13 Best Hotels in Oaxaca, Mexico

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.

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.

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.

From this hillside hotel's sunny terrace you can contemplate the Iglesia de Santo Domingo and also also catch a glimpse from some of the wrought-iron balconies of the top-floor rooms. Inside are arched doorways, vaulted ceilings, traditional furnishings, and cool tile floors. In secluded courtyards you'll find fountains, gardens, and pools, but the best place in the whole hotel is the terrace, with its amazing city view. The hotel also offers a small coffee shop serving locally sourced coffee and a restaurant where meals can be purchased at reasonable prices.

What was for a long time just a restaurant and convention center is now the top lodging choice in Mitla. Owner Alfonso Moreno Díz has lovingly restored his grandfather's estate, and it's a remarkable place to stay, complete with an inner courtyard that has a solar-heated pool, an orange-tree-shaded garden bar, and a play structure for kids. Rooms could hardly be cheerier—everything is saturated with color—with intricately carved furniture brightly painted with flowers and fruits. Some doubles have private terraces over the garden—definitely ask for one. Rates are discounted Sunday–Thursday. The restaurant ($) is worthwhile in its own right; don't pass up the pollo relleno con quesillo y huitlacoche (chicken stuffed with Oaxacan cheese and corn fungus) or the local version of mole negro.

The Mediterranean-style palapa-topped bungalows are on a hillside at the extreme end of the beach and just steps from the sand. Each has a terrace with a lovely ocean view and a hammock. Rooms are tastefully furnished with beige linens, floral pillows, and rustic wooden furniture. The restaurant serves Mediterranean foods including pizzas from a wood-burning stove and grilled meats. Note that the beach in front of the hotel is popular among nudists. The spa and yoga studio have a small pool.

This intimate hotel occupies a wonderfully restored older home near the Basilica de la Soledad and remains a popular choice for bargain hunters who still want a fairly central location and a comfortable room with a bit of atmosphere. You can spot that church, and at least half a dozen others, from the plant-filled terrace. The most private room is secluded on the second floor, and the others are just as cozy, but one has a skylight rather than a window. Ask for a tiny tele (TV) at the reception desk if you can't bear to miss the evening news.

Even the baked-earth floor tiles shine at this sleepy little hostelry in an atmospheric, cobblestone district close to Parque Juárez. The name means "house of tranquillity," and it lives up to its name. Clean, quiet rooms have pale pine furnishings and handwoven fabrics. Sliding doors lead to sunny patios. Friendly owner Marina Flores is happy to help arrange trips to nearby sights.

You'll be in the heart of the action at this popular hotel offering a mix of rooms, suites, and cabanas arranged around a shaded pool area with hammocks and loungers. It's worth looking at several rooms to find one that meets your needs in terms of size, view, and amenities, including a/c, fans, a kitchen, or balcony. The restaurant is a selling point: you can order anything from a simple quesadilla to well-prepared grilled fish. Kids will enjoy the children's playground across the street.

Taking up almost the entire northern edge of the zócalo, this hotel puts Oaxaca at your doorstep, all the while maintaining a polished and classy personality. Many rooms have views of the Palacio de Gobierno or the Catedral Metropolitana. If you splurge a bit, you can reserve a room with French doors leading out to a small balcony. Rooms are cozy, although not as atmospheric as at most other hotels in town. The open-air restaurant facing the main square has become extremely popular; you can grab a table right in the middle of life on the plaza.

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.