187 Best Hotels in Mexico

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.

This stunning hotel is at the foot of a lush hill on exclusive Playa Pichilingue, far from the typical beach crowds. All rooms are done in pastels and have tile floors, luxurious baths, and up-to-date amenities such as laptop-size safes outfitted with chargers. All rooms also have balconies or terraces with a view of peaceful Puerto Marques Bay. Eleven extra-spacious club rooms have their own concierge and extra amenities.

Every detail at this outlet of a trusted Mexican chain has been well planned—from the oversized arch windows and entry to the marble floors and dark-wood furniture—and the service is exceptional. Suites have a minimalist style and two or three bedrooms, so they're perfect for families. Note that the beach here has rough sand and a strong current; the water isn't suitable for swimming, but it's lovely to look at from the pool.

Of all the draws of this Thompson Hotel—from the architectural masterpiece by Javier Sanchez to the breathtaking views of El Arco—perhaps the greatest appeal is the integration of nature, such as the spa set in natural rock formation or the boulders, cacti, and native plants that dot the grounds where two black buildings house sleek, modern rooms. Standards have copper tubs, propeller ceiling fans, handmade tiles, and artwork reminiscent of 1960s Guadalajara. Ultralow beds have stunning leather headboards, and balconies have swinging mattresses for a breezy nap. The two restaurants, Ledge and Manta, are popular with nonguests, as are the sunken lounge bar and rooftop beer garden serving local brew. The saltwater pool is a great spot to watch surfers in action. Throughout the property are local works of art including The Whale by Marcos Castro. The 42-foot wooden sculpture was constructed entirely of driftwood from the 2014 Hurricane Odile.

This fishing lodge is on a rocky outcrop on remote Punta Pájaros Island, reputed to be one of the best places in the world for light-tackle saltwater fly-fishing. The almost all-inclusive stay includes your charter flight from Cancún, a fishing boat and guide, and all meals but not drinks for $6,649 per person per week. An open-air, thatch-roof bar welcomes anglers with drinks, fresh-fish dishes, fruit, and vegetables at the start and end of the day. Cheaper nonfishing packages are also available. A 50% prepayment is required.

At Casa Velas, a luxurious all-inclusive resort without the hassle of mass tourism, everything feels classy and personal. With just 80 suites, this adults-only hotel offers outstanding service and an all-around upscale experience. Rooms are spacious and enriched with subtle touches of Mexican design, and some include a hot tub or plunge pool. Although there are plenty of quality dining options and a large swimming pool, the big setback is that guests have to take a shuttle to the beach.

Architect-owner Marc Lindskog has created a nook of nonchalant elegance, with updated country furnishings of wicker, leather, and wood; rock-floor showers without curtains or doors; and cheerful Pacific coast architectural details. Mosquito netting lends romance to cozy, quilt-covered beds. Waves crashing onshore, their sound somehow magnified, create white noise that lulls you to sleep. In the morning, settle into a cushy chaise on your private patio to watch seabirds swim; at night watch the sunset behind Punta Mita. These simple pleasures make this hideaway a winner. It doesn't hurt that the food is truly delicious, the bar is well stocked with international labels, and it's all included in the room price.

This lavish, adults-only resort was designed around the surrounding jungle and has a great beach, nonstop activities, and terrific food for a resort in its price range. Activities like snorkeling, diving, kayaking, aqua aerobics, water polo, and pool volleyball can keep you occupied for the duration of your stay. The marble-floor lobby has bamboo furniture and a central waterfall underneath a giant palapa roof. Rooms have pleasant wood furniture and private terraces with views of the lush foliage. Three large pools, separated from the outdoor hot tubs by an island of palm trees, look out onto the spectacular beach. The food is exceptional and varied, with everything from Spanish tapas to fruit smoothies.

Set on the protected cove of Chileno Bay, one of the best spots for snorkeling and swimming in Los Cabos, this hotel hits the mark with families seeking personalized, informal service. The contemporary two-, three-, and four-bedroom villas are styled in Latin contemporary design with walk-in closets, industrial kitchens, and laundry facilities. Standards have a fun beachy feel with thoughtful touches like handblown glass and robes from Guadalajara. Large groups can reserve the 21-person movie theater ($350) or lounge by the 450-foot infinity pool. Rounding out the amenities are oceanfront hot tubs, fire pits, a Tom Fazio–designed golf course, extensive spa, fitness center with movement studio, Kids’ Club, and waterfront sports center. They have two dining options including a taco bar and the signature Comal serving Latin American–inspired cuisine.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

All of the rooms at this hotel are comfortably spacious, with marble floors and bathrooms, modern contemporary furniture, and balconies with ocean views. The lobby, restaurant, and bar are comfortable for both guests dressed up for a night on the town and families in shorts and T-shirts. There are two pools with swim-up bars—one is geared to families, with a waterslide, while the other is strictly for adults. The all-inclusive plan is a good deal, especially if you're planning to spend most of your time at the resort pools and beach, but there are some restrictions about what and when you can eat (each restaurant has a different schedule, not all are part of the AI plan, and not all dishes and drinks are covered, though many are).

Furnishings are an adroit mix of rustic and modern in this midsized, 11-story resort. Rooms are simple but bright, done in mostly white with a few earth-tone accents. Junior suites have views from both the living room and the bedroom. There aren't any private balconies, but windows that reach nearly from the floor to the ceiling open to the sea breezes. A children's pool with a slide lures kids away from the palm-shaded main pool, which has a swim-up bar. Emporio offers frequent Web-only promotions.

Families love this long-standing resort on Ensenada's top beach, especially because of its private location and endless activities like horseback riding, tennis, volleyball, kayaking, and Jet Skiing. Behind the secure grounds are the resort, an RV park, and a retirement community, all with access to a swimming pool, two restaurants, and a children's playground. The best rooms (some with kitchenettes) are by the sand and have sliding glass doors that lead to private patios where you can watch dolphins and seals swimming in the bay. Be sure to check out the outstanding collection of pre-Columbian artifacts in the resort's small museum. Midweek winter rates are a real bargain, and there are other frequent specials on the website.

Onyx pillars rising from two-tone marble floors, overshadowed only by a massive stained-glass ceiling illuminated from above, are your first indication of luxury at this adults-only resort, where every room has a terrace, hot tub, walk-in closet, and drop box for discreet room-service delivery. The nine eateries include a sushi bar, lobster house, and fine dining French restaurant. Reminiscent of a Greek temple, the spa features private relaxation rooms, heated waterbeds, and a 12-step hydrotherapy circuit. There are seven pools and a winding man-made river on-site; if you want a break from the water, cooking classes, Spanish lessons, dancing, archery, and more are offered. An 18-hole golf course is attached to the grounds.

Part of a reliable Mexican chain and more laid-back than its sister property, the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach, this hotel is easily recognized by the 118-foot-tall palapa that covers its lobby. But don't let the rustic roof fool you—the rest of the architecture here is extravagant, featuring things like marble pillars and inner plant-filled courtyards. There's also a massive pool, a good-size gym, a movie theater, and a spa with indoor and outdoor treatment rooms (alas, there's also a MX$290 fee to use the spa facilities). Activities include pool volleyball, art classes, and yoga. Rooms are a decent size, but not all have balconies, and ocean views cost extra.

Offering a great variety of activities for guests of all ages---from a sophisticated spa and elegant pool area to a game room, bike rentals, horseback riding, and a billiards room---this stylish resort built around a grand early 1600s hacienda makes a wonderful base for exploring the region. It's a short drive off the highway between Querétaro and CDMX, and not far from the area's popular wine country. Even if you don't spend the night, consider stopping on your way to or from Mexico City for a meal in the refined restaurant.

In the thick of the main Costera shopping and restaurant district, this hotel is popular with tour groups and singles. All are welcome, of course, because there's really something for everybody here. It has a lively lobby bar and is on Playa Condesa, one of the most popular beaches in town. Pastel-color rooms have light-wood furniture and tile floors.

One of the most recent additions to Cabo's resort landscape, this place delivers what its guests have come to expect from the Four Seasons luxury brand---a unique experience with top-quality services all around. With "only" 96 rooms, the resort doesn't feel as massive as other options in the region, and its "Mexico meets the Mediterranean" vibe is a total success. The guest rooms offer ample space (the smallest room comes at 847 square feet) and plenty of natural light, with all of them enjoying ocean views or being oceanfront. Some rooms include a heated plunge pool on their own private terrace. Three gourmet restaurants---a Peruvian-Japanese fusion, a French-Italian one, and a Baja Mexican beach club---form an original dining offer. With a family pool and an adults-only pool, different kinds of fun are always available. A world-class golf course, a brand-new spa, and a creative activity center guarantee that you'll never get bored here.

The hotel and its fabulous spa perch above a lovely beach at the northern extreme of Bahía de Banderas. Spacious rooms occupy Mexican-style casitas of one, two, and three stories. Each room has elegant yet earthy furnishings and a private terrace or balcony—many with a sweeping sea view. One of the Jack Nicklaus–designed golf courses has a challenging, optional 19th island hole. The gym is first-rate, and a good variety of sporting and beach equipment is on hand. Just offshore, the Marietas Islands are great for snorkeling, diving, whale-watching, and fishing, and home to a romantic beach in a cove. This is the place for indulging golf and spa fantasies or just using the luxurious, top-notch facilities. It's a great spot for kids, too, with fantastic beaches, a doughnut-shape pool with current where you can float in inner tubes, and an excellent kids' playroom with Internet and lots of cool games.

This family-friendly, optional all-inclusive resort is a standout in every sense of the word and every aspect of the experience offered to guests; it’s luxury mixed with class and upscale service. With four gourmet restaurants and three snack bars, the dining options are hard to match in the region, and the "optional" label of the all-inclusive program allows guests to explore the famous dining scene of Los Cabos. However, the best part is the huge size of the rooms---two-bedroom suites come at 1,980 square-foot and include every little amenity you can think of, from a freestanding bathtub, separate rain shower, terrace with a hammock, and even a Nespresso machine. Eight swimming pools, including one for kids and one for adults on a spectacular rooftop terrace, round out an overall remarkable experience for guests of this resort.