Maroma vs Hotel Esencia: Which to Book

The short answer

Same coast. Different feel.

Both are small, low-key hotels on quiet Riviera Maya beaches. Maroma is a low-rise palapa hideaway on calm sand. Esencia is a 50-acre estate with suites, plunge pools and villas spread along footpaths.

Maroma, A Belmond Hotel

Rooms72 rooms in hand-built palapa architecture

SettingPunta Maroma, between jungle and reef, about forty minutes from Cancún airport

Best forCouples who want a calm beach and a spa

See the hotel →

Hotel Esencia

Rooms45 suites plus Pool Villas and a Private Villa; several suites have plunge pools

SettingA 50-acre estate on Xpu-Ha cove, fifty minutes from Cancún, thirty from Tulum

Best forCouples, and families who want a villa with privacy

See the hotel →

Maroma, A Belmond Hotel

Palapas on calm sand.

Belmond’s low-rise hideaway sits on one of the Riviera Maya’s calmest stretches of sand, between jungle and reef. Seventy-two rooms keep it quiet.

It is about forty minutes from Cancún airport, so you are on the beach soon after landing.

See Maroma, A Belmond Hotel →

Hotel Esencia

A private estate on the cove.

Built as the private home of an Italian duchess, Esencia spreads across 50 acres between jungle and Xpu-Ha cove. Jungle Suites come with or without a plunge pool, and the duplex villas add another level of privacy.

There are three restaurants and an organic spa. Mistura serves Mexican seafood in a beachfront palapa with 180-degree ocean views.

See Hotel Esencia →

What they share

Small, quiet, on the beach.

Both are small hotels on calm Riviera Maya sand, both suit couples, and both add an upgrade when available, breakfast for two per bedroom and a resort credit when you book with us.

Booked through us

Same rate. More included.

You pay the hotel’s own rate. At Maroma we add an upgrade when available, daily breakfast for two per bedroom, a $100 resort credit, early check-in or late check-out and Wi-Fi.

At Esencia: an upgrade when available, a $60 per person daily breakfast credit for two per bedroom, a $100 resort credit ($200 in the Esencia Suite and higher), a bottle of wine and early check-in or late check-out.

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Our pick

Which one we’d book.

For a family or a group: Hotel Esencia. Pool Villas, a Private Villa and 50 acres to spread out.

For couples: Maroma. Seventy-two rooms on calm sand, forty minutes from the airport.

Tell us who’s coming and we’ll tell you which rooms are worth it.

Check my dates

Questions, answered.

Which is better for a multi-generation group or older kids?

Hotel Esencia. It has Pool Villas and a Private Villa, Master Suites and Master Beach Suites, and duplex villas set apart on a 50-acre estate.

Which is better for couples?

Both are couples hotels. Maroma is 72 rooms of palapa architecture on calm sand. Esencia’s Jungle Suites with plunge pool and Beach Suites suit two well.

How do they differ?

Maroma is on Punta Maroma, about forty minutes from Cancún airport. Esencia is on Xpu-Ha cove, about fifty minutes south of Cancún and thirty minutes north of Tulum, with more suite and villa choices.

Is the rate the same as booking direct?

Yes. You pay the hotel’s own rate. Booked through us, it comes with the Virtuoso extras, confirmed in writing.

Do I pay you or the hotel?

You pay the hotel. We confirm availability and the rate, attach the Virtuoso amenities in writing and hold the suite, at no fee to you.

Maroma or
Hotel Esencia?

Same coast. Different feel.

Maroma, A Belmond Hotel

Hotel Esencia

Palapas on calm sand.

A private estate on the cove.

Small, quiet, on the beach.

Same rate. More included.

Which one we’d book.

Questions, answered.

Tell us your dates. You’ll hear back in minutes.

Maroma orHotel Esencia?

Same coast. Different feel.

Maroma, A Belmond Hotel

Hotel Esencia

Palapas on calm sand.

A private estate on the cove.

Small, quiet, on the beach.

Same rate. More included.

Which one we’d book.

Questions, answered.

Tell us your dates. You’ll hear back in minutes.

Maroma or
Hotel Esencia?