Maroma, A Belmond Hotel – a luxury resort located on the Riviera Maya – has recently undergone a significant transformation that intertwines the resort’s heritage with modern amenities and sustainability, culminating in the achievement of EarthCheck Design certification.
Established in 1976 by Jose Luis Moreno, Maroma has evolved from a personal hideaway to a world-renowned resort.
Now under the Belmond brand, the resort recently underwent a major reimagining. The project, entrusted to international design studio Tara Bernerd & Partners, aimed to preserve the property’s unique character while upgrading its facilities and sustainability features.
The objective was to merge traditional Mexican and Mayan cultural elements with contemporary design, all while enhancing the luxury guest experience and adhering to sustainable practices.
The refurbishment focused on cultural integration and sustainable practices. Local materials were prioritised, with over 80 per cent of wooden furnishings sourced from Mexican artisans, including Alberto Alfaro Joffroy.
The staff uniforms, designed by Collectiva Concepción, feature traditional Mexican textiles, contributing to the cultural authenticity of the resort.
The renovation preserved the resort’s iconic architecture, while expanding guest spaces to create a more open, integrated environment.
Renovations have extended to guest rooms, dining venues, spa, staff quarters, and administrative offices, with a focus on reducing energy and water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste.
The resort’s commitment to sustainability also extends to biodiversity protection, local employment, and resource utilisation.
New features include 10 oceanfront suites with private pools, and a dining portfolio featuring a range of diverse culinary concepts.
The reopening will see the launch of Latin America’s first Guerlain Spa at Maroma, offering natural treatments and a design that respects Mayan architectural principles.
EarthCheck Design is an award-winning sustainability certification recognised for guiding new construction and refurbishment projects towards environmental and social responsibility. Administered by EarthCheck, the world’s preeminent scientific benchmarking, certification, and advisory group for travel and tourism, sets a high standard for sustainability in the industry.
In a clear demonstration of commitment to these values, Maroma’s refurbishment not only met but surpassed the stringent benchmarks EarthCheck set. This achievement has earned the resort the prestigious EarthCheck Design certification, underscoring its dedication to sustainability.
EarthCheck Design certification signifies that Maroma’s redesign has successfully met and, in some cases, exceeded EarthCheck’s patented regional leader performance benchmarks. These areas encompass a comprehensive range of sustainability aspects, including a proactive sustainability approach, efficient energy use, the use of sustainable materials and resource conservation strategies, effective solid waste management, responsible land use planning and biodiversity conservation, water conservation, maintaining indoor environmental health and pollution control, sustainable transport solutions, and contributions to social, cultural, and economic well-being.
Ultimately, Maroma’s renovation is a testament to the balance between heritage preservation, modern luxury, and sustainable design – and it serves as a benchmark for future projects within the hospitality industry.
There are more than 476 million Indigenous Peoples, found in all regions of the world, from the Arctic to the tropical forests. They make up more than 6 per cent of our global population.
In the spirit of reconciliation, EarthCheck acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout the world and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Indigenous Peoples today.
EarthCheck acknowledges that Indigenous Peoples are guardians of the forests and biodiversity hotspots we all depend on. Research shows that lands managed by Indigenous Peoples, with secure rights, experience lower deforestation rates, store more carbon, hold more biodiversity, and benefit more people than other lands — including protected areas.
We recognise and support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration is a positive document that maps out a path for Indigenous Peoples to be free from discrimination and secure in their identities and life choices.
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