As a result, the luxury hotel scene in Cancun now has something new to offer its wide range of collection. The St. Regis Costa Mujeres Resort Cancun, the brand's second resort in the greater Cancun area, and the first property to offer luxury lodging, will officially open late June 2026, and will be the most recent addition to a region that has otherwise been dominated by all-inclusive properties.

It is a vast land which is worth understanding, either for travellers or for the luxurious ones.

The location and the appearance of the item

The resort is in the town of Costa Mujeres, which is approximately 20 minutes North of Cancun. This places it just under an hour from sister property the St. Regis Kanai Riviera Maya about ½ hour south of Cancun, offering a couple of St Regis properties on either side of the larger Cancun-Riviera Maya market for Marriott loyalists.

The property is situated on a beachfront property with 3.5ha. The only thing to keep in mind is that if you head to Costa Mujeres, you won't find it that wide, so take the beach with a pinch of salt. The hotspot that it does have, however, is its close proximity to Isla Mujeres a mere boat ride away which makes this an exciting day trip destination for a lot of guests during their stay.

The Amenities and Dining Scene

An establishment with the St. Regis brand brings with it a set of expectations, and this resort seems to tick all the right boxes. It's rather family-friendly: a number of swimming pools, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and a children's club are all available.

Menu products are a variety of different ideas that all have distinct positioning:

• The resort's main eating establishment, Costa Coral is an all-day restaurant of Mexican cuisine.
• Fish Market: Restaurant with lunch menu for Caribbean food.
• Palmare Grill: An all seafood restaurant that also serves lunch.
• Shami will be serving Asian fusion food, which are open to the public.
• Finally, the resort's signature bar, which carries on the brand's tradition of top-tier bar experiences world-wide, is St. Regis Bar.

It's a truly diverse offering for one resort, offering guests plenty of variety without having to venture off site a far cry from the all-inclusive style that reigns supreme in much of the area.

A Long Road to Opening

This resort has been a while in the making. It was originally announced in late 2022, and was slated for a March 2025 opening. The real opening would be a year and a half later in mid-2026. That may be a big canter, but not the biggest in the history of the luxury hotel development business or the largest in this category anyway!

What It Actually Costs: Cash Rates shows you how much those costs will truly amount to

The rate structure, as seen now that the resort is open and bookable, shows marked seasonality, which is typical of Caribbean and Mexican beach resorts. Nowadays, rates for the beginners start at less than $660 per night during less busy time. The quoted rate doesn't cover the high rate of taxes and services in Mexico, which usually range over 30% of the rate, which many first timers are surprised by when receiving their bill.

Rates are also higher in the off-season (peak winter season) when people from North America travel down to escape the winter chill, moving closer to $1000 per night before taxes and fees. It's a big seasonal change, and for those with travel flexibility, should be taken into account when planning.

The Points Redemption Math

For the World of Hyatt members (hey, I'm a Marriott Bonvoy member, too), the award rates for those who want to pay in points are currently from about 104,000 to 126,000 points per night, again seasonally and by room type. One point that adds actual value to the points proposition: Award nights are offered at a lower per-night cost for longer stays at Marriott, as the fifth night is covered.

The redemption math is approximately even if the numbers are run at a normal valuation of about 0.7 cents per Bonvoy point, and compared to cash rates plus Mexico's significant tax burden, especially during the low season. The calculus moves in favour of the points, when it is peak winter season and cash rates push closer towards $1,000 per night, and the fixed points cost look significantly more appealing in comparison.

How the Cancun luxury market is affected by this

In fact, the opening at the St. Regis Costa Mujeres is just one example of a larger, and interesting, trend taking place in the Cancun area. For years, the neighborhood outside of Mayakoba has been defined largely by the all-inclusive resorts that dominate the region and that for a certain type of traveler are perfect but that don't necessarily provide the à la carte experience that brands like St. Regis, Four Seasons and others can offer elsewhere in the world.

The significant real estate investment of two St. Regis properties now encircling the Cancun-Riviera Maya strip lends a touch of credibility to the notion that there's enough demand for such an alternative luxury resort business model in an area that has traditionally been dominated by the other side of the equation. Should that wager win, it is probably the start of more luxury brands launching non-all inclusive ideas in the wider region.

The following is a summary of key facts about the new resort

• There are 163 guest rooms and 50 suites, 20 minutes north of Cancun, for a total of 213 accommodations.
• In low season up to $660/night and high during the winter up to $1,000/night plus 30%+ taxes and fees.
• Someone booking at 104,000 points per night up to 126,000 points per night on a night stay will get 5 more points for a fifth night free, which will increase the value of their stay. Those staying five nights or more who book at 104,000 up to 126,000 will receive 5 extra points for their fifth night's stay, adding to their value.
• There are 5 different dining options with Mexican, Caribbean, seafood and Asian fusion ideas.
• The resort has been announced to open in mid-2026, which is about 18 months later than the original announced opening date of early 2025.

The Bottom Line

St. Regis Costa Mujeres Resort Cancun is the second luxury resort in the greater Cancun area, providing a true non-all-inclusive option in an area where it's been the standard. The resort has 213 rooms and suites, five dining options and is located right on the beach, close to Isla Mujeres, making it an actual point of interest for those who want a more polished Cancun area experience. 

The point/cash math is level much of the year, favoring points value in the high priced winter peak season. If you're a Marriott Bonvoy member looking to head to Mexico for vacation, this is a new opportunity to keep an eye on, and early reviews and real-world experiences are beginning to come in.