at St. Regis Kanai is one of the focal points of the resort. The sprawling complex is one of the largest we have experienced and has every amenity you would look for in a spa. The facilities are luxurious and the treatments were top notch!
Located next to the spa, the athletic club is accessible 24 hours a day and is packed with top of the line equipment.
The resort features two pool areas. The first has several pools and caters to families. One of the pools in this area was closed for maintenance during our stay. However, the one area that was open was magnificent with a rear pool servicing cabanas and a front pool that has a huge infinity edge facing the beach. This pool area also features a large whirlpool.
For those looking for the adult-only experience, the Beach Club has you covered. This pool is right on the beach and often has some up-tempo music playing during the afternoon.
Kanai Beach may be one of the most breathtaking beaches in which we have set foot. The white, powdery sand is fine and pristine. Rows of carefully placed palm trees add the extra wow factor. However, it is the sea with a rich array of blue and green hues that will truly take your breath away. This really is one of the nicest beaches we have experienced.
Note that Sargassum seaweed is becoming a massive issue on the Yucatan Peninsula as sea temperatures continue to rise. The resort has staff clean the beach each morning to make it look this stunning. Let’s give those guys a hand!
For those with younger children, the resort offers a kids club so that parents can get some much needed quiet time!
Jack’s Club provides a nice refuge for those looking for a break from the Mexican heat. Inside is a lounge to watch some TV as well as some billiards to stay busy. There are additional pools and a bar if you wish to hang out here for a while.
The resorts design is absolutely spectacular. The white-washed curved buildings offer a contemporary without clashing with the surrounding nature. Sculptures can be found throughout the resort, adding to the inspiring design.
The resort turns it up a notch at night with ambient lighting creating a serene jungle atmosphere. However, the real star of the show is nature itself. Take a stroll on the boardwalks between the buildings and savor all the sounds of nature!
The resort may look big at first, but has much less rooms than you would likely expect, coming in at 124 rooms and suites. That is because these rooms are more spacious than you expect.
For this stay, we booked the Grand Luxe 2 Queen, Ocean View, Private Pool, Terrace room on points.
Your first impressions will be the size of the room and the massive headboard overlooking the bed(s). This headboard set the tone for the room with its stunning details tying into the stone floors. A lounge area with two swivel chairs complements a minibar and wine bar.
The bathroom has an interesting design with center-positioned sinks. The vanities face opposite directions making for a unique setup. However, it does work nicely. A large soaking tub, complete with bath salts, and spacious rainfall shower elevate the space. Ladies will appreciate the dedicated makeup booth, and, as always, a closed off water closet is always appreciated.
The room features a well-stocked minibar. Tea and coffee are complimentary, while everything else comes with a fee.
A walk-through closet is located between the bathroom and entry-way. This area had plenty of space to store numerous suitcases and unpack for your stay. Our only complaint is that lighting was a bit limited.
The terrace with plunge pool is, obviously, the highlight of the room. Offering spectacular views of the mangrove forest, the terrace is a great place to start your day and wind down your afternoon.
Service is top-notch at the St. Regis Kanai. We were traveling with our kids on this trip and were greeted with a cupcake decorating kit in our room. The kids loved it.. and it tastes great too!
Chaya is the primary restaurant and serves breakfast and dinner. The venue has both indoor and outdoor seating with a family friendly atmosphere. The open-flame oven serves as a nice center-piece inside while outdoor seating enjoys the tranquil ambiance of the waterfalls.
The restaurant has many options for breakfast, including a buffet, which we will discuss next. However, there is also an a-la-carte menu offering traditional American favorites as well as local delicacies.
The St. Regis Kanai buffet breakfast at Chaya serves a large selection of continental breakfast items. Breakfast is included with most room rates and for those with Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status or higher when booking a reward stay.
Chaya also serves dinner with a Mexican inspired menu. The restaurant also offers a kids menu. Keep in mind, all prices at the resort are in Mexican Pesos.
Toro is the resorts signature restaurant and is only open for dinner. Located in the mangrove forest, Toro offers an elegant atmosphere where patrons can sample the creations of chef Richard Sandoval.
Chef Richard Sandoval offers a Mexican and Latin American inspired menu. A kids menu is also available. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was incredible. This ended up being our favorite restaurant on our trip to Riviera Maya.
Towering over the resort is the St. Regis bar, located on the roof level. The bar opens in the evening and kicks off with the traditional champagne sabrage at 6:00 PM daily. Champagne Sabrage is a tradition of the St. Regis brand and is performed at all hotels daily.
The bar itself has a trendy atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating. The bar offers small bites to go along with its vast cocktail selection.
The venue itself is incredible. Perched on the side of the cliff with the ocean waves crashing below, the ambiance is unmatched and perfect for romance. The menu rotates each evening. Prices are set on the main menu item and the sides are included in that price.
Riviera is located within the family pool area and offers a seafood-forward menu. Guests can enjoy the restaurant itself or have service to their pool loungers.
The menu offers all the typical items you would expect for lunch as well as a menu for the little ones. The food was good and the service was prompt!
The resort has a quick service venue that is not the easiest to find, but is located around the corner from the boutique. Pik Nik offers quick service breakfast and sandwich items from the early morning into the afternoon.
The St. Regis Kanai is a typical beach resort and does not offer a vast array of activities outside of the pool, beach, and spa. However, the resort does have a tennis and sport recreation area on-site.
The Kanai resort development is relatively isolated and is not near Cancun. However, there are a plethora of activities throughout the Riviera Maya including water parks and jungle activities, such as Zip Lining. Don’t forget the myriad of Cenotes within the area that are perfect for diving.
Transportation was arranged through the hotel, which we highly recommend. The transport staff were easy to find at the airport and they quickly got us on our way to Kanai.
Another tenant of the St. Regis brand is standard butler service for all guests. Your butler will be introduced at check-in and WhatsApp is used for communication. We found our butler to be friendly and helpful, but communication using WhatsApp was sometimes disorganized.
Twice daily housekeeping is standard and the our attendant took great care of our room.
Overall, the staff at the St. Regis Kanai is incredibly friendly and helpful. We found them to be very approachable and they genuinely cared about providing an elevated experience.
Kanai is a new resort development within Mexico’s Riviera Maya and the St. Regis is the headline resort. This resort blew us away with the best architecture we have seen at a hotel. The incredible design effortlessly blends the Mayan culture with the surrounding nature.
Everything at the resort is top notch, from the luxurious accommodations, fine dining venues, and friendly staff. The pool and spa facilities standout as notably impressive amenities at this resort. If that isn’t enough, Kanai beach is one most spectacular beaches we have experienced. The only downside to this resort (which is an upside if you are looking for peace and quiet) is the location. Kanai is rather isolated and removed from the hustle and bustle of Cancun. This will present a challenge for those looking for more activities to enjoy.
All in all, the St. Regis Kanai provides top-notch service with a luxurious and unique experience that stands apart from other beach resorts.
