Steph Farr, who works for the luxury rental company Maya Luxe, filled us in on all the details of how to locate the most desirable holiday villas along the Riviera Maya in Mexico.
This year has seen a significant increase in the number of hotels located along the Riviera Maya, which is a tropical paradise that spans for about 100 miles along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. The region is becoming increasingly popular among tourists as a result of its convenient accessibility as well as its picture-perfect Caribbean vistas, an abundance of entertainment alternatives, outstanding cuisine, and activities that are inspired by Mayan culture. And although visitors always have the choice of reserving a room at one of the dozens of hotels and resorts along the Riviera Maya coast and in Cancun, which is located nearby, many tourists choose to stay in one of the area's magnificent vacation rentals instead.
In 2009, Steph Farr, a seasoned business professional whose last endeavor, the Montreal-based company Luxury Retreats, was acquired by Airbnb in 2017 for more than $300 million, founded the Mexico vacation rental company Maya Luxe. Maya Luxe specializes in luxury vacation rentals. The company began with the management of a single villa and has since grown to oversee the maintenance of up to 150 opulent homes in the Cancun and Riviera Maya areas. The villas come with a full range of high-end amenities, such as a pool, concierge, private chef, daily housekeeping services, large outdoor and communal areas for gatherings, and fully stocked kitchens. They typically are located in gated communities along the Riviera Maya coast all the way to Sian Ka'an. The number of bedrooms in the villas ranges from three all the way up to 15.
"The primary motivation for the establishment of Maya Luxe was to be in a position to provide our customers with both a high standard and a luxurious experience. Therefore, it's not just about having a luxurious house. She went on to add that "it is about catering to every single area of the needs of the guests."
We had a conversation with Farr, who lives in Mexico, about the most popular places to rent on the Riviera Maya as well as how to select the ideal villa for a vacation that will be unforgettable. Here are some of the top recommendations that an industry insider has for locating a vacation rental home on the Riviera Maya.
Rent from a regional organization.
There are a number of online vacation rental marketplaces that provide properties in the Riviera Maya; however, the most major benefit of renting from a local company is that they are familiar with the location on a deep and personal level. They are able to make location and property recommendations for you based on your tastes, in the event that you have not yet decided where you would want to rent. You might also ask for assistance in organizing your trip, such as recommendations for reputable modes of transportation, tour companies, and dining establishments.
Whenever a traveler contacts Luxe Maya, they are immediately put in touch with a local concierge who assists them in putting together an itinerary.
A daring scuba diver plunged into a Mexican river to take breathtaking photographs of a labyrinth of underwater caves worshiped by the Mayans.
— Geology Scienceᅠᅠᅠ (@GeologyyScience) February 20, 2021
Martin Broen, 50, braved the depths below the Riviera Maya in Mexico to capture the 'magical' cave system formed during the ice age. pic.twitter.com/LRIZvSvk2n
"Sometimes guests that are arriving don't even know what to expect or what the area has to offer," added Farr. "So it's our responsibility to really enquire and get to know our guests in order to understand what it is that they're searching for." "From the minute they make their inquiry until the second they check out, we will see to their every need."
Find Rentals That Have the Amenities You Require by Looking Around
It is not true that you cannot have access to the same high-end amenities as hotel guests do simply because you are not staying in a well-known opulent resort. At Luxe Maya, each of the villas features a private pool, air conditioning in each of the rooms, smart televisions, high-end amenities, spacious sun decks, and outdoor patios. Additionally, each villa overlooks either the forest or the water.
In addition, Farr stated that dedicated workplaces and high-speed internet connections have become some of the most sought-after facilities.
"There's a fine line between taking a vacation and saying, 'I'm simply here to travel and stay in a nice home and work remotely,'" she continued. "There's a grey line between vacationing and working remotely."
Be aware that you can also find rentals that are all-inclusive.
It's no surprise that all-inclusive resorts are gaining in popularity; they make it possible for vacationers, especially families, to relax and enjoy themselves without having to worry about things like meals, drinks, or activities that are appropriate for children. You would not have any trouble recreating that experience in a villa either.
According to Farr, "it is absolutely crucial that a kitchen is completely equipped in order for a chef to be able to come in and produce a gourmet meal for the visitors." In the past, she has assisted customers in the process of designing individualized programmed that included not just meals and drinks, but also butlers and babysitters.
Think About Renting a Villa in the Wilderness
Although the azure seas of the Caribbean may be the primary appeal of the Riviera Maya, the area is also home to a verdant jungle that is just as photogenic. The Maya used these natural subterranean freshwater pools, known as cenotes, both as sources of drinking water and for religious rituals throughout their time in the region. The area is notably littered with thousands of these cenotes.
"So that is one of the reasons why we are so fortunate with this place — you don't have to be on the beach to actually be able to enjoy the sea," Farr said. “So that is one of the reasons why we are so fortunate with this destination.”
You Should Avoid Making Reservations During Certain Months
To paraphrase what Farr stated, "Be conscious of the season that you're booking." There are going to be some guests who are going to be quite dissatisfied since it rained for four out of their seven days of vacation. The rainy season in the Riviera Maya normally begins in July and lasts until the end of October, which is the beginning of hurricane season.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/beach-vacations/how-to-travel-to-the-riviera-maya
"We always recommend our clients to purchase travel insurance in the case that they are unable to travel because the weather is not permitting," Farr continued. "We never know what the future may hold."
Sargasso, a brownish seaweed that, due to rising sea temperatures, reproduces quickly and then washes ashore carried by the ocean currents, is another seasonal issue that the region has been dealing with. Sargasso is one of the reasons why the region has been coping with this issue. The months of May through August, which are normally the hottest months of the year, are typically when the most significant volumes of Sargasso arrive.
Find the Ideal Location by Coordinating Efforts with Your Rental Agency
Cancun may conjure up thoughts of boisterous spring breakers in the minds of some, but according to Farr, this is not the reality.
"We're bringing Cancun back as an option for our guests just because of the level of the experience that they could receive," she explained, noting that North Cancun and Playa Majeures are excellent options for those who are looking for a more elevated experience. "We're bringing Cancun back as an option for our guests just because of the level of the experience that they could receive," which is, for example, a yacht picking them up from their house and dropping them off at one of the
Isla Holbox is a destination that is on the rise and has been described by Farr as "what Tulum used to be 10 years ago." The island is located just off the northern tip of the Yucatan peninsula.
The inhabitants still go barefoot and live in a fairly primitive setting. Everyone either rides bicycles or golf carts to get about. It is whale shark season from the beginning of spring all the way to the beginning of summer, so you will have the opportunity to swim with the largest fish in the world," she added.
Consider going to the Francisco Uh May area, which is located west of Tulum, if you want to get the most authentic jungle experience possible.