The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya is now welcoming guests.

Owned by Grupo Alhel, the resort is a short drive from both Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. It is part of Kanai, a development that neighbors the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a 620-acre and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Designed by Mexican architectural firm Edmonds International with interiors by Chapi Chapo Design, the resort features a circular exterior design inspired by the constellation Pleiades, resulting in ocean views from nearly every vantage point.

To protect the Reserve, the property was designed with a minimal construction footprint. The St. Regis Kanai Resort is suspended above a mangrove forest with the different elements of the hotel connected by elevated walkways. The lobby features a multi-story open-air water installation. Floor to ceiling views of the mangroves give way to gardens and an outdoor lawn with direct access to two miles of white sand beach.

The resort has 124 guestrooms and 19 suites including a 2,300-square-foot Presidential Suite, each offering ocean views and a private terrace or plunge pool. All accommodations feature design elements and materials – for example, intricate walnut wood-carved headboards – evoking the surrounding element from the mangrove trees and nearby cenotes to the stars.

The St. Regis Kanai also offers eight culinary venues. These include Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval, a bar and restaurant serving a Latin-inspired menu; Riviera, a beachfront venue that blends the French Riviera with the Maya Riviera; The Library, a tea and chocolate salon; Jack’s Club, a hidden speakeasy; and The Beach Club.

Planners will be delighted to learn that the The St. Regis Kanai has more than 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space across six meeting venues, including the Astor Ballroom and the 7,300-square-foot Great Lawn. The resort can accommodate groups as large as 600 people.

Other amenities include an Athletic Club, featuring a range of cardio and strength equipment as well as an outdoor yoga platform; The Beach Club, offering access to a selection of water sports; a beach; adult and family pools; and The St. Regis Spa, with eight treatment rooms and a standalone salon.

“Kanai is a vibrant oasis yet to be discovered by many global travelers, but with its striking natural surroundings, rich cultural history, and inherent connection to the land, it is set to take its place among the world’s most coveted leisure destinations,” said George Fleck, vice-president and Global Brand Leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “We are thrilled to welcome The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya to our expanding global portfolio of legendary hotels and resorts. The St. Regis brand’s founding family, The Astors, were known for seeking out exquisite locations around the globe for their collection of homes, hosting luminaries and vanguards of the day in the most breathtaking natural surroundings. With The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya, we are continuing the legacy of that timeless era of luxury, offering our guests a glamorous hideaway and escape to the extraordinary.”