717 Best Hotels in Mexico

Tranquility and seclusion are the name of the game in these adults-only, cozy bungalows located a stone's throw from the beach. Although small, each has a bath, a queen- or king-size bed, a hammock, and a terrace that leads to a garden; the three-person suite has an extra pullout bed and a kitchenette. Added creature comforts include hair dryers, TVs, Wi-Fi, refrigerators, and coffeemakers. Meals are served in an on-site restaurant, where the menu includes seafood, grilled dishes, and brick-oven pizzas. To cool off, there's a small swimming pool and the beach is just a two-minute walk away.

A couple of friendly American expats run this charming cliff-top hideaway with gorgeous views of the ocean and Boca de Iguanas Beach below. The furniture is stylish, and homey touches like lamps and aquatic wall decorations make the snug apartments just right for holing up. The two apartments upstairs, with thatched roofs and kitchen and living room open to the elements, are not usually available in summer due to the rain; the rest of the year they're highly coveted.

Good snorkeling off the rocky shoreline and a relaxed family feel make this resort, which offers both hotel rooms and apartmentlike units, a north-coast favorite. The latter have one or two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a balcony or terrace. Most of the studio-size hotel rooms overlook the jungle; try to get an ocean-facing one on an upper floor for the best views and sea breezes. The hotel has an infinity pool, a small, man-made, sandy beach and its own PADI dive center. 

Located on the most popular stretch of Playa El Médano, families, couples, and friends will all equally feel at home in these chic, comfortable oceanfront towers. And, unlike most other resorts in Los Cabos, Corazón is all about the beach, and swimming, water sports, and sunbathing on the sand are guaranteed to be a special part of your stay.

With its contemporary design in concrete, the Courtyard by Marriott is a commanding presence amid the other major-brand hotels along Avenida Colón near Paseo de Montejo. Rooms are efficient and comfortable, if not especially interesting, though some on higher floors offer sweeping city views, which both guests and nonguests can enjoy while indulging in drinks and snacks at the rooftop Kioyú Sky Lounge. The rooftop pool is also a favorite feature of many guests. 

The draw of this deluxe property is that it's five minutes from the airport and offers free round-trip airport shuttle service, making it ideal for those who are vacationing in Playa del Carmen or Tulum and who have an early flight. Rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, large desks with ergonomic chairs, laptop safes, and 32-inch plasma TVs; suites have a lounge area, dining room, kitchenette, and private steam room. Given its location, the hotel is surprisingly quiet—even in the garden courtyard, outdoor pool, and palapa lounge. As it's on a relatively undeveloped stretch of highway, however, the 20-minute commute to central Cancún creates a sense of isolation. If you're longing for the beach, use your Courtyard towel as an "entrance pass" at the Omni Hotel, where you can enjoy pools, bars, and a beach area.

In high season, guests surround the enormous pool at this bright-orange Wyndham property, while activity directors enliven the crowd with games and loud music. The scene is quieter at the beach club, which is accessed via an under-street tunnel; however, the beach here is a rocky shoreline, not a sandy strand. The large rooms are reminiscent of a moderate chain hotel, with tile floors, comfy beds, and bathtub-shower combos. All-inclusive packages cover not only meals, drinks, taxes, and tips but also a scuba lesson at the hotel's PADI dive center.

Gleaming white in the afternoon sun, the Cozumel Palace seems more like a cruise ship than an upscale all-inclusive hotel, one where the music and flowing drinks in the tight confines of the pool deck area create a lively outdoor atmosphere. In sharp contrast, the romantic, multilevel bedrooms are airy enclaves with whirlpool tubs, luxurious bathrooms, stocked refrigerators, and balcony hammocks. Three top-quality restaurants and an outdoor snack bar offer numerous dining options and the buffet breakfast is not to be missed. The Palace Resorts chain has time-share and club programs, so salespeople are about. The small, man-made beach is a good place to hide from the pool area. The snorkeling along the pool's edge is made easy with several ladder entry locations.

This family-oriented all-inclusive resort features a pirate-theme water park as its main attraction. The Baby Paradise and the teens’ club are also well appointed. Rooms aren’t spectacular but they offer ample space and include kid-size bunk beds. All restaurants feature their own kids’ menu. An adults-only sister hotel is available next door, for those looking something a bit more peaceful.

The lobby in this high-rise on Playa Mocambo is adorned with glass sculptures. Many of the rooms face the ocean, and the suites also have small balconies. The poolside fountain and the activities in the play area make this a good bet for families traveling with young children. It's across from Las Americas mall.

The small group of Decu hotels—there are also four in Mexico City and one in Tulum—entered Mérida with this understated, discreet property situated east of Plaza Grande, in a colonial-style house whose rooms have either colonial or Maya design elements, such as traditional pasta tile floors or walls of chukum (a form of plaster that has been used by the Maya for millennia). Regardless of the aesthetic, all rooms have muted contemporary color schemes.

Husband and wife duo Fabrizio Cavallo and Nilú Feregrino have dedicated their lives to "conscious living," and Desierto Azul ("where the desert meets the ocean") is their brainchild. Not a single detail was overlooked when designing this four-room microhotel ("we're not boutique, but petite," they say): the property is solar-powered, the beds are fitted with organic sheets and linens, the bath products are locally made and reef-safe, and the bar serves natural wine. They also offer plant-based nutrition workshops twice a month at an on-site cooking studio.

This old-fashioned hotel—really two perfectly preserved 18th-century colonial homes—has beautiful courtyards, gardens, and sunlit nooks throughout. Rooms have high ceilings and wide windows; some have fireplaces. Ask for one of the rooms that number in the 300s, which are in an older wing and have high wood-beam ceilings as well as working charcoal stoves. The bar, reached through a set of swinging doors, stocks more than 175 brands of tequila.

A longtime favorite of international travelers, this family-run spot with a small motel feel is the best budget choice near the ruins. Spartan-ish rooms have hard beds and chunky, colonial-style furniture, but there are also two pools (one with palapas and hammocks) plus a family-style restaurant. The convivial vibe, along with cheap prices, is the big draw here. Free transportation to Chichén Itzá is provided daily. There's a small discount for reservations made online.

What was for a long time just a restaurant and convention center is now the top lodging choice in Mitla. Owner Alfonso Moreno Díz has lovingly restored his grandfather's estate, and it's a remarkable place to stay, complete with an inner courtyard that has a solar-heated pool, an orange-tree-shaded garden bar, and a play structure for kids. Rooms could hardly be cheerier—everything is saturated with color—with intricately carved furniture brightly painted with flowers and fruits. Some doubles have private terraces over the garden—definitely ask for one. Rates are discounted Sunday–Thursday. The restaurant ($) is worthwhile in its own right; don't pass up the pollo relleno con quesillo y huitlacoche (chicken stuffed with Oaxacan cheese and corn fungus) or the local version of mole negro.

There's plenty to keep families busy (and pampered) at this luxurious all-inclusive resort on a perfect stretch of beach. The rate includes a vast array of outdoor activities—a good deal if you want to do more than just work on your tan. The Explorer's Club entertains youngsters with supervised nature-based activities while grown-ups go snorkeling or relax in the soothing spa. Parents are supplied with pagers in case they need to be reached. The light-filled guest rooms have plenty of space in which to spread out. Request a room on a higher floor for the best views. À la carte dining at five restaurants (no reservations needed), an ever-evolving buffet, 24-hour room service, and a café for morning lattes set this all-inclusive apart from others in the area.

This casual, unfussy resort is touted as a romantic getaway, but with an average of five weddings a week, it's more a destination for families and wedding parties with guests of all ages in attendance. Guests simply check in at the restaurant or bar of their choice, rather than having to wear the brightly colored wristbands synonymous with all-inclusives. The best restaurant of the six is Bordeaux, however, no children under 18 are permitted. Rooms have poster beds, faux-oak furnishings, a lounge area, and stocked minibar and microwave. The U-shape building wraps around two huge pools, with one set aside just for families. The spa, tennis courts, and nightly entertainment keep guests happy for days. Roughly a third of the rooms are timeshare properties, so expect to be pitched with an offer to buy. Wedding and honeymoon packages are offered.

The guest rooms at this sprawling resort—built around a lofty lobby with views across the grounds and to the sea—are lustrous, from the contemporary Mexican decor to the marble bathrooms. Some first-floor accommodations also have private plunge pools and direct beach access. Preferred Members enjoy a private beach area and VIP lounge, plus ocean views and private whirlpool tubs. By day you can enjoy volleyball, yoga, Spanish classes, and cooking courses, and, by night, live performances, theme parties, and movies on the beach. Sailing, snorkeling, and kayaks are also included. While parents relax poolside, kids can play at the Maya-themed Explorer's Club, which has a pyramid-shaped climbing wall, a planetarium theater, and a CPR-certified staff. An adjacent playroom with a ball pit and toys appropriate for small children is available for parents with babies or toddlers.

Hidden four blocks off the busy malecón, this '60s-era villa has apartments of various sizes filled with modern Mexican art and comfortable, if well-worn, furniture. All apartments have well-equipped kitchens, and a few rooms have ocean-view terraces; the largest has three bedrooms, two baths, and a separate dining room. There's a red-tile pool and tropical gardens. In high season the property accepts only weeklong bookings.

This six-story boutique hotel on the side of Roma Norte closer to Bosque de Chapultepec and Avenida Reforma offers uncluttered contemporary rooms with smart TVs, fast Wi-Fi, and stand-alone rain head showers, but instead of a conventional front desk, guests communicate with the highly efficient staff through text messages or phone calls. It's a set-up that's more akin to an Airbnb and may not be for everyone, but the reasonable rates, great location, and well-designed rooms have earned the hotel a very positive following. Barbero restaurant, on the ground floor, is a nice option for a glass of wine or a full dinner while the rooftop eatery Cafe de Mayo serves tasty breakfast and brunch fare (it's not open at night). 

Mixing the colonial with modern Mexican, this hotel's whitewashed rooms have wrought-iron fixtures and hand-carved furniture. The nicest standard rooms have orchard-view terraces; junior suites have balconies (overlooking the parking area), small kitchens, a living-dining area, and spa baths. The property also has a game room, communal computers for guests, an arboretum with local flora, and a fenced-in area for ducks. You can borrow tennis rackets and balls to use on the cement court. There's a lively palapa bar and the main restaurant has a big menu ranging from nachos to filet mignon, with Yucatecan favorites represented, too. 

The Mediterranean-style palapa-topped bungalows are on a hillside at the extreme end of the beach and just steps from the sand. Each has a terrace with a lovely ocean view and a hammock. Rooms are tastefully furnished with beige linens, floral pillows, and rustic wooden furniture. The restaurant serves Mediterranean foods including pizzas from a wood-burning stove and grilled meats. Note that the beach in front of the hotel is popular among nudists. The spa and yoga studio have a small pool.

Since access is only via a walk along the beach, there isn't much standing in the way of you and the ocean at this stark-white property, which, as the tallest hotel in Mahahual, also offers spectacular views from its rooftop, where you'll find a small infinity pool and a rooftop bar (open 5 to 10 pm). Most rooms feature two double beds, and all of the rooms here have a hand-painted mural, air-conditioning, cable TV, and a mini-refrigerator; the four rooms facing the water have balconies. This hotel also features one handicap-accessible room on the ground floor with a bed and a futon.

El Careyes Club and Residences is an oceanfront, integrally designed project that features a wide array of lodging options, including one- to five-bedroom suites, private villas, and luxurious bungalows. Each accommodation comes with a fully equipped kitchen and top-notch amenities and toiletries. The common areas include five infinity pools and tubs, as well as access to private restaurants.

Next door to the Puerta Maya cruise pier and shopping center, this smallish resort, part of a small Mexican hotel chain, is a comfortable choice, with some condo-style rooms that have kitchenettes. Most overlook the ocean, though you may have to crane your neck around the massive cruise ships parked in front to see it. The lobby and pool area separate two buildings, one facing a generous beach and the other above a smaller patch of sand bordering a shallow saltwater lagoon with a waterfall and a temazcal (outdoor sauna).

Named after Spain's legendary medieval leader, Mazatlán's largest resort has four properties, three of which are together in the Zona Dorada. The most upscale are the all-inclusive La Castilla and El Moro. The Granada costs less because it's the oldest, has no beachfront, and operates on the European Plan (that is, no meals included). A free shuttle connects these to the upscale, all-inclusive Marina El Cid Hotel and Yacht Club, at the north end of town, overlooking the 100-slip marina. Staying at any El Cid property gets you access to the full-service spa and fitness center, the city's best golf school and course, tennis and racquetball courts, and the aquatics center. Among readers, the Marina seems to be the favorite of the properties for its friendly staff, superior upkeep, and serene mood.

Although this beachfront property has been overshadowed by its newer neighbors, the location—amid 500 acres of lush jungle—is as alluring as ever. A crystal chandelier and marble infinity fountain vie for attention in the extravagant lobby. Junior suites have small sitting rooms, king-size beds, hot tubs, and ocean-facing terraces; in the more upscale Casitas Royale section, swim-up casitas have dome roofs and oceanfront terraces. Eight restaurants serve exceptional dishes. Despite the size of the resort, it strives to be eco-friendly by using solar water-heating systems, energy-saving air-conditioners, and recycled water; a 70,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse grows most of the vegetables served. There's free shuttle service to Cancún and Playa del Carmen for organized shopping tours.

If you absolutely need a place to stay in the area, then this simple three-story hotel is really your only remotely acceptable option. Rooms, which can accommodate up to three people, are bright and clean but basic and dated; upper level ones toward the back are quieter than those on the street level. The restaurant does a brisk business with locals who come for good Yucatecan specialties like poc chuc (pork marinated in sour-orange sauce), bistec a la yucateca (Yucatecan-style steak), and pollopibil. The mole is also recommended.

Near the Diego Rivera Museum and other downtown sights, the four-story "Inn of the Poets" offers comfortable lodgings at a moderate price, which is all too rare in downtown Guanajuato. Each room and suite is named after a different poet and has unique layout and furnishings; those on the upper floors have the most natural light and best views, but bear in mind you must walk up.

On the north side of the main square, this well-preserved, 17th-century house was built around a lovely, open patio and has comfortable rooms with air-conditioning, Wi–Fi, and safes. Suites and superior class rooms have extra amenities, such as bathrobes; rooms on the fifth floor open to the pool on one side and the square on the other. The restaurant, in a courtyard with an old stone fountain and surrounded by porticoes, serves Yucatecan specialties; the ambience is more impressive than the food itself, although the soups are quite tasty.