The iconic Greg Norman designed El Camaleón in Mexico’s Riviera Maya offers championship level play for guests of the destination’s four distinctive luxury resorts
QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO – Mexico’s 595-acre legacy enclave and luxury resort destination on the Riviera Maya, Mayakoba, celebrates its recognition as the 2024 Golf Resort of the Year at the annual Americas Awards, presented by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). Mayakoba was among just three other golf resorts and four golf destinations in the Americas honored in the 2024 awards, with winners selected by IAGTO’s tour operator members to recognize outstanding service provided during the past year.
“We’re incredibly honoured that Mayakoba has been named as a Golf Resort of the Year in the Americas by IAGTO’s esteemed golf tour operators. We’re grateful for their recognition and the valuable platform IAGTO provides to showcase Mayakoba’s unparalleled offerings – a haven of four ultra-luxury hotels and residences alongside the legendary El Camaleón Golf Course,” says Kappner Clark, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for RLH Properties. “This recognition fuels our commitment to continuously elevate Mayakoba’s position as a leader in the luxury golf and hospitality sector.”
The recognition for Mayakoba and its championship course El Camaleón is especially timely as golf tourism continues to grow exponentially. Golf travelers are expected to exceed 12 million in 2024 for the third straight year, and golf tourism represents the second-largest economic driver in the industry generating more than $31 billion in travel-related golf expenditures, according to the National Golf Foundation.
In late 2023, El Camaleón completed a year-long enhancement project, including a total transformation of the clubhouse and a redesign of various holes on the championship course. Players can expect an entirely new clubhouse experience, featuring a thoughtfully appointed library space designed as a pre- or post-round social gathering area with balconies overlooking the 18th hole, practice putting green, and driving range. Signature restaurant, Koba, offers a menu of elevated classics, while the clubhouse’s first floor features a new speakeasy style bar; premium men’s and women’s locker rooms complete with relaxation areas and spacious shower and changing facilities; a sophisticated new Pro Shop; and outdoor bar overlooking the course.
On the course itself, hole enhancements were made to create a more challenging play environment, including changes to bunker elevations, longer tee boxes, a green update to hole 8 and a new island green on the picturesque oceanside fourth hole. The course renovations were spearheaded by Greg Norman, who envisioned the original design of El Camaleón with its opening nearly 20 years ago.
El Camaleón has been ranked as one of the top courses in Mexico by Golf Digest and one of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World by GOLF magazine. Weaving through the distinct ecosystems of Mayakoba, including tropical jungle, dense mangroves, freshwater canals, and pristine Riviera Maya oceanfront, the course is considered one of the most diverse in the world with a variety of shot options to test players’ skills.
For more information on Mayakoba’s golf experience and to book a stay at one of the resorts, please visit www.mayakoba.com.
ABOUT MAYAKOBA:
Nestled in the Mexican Riviera Maya, Mayakoba is a 595-acre resort and residential destination surrounded by the natural beauty of lagoons, jungle, tranquil waters, and a sugar sand beach. Four meaningfully placed luxury hotels can be found within Mayakoba — Andaz, Banyan Tree, Fairmont, and Rosewood — each with distinct personalities and amenities, perfectly complementing one another, and three collections of private residences, including Rosewood Residences Mayakoba, Fairmont Heritage Place Mayakoba, and The Reserve. Within the coveted destination are a wealth of lifestyle experiences including four acclaimed spas, more than 35 restaurants with eclectic cuisines and a village square that serves as an event space modeled after the historic colonial plazas in Mexico. In addition, guests have access to a three-mile-long nature trail, an array of recreational pursuits through Mayakoba Experiences, the Dive and Water Sports Center and Mayakoba Dive School, and spectacular 18-hole golf course designed by renowned architect and golf legend Greg Norman. For more information, visit www.mayakoba.com.
ABOUT EL CAMALEÓN:
Mayakoba offers a spectacular 18-hole golf course, El Camaleón, designed by renowned course architect and golf legend Greg Norman. One of the most diverse courses in the world, El Camaleón blends through the diverse ecosystems of Mayakoba, including tropical jungle, dense mangroves, freshwater canals, and pristine Riviera Maya oceanfront. A naturally occurring cenote unearthed by Norman’s design team and dubbed the “Cave Bunker” makes for memorable play on hole 7. In addition to the course, players at El Camaleón can also enjoy a 350-yard driving range, putting green, and short game area to practice chipping and bunker shots. The Jim McLean Academy at El Camaleón offers the top golf school in Mexico, featuring a highly refined teaching system, state of the art facilities, personalized instruction, and the latest technology in golf analysis computer software, including Trackman and JV video motion analysis. After a round on the course, players can enjoy the elegantly appointed new Koba Clubhouse, complete with three dining concepts, premier golf pro shop, lounge area, and more. For 16 years, El Camaleón was home to the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba (formerly the Mayakoba Golf Classic), Mexico’s historic first-ever PGA TOUR event, and the destination continues to pave the way for the sport of golf in Mexico today with its LIV Golf partnership. For more information, visit www.mayakoba.com/el-camaleon-golf-course/.
ABOUT RLH PROPERTIES:
RLH Properties is a leading Mexico City-based, publicly listed company focused on the acquisition, development and management of luxury and ultra-luxury hotels and resorts and associated branded residential product. Established in Mexico City in 2013, RLH Properties is funded primarily by pension funds, institutional investors, and Mexican family offices. RLH’s investment strategy focuses on AAA assets in unique locations with high entry barriers, in markets with low supply relative to current and potential demand, and partnerships with the finest internationally recognized hotel operators. RLH’s current portfolio includes Rosewood Mayakoba, Fairmont Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Andaz Mayakoba, Four Seasons Mexico City, One&Only Mandarina, El Camaleón Mayakoba, Rosewood Residences Mayakoba, Fairmont Heritage Place Mayakoba, and One&Only Mandarina Private Homes. Additionally, RLH Properties has two projects currently under development: Rosewood Mandarina and Rosewood Residences Mandarina, set to open within the year 2024. For more information, visit www.rlhproperties.com/rlh-properties-english/.
MEDIA CONTACT: C&R PR, mayakoba@candrpr.com
