‘Off The Beaten Path’: The Waldorf Astoria Cancun’s Fusion of Nature, Culture, and Luxury
NATURE SETS THE SCENE
The 173-room luxury Waldorf Astoria Cancun Resort stands apart from other Cancun hotels in more ways than one. The interior and architectural design expertly aligns with key emerging trends in hospitality design, embracing biophilia, celebrating local culture, and embodying a strong commitment to sustainability.
Situated on 100 acres of Mayan coastline, the resort is near Cancun International Airport, yet secluded behind a mangrove nature reserve, away from Cancun’s bustling tourist precinct. The resort offers guests an experience of Cancun that is ‘off-the-beaten-path’, inspiring guests to adopt a greater appreciation of the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the region.
The design embraces the intrinsic connection between humans and nature, blurring the lines between the built and natural environments to provide guests with an experience abundant in authenticity and connection. The materiality reflects Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), the leading hospitality design firm’s interpretation of Cancun’s natural wonders, leveraging organic materials, refined details, and local craftsmanship to enhance the site’s natural beauty and create a strong sense of place. From the interplay of textured glass to the gleam of pearl shell accents, each detail weaves a narrative of connection to nature.
“Our story of place takes inspiration from shells, from the white sand beaches of the Mexican Caribbean to artistic adornments that reflect an air of prestige and luxury. We focused on exquisite finishes to elevate the interiors as well as exaggerated volumes that echo more museum-like spaces…
We approached the design concept of this project as a journey of discovery. The design process is similar, it’s not always sequenced or linear, you discover things along the way that end up becoming defining elements of a space. Approaching design in this way allows for a unique result that feels outside of the box and curated with unexpected moments of surprise and delight.”
Striking Architecture
Blending the natural setting with the brand’s signature of contemporary luxury, the site guides guests on an exclusive journey of cultural immersion. Traditional Mexican materials are blended to great effect with modern technology, such as the dark, rich wood paneling and metal detailing used to create the distinctive pattern of the façade and inspired by the textures of local fabrics, particularly quilts.
The overall design imbues a connection to nature through modern lines, repetitive patterns, and undulating forms that mimic the sea. The interplay of widths from balcony to balcony mimics the shape of local sand dunes, a standout design element that gives the façade an expressive and well-defined aesthetic movement.
“Set among the Caribbean’s lush mangrove jungles and ancient Mayan ruins and overlooking the picturesque coastline of white sand and clear blue water, Waldorf Astoria was designed with the goals of enhancing the natural beauty of the locale and optimizing the guest experience,”
STEPPING INTO A WORLD OF LUXURY
The arrival experience begins as guests travel along the winding road to the resort. Here they gather a sense of the resort’s seclusion as they move through the sprawling mangrove jungle before arriving at an inviting and private porte-cochère, where they first behold the distinctive character of the property. Protecting the natural mangrove ecosystem was essential in preserving the site, honoring the existing lay of the land, and immersing guests in their surroundings.
Finding Harmony in Nature
Once through the vestibule, guests are welcomed into the airy lobby lounge – the signature arrival moment and a core space that defines the resort’s character. At the center of this lounge stands the signature Waldorf Astoria Clock, a nod to the Waldorf’s heritage and a design element integrated into all Waldorf Astoria hotels. Adorned with jewelry-like rings, pearl-accented pendulums and detailing inspired by the symbology of the Mayan calendar, a subtle nod to the locale and its history.
The materiality sets the tone in this space, where a combination of raw and polished stones, shades of blue that directly reflect the sea and sky, natural woods accented in warm metallic and pearlescent notes are accentuated with soft, moody lighting and crowned with a series of twinkling chandeliers.
The space seamlessly integrates the Cancun coastline, guiding the gaze through to the captivating expanse beyond. The lounge is comprised of eclectic and organic furniture groupings whose flowing arrangement breaks down any formality, presenting a relaxed attitude and opportunity for intimacy within the larger space. This continues outside where the lounge experience sinks into the landscape, surrounded by the resort’s lush plantings and picturesque reflecting pools.
Connections to the Community, the Culture, and the Caribbean
The boundaries between each space are broken down, providing a fluid transition from one area to the next. With strong lines and a pared-back aesthetic, broken edges create movement and texture while straight and modern lines generate a flow within the volumetric design.
Innovative architecture marries striking built forms with the incredible landscape, creating a continual interaction between the indoor and outdoor space. Filtered light contrasts with solid elements and muted palettes, creating a subtle interplay of shadow and light, fundamental to the design and ambiance of the resort.
Supporting the biophilic-inspired architecture, EDSA opened spaces, amenities, and terraced over-water decks creating varied experiential ambiances, while celebrating the natural features of the site. Paying tribute to the richness of the Yucatan jungle, the selection of shapes and materials match the intrinsic qualities of regional colors, textures, and forms.
“Walkways surrounded by water and rich vegetation have been carefully tailored to the site in support of preservation strategies that allow natural wildlife to thrive. In addition to having a positive environmental impact, this approach also offers guests a deeper understanding of the ecosystem by placing them in an environment where endemic species are central to the stay experience”
The incorporation of local culture and Mayan tradition is a prominent theme that resonates throughout the entire property, this is especially apparent in the Waldorf Astoria Spa. The signature spa is inspired by the connection between the Yaxché, or Tree of Life for the Mayan culture, with the use of the healing stones and the Mayan cosmovision.
The space is imbued with the essence of its indigenous heritage, placing holistic well-being at its very core. The range of rejuvenating treatments offered serves as a testament to the lush surroundings and deep cultural roots of the area, harnessing the potency of essential oils extracted from native trees and herbs grown on-site.
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