Luxury in the Yucatan Jungle at Chable Resort & Spa

Arriving at Chable, a hacienda-turned-38-casita resort and spa within Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, we were ready for a bit of jungle fun — and that’s exactly what we got. Tucked away on 750 acres of lush tropical foliage, the year-old property beautifully blends the plantation history and traditions of the area with plenty of contemporary comforts. Among them: a private pool with every casita, which, of course, was a top highlight for both our kids. The gorgeous holistic spa, overlooking a cenote (natural sinkhole sacred to the Mayans), ranks high for moms and dads too.

On the outskirts of the colonial town of Merida, Chable is also within easy proximity of the city’s museums, restaurants and boutiques. Our stay at the resort was the perfect complement to a few previous days along Tulum’s beaches, rounding out a weeklong family itinerary in the Yucatan Peninsula with stops in Tulum, Chichen Itza and Merida.

Review and Highlights of Chable Resort & Spa for Families

Accommodations

To say our standalone casita was sprawling would be an understatement. Sliding doors opened onto a living space with double beds veiled in sheer curtains and a writing desk; the bathroom, meanwhile, featured both an indoor and outdoor shower. A separate closet room kept all the luggage out of sight and out of the way.

Complimentary coffee, pastries and juice arrived daily to our open-air patio, with birds chirping and flying in the trees above (ask for a birdwatching pamphlet from the front desk). Our heated casita pool featured a shallow portion, ideal for toddlers and younger kids, as well as a deeper end for older kids and adults. Our eldest remarked excitedly a few times, “Our house has its own pool!”

Dining

The property features an all-day restaurant, a spa restaurant open for breakfast and lunch, and a dinner-only venue, housed in its own stunning building with a 3,750-bottle tequila collection. All meals were well-prepared and we found plenty of options as vegetarians, but breakfast was one of the daily highlights. The menu included everything from avocado toast to hibiscus flower enchiladas to chilaquiles (crispy tortillas tossed with tomatillo salsa and topped with cheese). The chef and staff also generously customized some vegetarian meals for us, making cauliflower tacos and margherita pizzas upon request.

Conveniently, the main restaurant also looks out to the central pool, so we often arrived to breakfast in our swim trunks and suits. My husband had planned to join one of the tequila tastings hosted at Ixi’im, the fine-dining restaurant, with small appetizers or chocolate paired with the tequilas, but unfortunately ran short on time.

Spa, Pool and Activities

With a strong focus on wellness, the spa features an extensive menu of treatments, all of which begin with a cleansing and blessing ritual. Choose from the three-hour Fountain’s Flow journey, which includes flotation therapy, an herb-infused salt scrub and lymphatic drainage massage, or several facial and beauty treatments. Also on offer are ceremonial rituals within a temazcal, a sweat lodge of sorts, where herbal rubs, chants and musical instruments are all used to purify and promote a balanced state of being. Additionally, some of the fitness and outdoor activities coordinated by the spa, including biking and yoga, are suitable for older kids.

All in all, our kids enjoyed the freedom and space the property allows, whether it was basking in a flamingo- or unicorn-shaped pool floatie at the main pool, looking for geckos on our patio, ducking into the edible garden and sneaking away with a sprig of mint, or walking the gravel paths and coming upon a vacant swing chair. It’s some of those quiet moments that family vacations are all about.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly accommodations and trip ideas in Mexico on Ciao Bambino

Top things to do in Mexico’s Riviera Maya with kids

Tips for traveling to Cabo San Lucas with kids

Postcard from Mexico City: Cruising canals in colorful trajineras

Editor’s Note: Ciao Bambino received a media package in order to review Chable Resort & Spa for families. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos by Tanvi Chheda.