Finding Your Soul at Paraiso de la Bonita, Riviera Maya’s Newest Luxury Collection Resort
by Marsha Mowers
The road into Paraiso de la Bonita feels almost symbolic: navigate the bumps and you’ll arrive exactly where you’re meant to be.
While the road is scheduled to be fixed soon, that sense of deeper meaning carried through my entire three-night stay at Marriott’s newest addition to its Luxury Collection—a resort that defies easy description and exudes a certain “je ne sais quoi.”
For reference, the 25-year-old property is the former Zoëtry La Bonita and is just 30 minutes from Cancun Airport. Designed by renowned Mexican architect and hotelier Carlos Gosselin as a romantic gift to his wife, his beloved “La Bonita,” the resort is steeped in personal history. Each of its 90 suites bears the name of a destination the couple travelled to; mine was the Macao Suite.
The couple’s passion for art lives on in the resort’s curated collection, blending global pieces with works from Mayan artists. Cultural stories and traditions are seamlessly integrated into the design and guest experience, from symbolic architectural elements to bespoke cultural programming. For example, the resort is designed in the shape of a snake, a nod to the Mayan God Kukulkan, the “Feathered Serpent,” symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth, and a god of the wind and rain.
This adults-only sanctuary offers 90 oceanview suites, eight of them are two bedrooms with a dining room. All feature top amenities including Frette linens and Le Chemin bath amenities, Nespresso coffee maker, mini bar, 24/7 room service, and free WiFi. Renovations on a small building next door that’s part of the property are beginning and expected to be completed December 15, which will include 10 more suites.
The three à la carte restaurants – K’Hul (Mexican), Cote A Costa (Mediterranean) and Joya (Beachfront, Latin) are top notch and feature delicious creations from Executive Chef Jesus Farfan who is known throughout the region for his innovative culinary art.
There are two pools: a main pool overlooking the sea from the arrival lobby, and a serene saltwater pool beside the spa and fitness centre.
What you won’t find are loud soundtracks or a swim-up bar. Instead, Paraiso de la Bonita delivers what feels like true luxury – personalized, intuitive service that makes every guest feel like a VIP.
“Our staff is our key,” General Manager Cesar Eslava told us over dinner one night. “They love what they do and it shows, they do it with their full heart. And a happy staff makes happy guests.”
But while the resort’s design and details impress, its true magic lies in the guest experiences.
“The Luxury Collection brand reflects the identity of its destination, making the brand name a true reflection of the guest experience,” Diego Sanchez, Food and Entertainment Manager explained.
“Here in the Riviera Maya, that means creating an environment where visitors feel like genuine explorers, discovering the destination through the lens of the hotel itself.”
And what better way to discover Mayan culture than to participate in a traditional Temazcal Ceremony?
The ceremony is an ancient Mayan ritual led by a shaman to purify the body and mind through heat and steam from volcanic stones and medicinal herbs. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. It’s hot – we’re talking three to four times hotter than a typical gym sauna – and it’s long; our session was two hours.
It’s somehow incredibly healing in a way that is hard to describe in words. The stone, dome-shaped lodge is meant to signify the earth’s womb and facilitate spiritual cleansing, emotional release, and connection to nature through chanting, reflection, and calls to the four elements or “doors.” The journey feels deeply personal, uncovering both vulnerability and resilience, and ultimately leaves you with an unexpected sense of connection and bonding within your group.
As one guest in our group summed it up: it’s the ultimate ‘you had to be there’ experience; immersive, soulful, and impossible to replicate anywhere else.
Though the experience was arranged specifically for us, Eslava says it will become a regular guest offering, at an additional charge.
It would be remiss to not mention that Zoetry’s famed feathered friends remain at Paraiso de la Bonita. Cosmo, a proud peacock can still be found admiring his reflection in the glass doors of the piano bar and Sofia, a parrot, sits perched greeting guests and paying special, flirty attention to gentlemen.
It’s that type of experience and culture that makes Paraiso de la Bonita a standout. It’s more than a luxury resort, it’s a journey for clients who are looking for a unique blend of quality and experiences. The resort’s website asks guests to “remember the truest luxury is the one that touches the soul”, and wiser words might have never been spoken.
