Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection

"This year, the resort will partner with renowned Mexican design studio Mestiz to amp up the seasonal spirit through immersive installations and decor with a vibrant, artsy twist. Visitors in need of a sunbathing break have the opportunity to join in festive events such as the Christmas Eve dinner inspired by regional recipes, an oceanfront breakfast with a surprise visit from residents of the North Pole, a seasonal candle workshop, a Christmas card sketching, and more. Need some last-minute gifts? Shop Mercado del Solsticio featuring Mexican designers and artisans such as La Troupe, Frailes Atelier, By James, and Xhsula (Dec. 20 to 22)." - Lindsay Cohn Lindsay Cohn Lindsay Cohn is a writer, editor, and avid traveler who has visited 45 countries across six continents — and counting. She contributes to Travel + Leisure, Hotels Above Par, InsideHook, Well+Good, T

"A family-friendly resort with luxurious spa treatments and ocean-facing rooms." - CNT Editors

"An intimate paradise that floats above acres of lush green mangroves, offering a tailored 'Babymoon in Paradise' itinerary designed to make expectant parents' stay special. Highlights include luxurious spa treatments, private beach dinners, and astrological readings."

"Why book? Couples and families with young kids looking for an easy, peaceful escape would do well to book a stay at this intimate property set among the mangroves. Set the scene Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection (which draws its name from the Spanish word for ‘ethereal’) is only a 30-minute drive from the Cancún airport, but this slice of heaven on the Riviera Maya feels light-years away from the chaos. It is located in the gated premier resort community of Kanai, a 680-acre property spanning over a mile of private beach. Once inside the development, you drive past the neighboring EDITION and St. Regis hotels. As you make your way to the end of the road, you’ll spot Etéreo, which looks as if it’s floating above the endless stretch of lush green mangroves. Everything seems to slow down once you enter the hotel. The faint scent of white copal wafts through the humid air, while your assigned ‘guia’ offers you a refreshing cup of hibiscus tea and the opportunity to participate in a traditional Mayan welcome ceremony before guiding you to your room to complete check in. Walking through the resort is its own special act of meditation. The main structures at the front (the spa, gym, studio, and reception) are made of natural stone with bougainvillea tumbling down their sides, set between shallow pools of water, echoing the floating effect of the resort above the mangroves. This serene sensation is a common theme throughout the resort, with hammocks and swings around every corner, and two giant nets you can stargaze in. The only heaviness lies within the natural materials found throughout the resort, like grounding lava stone, copper, and indigenous Tzalam wood. The backstory Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection was built in 2022, and was the first hotel within the Kanai development. It was designed by New York–based studio Meyer Davis, and every corner is an homage to the regional culture through its use of raw materials and Latin art and design, especially through the works of the late Mexican artist Manuel Felguérez. The rooms Every single one of the 75 rooms is ocean-facing, with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors framing the view, and leading to private terraces perched above the mangroves. There are 16 categories of rooms, featuring special amenities like private plunge pools, hot tubs, and sky-deck roof terraces. The decor of the rooms feels more like a luxury home than a hotel, merging modern, minimal design with nods to Mayan inspiration through natural materials, like woven lamp shades and rugs, and luxuriously thoughtful details, like one-touch bluetooth speakers. A gorgeous wooden lattice wall separates the bathroom from the rest of the room, mimicking the sense of airiness felt throughout the resort. The rainfall showers are glass, lending the feel of an outdoor shower. The amenities in the room are unmarked, in beautiful refillable containers, and have a natural, earthy scent that blends nicely with the environment. Food and drink There are three restaurants on the property: Itzam is the main restaurant, open for breakfast and dinner, serving up Mexican cuisine with Etéreo’s own Mayan twist alongside ocean views. The second largest restaurant is Che Che, which features Nikkei cuisine (Japanese and Peruvian). You can sit in the restaurant, or enjoy your sushi poolside, which I highly recommend. Down on the beach you’ll find Changarro, inspired by typical beachside shacks found in the region, serving fresh fish dishes like ceviches, tostadas, and some of the most delicious shrimp tacos I’ve ever had. There is also a tiny coffee cart, Chu Chu, across from the giftshop (La Chula), where you can grab a refreshing iced latte and a concha, and a little smoothie shop, Quéchulada, conveniently placed poolside. In addition to the restaurants above, special dining experiences are hosted on property several nights a week in the Resol Garden, an outdoor space beside the main restaurant Itzam with an open woodfire grill. These “Feast of Flavors” meals range from grill nights with pizza and burgers to Mediterranean. But the absolute can’t-miss experience is the Abuela Dinner. Executive Chef Carlos Segura collaborated with every other chef working in the resort to create a delightful tasting menu of all their favorite dishes from their grandmas growing up. Because the staff has come from areas all over Mexico, the menu is really special and takes you on a culinary journey from Puebla to Michoacan. The menu credits all chefs, their abuela’s recipes, and where they came from i.e. “Beef birria, Claudia’s grandmother Carmelita’s recipe, from Guadalajara.” The spa The atmosphere of the entire resort is quite tranquil, and feels spa-like itself. The treatments at SANA, the resort’s actual spa, take this zen to a deeper level. Standard spa techniques like deep tissue and hot stone are offered, but with traditional interpretations rooted in Mayan beliefs, i.e. a copal cleanse before entering, obsidian for the hot stone massage, a cenote-inspired pool in the center. Before our massages, my husband and I both partook in the pre-treatment “cleanse” during which we covered ourselves in natural clay, and were guided through a sequence of hot and cold experiences, from sensory showers to saunas, ending with a mini sound bath. My husband was then treated to the most popular massage, ‘the flow’ and described it as one of the best he’d ever experienced. My prenatal massage was equally incredible, and I felt safe and taken care of. After treatment, there is a small enclosed outdoor area with a hot tub and loungers where you can enjoy cool hibiscus tea, fresh fruit, and Mexican chocolates. It is truly a blissful experience. The neighborhood/area This is the type of place where you stay put and enjoy the resort itself, unless you’re going on one of the excursions organized by the hotel, which range from water activities, like cenote exploration and sailing, to a tour of the local archaeological zones. Guests can also arrange for transportation to visit the neighboring resorts. Should you wish to venture further, Playa del Carmen is the closest town, about a 20 minute drive away. The service Everyone on staff is friendly and eager to assist. Each guest is paired with a personal ‘guia’ who they can message on WhatsApp or iMessage at any time for assistance with arranging transportation, booking services, etc. Poolside, the service isn’t exactly snap-of-a-finger quick, but it’s casual and fits the pace and the serene vibe—anything more urgent would feel out of place. For families Etereo is incredibly family-friendly, but not in a way that sacrifices any of its sophistication. There are two pools, one family-friendly, and one for adults only. Although the pools sit next to each other, the distinction still feels clear, and the “adults-only” pool maintains its zen. There is also a kids club providing childcare and kid-friendly activities provided by a team with over eight years experience working with children. Guests can also take paddleboards and kayaks for a spin from the full-service booth on the beach. Eco effort Because Kanai is a protected area, eco efforts are top of mind. There are five different types of mangroves that the resort is built around; to maintain their fragile ecosystem, Etéreo has employed a dedicated biologist at the property, and designated an internal Green Team responsible for cleaning the beach and the mangroves, and relocating animals endemic to the area—though you’ll still get to observe plenty of wildlife that hangs out on the property, like large, sleepy iguana and coati (which look like a mix between a monkey and a racoon). There is a water filtration system in place on property, so there is no need for plastic water bottles—in fact, guests are given large reusable water bottles to use throughout their stay. Reusable glass bottles are refilled in guest rooms every time the room is serviced. At the pool and beachside, reusable glass bottles are provided upon request in buckets of ice, free of charge. Accessibility Overall, the property is incredibly accessible. There are ramps throughout, including the walkways to the beach and the docks over the water. All multi-floor buildings have elevators, and there are accessible guest rooms with mobility features and wide doorways. More ADA information is available here. Anything left to mention? Buyouts for weddings and company retreats are common. The resort offers several special packages, including a ‘Babymoon in Paradise’ itinerary, which you can read more about here." - Mercedes Bleth

"Best for getting grounded in ancient wisdom "Located in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the stretch of land from Cancún to Tulum that was once home to ancient Maya civilization, Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection is as much a cultural hub as it is a place to beach. Opened in December 2021, the new 75-room hotel—whose Spanish name translates to “spirit” or “heavenly”—highlights traditional wellness wisdom throughout its various offerings. The SANA spa menu, for example, includes detoxifying Mayan clay wraps, a massage that incorporates sacred Mayan healing stones, and an “energy purification ritual” that uses Mayan crystals, metal, vibration, smudge smoke, and local herbs known for their mystical properties. The property also offers traditional cooking classes and workshops, as well as weekly spiritual rituals led by the in-house shaman, Yaotekatl, who will guide you through ancient Mayan practices. The beachside sunset fire meditation is especially transformative, as the Maya viewed fire as a bridge between earthly and otherworldly realms. Gather around the flames for a blessing from Yaotekatl, and then cover yourself in local Mayan clay to connect to the earth before rinsing off in the ocean under the moonlight. For more cultural lessons, be sure to visit some nearby ruins—the hotel offers a guided trip to the ancient city Chichen Itza, or you can rent a car and go on your own."