Belmond Maroma Resort and Spa

Small, luxurious Belmond (formerly Orient-Express) hotel with gleaming white villas occupying a picture-perfect Caribbean beach.

A special place just right for a special occasion, the Maroma Resort and Spa was lovingly created by its Mexican/American founders as an exclusive hideaway. This beautiful service-orientated accommodation, now one of the stars of the luxury Belmond brand, is situated on a private estate on the Riviera Maya.

Originally a coconut plantation, the property has a remote feel, surrounded by tropical rainforest. It faces a long, sweeping crescent of powdery-white sands lapped by glass-clear water. The exterior is inspired by Moorish architecture and features dazzling white walls and domes. Step out from your polished wood or gleaming tiled floor onto the beach or tropical gardens. The restaurants serve Mexican dishes featuring farm-to-table produce and there's an award-winning wine cellar.

The comprehensive spa offers a range of treatments including aromatherapy and Mayan-themed massages. Other facilities include three pools, there's a beach and you can snorkel off the beach. Complimentary activities on offer feature tennis on the resort's own courts and cycle tours, while at extra cost you can visit Mayan archaeological sites, go scuba-diving, do a bit of fishing, play golf and go horse-riding. The property is perfect for a romantic break, but it is very inclusive, and families are welcome. There is none of the corporate feel of some top-of-the-range hotels – you are definitely in Mexico, and among friends.