The Top 5 Villas to Celebrate Thanksgiving in the Riviera Maya
Villa Uh K’aay, Sian Ka’an
Written by Alex Ruelas
Thanksgiving is a moment to bring family and friends together in gratitude, and nothing makes us feel more thankful than being in a wonderful place surrounded by our nearest and dearest. Now, special celebrations call for special settings.
To make this year’s celebrations unique, we want to show you five villas that inspire us to gather, break bread, and think of how fortunate we are to be together. These homes are combinations of natural beauty and architectural genius. But most importantly, they are hideouts that bring people close and make them feel fortunate for traveling far and spending blissful moments with each other.
Villa Verde
8 guests • 4 bedrooms • 4 bathrooms – Step inside
This striking residence in Tulum was designed for coexistence. The open plan living room opens up completely to the 15m lap pool and deck, creating an expansive space where everyone can enjoy each other’s company while they play in the water, relax on the couch, or sunbathe on the beanbags. Meanwhile, the rooftop patio is perfect for chill evenings playing games in the lounge or swinging in the hammocks.
Villa Verde brings people close. At the same time, it takes care of everyone’s rest and comfort. All for bedrooms have king-size beds, while the master bedroom has its own open-air bathtub. Further, the fourth suite is more of a studio, with an independent kitchen, lounge, and balcony. So, after a day of living together, you can return to your private shrine for some well-deserved privacy.
Casa GiGi
8 guests • 4 bedrooms • 4 bathrooms – Step inside
Casa GiGi is a beacon of Mediterranean elegance. Located within tranquil Playacar, this classy four-bedroom beachfront home stands out due to its unique architecture. Stone walls and stately furnishings craft a regal setting where rooms are grand and common areas sumptuous, especially a sizable dining room perfect for Thanksgiving celebrations.
Further, the residence has all you could want for a tropical holiday, including a large swimming pool with a swim-up bar, several outdoor lounges, ocean-facing balconies, private beach access, and even a shuffleboard to keep the fun outdoors. And at sunset, remember to climb up to the watchtower to get the best views in Playa del Carmen.
Casa Kati Kaan
6 guests • 3 bedrooms • 4 bathrooms – Step inside
Located deep in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, this cozy eco-conscious villa is a tropical utopia. Its entire design is meant to bring people closer to a landscape known for being arguably the most beautiful place in the Mexican Caribbean. Naturally, the best spots are outdoors: the dining table on the deck, the rooftop terrace with its plunge tub, the lounge by the pool, and the oceanside cabana.
And although the house is surrounded by wilderness, everyone will be exceedingly comfortable in modern common areas with state-of-the-art appliances and snug bedrooms. Overall, Casa Kati Kaan is a top drawer refuge for lovers of the outdoors, where you will dine in contact with nature and feel grateful for being immersed in such a magnificent setting.
Hacienda Palancar
18 guests • 9 bedrooms • 9 bathrooms – Step inside
With nine spectacular bedrooms, expansive common areas, and more amenities than you will be able to use in a weeklong trip, this lavish residence is everything you could hope for in a beachfront hideout. Interiors are regal, sumptuously furnished and exceedingly spacious. Outdoors, you will find a generous swimming pool, elegant sitting areas, and even a rooftop lounge with Eastern vibes.
The setting is also surreal. Located in Sian Ka’an, the villa is surrounded by an unbelievably rich landscape. It is so lush that the house is barely visible from above among the foliage. Further, it has two waterfronts: the stunning Caribbean on one side and the Campechén Lagoon on the other, where you will find a private pier ideal for sunrise yoga, a lounge, and even a small boat to explore the waterscape.
Villa Uh K’aay
12 guests • 4 bedrooms • 4 bathrooms – Step inside
Meaning “the house of the singing moon,” Villa Uh K’aay is a place of communion with nature and award-winning architecture. It is located in Sian Ka’an, surrounded by tropical greenery and the electric blue of the sea. Perhaps the most photogenic spot in the villa is the rooftop, where you will find an infinity pool, a panoramic jacuzzi, and a spacious lounge to enjoy mind-blowing 360º views. And, of course, guests also have private access to one of the most amazing beaches in the Riviera Maya.
The interiors are just as delightful. The residence, which received an honorific mention at the 2020 Noldi Schreck Awards, features retracting walls, open corridors, and multiple terraces to provide seamless indoor/outdoor living. The four bedrooms, all comfortably modern, continue with the wood, white, and blue decor that characterizes the house throughout. And if you want to have a delicious dinner connected to the landscape, the dining table on the terrace is the place to head.
