187 Best Hotels in Mexico

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. 

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.

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.