26 Best Hotels in Oaxaca, Mexico

If you're looking for an experience just the way you want it, this luxurious and exclusive hotel with excellent service and a fine restaurant in San Felipe del Agua, north of Oaxaca, also throws in free transportation to downtown. Beautiful, contemporary rooms and suites are tastefully decorated and sit either near the wonderful swimming pool or open onto the gardens. The secure transport to and from the city center means that the location, on a hill above the city, is not a problem. Rooms can be customized; guests send their requests to the hotel, and when they arrive, everything is as required. A spa is being added at this writing.

A trio of imaginative Europeans poured their hearts and souls into this chic B&B, and the result is a masterpiece, where gleaming white colonnades lead you to your spacious room. The design combines traditional materials like adobe and cantera stone with minimalist sensibilities. Each room is different; some have little sunrooms overlooking the indigo-tile pool; others have sitting areas where you can enjoy a cocktail. Put yourself in the hands of a spiritual healer who will guide you through the cleansing experience of temazcal in the small poolside hut.

This oasis of greenery offers charming suites arranged around a free-form swimming pool and lush gardens inside a gated complex near La Punta. The well-maintained, low-rise buildings are decorated in Mexican style with a profusion of locally crafted artwork and hand-painted Talavera tiles. Suites range in size from studios to two bedrooms (maximum occupancy five), all with terraces and fully equipped kitchens. There's a TV lounge, a communal palapa with massage room, and a weekly meet-and-greet. Cribs are available upon request. Smoking is not allowed. Daily yoga and weekly zumba classes are complimentary for guests.

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.

This breathtaking 16th-century building—the former Convento de Santa Catalina de Siena—is one of the city's landmarks and is now a luxury full-service hotel. Around every corner is a discovery: a rear patio holds the covered pileta, a circle of stone basins where the nuns did laundry. The lavish breakfast buffet, which you can enjoy even if you're not a hotel guest, is served under the arches in what was the convent's kitchen. The grassy courtyard where mariachis play is a great spot for a margarita. Staffers are crisp and professional, and always ready with directions or advice—as you'd hope they would be, given the audacious prices. Guest or not, consider signing up for the free 40-minute tour of this historic building, which departs from the lobby on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 5 pm.

Perfect for those in search of a little solitude, these private, tile-roofed villas cling to a cliff above the gorgeous beach for which they were named; you descend to the idyllic shoreline via a very steep staircase. The villas range in size from a small studio to a three-bedroom apartment with a private terrace. All have a/c, and most have kitchenettes. A favorite, called the Puebla, has bay-view balconies. The road to the secluded property is dark, so you'll need to taxi out. Or, you can just stay in and enjoy the stunning views from the terrace bar.

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.

The central courtyard in this colonial-era mansion is certainly memorable, with lush vines tumbling down over stone arches; rooms are equally interesting, with traditional style and modern amenities. Other touches of note include a wrought-iron gate and leaded-glass windows. Each room is different, so look at a few before you decide; one thing they have in common are the extremely high ceilings. The restaurant in the courtyard offers a wide range of appetizing Mexican and international food.

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.

About a 20-minute drive north of Oaxaca's historic center, this hotel is a cool, quiet oasis. The spa, which has a hot tub, massage, and traditional temazcal steam baths, will help you regain your inner balance. Staff members can assist in arranging horseback excursions, bicycle rides, or ecological tours to the nearby mountains. All rooms are no-smoking.

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.

Hotel Azul was the first entry in the post-2010 boom in boutique hotels in Oaxaca, converted from a run-down house in the city center to a hidden gem of a boutique hotel. Although it is situated on a busy downtown street, once you step through the front door, you'll enter into a world of peace, high-quality service, and chic, well-designed rooms. For guests who want a little extra luxury, Hotel Azul offers suites designed and decorated by five of Oaxaca’s most illustrious contemporary artists. After a day exploring the city, the classy rooftop cocktail bar offers a range of refreshing Oaxacan cocktails to whet your appetite before dinner.

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.

Grupo Habita, best known for its hip hotels in Mexico City, brings its edgy flair to this boutique hideaway that draws a jet-set crowd. In the desert on a stretch of undisturbed beach 30 minutes west of Puerto Escondido, the hotel's 16 thatched-roof cabanas are decked out with luxe comforts such as private plunge pools, handcrafted natural furnishings, portable Bose Bluetooth speakers, and minibars. The beach club's saltwater ribbon pool offers 360-degree views of sky, sea, and sand while an open-air restaurant showcases tropical fruits, fresh-caught seafood, and Oaxacan ingredients. The drink of choice is house mezcal served with chili salt and orange slices. When walking the beach, watch for Casa Wabi, an art gallery–studio designed by celebrated Japanese architect Tadao Ando for Mexican artist Bosco Sodhi.

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.

An impressive archway leads you to the Hotel Santa Fe, a gracious grande dame consisting of clusters of colonial-style buildings in pastel shades surrounded by well-tended gardens, quiet courtyard patios, and gurgling stone fountains. A face-lift in 2014 added flat-screen TVs and a/c to all rooms. The restaurant ($$–$$$), well-known for its vegetarian food and award-winning Finca las Nieves organic coffee, is a top spot to sip a margarita, close a business deal, or watch the sun set. The location is prime: you're steps from Zicatela and Marinero beaches and a short stroll to the heart of the dining, surfing, and club scenes.

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.

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 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.