Palafitos Bungalows Earn Forbes Travel Guide Honor

Cancún, Mexico — The Mexican Caribbean continues to achieve milestones in sustainability and luxury tourism, as Palafitos Overwater Bungalows, an exclusive resort operated by Grupo Lomas in Playa Maroma, has been honored with the Verified Responsible Hospitality insignia by Forbes Travel Guide. This coveted recognition is awarded to fewer than 200 luxury establishments worldwide and highlights properties demonstrating exceptional commitment to environmental protection, employee welfare, guest experience, and community engagement.

A Benchmark in Sustainable Luxury

The boutique hotel, situated on one of Mexico’s most stunning beaches, met over 100 rigorous standards to earn this distinction. The award acknowledges its “best practices in responsible hospitality, promoting environments that care for the planet and value people without compromising excellence in travel experiences.”

Palafitos Overwater Bungalows, a pioneer in Mexico for offering luxury overwater villas with glass floors and direct access to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef—the second-largest coral reef system in the world—provides guests with an immersive connection to nature. The resort’s achievement reflects its efforts to minimize environmental impact, optimize resources, and create positive outcomes for local communities.

Grupo Lomas’ Continued Sustainability Leadership

Grupo Lomas also announced that four of its other properties—El Dorado Maroma, El Dorado Royale, El Dorado Seaside Suites, and Generations Riviera Maya—received EarthCheck Gold Certification in 2025. This certification is reserved for organizations maintaining high sustainability standards for at least five consecutive years, underscoring the group’s long-term environmental vision.

Additionally, Grupo Lomas, which has operated successfully in Quintana Roo and Baja California for 43 years, reported another milestone: its Valle de Guadalupe-based hotel, El Cielo, was recently awarded Four Diamonds by the American Automobile Association (AAA). This accolade recognizes excellence in hospitality and service, further solidifying the group’s reputation across multiple tourism sectors.

Dolores López Lira, Chairwoman of Grupo Lomas, stated, “It is an honor to receive this recognition, which is granted to hotels demonstrating exceptional quality in hospitality and meticulous attention to detail in their facilities and services. This distinction commits us to continue delivering unforgettable experiences to our guests.”

The accolades underscore Grupo Lomas’ leadership in sustainable luxury tourism and its dedication to environmental and social responsibility.