Etéreo Auberge Collection, Riviera Maya

In short… A stylish, beach-spa getaway on the Riviera Maya that’s ideal for families, friend groups and solo travelers alike.

The surroundings… Etéreo is set along a quiet stretch of the Caribbean Sea amidst a protected mangrove forest. It’s difficult to believe that the peaceful property—located inside the gated community of Kanai—is just an easy 30-minute drive from Cancún International Airport. And if you book a transfer with the hotel in advance, you’ll be ushered out of the craze of the airport into a car stocked with water, snacks and an ice bucket of cold Colimita beers to encourage a quick transition from travel to holiday.

The vibe… Each stay begins with a traditional Mayan welcome ceremony, which immediately sets the tone. Standing in the shade of an open-air, natural stone structure set between shallow pools of tranquil water, I closed my eyes as fragrant white copal smoke wafted around me and— as gently instructed—set an intention for my stay. It’s only a three-minute ceremony and yet when I opened my eyes, I felt I had truly arrived.

After checking into my room and receiving my key (a chic beaded wooden bracelet), I did as I always do when I’m near any body of water, and headed immediately for it. Elevated paths set over the dense, green mangroves ensure both a minimal impact on the environment and a quick walk from room to pool to beach. En route, I took note of a few large platforms embedded with nets that suspend over the lush mangroves as well as the many hammocks and swings interspersed throughout the property—all prime opportunities for repose in the sun or under the stars.

Settling into a breezy cabana, with a suero (sparkling water with lime and salt) on the way and my toes in the powder-soft sand, I took stock of the other guests: a mix of couples, friend groups and families with young children. Etéreo is extremely family-friendly (there is a kids club and family-friendly activities on offer as well as some honestly great-sounding options on the kids’ menus), but at the same time doesn’t feel catered to solely those traveling with children. There are two pools, one adults-only and the other for everyone, which sit side-by-side yet feel distinct. On the beach, there are plenty of spaces to spread out as well as a pair of hammocks suspended over the clear water ideally suited to a lazy afternoon, a good book and an ample sunscreen application.

The rooms… The 75 rooms on the property range from studios to three-bedroom penthouse suites, and they all have generous outdoor spaces and face the turquoise Caribbean. Depending on the room category, some have private plunge pools and others have hot tubs. The design, curated by Mexico City-based Migdal Arquitectos and New York-based Meyer Davis, is inspired by the surrounding region with sand-hued tones and raw materials including lava stone, copper and indigenous tzalam wood. Etéreo worked with local artisans to create custom furnishings and textiles, and there are sculptural carved wooden screens by the late Mexican artist Manuel Felguérez, as well as art installations by artists including Marcela Diaz and Hector Esrawe.

I stayed in room 73, an Ocean Studio, and quite honestly could have spent the bulk of my time in my room. The sliding glass doors opened onto a large balcony with a set of chairs, a couch and two sun loungers. The balcony caught the sun in the morning, making an ideal excuse to linger over my first coffee of the day. Inside, a couch abutted an extremely comfortable king-size bed and the bathroom featured both a deep soaking tub and walk-in rainfall shower (strategically situated next to a floor-to-ceiling window, which made it feel indoor-outdoor), as well as double vanities. There was also a kitchenette stocked with essentials, not least among which being coffee and mezcal.

The wellness… Definitely book yourself a treatment at the SANA spa and be sure to give yourself plenty of time beforehand to do the full “cleanse” ritual. After a copal blessing at the entrance, a therapist guides you through a relaxing sequence that starts in the outdoor hot and cold plunge pools and includes a eucalyptus-infused steam, a full-body Mayan honey-exfoliation mask, and a 360-sensory shower followed by a nap in the sauna, a float in the cenote-inspired indoor pool, and a mini sound bath. All this before my hot obsidian and jade stone massage in the capable hands of my therapist Alma. Leaving the spa, I paused to admire the afternoon shadows of nearby palm trees gently swaying on the natural stone walls and headed back to the beach for one of the top naps of my life.

Just next door to the spa, there’s a well-equipped gym and an adjoining movement room where you can sign up for fitness classes including mat pilates, vinyasa yoga and sound therapy on a rotating schedule throughout the week. I opted to sign up for a morning meditation class with wellness instructor Jesús that proved to be an ideal start to the day.

The food & drink… Begin the morning with a coffee and concha (a classic Mexican sweet bread with a crunchy, sugary crust) from Chu Chu, the morning coffee cart conveniently parked on the way from your room to the pool or beach or gym. For lunch, you have plenty of options depending on where you want to set up: toes in the sand at El Changarro (which serves exactly the kind of things you want to eat and drink on the sand: beers, guacamole, catch of the day tacos), or poolside at Alberca (ceviches, juices, salads), or properly seated at a table at the open-air, Japanese-inspired Che Che. You can also dine at Che Che for dinner (the chef’s roll of the day is especially nice) or head to Itzam, where Executive Chef Carlos Segura draws inspiration from culinary traditions across Mexico. One evening, after a drink near one of the firepits (get the Green Harvest signature cocktail made with tequila, tomatillo and lime!), I enjoyed an unforgettable meal of tuna and sea urchin tostadas, locally-sourced white Gulf shrimp grilled over zapote embers, baby corn and chileajo mayo, fresh corn tortillas and to finish, a coconut ice cream recommended by my waiter that I’m still thinking about. (Itzam also serves breakfast in the same space and I highly recommend the café de olla, any of the fresh juices and the chilaquiles verdes). Across all the dining options, Etéreo works closely with local farmers, fisherman and producers and both the quality of the ingredients and commitment to seasonality and sustainability shows.

Extra tip goes to… Each guest has a personal guía, who checks you in and is available via WhatsApp or text message 24/7 for whatever you might need. Daniela, my dedicated guía, made sure I had everything I needed from dinner reservations to booking a morning meditation class and arranging airport transfers. Also, special thanks to Danny, who both remembered my favorite spot on the sand and my afternoon drink of choice: a Chelada (beer prepared with lime and salt).

Be sure to… The property itself is beautiful and you can certainly spend your days on a restful beach-pool-spa circuit. At the beach, guests have access to paddleboards, kayaks and snorkel gear for exploring the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef just offshore. That said, if you’re looking to explore the surrounding area, book one of the excursions on offer. Options include sailing, horseback riding, guided cenote visits, and tours to nearby archaeological sites such as Sian Ka’an (a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site). You also don’t need to leave the property to enjoy an experience: I had a beautifully insightful Mayan Calendar Reading with local astrologist Itzel Castillo one afternoon, and there are also cooking classes, mezcal tastings and cacao ceremonies on offer.

Date of stay… February 21 – 24, 2026