187 Best Hotels in Mexico

Accommodations at this adults-only resort have rich wood furnishings and a cream-and-plum palette and feature small sitting areas that open onto balconies overlooking the lagoon or ocean. Views from the latter are better, but there’s an extra charge for an oceanfront room with a whirlpool tub and minibar. The beach is stunning, and the comfortable pool area has deck chairs and palapas. A spa offers massages and facials, plus there's an outdoor temazcal (dome-shape sweat lodge), which the Maya believe purifies the body. If you like to keep busy, you have lots of options—including tennis, themed parties, and water sports—but if you're not interested in daily activities, consider booking into one of the newer hotels that cost about the same.

The family-friendly sister hotel to The Royal (which is across the street) has downtown Playa's best accommodations for the schoolyard set. Two pools, a Jacuzzi, a giant chess set, minigolf, afternoon bingo and blackjack, and a kids' activity room (with babysitting!) will keep young ones busy while Mom and Dad get massages on the beach or mimosas at the breakfast buffet. Although adults may find cast-concrete Grecian columns, New Orleans-style wrought iron breezeways, and walk-in Moorish showers a bit grandiose, they'll make an impression on the juniors. Oceanfront rooms have access to The Royal, and all categories have access to Gran Caribe Real in Cancún. Beach-facing rooms are significantly nicer than those in back, with corresponding prices.

Those who love the trappings of traditional luxury—stained-glass skylights, mahogany furniture, stunning floral arrangements—will feel at home at this all-suites hotel, which also has the award-winning Le Basilic restaurant and the enormous Gem Spa. The hotel's W shape means all rooms have ocean views in addition to marble floors, sunken living rooms, and infinity balconies; upgrading to the Grand Club Level gets you private check-in, an open bar, beach service, breakfast, and appetizers throughout the day. The beach here is quiet and calm, as the neighboring lighthouse and jetty cut the current. Families will be impressed with the numerous activities offered at the multi-zoned Kids Club. Note that the hotel's sheer size may seem daunting, but you'll be well attended to by multilingual concierges.

The dramatic lobby of this all-inclusive resort is eight stories above the beach, and every room looks out onto the Sea of Cortez. Cream-color walls, rich marble floors, ocean views, and abundant art make for an elegant atmosphere in the 420-square-foot rooms. The Imperial Suite has its own swimming pool and separate entrance. A complimentary minibar is stocked daily, meaning you can enjoy a drink on the tiny terrace while admiring the view. The Fiesta offers discounts to the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Ocean Golf Course, in addition to the luxurious spa. Though the beach is rocky, this is one of the few hotels on a stretch of water that is safe for snorkeling. This is not the place for people looking for Cabo's famous party scene.

This large hotel is popular with business travelers, conventioneers, and—thanks to its bold Caribbean color schemes and striking design—TV producers, who have opted to use it as the backdrop for many a Mexican soap opera. It has four outstanding eateries, a spa, and a deluxe shopping area. It's also the only hotel in Mexico with an on-site synagogue (it's Orthodox). The west side of the property insulates you from the noise of the nearby naval base.

Set on the spectacular end of a peninsula, this resort (hands-down the best hotel in the area) overlooks the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Navidad lagoon to the east. Rooms are big and luxurious, although the decor feels more mid-20th-century Europe than modern tropical Mexico.

You'll find a wide variety of accommodations at the Grand Park Royal, including villas with a private beach area and personal concierge. Most rooms have ocean views, and there are some stunning vistas of the Zona Hotelera's glittering lights from certain areas. Despite the lower price point, this property has an upscale feel. Even standard rooms have balconies, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi; deluxe rooms and suites—some of which have terraces with plunge pools—are in the Premier Beach Front Tower and the Royal Tower. The pool in the premier area has couches under a slatted roof, a swim-up bar, and poolside beds. The main pool area, on the other side of the grounds, is ringed with cobblestone that looks pretty but is difficult to walk on.

Architecture melds perfectly with natural surroundings as hotel suites dramatically hug cliff and sea and subterranean stone passages open to infinity pools framed by cactus gardens and raked sand. The resort is practically on top of its namesake rock formation, a sight that will not cease to amaze at any point of your stay. Solmar has been owned by one of Cabo's founding families (before becoming a hotelier, patriarch Don Luis Bulnes Molleda managed the old fish cannery; today, there's a statue by the marina in his honor) for over 50 years; though the property has been rebuilt and reimagined since, it's still a special slice of San Lucas history.

Impressive in every respect, this aptly named resort commands well over a mile (2 km) of Pacific Ocean coastline north of Cabo San Lucas, with an 18-hole golf course from Greg Norman, excellent on-site dining options, a beachfront spa, sleek swimming pools, and a small salt-water lagoon you can kayak and paddleboard in. The scenery surrounding the resort is quite the sight, and depending on your taste in cinema, may register as familiar: the same powerful waves and sprawling dunes were the backdrop for the Hollywood epic, Troy. Solmar has grand expansion plans, intending to triple the size of the property over the next several years, adding more rooms, restaurants, amenities, and beyond. An all-inclusive meal plan is available as an add-on.

In scale and majesty, the public areas of this property outshine all other Nuevo Vallarta all-inclusive resorts. Ceilings soar overhead, and the structure and furnishings are simultaneously minimalist and modern yet earthy, incorporating stucco, rock, polished teak, and gleaming ecru marble. The spa is excellent, and the views—with the garden-shrouded pool in the foreground and the beach beyond—are striking. Rooms are sleek with elegant furnishings and appointments. The high price entitles you to top-of-the-line spirits in minibars and restaurants.

This all-inclusive resort offers Mexican luxury at its best with top-notch gastronomy, stylish rooms, a certified Blue Flag beach, an outstanding spa, and lots of activities for all ages. There are three different types of suites (Zen, Ambassador, Grand Class), but they're all large and have luxury amenities like an ample terrace and a plunge pool or whirlpool tub. The resort might be a bit pricey but it's definitely worth it. 

Small domes and barrel tile roofs top eight buildings at this lovely, hacienda-style resort in the Cabo Del Sol development. Make your way past tiered fountains to the rooms with wrought iron and wood furnishing, Mexican textiles, and terra-cotta floors. The whirlpool tubs and large balconies with ocean views take the hotel beyond chain standards. Standard rooms have either two double beds or one queen, with ocean or garden views. Huge, luxurious pools are surrounded by palms and all the chaise lounges guests need. The 450-yard beach is beautiful, and sometimes the sea in this sheltered cove is calm enough for a swim.

Despite the enormous size of this timeshare-resort hybrid, there are only 205 rooms and 35 residences, meaning guests are treated to 1,400-square-foot hacienda-style suites. The property itself replicates an old Mexican village, with rooms housed in two buildings tiered on a hillside so nearly every suite has an ocean view. Separating the buildings are two pools, one designated for activities and the other for peace and quiet. The seven restaurants range from Mexican cuisine to grilled specialties; or guests can use all-inclusive privileges to dine at one of five restaurants on the marina in Cabo San Lucas. A hotel shuttle makes 10 trips a day to sister property Marina Fiesta. The on-site grocery store, pharmacy, and babysitting service make this resort popular with timeshare owners. Be sure to read the list of amenities that are not included in the all-inclusive plan, or you might end up with sticker shock at checkout.

In keeping with Hard Rock tradition and fitting right into Cancún's energetic atmosphere, this property showcases musical memorabilia, offers a variety of entertainment experiences, and hosts an ongoing slate of celebrity-driven soirees. Unlike other lively local hotels, though, the Hard Rock caters more to families and music lovers than partiers. All rooms have a marble-framed Jacuzzi, 24-hour room service, and balcony, but only 60% offer ocean views. The chic lobby bar comes alive at night from 10 pm to 1 am with music, dancing, and twirling disco lights. The Hard Rock Roxity Kids Club and Cavern Club have a number of activities that keep kids and teens occupied. The Sound of Your Stay Program is free of charge and includes guitar rentals, record players with a selection of vinyls, and use of DJ turntables.

Live out your rock-star fantasies at this 85-acre all-inclusive—either in the adults-only Heaven section, a pampering resort within the resort, or the family-friendly Hacienda wing, which has a teens' club, disco, kids' pool, 100-foot climbing tower, snorkeling cove, and obstacle fitness trail. This is a great place to bring little tykes, too—the Ultimate Playtime package includes everything from babysitting and diapers to strollers and Gerber baby food. All rooms have balconies, hydro-spa tubs, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and 24-hour room service. The free Music Lab program lets you play instruments, mix beats, and shoot a music video. Plenty of good restaurants and an enormous spa are also on-site.

The Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta is a luxury, all-inclusive resort 20 minutes from Puerto Vallarta with a gorgeous beachfront setting and everything you would expect from this well-known brand. 

It's likely no surprise that music is creatively incorporated throughout the Hard Rock's resort experience; there's a pool with an underwater playlist, Fender guitars can be delivered to your room, and the spa even uses sound vibrations in its treatments. Many of the activities and entertainment are fun for the whole family, but ample opportunities for independence also await: grown-ups will find sophisticated tranquillity at the adults-only Rhythm Pool while youngsters can enjoy an action-packed weekly itinerary at the Hard Rock Roxity Kids Club. Night owls can party at the Moonlight Lounge until the wee hours and there's a decked-out game room for teens to hide out in while their parents are being "cringe" at the karaoke mike.

At this sophisticated, adults-only sanctuary—in a secluded complex just 15 minutes south of Cancún's airport—a modern Mexican design and a natural color palette with touches of turquoise blue complement the outstanding ocean views. Not a party resort, this intimate all-inclusive property has a calm lagoon-like pool plus an oversized, two-level pool where guests quietly socialize around a swim-up bar. Even the twice-weekly evening DJ's playlist is subdued. The all king-size bedded suites, with either a private swim-out or balcony with a hot tub, include luxuries like twice-daily maid service.  Elevate your stay by booking a Serenity Club oceanfront suite with multiple VIP amenities. On-site restaurants include a Mexican steak house, Asian Fusion with Teppanyaki stations, and the upscale Olios, with a Mediterranean flair. The mixology program is backed by award-winning Yucatán bartenders who are happy to handcraft drinks to your taste. Head to Moons for cabaret five nights a week or join hosted events like casino night. The expansive spa offers cutting-edge treatments, with a hydrotherapy regimen and alternative healing techniques, including Reiki, shamanism, and energy work.

If you are looking for the royal treatment, this massive, colonial-style resort has everything from laundry service and a 24-hour on-site doctor to in-room whirlpool tubs and fully stocked minibars. Ordinary-size rooms are tasteful and equipped with king beds and minibars stocked with snacks (and refilled twice a day); swim-up rooms have clever pool entries from the sliding doors. Wi-Fi is complimentary.

From the traditional adobe structure to the use of feng shui, this tranquil, holistic-oriented eco-resort at the foot of the Quetzalcóatl mountains in the village of Amatlán has an expansive spa and has been designed to blend with the environment. Rooms have meditation chairs set in bay-window alcoves where you can absorb the unparalleled views. Rates includes breakfast and some activities, and additional meals are available in the airy restaurant, with its high domed-brick ceiling. The resort is a 15-minute drive east Tepoztlán.

In addition to its own marina and artificial beach, this all-suites resort has indoor-outdoor pools, a spa, tennis courts, a water-sports center, and a sports bar overlooking the bay. The horseshoe-shape layout means that every room has a marina view, but corner suites on either end are by far superior. All guest quarters have refrigerators, coffeemakers, lounge areas, balconies, flat-screens, and either a king-size bed or two full beds. Even the most basic rooms are surprisingly large. Rates drop substantially midweek and between October and March. For those traveling to and from San Diego, the hotel has a shuttle service for $550 for a 10-passenger van. For a sampling of the hotel without the full bill, just $30 will grant you day access to the pools, sauna, and grounds.

Restored to its original 1950s glamour, this perennial favorite has bright and cheery rooms with white-tile floors and modern bathrooms. There's a beachside restaurant with an outstanding breakfast buffet, a more elegant indoor restaurant, and a gorgeous pool that not only seems to float above the bay, but also has whirlpools built into its corners.

This old-school resort was recently transformed back into a trendy destination among mostly Mexican tourists. The decor is a bit kitsch but in accordance with the festive style of the resort.

Perched on a hill overlooking La Cruz, this brand-new hotel and spa has 42 villas all tastefully decorated in a somewhat Balinese style. The silent surroundings and serene ambience are perfect for a romantic (or individual) escape, with good food and even better drinks in a classy environment.

With a knockout view of town, multiple dining and nightlife options, a pool, Saturday night fireworks, a golf course, a spa, and kids' activities, this modern, upscale resort named for the mountain on which it's perched has the most extensive amenities of any property in town. It's a great choice for families, but the location across the valley from downtown can be a little inconvenient, especially in the evening when the funicular is no longer running. Rooms are comfortably furnished, most with wonderful views, but they're a bit lacking in character.

Here's a hotel that's funky and fun, catering to young adults with its chic lounge bar, ambient music, and hot-pink billiard tables and rugs that match the property's bright exterior. Top-floor rooms have excellent views, but the spiral staircases in the tower buildings are taxing. There are three restaurants and three pools, with one dedicated to children. The food is very good, though you're within walking distance of other restaurants, as well as shops.

Perched on a beautiful headland, "Serene Point" enjoys balmy breezes and offers life-changing views from the infinity hot tub. It's an adults-only oasis of calm. Rooms have lovely furnishings and decor and shared or private terraces, some with fab beach views. The private beach far below is clothing optional. Spa treatments are inventive, and activities like horseback riding, tennis, and nonmotorized water sports are included in the price.

The most upscale of Cancún's Riu properties, this colossal eight-story resort at the north end of the Zona Hotelera is visually stunning. Unlike the modern, minimalist resorts that dot the strip, the decoration here is a bit baroque, with towering columns and cupolas in the lobby, and ornate mahogany furniture and patterned bedding in even the most basic suites. All also have a walk-in closet, sitting room, and four-bottle liquor dispenser. The property has six restaurants, four of which require reservations. This is a resort that mainly attracts guests over 40.

Considered the flagship of the three Riu hotels in the area, the Riu Palace Pacifico is an all-inclusive beachfront resort with an excellent family-friendly beach, assorted restaurants as well as a buffet, and a huge pool. 

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.