147 Best Hotels in Mexico

The luxurious InterContinental has top-notch service, expansive lawns, pristine beaches, and spacious, modern rooms. Situated in a quiet patch of jungle, this property is away from the cruise-ship hustle and bustle, making it the perfect place for those looking to escape. Guest rooms are sleek and creatively utilize wood and earth tones to set the mood. The rooms are enhanced by luxe touches like outdoor rain showers, spacious outdoor lounge furniture areas, or whirlpool tubs with a sea view. The spa is the island's best, and active types can take advantage of the dive shop, tennis courts, 24-hour modern gym, putting greens, and daily roster of activities. There is even an adults-only pool away from the main areas and a dedicated kids' area located at the opposite end of the facility.

From the moment you set foot on the palapa-roofed boat that brings you to your room's private dock, the Rosewood transports you to an exotic world—one where meandering trails lead through grounds featuring a labyrinthine network of lily-strewn lagoons. In keeping with the contemporary Mexican motif, villas are crafted from indigenous materials such as wood and limestone, and many are built on stilts over the water. Every romantic room has a garden shower, plunge pool, boat dock, and rooftop sundeck; all nine accommodation categories also include personal butler service. Its romantic atmosphere notwithstanding, the resort is welcoming to families.

Professional and amateur surfers alike claim the prime ocean-view rooms in this small hotel on the cliffs above Playa Costa Azul that has successfully blended surfing and pampering into one property. Tastefully decorated with surfing photographs, rooms have marble floors, huge terraces, minibars, king beds, and pull-out sofas; some have French doors that open to the sea breezes. Guests mingle by the two swimming pools and in the 7 Seas Seafood Grille (which has great fish tacos), and they schedule their day's activities around the daily surf report. A second "quiet pool" makes for a nice resting place after morning yoga. The hotel has a surf school, and surfboard rentals. The small Sea Spa & Salon offers massages developed specifically for surfers' wave-taxed muscles, with many other treatments for nonsurfers, too. Unlike most surf hotels, this property is not pet-friendly and rooms are not for budget travelers. Book early at this popular spot.

This oasis of greenery offers charming suites arranged around a free-form swimming pool and lush gardens inside a gated complex near La Punta. The well-maintained, low-rise buildings are decorated in Mexican style with a profusion of locally crafted artwork and hand-painted Talavera tiles. Suites range in size from studios to two bedrooms (maximum occupancy five), all with terraces and fully equipped kitchens. There's a TV lounge, a communal palapa with massage room, and a weekly meet-and-greet. Cribs are available upon request. Smoking is not allowed. Daily yoga and weekly zumba classes are complimentary for guests.

Top-notch luxury, extraordinary gastronomy, and a state-of-the-art spa are some of the attributes of this sprawling property in Cancún's up-and-coming Punta Sam area. Suites are huge and stylish, combining neutral colors with green and yellow accents; some include a private terrace or balcony with a hammock and plunge pool, while others come with a fully-equipped kitchenette and washer-and-dryer combo. This is the odd all-inclusive resort where you can actually feel at home.  

With a curved, half-moon layout that ensures ocean views for all rooms, this luxury resort does not cut the usual "all-inclusive" corners: instead the Grand Velas offers an excess of everything, from its spacious rooms (1,180-square-feet), each with an outdoor Jacuzzi, minibar, walk-in closet, and views of the ocean and three pools, to top-notch dining options, premium drinks, and excellent service. Modern Mexican design is complimented with thoughtful in-room touches like Nespresso machines and L'Occitane bath products. Seven impressive restaurants and personalized service (expect to be called by name) make this property stand out from the resort pack. Grand Velas has wiped away all-inclusive headaches including wristbands, shortage of beach chairs, pool games, and extra fees for lobster, beach beds, premium wines, and nearly everything in between. The two-story spa has a seven-station hydrotherapy and pampering treatments including a tequila cream massage.

Families from Mexico City escape to this sprawling 16th-century ex-hacienda, part of the upscale Brisas chain, which is replete with topiary gardens, a horse stable, access to a nearby golf course, and acres of grassy sports fields. Antique horse-drawn carriages dot the grounds and courtyards, and the spacious earth-tone rooms have dark-wood furniture. Jurica is an upscale residential neighborhood a 20-minute drive northwest of the city center but conveniently located off of Highway 57---it's a good alternative to staying in the city, especially if you're en route to Guanajuato or points north.

Chic and trendy, Krystal Guadalajara features modern and comfortable rooms at a great location with a small mall, restaurants, and many services within walking distance. 

This resort is great for both families and couples looking for a complete getaway, featuring 591 suites, eight restaurants ranging from French to Italian and Spanish to Japanese, seven bars, four pools (including an adults-only option), and a Kids' Club. The massive property's rooms are equipped with Jacuzzi tubs, microsuede couches, onyx lamps, marble countertops, and thick white duvets. An 18,000-square-foot spa offers plenty of pampering, while the 34 swim-up suites are truly exceptional. Other perks include free room service and Wi-Fi, Spanish classes, pool activities, a sports bar, theater shows, and a piano bar. The food is surprisingly good for an all-inclusive.

At this sophisticated little hotel on the northern end of Soliman Bay, a large stone Buddha flanked by birds-of-paradise greets you in the lobby—which is outfitted with Indonesian carved-wood doors and Moroccan art—and two small swimming pools nestle in a garden of palms just beyond. Elegant rooms have Italian accents, with natural stone floors, luxurious linens, and top-end bathrooms; junior suites have large terraces with private plunge pools. Protected by a reef, the bay here is great for snorkeling or splashing around with kids. Indeed, for a place with such grown-up style, Jashita is remarkably child-friendly—it even has a baby crib-hammock for beach use. Breakfast is served overlooking the water, and if you head to the restaurant for another meal, skip the international portion of the menu and focus on the well-made Mexican classics.

Set in a beautiful natural location that blends perfectly with its design, Montage is an idyllic desert-beach retreat that pampers with lavish luxury; plus, there's a touch of local authenticity missed in other properties in the area. The rooms are wide, fresh, and cozy; here minimalism is out of the equation, and everything is designed to make you feel at home. The dining options make the most of Mexico's finest culinary traditions, and the spa easily qualifies as world-class.

This hotel is recommended for its location: right on the beach and in the midst of Zona Romántica's restaurants, bars, and shops. Yellow trumpet vines and lacy palms draped in tiny white lights enliven the pool and the bar-restaurant, which has music nightly and a Mexican fiesta on Saturday evening. Rooms are well-appointed, though some furnishing has seen better days. The swimming pool is a very lively area, although not very private, as passersby can look inside from the sidewalk.

This suite-only beachfront four-diamond resort in Nuevo Vallarta features Spanish-colonial-decor rooms, a private balcony overlooking the bay, and a multilevel lagoon-style pool. It's ideal for couples and families who want to enjoy luxury and quality, and good food can be enjoyed at any of the restaurants within the property. 

Each small room in the main building of this bright, colorful seaside hotel has an ocean view and a private terrace, and next door are more expensive condos with Spanish colonial touches. The spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom units have full kitchens, living and dining rooms, and oceanfront balconies. Decor is simple and beachy. Guests can rent golf carts, bikes, snorkeling equipment, and kayaks by the hour, day, or week on a first-come-first-served basis.

Rooms are spacious at this hacienda-style Hilton built on one of the Corridor's few swim-friendly beaches. It's a multipurpose, business-friendly, wedding-friendly, kids-friendly hotel, with a loyal clientele that returns year after year. The infinity pool is beautiful, and all five restaurants serve outstanding food. The property's AltaMar Experience, a collection of 65 VIP rooms on the top floors, grants guests all sorts of privileges like personalized check-in, butler service, and a private lounge. Groups and families make up most of the clientele here. Four meeting rooms will accommodate up to 600. In the guest rooms, elaborate headboards, luxurious linens, and L'Occitane bath products are lovely touches to a resort that has an edge on most properties in this price category.

On the beach in San José del Cabo, this chic, whitewashed property is peaceful from the moment you walk through the 20-foot antique door to a waterfall wall and marble floors that lead to a breathtaking lobby centered on a circular rope structure that drops 1,200 feet from the ceiling. A staircase leads to the main focus, an open-air chapel overlooking the ocean, an obvious favorite for brides; at least two weddings take place here per week. Featuring five pools and three restaurants, this hotel-and-timeshare hybrid has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with spacious one- to three-bedroom villas and more than a dozen giant penthouses. The villas are more like sleek apartments with full kitchens, Jacuzzi tubs, and king beds with hypoallergenic sheets and intricately carved headboards. White-and-black decor, spacious balconies, pullout sofas, and top-of-the-line appliances are a nice touch. A salon, pool, fitness center, and full spa facility round out the perks.

This hip Marriott property near the convention center has a fresh, modern concept that generates quite a social scene. The funky lobby features bright mismatched furniture, cement floors, exposed ductwork, modern art, and a lounge bar. Smallish rooms have leather benches, ergonomic desk chairs, white duvets, and all the basic amenities (minibars, Wi-Fi, TVs, and safes). Although there's only one restaurant, the 24-hour snack bar lets you grab and go. Aloft isn't on the beach, but guests receive access to the neighboring beach club. The 360-degree view from the rooftop pool is unparalleled.

At the most recent addition to Mayakoba's selection of superluxurious resorts, guest rooms are fresh, modern—with a palette inspired by the colors of the surrounding jungle—and loaded with a wide array of deluxe amenities. There are six gourmet à la carte restaurants, including a vegan bar and a stylish Mexican bar with live music. A great spa, kids club, two outdoor pools, world-class golf course, and canal boat rides, make for great complements of an all-around outstanding resort. 

If you're looking for a more peaceful atmosphere for your Oaxaca stay, this small, simple hotel north of the city may fit the bill nicely. Simple tiled rooms are arranged around a long, narrow garden, at the end of which is a small pool. The restaurant is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the hotel is close to other restaurants in the village of San Felipe. Excellent service makes this hotel worth the visit.

Situated on a beautiful beach with a protected reef just offshore, this all-inclusive family-friendly resort has six pools, eight restaurants, and several categories of rooms, including swim-up rooms and family suites that accommodate two adults and three children. Most of the 435 rooms on property—tastefully done with cream bedding and marble floors—are oceanfront. Kids will appreciate a kids-only water park, welcome drinks, and piñata-making lessons. For families, strollers, bottle-warmers, changing tables, and baby food are included.

This all-inclusive megacomplex consists of four upscale hotels (Akumal, Cobá, Tulum, and Sian Ka'an) with extensive shared facilities reachable by shuttle from 7:30 am to midnight. The two luxury lodgings—Akumal and Sian Ka'an—have access to facilities at all four properties. For peace and relaxation, Sian Ka'an is near the golf course in a jungle setting and has an adults-only section; if you want an ocean view, opt for Akumal. For families, the massive Cobá resort has a water park and family zone, while Tulum has a dolphin pool with daily programs. As with many all-inclusives, there are tons of buffet and à la carte restaurants; the difference here is that the food is tasty in all of them. Other on-site facilities include a little market area, and a disco, spa, and casino.

Once you get past its dull exterior, this high-rise resort turns out to be quite lively. There's a subdued elegance to its marble-floor lobby and a cheerfulness to the skylighted inner courtyard where long vines hang from the balconies of the surrounding rooms. The rooms are nothing special, but they are clean and comfortable; most have small balconies with ocean views (be sure to request one and opt for a higher floor to avoid noise from the pool area). The focus is on the outdoors, from the splendid pool and beach to a sprawling list of recreational options, all facilitated by a helpful staff. There's a quality live show six nights a week, and the hotel's Sanca Bar draws a nice crowd for dancing to Latin music.

Manzanillo's all-inclusive, all-suites hotel entry from this well-known Spanish hotel chain has grounds punctuated by cascades, fountains, and multi-tier lagoons. There's also a palapa restaurant at the ocean's edge. Each junior suite has marble floors, a balcony or terrace, a sofa bed, and a large tub with separate shower facilities. Corner suites have two bedrooms, a bath, a kitchen, and a dining room as well as a balcony with a plunge pool.

Guests consistently give this hotel high marks for the classy suites, each with a brown-and-taupe color scheme and an ample terrace. Separate sitting rooms have a second flat-screen TV, and there's even a pillow menu. The pools are surrounded by spacious patios, so there's plenty of room to find the perfect spot in the sun or the shade. Given the elegance of the place, it's a shame to have to wear the usual wristbands.

Sandwiched amid several looming resorts, this low-rise condo-hotel complex is a wonderful place for families thanks to its nicely planted grounds, tranquil beach, and relaxed atmosphere. Rooms are comfortable, clean, and simply decorated with light-wood furniture and vibrant artwork that brightens up the white walls. Suites have spacious dining–living rooms, large terraces, and well-equipped kitchens.

The clean and bright guest rooms at this locally owned hotel, a big favorite among hard-core divers, all have balconies or terraces with hammocks and racks for drying dive gear. Outside, you'll find a pool fronted by a small lawn, plus a tiny beach with a pier for dive boats. Snorkeling is good right offshore. The adjacent restaurant of the same name has a menu of tasty dishes and tables on a second-story deck overlooking the water.

Underground hot springs are the secret ingredient at this benchmark fishing getaway in Buena Vista; for proof, check out the amazing hot tub. Time seems to stand still here. Wi-Fi is available and included in the room rates, but no one comes here expecting luxury or modern conveniences. Only two deluxe rooms (of 60 total) feature TVs. None have refrigerators. Instead you'll find an old-school Baja beach resort that's still family-owned. The white-sand beach is gorgeous, with a fishing dock for charters. A gazebo game room offers pool and Ping-Pong; the swimming pool is enormous; and El Navegante Restaurant features family-recipes and a fresh catch of the day, as well as all-day food and drink service. Fishing is great here year-round, but reaches its peak in August when the hotel hosts Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore, with more than $1 million in cash on the line. Fishing charters and hunting outings can be arranged through the affiliated South Baja Outfitters. Hotel day passes are available for $30.

Located on downtown's northern edge, this is just a few blocks from the malecón, shops, hotels, and restaurants. Rooms are cheerful, with wood furniture, bright white linens, and tastefully subdued accent colors. There's a lively pool scene; the adults-only area, a shallow pool with submerged chaise lounges facing the sea, is a big part of the draw. The all-inclusive rate is a good deal, especially for families.

Located in the Playa Rosa area and just beside the trendy beach club of the same name, these completely renovated bungalows have been called the world's smallest beach resort. The bungalows' interiors come in white with touches of pink and feature palapa roofs.