147 Best Hotels in Mexico

This clean and comfortable hotel comes with all the expected amenities as well as a rooftop pool and terrace that offers an excellent view of the Reforma Avenue skyscraper district. A hip boutique hotel it is not, but it's not one of the questionable, cheap motels that dominated the area's lodging scene for decades. It's safe and well-situated to explore the San Rafael and Cuauhtémoc neighborhoods. 

Right on the plaza, this hotel has a bright center courtyard covered with skylights that allow light to shine on the tables where breakfast is served. The downside, however, is that all guest rooms face this atrium and noise carries all hours of the day. Although rooms are rather dated, they have comfy beds and a squeaky-clean paint job. Only a few rooms have balconies, but all have air-conditioning, fans, and cable TV; two rooms have kitchenettes for those who want to prepare their own meals. The water is only a few blocks away.

Widely considered the best hotel in Pérula, Playa Dorada features 50 well-appointed accommodations distributed between rooms, suites, and bungalows. Rooms don’t offer ample space but are fully equipped. The bungalows include kitchenettes. There is a swimming pool for families and an adults-only pool. The pleasant picnic area has lounge chairs, tables, palapas, and a playground.

Part of a growing Mexican chain of mid-range hotels, this eight-story property is technically in Tacubaya, just south of Condesa, but it's an easy walk from the neighborhood's wealth of trendy restaurants and shops, making it a great affordable base. Although the rooms are all furnished similarly, they are large and have fully equipped kitchens, which explains why many families and guests planning longer visits choose to stay here. There's a decent on-site restaurant and bar, plus parking (somewhat rare in Condesa) for an extra charge.

Set amid the gardens and weekend homes just south of Cuernavaca in exclusive Lomas de Jiutepec, this sustainably designed member of Fiesta Americana's luxury boutique Curamoria brand offers an array of eco-minded amenities to ensure a relaxing stay, including bike rentals, a good restaurant and bar, a conventional pool as well as a unique “biopiscina” natural swimming pond, an aviary, and a butterfly enclosure. Rooms are a bit cookie-cutter in design, but they're modern and comfortable. The 12 acres of grounds are beautifully landscaped and create a true sense of seclusion and serenity, even when the hotel is full. Standard rates don't include the extensive breakfast buffet, but many kinds of packages are offered.

Jungle greenery surrounds this all-inclusive resort at Cozumel's southernmost point, where bungalow rooms are small but pleasant. Each has wrought-iron details, one king-size or two queen-size beds, and a terrace or patio with hammocks. Rooms with king beds have more space. There isn't much privacy if you are on the ground floor—pathways through the resort wind around the bungalows—but this is the most enjoyable of the reasonably priced all-inclusives on the southern coast. Reservations for dinner are strictly enforced. Significant discounts are available by reserving via the Iberostar website.

This all-inclusive resort's lush 150-acre grounds are complete with palapa huts, hammocks, and a series of lavish, interconnected swimming pools that wind through palm-dotted lawns to Playa Delfines. Airy, vibrant accommodations are done up in white with a splash of turquoise to match the sea. Coral Level rooms are adult-only with premium services and access to a private pool. Guests enjoy discounted rates at the championship 18-hole golf course. For the ultimate in pampering, visit the on-site Sensation Spa. Children ages 4 to 12 are kept busy with the Star Camp children's program. There are tennis courts and a FIFA Regulation soccer field, too.

Despite its size, this all-inclusive resort—consisting of the adults-only Tucan and the family friendly Quetzal sections—has managed to preserve natural surroundings that are home to flamingos, turtles, toucans, peacocks, and monkeys. Landscaped pool areas surround the open-air restaurant and reception area. Spacious rooms have cheerful color schemes and patios overlooking dense vegetation. Activities include bike tours, yoga sessions, salsa dancing, and Zumba programs. The roaming animals, kids' club, teen disco, and designated pool for children make this hotel a family favorite.

On the tip of Punta Cancún, this contemporary, 14-story hotel offers some of the Zona Hotelera's best views—west-facing rooms enjoy sunsets over the lagoon and bay, while east-facing rooms take in sunrises over Isla Mujeres and the Caribbean. Setting the stage is a dramatic, cylindrical lobby bar with a stained-glass dome. Draperies and throw pillows in burgundy, orange, or goldenrod lend a bit of personality to the otherwise neutral guest rooms, each of which has a stone floor, sitting area, flat-screen TV, and spacious balcony. Room 1122 has stunning views of the ocean and a bilevel pool divided by a waterfall. You can relax in the garden area or in one of the daybeds near the Beach House Spa.

The Krystal Reflect is a beachfront hotel ideal for families and couples. While children stay, eat, and play for free, there is also an adults-only pool and restaurant where grown-ups can find some quiet time. Rooms range from standard luxury to swim-out suites, with access to all the entertainment the hotel offers, including a world-class spa.

At this tranquil resort, 12 white-stucco buildings house spacious suites equipped with kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms that have 42-inch flat-screen TVs and pullout couches. Centering the grounds are a sundeck, large pool, and swim-up bar. Use of facilities at the spa, located at the Ocean Spa Hotel sister property, costs extra. Note, too, that only six rooms have lagoon views, and the closest beach is a 20-minute walk away.

The outwardly rustic, thatched-roof buildings here have red-tile floors, hand-carved doors and rocking chairs, stained-glass windows, and local weavings—the effect is comfortable yet luxuriant, making the property feel like a peaceful ranch. All rooms have TVs, canopy beds, bathtubs, and screened windows; suites have king-size beds and Jacuzzi tubs. Most guests catch the sunset from the long balcony that wraps around the rooms. Request one in Block 1 (Rooms E–G) on the second floor; these offer great views of the pool and ruins in the distance.

It’s love that launched this stunning Nordic-inspired container hotel, starting with a romance between a Finnish woman and a Mexican man who turned their marriage into a passion project that beautifully blended both cultures. The result is Lumi (“snow” in Finnish) that visually captures you even before reaching the six container cabins at the end of a dusty road. The Nordic design is impressive to say the least, with rooftop decks where homemade breakfast is served from 8 to 10 am. Across the horizon is their 9-acre vineyard and orchard where four canvas tents are perched for an affordable glamping experience. Each has "wall-to-wall" carpeting, a king-size bed, and shared bathroom. The container cabins have narrow lounge areas, small but adequate bathrooms, and either one- or two bedrooms. In true Finnish style, a sauna is available to guests. A six-person house is also available for a two-night minimum. This property is a favorite among families and pet owners who capitalize on the owners' love for babies and dogs.

Location, location, location: Marina Fiesta's may be the very best in town, and that, coupled with an extraordinarily reasonable nightly rate make it a top choice for an interesting mix of guests: fishermen, families, and college-age partiers. An optional all-inclusive add-on gives you unlimited access to not only the bars and restaurant on-site, but the neighboring venues that line a stretch of Marina Cabo San Lucas called the Golden Zone. It's a bit of a tourist trap, however, so true foodies are advised to spend their coin dining elsewhere.

Marival Armony Resort facing Banderas Bay boasts modern tropical decor, seven international restaurants, a spa, a kids' club, and five pools. Views from the rooms are nothing short of spectacular, and the hotel can organize tours and activities to keep you busy.

The Marriott is hushed and stately in some places, lively and casual in others. All of the restaurants—including a sleek Asian restaurant serving Thai, sushi, and teppanyaki and a large, pleasant sports bar—have kids' menus. The meandering grounds boast a large infinity pool as well as gardens of indigenous plants. Rooms have cheery, classy decor; each has a balcony and most have an ocean view.

Located in Marina Vallarta, Mayan Palace provides the luxury and comfort expected from a Vidanta resort but is closer to the action that only Puerto Vallarta has to offer in the region. Rooms are large and most of them feature ample balconies and gorgeous ocean views. Dining options are limited, but guests have access to the gourmet restaurants of other nearby Vidanta resorts. 

Located 50 meters from the beach, this hotel offers low-key lodging in bungalows at affordable rates. Each bungalow comes with two bedrooms and a kitchenette, so you won’t miss the lack of a restaurant on the premises. All rooms include air conditioning and Wi-Fi. A long free-form swimming pool sits at the center of the property.

One of the first international-class hotels in Cozumel, Meliá continues to satisfy by offering guests a bit of everything, including a wide variety of restaurants and activities, including motorized and nonmotorized water sports. An 18-hole mini-golf course, plus well-equipped kids' club and games room, mean that children and teenagers will be busy and happy; a top-notch spa is available for parents to unwind and disconnect. 

The sprawling, all-inclusive Meliá, on the beach and close to the golf course, is popular with families. Rooms are quiet havens in subdued blue, cream, and sand. There's a huge pool, an outdoor theater with nightly shows, and elaborate children's programs and amenities—including a climbing wall and a batting cage. Considering it's an all-inclusive, prices are very reasonable.

This boutique beach property—complete with oceanfront pool and exquisite accommodations just steps from the secluded white sand—is one of the area's best. Each room has an indoor–outdoor lounge area, a king-size bed with Egyptian cotton sheets, air-conditioning, and cable TV; some also have luxuries like dual showerheads, additional queen-size trundle beds, and personal plunge pools that can be cooled or heated. Kayaks, snorkel equipment, and bikes are free for guests, and a private dock is the perfect place for a romantic dinner, wedding reception, or sunset cocktail—all of which the hotel would be happy to arrange.

Although huge by Oaxaca standards, this hotel is still very close to the city center and manages to exude a cozy feel once you enter the peaceful gardens. Rooms are arranged in small blocks around the gardens so guests can enjoy the quiet, the tennis courts, and the swimming pool throughout the day. For lunch, you can order food at the poolside bar. The rooms are slightly old-fashioned but are light and comfortable with a rustic feel. The restaurant is excellent, serving classic Oaxacan and other Mexican standards. There is a good family vibe here, with lots of things for children to do.

In such an enormous all-inclusive, it's surprising to find staff members who go out of their way to make your stay pleasant, beginning with a glass of tropical juice at registration and continuing with helpful concierge service throughout your stay. Book the larger, pricier Royal Level rooms  for even more personalized service—there's a small reception office serving these 45 rooms exclusively. The hotel has a small artificial beach and walking access to Xcaret park. Request a top-floor room if you want to escape pool noise.

Situated just steps from the ferries to Isla Mujeres, this family-friendly property has lots of pool-side activities, as well as a roomy kids' clubhouse with a small outdoor play area. If you crave peace, escape to the spa, where the cold-water plunge, steam room, sauna, and whirlpool tub are free of charge. All rooms have white marble floors and orange stucco walls; the suites, which come with private whirlpool tubs, are a luxurious splurge.

Shoppers appreciate this lively resort's proximity to a couple of malls, but there’s plenty here to keep non-shoppers occupied, too—including volleyball games and water-polo matches in the activities pool. Although sound from busier areas sometimes carries, you can find a bit more peace at two other pools, one of which has built-in chaise lounges for ultimate relaxation. The salmon-color hotel is offset by bright blue accents throughout. To secure an oceanfront room, you'll have to pay extra. And don't lose your towel card, because it will cost you MX$340.

This Nuevo Vallarta hotel and time-share property is perfect for families, with lots of activities geared toward children. Many people love it, although the property's dedication to timeshare guests makes some other guests feel excluded. Most suites have balconies with either marina or ocean views. Furnishings are attractive as well as functional, with pretty cane sofa beds in a soothing palette and well-equipped kitchens. Locals like to visit the clean, well-organized spa, which smells divine and is praised for its massages and facials. The beach here is tranquil enough for swimming, although some small waves are suitable for bodysurfing.

Resembling a Maya temple, this enormous, modern beachfront property features atriums topped by pyramid-shaped skylights and spacious rooms that are decorated with hints of orange and have marble floors, balconies, and lagoon or ocean views. For more privacy, upgrade to The Reserve, the hotel's impeccable VIP area. Golfers will enjoy the 9-hole, par-3 executive course, and foodies will appreciate the diverse selection of cuisine—Mexican, Asian, Latin, French, and Mediterranean—at the ten restaurants. 

This all-inclusive offers flash and class in a Vegas-meets-cruise-ship environment with 14 restaurants, 11 bars, and nearly 1,000 rooms housed in two buildings—the adults-only La Perla and the family-friendly La Esmeralda, where extras for the kids include PlayStations, nightly turndown with milk and cookies, and a pool area that looks like a water park. Consider purchasing the Nikté Upgrade package, which includes a water ritual at YHI Spa, an activities menu for kids and teenagers, and private whirlpool tubs. The two resorts are connected by way of the restaurants and bars, however, certain establishments are only open to La Perla guests, who pay higher rates.

Named after the famous pirate, this warm and family-friendly resort has multiunit cabanas plus freestanding bungalows on the beach's north end that are more private and charming. The A-frame bungalows are actually more like mini log cabins with pine furnishings from Chiapas and small lofts accessible by a ladder; each sleeps five and has a porch that faces a sandy path leading to the beach. The older units, simply decorated in shades of blue and white, have balconies, and some are practically flush with the ocean. An on-site animal refuge and a games room with Ping-Pong and billiards appeal to children.