147 Best Hotels in Mexico

As Ensenada's only boutique hotel, this historic home (circa 1887) also happens to be Baja’s oldest, with five English-style rooms named after the original owner’s favorite flowers---Daisy, Lily, Gardenia, Rose, and Jasmine. Each room has a sweet personality, with wooden floors, antique furnishings, footed tubs in private baths, and subtle touches to remind you of the past when Adelina and her banker husband lived here. In 2016, the “casa” saw new life as a B&B thanks to Adelina’s grandson who saved it from the wrecking ball. Walls are adorned with black-and-white photos of the original home, and in the study you’re likely to find first-edition books by Charles Dickens and other authors. Included in the unbeatable rate is breakfast, or you can pop into the attached café-bistro-bar "Barlina" serving sandwiches, salads, and artisan drinks.

The Ungson family had been in Cabo for more than four decades before turning their home across from Plaza Amelia Wilkes into the classiest and friendliest inn in the neighborhood. Second generation owner Bárbara is always on-site and gets to know her guests by name. Lush landscaping is threaded with meandering paths leading to the pool, gazebo, and terrace. French colonial furnishings are handcrafted and thoughtfully arranged, such as desks with plenty of books and replicas of works by French impressionist artists. The open showers in the huge tiled bathrooms are stunning—some even have little gardens.

Five minutes from the town square and opposite the main beach, this charming hacienda-style bed-and-breakfast has five rooms with firm, comfortable king-size beds plus private terraces, some with partial ocean views, and six larger cabañas with kitchens. Each cheerfully decorated option features local artwork, terra-cotta tile floors, and added perks like a small refrigerator, a coffeemaker, filtered drinking water, organic shampoo and conditioner made with honey, and beach towels. 

Off the town square, this boutique hotel is bursting with character, charm, and creativity, ideally suited for independent travelers who don't need 24-hour service but who appreciate value, comfort, and modern design. Inspired by the owners' trips to Greece, the property is stark white with hints of aqua. The sound of crashing waves can be heard from every room, each of which has a hammock, reading nook, and lounge area with an extra daybed. There's also a small plunge pool and rooftop patio where guests can enjoy an evening cocktail (complimentary tequila and beer is given at check-in).

The appealing Casa Encantada is a magnificent hotel built into a 17th-century mansion just off Pátzcuaro's main plaza. Rooms and suites—all with different configurations and appealing decor and furnishings—surround a courtyard with a garden and fountain. Though rented by the night, they're more like apartments than hotel rooms; most have kitchens and/or dining areas; a couple have fireplaces, and four have bathtubs.

An intimate, graceful boutique hotel, Casa Natalia is in the heart of San José's downtown and opens onto the zócalo. Theme rooms are decorated in regional Mexican motifs and have king-size beds, soft robes, remote-controlled air-conditioning, and private patios screened by bamboo and bougainvillea. Two suites have hot tubs and hammocks on large terraces, and a third suite is available for longer rentals. If traveling on a budget, request one of the Artist Rooms that cost about half price. Running twice per day, a $7 shuttle takes you to a beach club in the Corridor. Natalia's cozy little bar offers hotel guests afternoon happy-hour specials, including dos por uno, or two-for-ones. The in-patio restaurant, Mi Cocina, is fabulous. Staffers are helpful and welcoming. This adults-only hotel is the most luxurious option for those who wish to spend time enjoying the culture of this tranquil town. No children under 13.

Located within a gorgeous 19th-century redbrick building in the heart of Todos Santos, Guaycura is a city hotel with resort-like amenities. It's walking distance from all of the town's top shops, restaurants, art galleries, and more. The rooftop pool, though too small to get your laps in, is great for a quick refresh after a busy day out, though the real star is the beach club that all guests have access to. It's on the other side of town, but if you're visiting without a car, the hotel staff is happy to give you a lift.

Amid gardens full of exotic plants and fruit trees, as well as sheep and two friendly dogs, this 20-acre property has spacious, freestanding rooms that are sparingly decorated with folk art (some even have carved Maya stones incorporated into their walls). Several accommodations have outdoor showers and whirlpool tubs; for a bit more privacy, request a unit at the edge of the lush property. The restaurant is exceptional. Just off the outdoor dining area, carved stones have been used to create a faux ruin above the pool. Breakfast is only included in rates for long-term guests. 

Although the sometimes intense bustle of pedestrians is right outside, along with a slew of fun bars and restaurants, you'll find quiet rooms and an enchantingly tranquil garden at this welcoming, bright-blue-stucco B&B just a block from Cholula's famous archeological site. Though some rooms are compact, they're all smartly furnished with premium bedding and soft lighting, and the larger loft suites are perfect for families. An outstanding breakfast, which you can enjoy in the clustered garden, is included. 

This boutique hotel takes sustainability seriously and makes guests feel at home on one of the quiet and quaint streets of Santa María la Ribera, not even a block from the colonia's central park. A renovated mansion with a sunny rooftop garden, it’s a great place to relax and refresh in between wanderings and adventures throughout the central part of the city. There are two tasty and health-conscious restaurants at the entrance serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you'll have your pick each day to eat in the courtyard or your room.

Service and value are hallmarks of this artist-owned hotel in a 200-year-old building, where tastefully decorated guest rooms have murals—painted by the owner to match the original tile floors—air-conditioning, organic toiletries, and complimentary minibar drinks. The suite is actually more of an apartment with a private entrance, living room, and kitchen. A delicious breakfast is served on the garden patio, and a free tequila hour is held on the rooftop terrace, where most guests spend the day lounging or cooling off in the plunge pool. Extras include access to a communal kitchen, dining room, computer area, and small book exchange.

This 1620 converted monastery just a short uphill stroll from Plaza Borda offers simple but pleasantly decorated rooms with traditional furnishings, but the stars of the show here are the inviting restaurant in the tree-shaded courtyard and the expansive rooftop terrace that's absolutely perfect for stargazing or taking in views of Santa Prisca's spires.

Mosaic stone paths wind through lovely gardens, and colonial-style hardwood furnishings gleam throughout at this inn on a side street. At the center of the property are a botanical garden and stunning pool area with multiple pools, some interconnected, where tiki torches and illuminated palm trees lead to two-story adobe buildings. Rooms are small, but most have balconies and are equipped with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes. There's a common area with a bar, pool table, little library, and games, as well as a small spa where guests get 15% off. Although La Tortuga isn't on the beach, the pool area is a delight, a sundeck is available, and guests get discount passes to three nearby beach clubs.

Everything about this Spanish colonial–style hotel is luxurious—except for the rates. Each room is different, but all have adobe-style rounded walls, a soothing beige-on-bone color scheme, and premium bedding; many have balconies. A profusion of ferns, tasteful artwork, and patios add a touch of class. The attentive owners cater to their guests, many of them Mexican businesspeople, in a way that virtually guarantees return business. Terra Cotta, the hotel's restaurant, is highly regarded.

You’ll be lulled asleep to the sound of the waves in this collection of five spacious cabanas perched on a jungle-covered hillside overlooking Mermita Beach. Designed by an Italian architect, the elegant interiors are white with lots of curves and dark wood for drama. Choose bungalows 1, 2, or 3 for the best views. The on-site Italian restaurant is one of the best in town, offering house-made pasta and pizza prepared in a wood-burning oven. The pool offers stunning views.

It’s rare to find such an affordable and attractive guesthouse in such a popular neighborhood, much less directly on charming Avenida Amsterdam, but this clean and simply furnished inn built in the 1930s by prominent architect Francisco Serrano is a true gem, with its restored art deco architectural details, carefully chosen artwork, and airy common terrace. The light-filled room are divided between the main house and a side building. 

This white, all-suites hotel is popular with families, and comprises seven low-rise buildings—most four or five stories. Units sleep four, six, or eight and have terraces; some also have kitchenettes. There's a cable car to the hotel's beach club, which is on the bay and next to the Club de Yates and its 330-foot-long toboggan run.

This hip Marriott property near the convention center has a fresh, modern concept that generates quite a social scene. The funky lobby features bright mismatched furniture, cement floors, exposed ductwork, modern art, and a lounge bar. Smallish rooms have leather benches, ergonomic desk chairs, white duvets, and all the basic amenities (minibars, Wi-Fi, TVs, and safes). Although there's only one restaurant, the 24-hour snack bar lets you grab and go. Aloft isn't on the beach, but guests receive access to the neighboring beach club. The 360-degree view from the rooftop pool is unparalleled.

Branding itself as "your home and office" and catering mostly to business travelers, this modern hotel just two blocks from the Plaza Las Américas shopping center has guest rooms with a plasma TV, minibar, coffeemaker, and Wi-Fi. Although suites also have a sitting area and a microwave, only those overlooking the pool have a pleasant view. There's a cocktail bar on the first floor and a tiny pool that forms an oasis in the property's center. Complimentary continental breakfasts are served poolside, plus there's a small on-site restaurant with an à la carte menu.

If you're looking for a more peaceful atmosphere for your Oaxaca stay, this small, simple hotel north of the city may fit the bill nicely. Simple tiled rooms are arranged around a long, narrow garden, at the end of which is a small pool. The restaurant is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the hotel is close to other restaurants in the village of San Felipe. Excellent service makes this hotel worth the visit.

This small, colorful inn three blocks from the beach is split in two, with a family-friendly side and a separate adults-only area, both with pools. The garden restaurant serves up tasty fare for an early dinner (try the tequila shrimp, but go early: it closes at 9 to keep noise down for guests). A palapa out back hosts a weekly fresh market and daily pay-what-you-can yoga classes. The design is a work of art, with Mexican decor, batik wall hangings, and rustic wood-frame beds. Junior suites in both buildings have living rooms and microwaves for a quick meal. There's also a small business center and spa.

Ecologically sensitive Balamku, located 5 km (3 miles) south of town, sits on a stretch of pristine private beach where you can lose all track of time. Cool, spacious rooms are bright with Mexican tiles and textiles, and outdoor palapas are set up for the hotel's top activity—"hammocking." But it's not all about sleeping in the sun: a famously generous breakfast plus kayaking and snorkeling equipment are included in the rate. Canadian expat Carol Tumber runs an ecologically tight ship. In addition to generating power with solar panels and wind generators, the property uses water-saving toilets and composts all hotel waste. There's an outer reef for snorkeling and a platform where you can catch some rays after a swim. The restaurant serves only snacks, but there are two more robust restaurants five minutes down the beach road, one in each direction.

If your main interest for your trip is exploring the city's historic downtown, the atmospheric, colonial-style Majestic will give you a perfect location. It's also ideal for viewing the Independence Day (September 16) celebrations, for which many people reserve a room a year in advance. Rooms have heavy wooden furniture and rather generic decor. There is also a restaurant on the top floor with a wonderful view of the Zócalo.

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.

If solitude and a reasonable room rate are more important than being in the center of the action, The Bungalows might be your place. Rooms at this quaint little inn are decorated with Mexican textiles, lovely quilts, and art, as well as all the creature comforts like flat screens, microwaves, mini-refrigerators, handmade soaps, and French press coffeemakers. Hammocks can be found throughout the property, calling you for a catnap among the lush landscaping.

A cheerful, yellow colonial building—just three blocks from the zócalo—houses this inexpensive hotel. Rooms are centered around an interior patio, and are simple but cheerful with bright paint schemes and fabrics. All rooms have TV and Wi-Fi.

You can sign up for surf lessons at this casual but hip boutique hotel overlooking Playa Zicatela's best surf break. Rooms are decorated with simple Mexican crafts; some have cute outdoor patios with small log bridges leading up to them, while others have balconies and hammocks. The Calaveras & Diablitos bar is a fun spot to party and chat about surfing with other guests.

This property just two blocks from Plaza Grande feels more like a home than a hotel thanks to colonial-style details like red-and-white tile floors, wrought-iron headboards, and carved cedar doors, as well as such thoughtful touches as minibars, double-paned windows, and rocking chairs on wide verandas. The lobby area's open central patio is a lovely spot for a meal or a drink. Other amenities include a small pool and guest access to a golf and tennis club about 20 minutes away by car.

All rooms at this diver-oriented hotel are enlivened by simple Mexican artwork, but those with sea-facing balconies are lighter, airier, and don't cost that much more. Bilevel cabanas, which sleep three or four, are a good deal. In addition to a trio of diving associates offering a wide range of tours and services, the property has storage areas for your gear. A narrow beach across the street has palapa-shaded hammocks, a wooden sundeck with lounge chairs, and steps leading into the water.