37 Best Hotels in Oaxaca, Mexico

Not well known, this small, quiet hotel with a high standard of service sits on a cobbled street just outside the very heart of the city, offering a taste of old-fashioned elegance. Noted for the impressive collection of contemporary art hung in both the public and guest rooms, its six rooms are arranged around a series of courtyards. The standard rooms and junior suites are all individually and tastefully decorated and benefit from high ceilings that keep them cool throughout the day. Popular with older guests, the hotel is very relaxed and has a good restaurant serving food throughout the day in the patio or in a quiet side room.

María Teresa Villarreal, the owner and operator of this pleasant little place, proudly shows off her restored colonial-style home, which is not fancy but has the lived-in feeling that many people are looking for in Oaxaca. You can mingle with other guests (some long-term) on the open patio gladdened with laurel and lemon trees. Those staying in standard rooms share a brightly colored outdoor kitchen, while those who have booked studios get kitchenettes with coffeemakers and other essentials.

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.

Opened in 2014, this is Oaxaca’s newest lodging option, providing a modern take on the traditional Mexican hotel. With an excellent location on the main pedestrianized thoroughfare, you'll have easy access to museums, bars, and restaurants. The real selling point is the rooftop swimming pool where guests can enjoy 360-degree views of the city. The rooms have all the conveniences you would expect (flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, a safe, a dock for your iPhone), and the restaurant has a room-service option. The decoration of the rooms is minimal and lacks Oaxacan flair, but with the city center on your doorstop, you'll want to spend more time there than in your room.

This small hilltop resort, with its trademark double-dome design, takes luxury to glamorous heights. Each suite has white leather furniture, stained concrete floors, exquisite handwoven tapestries, a hot tub, and a terrace with an ocean view. Eight corner suites have plunge pools. Golf carts take you to and from the beach, which is a long walk from the hotel. On-site dining options are limited, but exceptional ocean views are a highlight at Las Cupulas, the hotel's fine-dining restaurant.

This sparkling, French country–meets–Spanish colonial hotel, owned by a Parisian interior designer, is pristine and comfortable. Each one- or two-story apartment feels like a private home, with fresh flowers, a sprinkling of carefully chosen antiques, and blue-and-white Mexican tiles. The kitchenettes are sizable, and the shared pool area is a nice place to escape the heat. Wi-Fi is free. The hotel is a five-minute walk from Playa Carrizalillo, a good beach for swimming. Tax is already included in room rates, so they may seem higher than they actually are.

This relatively new contemporary-style boutique hotel is just a few minutes away from the zócalo in the city center, and while it's expensive, the quality of accommodations is high even if some of the rooms are small. The 15 rooms, each designed around a particular Oaxacan textile, are bright and clean, and situated around a series of courtyards. The restaurant is excellent and produces innovative flavors, particularly for breakfast, which can be served on the main patio. The sound of the fountains trickling and the view of azure sky make the experience a memorable one. For all-around quality of experience, the design, restaurant, and service make this one of the best places to stay in the city. The only downside here is that children under 12 are not accepted, meaning the hotel is not suitable for families.