Singapore-based Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts officially made its entrance into the American market with the opening of Banyan Tree Mayakoba, on Mexico's Riviera Maya.

The resort features an all-pool villa designs and Banyan Tree spa concept, including a one-of-a-kind Rainforest hydrothermal therapy experience.

Located in the environmentally sound Mayakoba resort development, just 40 minutes south of Cancun International Airport, Banyan Tree Mayakoba was designed by Architrave Design and Planning, the architectural arm of the Banyan Tree Group. The private Garden Pool Villas, Spa Pool Villas, Terrace Residences and Beachfront Pool Villas cater to those who are in need of one-, two- and three-bedroom villas that have garden pavilions and view. Each villa offers a pool, measuring at least 323 square feet, as well as outdoor heated jet-pools or sunken baths, massage beds, and steam rooms. All 132 villas are freestanding units on land, over water, or by the beachfront, tucked amidst lagoons, canals and lush mangroves, to create an intimate oasis that did not harm the ecologically sound environment.

Banyan Tree introduced its spa concept to the Mexican Caribbean region. At Banyan Tree Spa Mayakoba are 16 spa pavilions located over the lagoon. Signature treatments at Banyan Tree Spa Mayakoba include the Thai Herbal Detox treatment package, offering the Salt Pot Body Massage where a traditional Thai salt pot, handcrafted from clay and filled with Thai herbs and salt, is heated and wrapped in a pouch for the massage.

For dining, Banyan Tree introduced Saffron, its contemporary signature Thai restaurant, located on two lagoon decks overlooking the estuary and the main lobby. Saffron’s menu will be helmed by two Banyan Tree Phuket Thai chefs brought to Mexico for their experience and finesse with Southeast Asian cuisine. The other signature stand-out is Tamarind, the spa cuisine purveyor, serving an organic menu of special spa juices and fine dining cuisine. Tamarind was first introduced in Banyan Tree Phuket, and is well-known for its delicious, substantial cuisine with a healthy focus. Located by the main swimming pool, Oriente serves a daily breakfast buffet and modern Mexican dinner menu in the evenings. Sands beach club offers a la carte breakfast, a light lunch menu, and a classic grilled seafood selection for dinner. Sands' tables overlook the Caribbean coast, and the area is a hub of activity with an infinity swimming pool, lounge decks, shaded cabanas, and attentive pool service that includes complimentary fruit sorbet and cold towels. La Copa bar offers tapas snacks and innovative cocktails that range from a cucumber refresher to a rose petal margarita. Banyan Tree Mayakoba will soon offer its Ixchel destination dining experience, an intimate dinner, set onboard a trajinera, a traditional Mexican flat bottom boat decorated with indigenous motifs and cloths. Guests can also enjoy the gourmet selections with private in-villa dining or barbecue service, where a full medley of meats and/or seafood is freshly grilled as wished, under the stars in their own villa garden.