717 Best Hotels in Mexico

What used to be a fishermen's village is now a hip hotel consisting of thatched-roof bungalows that make great use of local woods and offer rustic-but-classy luxury and an overall feeling of authenticity. A lively atmosphere around the beach and restaurant sets the tone for the rest of the place. 

The landscaped grounds here are lovely, as are most rooms, although, as befitting the price, there's a certain budget-hotel sparseness to the place. Several low-rise buildings framing generous lawns house the guest rooms, the largest of which have white Moorish facades and archways separating the living and sleeping areas. All rooms have sunken bathtubs and refrigerators; some have terraces or balconies shaded with red awnings. There are two small restaurants on-site, and many more are within walking distance in this tourist area. The sea is across the street from the rooms, gardens, and pool, and there's a dock for dive boats. Numerous dive shops are nearby.

Villas El Tuito is a big, three-room house done in a contemporary Mexican style. As El Tuito has so few lodging options, clean rooms and Wi-Fi access are just about all you can ask for. The rooms include a TV, shared kitchen, bath, and shower.

Rooms at this tranquil, eco-friendly hotel have ocean or garden views, extra large windows, and hammocks, making them perfect for those who want to feel the sea breeze or fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves. Bathrooms have eco-toilets, and shower water is recycled into the garden. There are six categories of accommodations, including two-story cabañas with whirlpool tubs and a beach house that sleeps eight. The pool is directly in front of the ocean, making it difficult to know where one body of water ends and the other begins.

Not only is the island's largest property right on the beach, but it has everything you need to be comfortable—an open-air palapa lobby, a temazcal (Maya sweat lodge), a large pool, a buffet-style restaurant, manicured gardens laced with sandy paths leading to freestanding, bungalow-style accommodations. Standard rooms have private entrances and wooden floors; master suites have two floors, a bathtub, whirlpool, and ocean views. Rope handrails, wooden masks, and bright Mexican fabrics enhance the decor. Note that, in addition to all-inclusive rates, the resort offers  half-board and breakfast-only plans.

If you don't mind being near the beach, rather than on it, here's one of the most affordable hotels in Las Hadas Peninsula. Rooms in the Spanish-style villas are spacious and decorated simply with carved wooden furniture, and equipped with microwaves, refrigerators, and toasters. Master suites are outfitted with more complete kitchens, a Jacuzzi, and a large seating area, and make a good option for a housekeeping holiday.

Overlooking the ocean, this tidy hotel is the kind of place where you want to admire the sweeping views. That would be a shame, as it is steps away from the shops and restaurants of the town's waterfront walk. Rooms here are bright but sparsely decorated; some are excellent places to take in the sunset, but most of them actually don't have views, so take a look around first.

This secluded beachfront resort boasts spacious rooms with modern decor, a pool, six dining locations, and all the fun under the sun you can think of. The beach has fine white sand, and more often than not has a heavy shore break surfers will love. You can even rent surfboards right at the hotel. The rooms vary in size and there are several beachfront suites for families who want to splurge.

This all-suites hotel in García Ginerés blurs the line between indoors and outdoors—after checking into a mid-20th-century house, you'll pass through lush gardens with seating areas, fountains, and contemporary sculptures on the way to your accommodations. In lieu of dark hallways, open-air paths above the gardens connect the different new additions that house the guest rooms. Cuna, the hotel's restaurant, is a culinary destination in its own right. 

This sophisticated white tower is one of the island's most luxurious hotels, with ultramodern decor and incredible ocean views. Dine in luxury at the Mayan-named Cuzamil restaurant offering Mexican-Mediterranean-fusion cuisine or enjoy a more casual meal at the water's-edge palapa restaurant. A rooftop bar and pool offer excellent views of the sunset and of the mainland 19 km (12 miles) away. A beachfront pool, kids' club, and small sandy beach complete the ground-floor area. An added bonus are three popular restaurants located directly across the street.

Every unit here—four-person studio or eight-person villa—is oceanfront and equipped with a washer and dryer, full kitchen, whirlpool tub, and delightful design touches like recessed lighting and built-in shelves displaying Mexican pottery. Rooms are housed in 14 towers, but those in Building 9, Phase 4, have the best views. All of the pools are heated, and the one designated for children has a waterslide. Families can also enjoy miniature golf, tennis courts, and a playground. Connected to the property are the historic Yamil Lu'um ruins and a stunning beach. Keep in mind that this is not an all-inclusive, and the three on-site restaurants are somewhat pricey.

Built by prominent Mexican artist Javier Sordo Madaleno, the colorful design and architecture reflecting the famous Arco (arch) make this Westin more memorable than some of the others in the Corridor. The rooms, some set high above the beach, are among the best in their price range and have ocean views and Westin's trademark Heavenly Beds with cushy pillows and comforters. Junior suites have balcony Jacuzzis, marble floors, extra pullout beds, and connecting rooms for families or larger parties. The dramatic setting of the hotel means you'll get plenty of exercise moving from one area to another, which is good for some and less appealing for others. The restaurants receive mixed reviews, with most leaning toward the expensive but mediocre in terms of satisfaction.

Pampering touches—like the white-tea mist that periodically sprays in the lobby and the beds so heavenly that some guests buy them for their own homes—are what make this hotel extraordinary. Rooms juxtapose modern and traditional, with sleek dark-wood furniture offset by bright rugs and the occasional blue or yellow wall. There are two beaches—an expansive one on the Caribbean side and a smaller one facing Laguna Nichupté—so you always have a place to sunbathe. Due to its quiet, isolated nature, this Westin outpost mainly attracts families with small children and adults in their thirties and forties.

There's not a bad vantage point anywhere at the Westin, whether you're gazing out to the leafy courtyard or down an orange-tile, brightly painted corridor lined with Mexican art. In the spacious, balconied rooms concrete-and-stone floors massage bare feet, and top-of-the-line mattresses with soft duvets make for heavenly siestas. Guest quarters above the sixth floor have ocean views; those below face the 600 palm trees surrounding four beautiful pools.

The most basic lodging option at this resort is a spacious junior suite with a sofa bed, sitting area, flat-screen TV, stocked minibar, and balcony; family suites have bunk beds and direct access to the Kids' Club via sliding glass doors. Due to the resort's size, the pools here may feel a bit crowded, but if you're lucky (and quick) you can snag a chaise in the outdoor areas. The aqua park with a pirate ship and waterslide—one for kids and one for adults—is the perfect way to cool off.

Formerly known as the Panama Jack Resort, this property in the heart of Playa rebranded and reinvented itself as an all-inclusive, adults-only option, where the decor is modern without being flashy, and the overall atmosphere is fresh and relaxing. Most of the rooms, which are done in neutral colors with pastel touches, enjoy ocean views. Dining options include a traditional Mexican restaurant and a laid-back beach bar. 

Rooms at this hotel, which caters mostly to families, have plenty of light and ample space, although some feel a bit dated—for a better experience, book an ocean-view villa. With six restaurants and three bars, the dining offer is a good deal, even if the offerings are nothing spectacular. 

This refreshing retreat from El Centro's bustling streets reflects Maya culture through murals, statues, and reliefs and forms part of a complex that also includes two restaurants and a snack shop open to the general public. Rooms are brightly decorated with rustic Mexican furniture, mosaic-tiled bathrooms, and colorful murals painted by local artists. Equipped with a swimming pool and outdoor theater (shows Thursdays and Saturdays), this is Cancún's only hotel focused on art and culture.

This relatively new contemporary-style boutique hotel is just a few minutes away from the zócalo in the city center, and while it's expensive, the quality of accommodations is high even if some of the rooms are small. The 15 rooms, each designed around a particular Oaxacan textile, are bright and clean, and situated around a series of courtyards. The restaurant is excellent and produces innovative flavors, particularly for breakfast, which can be served on the main patio. The sound of the fountains trickling and the view of azure sky make the experience a memorable one. For all-around quality of experience, the design, restaurant, and service make this one of the best places to stay in the city. The only downside here is that children under 12 are not accepted, meaning the hotel is not suitable for families.

Located in the heart of the exclusive Puerto Los Cabos development, this spectacular luxury resort is everything you'd expect from Mexico's first Ritz-Carlton Reserve property. Accommodations come in different levels starting with stylish 807-square-foot resort view guest rooms and going all the way to a breathtaking 5,929 square foot, beachfront, five-room villa. All rooms enjoy wide ample spaces and come with double vanities, a separate bathtub and shower, a terrace and/or plunge pool. Three top-notch gourmet restaurants plus a variety of chic eateries, taquerías, and bars, will please the most demanding foodies. The cherry on top might just be the Alkemia Spa and the Puerto Los Cabos Golf Club, which pampers guests with some of the best wellness treatments and golf facilities in all of Baja.

On wild Punta Piedra (Rock Point), Zamas has small, rustic cabanas—with palapa roofs and ocean views as far as the eye can see—jungle-side rooms overlooking a garden, palapas facing a coconut grove strung with colorful hammocks, and two spacious private houses that sleep up to 11. Comfortable beds, tile bathrooms, beautiful murals, and bright Mexican colors make them a chic-bohemian alternative for budget travelers. Committed to sustainability, Zamas provides biodegradable bath products, runs on solar power, has a gray-water system, and employs local staff. The restaurant, known for its powerful margaritas, has an eclectic Italian-Mexican-Yucatecan menu, romantic views of the coast, live music five times a week during high season, and tasty portobello jerky. Ping-Pong, foosball, a selection of paperbacks, two small cenotes, several shops featuring local handicrafts and women's wear, and a dive shop round out the property. If you're looking for off-the-beaten-track activity suggestions, the owners are a wealth of information.

This hotel couldn't have a better location—it's right on the Zócalo and close to a gaggle of museums, restaurants, and historic buildings. You'd expect nothing less than to be in the heart of the city, given that one wing of the building was once the home of Hernán Cortés. Rooms are very small, but the most recently renovated ones are nicely appointed, with wood floors, crisp white bedspreads, and flat-screen TVs. The restaurant and bar have sweeping views of the Catedral Metropolitana and Palacio Nacional.  And rooms have double pane windows so while it may be in a busy part of town, it is quiet inside. Cafe Central in the lobby supplies food and drinks to all guests 24-hours a day at no extra fee.

Set within the upscale Cabo Real gated community this hacienda-style resort has guest rooms with white marble floors, dark beamed ceilings, and teak furnishings along with views of the sea and a beautiful white-sand beach. A few steps above the main bedroom, guest quarters have bathrooms with whirlpool bathtubs. The list of complimentary perks is endless: international phone calls, spa access, a stocked minibar (top-shelf alcohol), and discounted greens fees, to name a few. Golfers are well taken care of at this genteel property, as are, increasingly, wedding parties. The staff here is notable for its hospitality and attentiveness.

Personal service and exclusivity lure movie stars and royalty to this low-key resort in a thorn-forest preserve about 1½ hours from both Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo. Suites are filled with folk art; their indoor-outdoor living rooms have modern furnishings with deliciously nubby fabrics in bright, bold colors and Guatemalan-cloth throw pillows. Request a TV, DVD player, and movie from the library for an evening in; there's little else to do at night. There's lots more to do in the daytime, however, including picnics anywhere on the property and boat rides on the Río San Nicolás. There's a 10% service charge and a two-night minimum; the average stay is seven nights.

Aside from the luxurious and costly Grand Bay Isla Navidad and the behemoth Hotel Alondra, Barra de Navidad has mostly basic hotels with few rooms, and the majority aren't a particularly good value compared to similar hotels elsewhere. This hotel with a domed brick ceiling, comfortable beds, and remote-control air-conditioning is among the best choices. The two largest rooms have two twin beds as well as a king, plus a DVD player and a mini-refrigerator.

What began as a hilltop home has slowly become an amalgam of unusual, rustic, but luxurious suites with indoor and outdoor living spaces. The higher up your room, the more beautiful the view of Sayulita's coast. The trade-off for such beauty? A long walk up a seemingly endless staircase and the dearth of room phones make contacting the front desk frustrating. Accommodations, managed by different owners, range from basic to honeymoon suites with terraces and plunge pools. Details like recessed color-glass light fixtures, Talavera sinks in bathrooms, brick ceilings, wrought-iron table lamps, art in wall niches, and colorful cement floors add a lot of class. The property overlooks a rocky cove where you can fish from shore; a beautiful sandy beach is a few minutes' walk. The staff lends out kayaks, boogie boards, and snorkeling gear.