Best Design Hotels in Mexico

Perched on Punta Maroma’s sandy shores, stay at Chablé Maroma and you can watch the waves while catching rays beside the infinity pool, snacking on shrimp and lobster tacos. Its 70 rooms feature hand-carved sinks, local palm weavings, indoor-outdoor showers, private pools flanked with lush tropical greenery – and for larger groups, there’s a three-bedroomed villa. Take a wellness journey inspired by ancient Mayan rituals at the onsite spa, by yourself or enjoy a treatment with a loved one. Products are locally sourced and climate-friendly, including food and drink. Fine dine in the restaurant Bu’ul, take a relaxed meal in Kaban, or tuck into fresh oysters, octopus tacos, fish and mango ceviche at the Raw Bar.

Located in Mayakoba, between Playa del Carmen and Cancun (around 15 minutes to the lively hotspots), the Banyan Tree is spread across jungle, lagoon and beachside areas. Enter through the AAA Five-Diamond resort’s pagoda, a first taste of the Asian – Mayan design fusion. Made up of unique villas complemented by handcrafted Mexican furniture, guests enjoy private pools, outdoor bathtubs and a dedicated butler. Experience hydrothermal wellness at the award-winning spa with ‘The Rainforest’ hydrotherapy circuit. Take a romantic mangrove boat tour, bike ride (up to two are available per villa) and enjoy meals in eight different locations. It’s a great option for families, with a kids’ club, babysitting service, nursery and kids’ pool.

La Valise takes its interior inspiration from the natural beauty of its Tulum jungle and sea surrounds with palapa ceilings, stripped wood furniture, blonde and azure hues and Yutucan textiles. Palm-lined sandy paths connect each area of the tiny nine-roomed resort. There’s no spa, but treatments are provided in-room and the restaurant is an exotic alfresco affair serving alternative takes on familiar Mexican classics – or order room service for honeymoon seclusion in this magical hideaway.

This is true barefoot luxury – even a trip to the hotel’s bar and Mexican restaurant allows you to feel the sand between your toes. Guests are accommodated in huge thatched cabanas on stilts, with oversized mirrors artily leaning against the walls and muslin floating from four-poster handcrafted beds. The decor in the 21 suites revolves around richly hued wooden furnishings, offset by white textiles. There’s an appropriately lazy vibe here, with hammocks strung beachside and there’s a strong focus on sustainability, ensuring the local eco-system is supported rather than disturbed by its tourism.

Comprising three villa buildings, Aldea Canzul exudes contemporary rustic style. The high-end furnishings have a boho edge, ensuring the resort feels both fashionable and in keeping with its surroundings. Ideal for families and groups, the two, three and four-bedded self-catering casas include kitchens and terraces with BBQ facilities and superb views. The on-site concierge can book a private chef if you’d prefer not to cook, as well as arranging in-villa spa treatments, watersports activities and yoga classes. Tulum’s main beachfront is close enough to provide access to bars and restaurants, but far enough to afford peace and quiet.

Hotel Terrestre, a member of Design Hotels, is a pet-friendly, adults-only, one-of-a-kind experience in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. Each of the hotel’s private villas has their own private pool while beautiful outdoor areas and a luminous interior invite guests to connect with nature and take in the immense vistas. The unique architecture of the building and each of its 14 rooms are inspired by the local landscape and contain tranquil natural elements. This hotel is home to Terrícola restaurant, where guests are invited to experience Mexican flavours and traditions through local and authentic dishes. The dazzling Ocean Club sits on the beach and is a perfect place to unwind or enjoy a drink from the Mezcal Bar. Hotel Terrestre also boasts a blissful spa, complete with a hot tub, steam room, and plunge pool as well as an additional expansive, circular pool, open to all guests.

Casa Antonieta offers guests from around the world a comfortable stay in a luxurious, Oaxacan haven. The hotel’s design incorporates elements from traditional architecture and décor with a modern twist to afford guests with all of today’s luxuries. There are a range of suites and rooms to choose from, including 8 guestrooms and 1 deluxe apartment-style room, each with a unique design and features to suit individual desires. Muss café serves delicious breakfast, coffee, cocktails, and, of course, mezcal in Casa Antonieta’s splendid, serene courtyard. From sunrise until sunset, Amá Terraza is open and offers a range of beverages and succulent dishes from their menus. Guests can enjoy an exceptional assortment of breakfast dishes until 2pm and a range of local, Latin American, and international specialities from 2:30 pm. A perfect blend of traditional and contemporary in a unique setting which allows guests to explore all that Oaxaca has to offer.

Guests can experience a once-in-a-lifetime stay at Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico where they can become one with nature and completely unwind in their own blissful sanctuary. The resort is comprised of only 15 luxurious tents but sprawls over 48 acres of lush jungle surrounds along the Pacific coast. Guests are welcome to socialise at the stunning La Solana Beach or around the sun-soaked swimming pool where divine food and beverages are served, right in the heart of the resort. The resort aims to make guest feel at home while helping them to forget the stress of everyday life thanks to invigorating spa treatments and fully equipped leisure and wellbeing facilities. There is a wonderful array of alfresco dining options which are enhanced by the natural surroundings and breath-taking views as well as bars and more private options – including a secret beach picnic and fully customised beachfront dining experiences for two.

Located 30 minutes from Puerto Escondido, Kymaia is a boutique sanctuary that fuses sustainable architecture with the wild beauty of the Oaxacan coast. Designed by Ezequiel Ayarza Sforza and brought to life by architectural studio Productora, the property features 22 suites designed to reflect local ecosystems, from wetlands to palm groves, all set within a landscape of regenerated gardens.

The Ocean Front Suites feature private pools and sweeping sea views, while the Senior and Junior Suites are set within pyramid-inspired structures, with the latter offering hot tubs and elevated views. The décor uses stucco, clay, and local wood to create a soft, earthy, and refined aesthetic.

Facilities include a central pool, a serene spa, a shala for yoga and meditation, and three dining venues led by chef Eduardo García: Septimus, Huachinango Bar, and the atmospheric La Cueva.

Just north of the vibrant town of Playa del Carmen, lies this romantic, intimate adults-only resort. With 41 suites it’s low rise and peaceful, incorporating a private beach, the Wayak Spa, gym, lagoon pool, open-air bar and grill and a fancy Mexican restaurant. You can pack light before coming, the hotel loans guests sombreros, books, snorkelling gear, DVDs, Neil George bath products – and limos are on hand for exploring further afield. Book a thatched Royal Villa for your own butler, pool, hammock, huge soaking tub and indoor-outdoor showers. Do try The Temezcal, an intensive sweat lodge ceremony to truly unwind and experience the mysticism of Mexico.

Set within a restored 19th-century mansion on the grand Paseo Montejo, Kahal Hotel brings intimate elegance and deep cultural connection to Mérida, the “White City” of Yucatán. With just 12 individually designed rooms and suites—including a Superior Master Suite with private terrace and pool—this boutique hotel offers a serene, design-led escape rooted in local tradition. Interiors reflect the region’s identity with chukum walls, tzalam wood, handwoven accents, and organic amenities crafted from native ingredients.
Kahal’s culinary heart lies in its light-filled restaurant and rooftop terrace, where Yucatecan flavours shine through dishes like huevos encamisados, pumpkin seed hummus, and morita chilaquiles. Guests can unwind in rooftop jacuzzis or sip regionally inspired cocktails like the Kaab, made with local gin and melipona honey. A library-bar, inner courtyard, and rotating art exhibitions further immerse visitors in the area’s culture, while bespoke tours to cenotes, archaeological sites, and haciendas reveal the surrounding landscape. Balancing heritage with modern refinement, Kahal is a soulful base for discovering Mérida’s timeless charm.

Mexico City is now home to The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City. This will be the first hotel from the brand in this vibrant centre of commerce and culture. The luxury hotel will become one of the country’s tallest buildings, making it a key landmark on the city’s skyline and with a super central location on the iconic Paseo de Reforma guests will enjoy uninterrupted views of the famed Chapultepec Park from its 153 guestrooms and suites. The Ritz-Carlton Club® Lounge, an exclusive Club Concierge, a heated indoor swimming pool, large fitness centre with state-of-the-art equipment are all upscale amenities guests can enjoy. For those wishing to relax or rejuvenate, a signature Ritz-Carlton Spa, with six luxurious treatment rooms, is available. The Spa thoughtfully sources local ingredients and botanicals, which are then coupled with the healing and spiritual traditions of Mexico City’s Aztec culture. A truly localised experience. And for a one-of-a-kind dining experience, guests should make a reservation at Samos, the Mediterranean inspired restaurant which will occupy the 38th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City. Dishes will comprise dynamic local flavours with creative cuisine flair. For refined luxury with unparalleled views over the enchanting city, The Ritz-Carlton Mexico City is THE place to stay.