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Banyan Tree Mayakoba is a carefully orchestrated utopia between the urban melee of Playa del Carmen and the hedonism of Cancún. It is set within the gated Mayakoba complex, a visual painkiller with four eco-focused waterfront resorts that leave even the staunchest beach lover in thrall. Inside its gates, the outside world recedes with surprising speed. Canals cut through lush foliage, echoing Venice and the gardens of ancient Asia. One travels by golf cart or bicycle not only for transport, but for the childlike joy of movement.

The resort’s scale is grand, yet the experience remains deeply intimate. From the deluxe pool villas to the wellbeing sanctuary pool villas, all the standalone accommodations are discreetly tucked among mangroves, lagoons, and jungle paths, each featuring private pools, floor-to-ceiling windows that frame paradise, and floor plans that exceed those of most urban apartments.

In keeping with the wellness ethos of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, the spa offers a lavish array of services. The 30 to 150-minute treatments range from pre-Hispanic Temazcal steam baths to Urban Relief, a massage designed to dissolve the accumulated tension of modern desk-bound living. Pre- or post-massage, you could spend your days golfing, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, dining in a candle-lit boat called Ixchel, or doing sweet nothing.

You don’t check in, you time-travel. Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, San Miguel de Allende, is bathed in Old-World charm and character with a labyrinth of six historic mansions stitched together by courtyards, trickling fountains, and stone staircases. Casa Principal was once the archbishop’s residence; Casa Parque served as a fort; and Casa Limón is listed by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). Within, eco-friendly initiatives include the use of locally sourced ingredients and a near-total eradication of plastic. It’s also the first hotel in the city to offer guest transport via electric Teslas, so it is also embracing modern conveniences.

Minutes from the pink hues of Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, the 37 rooms and suites are a luxe launchpad for exploring the charming city with its multi-colored ribbons on store windows, belting mariachi bands, and art-filled spaces. For those with a creative flair, the amenity-rich hotel hosts workshops, such as crafting papier-mâché figures with a resident artist, and culinary classes at the recently renovated Sazón Cooking School. If you’re not the apron type, just pull up a chair at Andanza or harvest your next batch of Instagram likes at Tunki Rooftop by Handshake, where the views are worth every peso.

Dripping in handwoven textiles, ceramics, and wood carvings, Casa Palopó feels like stepping into a kaleidoscope of Guatemalan craft and culture. Once a private residence, this Relais & Châteaux gem rises from the shores of Lake Atitlán, tucked between the villages of Santa Catarina and San Antonio. With just 15 rooms, it offers an intimate dose of old-world luxury against a backdrop of volcanoes and shimmering lake views.

Perched high on the hillside, nearly every room gazes out over the water, each one uniquely curated with regional antiques and character. In the heavy midday heat, retreat to one of the two swimming pools, both positioned to soak in the staggering landscape. It’s the perfect place to lean into the languid pace the weather demands.

For more than two decades—half of which has been under the thoughtful stewardship of owner Claudia Bosch—Casa Palopó has been redefining what it means to transform a European-style villa into something authentically Guatemalan. Colorful, refined, and deeply rooted in its setting, it’s a rare boutique hotel that feels both homey and transportive.

Located in a beautifully restored 19th-century henequén (agave) hacienda, secluded jungle retreat Chablé Yucatán pulls out all the luxury stops. Tucked away in Mexico’s tropical Yucatán peninsula, even the most “basic” casita boasts an outdoor plunge pool, two bathrooms including a moon shower, and a king-size bed. Cocooned by towering ceiba tree canopies spanning 750 acres, the resort features 40 luxurious villas, whose design incorporates traditional Mayan architectural techniques and utilizes locally sourced materials.

Guests can borrow bikes to cycle between the spa, two swimming pools, and three restaurants– or order a golf cart transfer. Lovely details enhance a stay, such as personalized Mayan rituals and being greeted by name. Unwind with a fountains flow water massage that pays tribute to the hacienda’s revered cenote sinkhole, then dine out at Ixi’im, Ki’ol, or Abu’s Kitchen; their executive chef, Jorge Vallejo, also leads the Michelin two-star restaurant Quintonil. Agave lovers, meanwhile, will adore Ixi’im’s impressive 3,400-label cellar, the world’s largest private tequila collection. Keen to check out other parts of the Yucatán? The concierge can help with visits to Izamal, a Mayan town that’s  90 minutes away, to scale the Kinich Kakmó pyramid, before having lunch at Kanché.

The serene and luxurious Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Collection is a once-in-a-lifetime destination located in the mountains of Pérez Zeledón in the southern region of Costa Rica. Perched above the cloud line in rolling hills, with sweeping views of the San Isidro Valley and nearby Talamanca mountains, Hacienda AltaGracia offers 50 casitas with modern rustic interior design by New York-based designer Nina Gotlieb. Each one- and two-bedroom casita features picturesque terraces, some of which have private plunge pools.

The property is made up of 180 acres of rainforest, three miles of hiking trails, a panoramic pool, a burgeoning coffee farm, an organic vegetable garden, and equine stables featuring breed horses for all skill levels. Guests are transported around the resort in golf carts piloted by outstanding staff members, including a personal compa or companion, for each party. All five dining destinations are exquisite; serious foodies can explore the resort’s culinary offerings through guided workshops.

For adrenaline junkies, the resort offers ultralight flight tours showcasing the Nauyaca waterfalls, ocean, and valleys from the resort’s own private landing strip. Casa de Agua, Wellbeing by Auberge is the resort’s wellness sanctuary, home to Estée Lauder’s first Skin Longevity Institute in the Americas.

Nestled in the outskirts of historic Antigua, this stunning Relais & Châteaux jewel box of a boutique hotel is housed in a meticulously restored Belle Époque villa. Once a private family home, the manor was originally built in the late 1800s and reimagined as Villa Bokéh by Claudia Bosch and her daughter Katina Jongezoon in 2021. Today, Villa Bokeh seamlessly blends Guatemalan colonial design with chic contemporary touches.

The hacienda itself is exquisite: ornate cornices and wrought-iron railings, original terracotta tiles, and soaring ceilings pay homage to its storied past. Hand-painted murals, boho-chic decor, and modern accents keep things contemporary and elegant. But it’s the bones of the original house—twisty staircases, carved out nooks, and cozy fireplaces—that give the hotel its charm. Amenities aren’t just first-rate, they’re over-the-top luxurious, with handcrafted teacups, pillow menus, meditation kits, private lanais, and freestanding bathtubs. Uniquely designed rooms are all decorated with Guatemalan textiles and tiles.

It’s no coincidence that the hotel is perennially booked for weddings–amour is in the atmosphere. With its rowboat sailing over a tranquil lagoon and through six acres of lush, botanical grounds, guests can grab bespoke cocktails served from a vintage bar cart or the secret turret bar while enjoying panoramic views of the volcano from private verandas.