Best Resort Hotels in Mexico

Away out on the peninsula of Punta Diamante, this AAA Five Diamond Awarded resort is set in a gated community overlooking Puerto Marques Bay. Villas have terraces and private heated pools that jut out from the lush vegetation of the steep cliff on which the hotel was built, creating a feeling of floating above the ocean. These residences can sleep up to 15 guests, each equipped with kitchens, dining and living room areas and solariums. Banyan Tree Cabo Marqués also provides six restaurants, a shared infinity pool, golf and yoga and an exotic spa nestled among the palm trees.

Coming from one of the world’s leading luxury hotel groups, this contemporary, large and stylish resort is connected by lagoons and waterways. 129 rooms and 11 residences appear to float on water and have been crafted using indigenous materials, in a minimalist, calming design. The Forbes-rated spa even has its own island, Sense, offering a huge range of Mayan healing practises and treatments and a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf course El Camaleón. Kids are well catered for at Rosewood Explorers’ children’s club and for some adult-only time, chill out at Aquí Me Quedo, where three plunge pools are sunken into the sand beside the sea. There are five dining options, as well as a delectable bakery, weekly themed meals and several bars.

Lovers of luxury who appreciate gourmet cuisine are sure to be in their element at this very luxurious beachside resort. Among the impeccable amenities that guests are given full use of a lagoon-style infinity pool that is lined with pergola-topped Bali beds, a pool that boasts its very own artificial coral reef that has been designed especially for divers and a luxurious spa that has been created in the Mayan theme. Each and every room comes complete with its own balcony that looks out on the Caribbean Sea, while those who book a room in the exclusive Club 91 on the top floor will be treated to the very best that the JW Marriott has to offer.

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.

With not one, but two stretches of beach along its perimeter, this is the top choice for water babies – or those wishing to lounge beside the ocean, being served tequila cocktails upon a wicker framed cabana. Waiters will also attend those in the infinity pool (yes, in the pool), bringing drinks to your precise spot. After all, with views this epic and temperatures so warm, you won’t want to budge. Indeed, the service throughout the Four Seasons is five-star attentive, with guests’ every micro-need met. Book a treatment at the Apuana Spa, play some sports, charter a yacht, dine on Las Cuevas beach at Bahía, eat Japanese-Mex dishes at Aramara, snack at the Shack or taco stand… the choice is yours.

If you’d prefer to stay in a large scale all-inclusive resort from a huge international hotel group, with tons of amenities, the Barcelo Maya Palace is a winner. Located in Xpu-Ha, it has 756 rooms, three tennis courts, three pools, a private beach, six restaurants, five bars, theme nights, tour services, access to a water park, a games room, nightclub, playground, children’s’ club, fitness centre, hammam and a full-service spa. Activities include snorkelling, canoeing, windsurfing, golf, football, tennis, volleyball, aerobics, as well as dance, language and cooking classes. And with theme parks and historic sites nearby, it’s safe to say you’ll never be short of something to do here.

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.

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.

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.

The adults-only TRS Coral Hotel is the pinnacle of the Palladium Hotel Group’s adults-only portfolio of hotels. Sharing the same Costa Mujeres property as the Grand Palladium Resort & Spa, the TRS Coral Hotel is on a beautiful beach in a less-developed area. About 30 minutes drive from Cancun. Guests not only have access to the hotel’s exclusive a la carte restaurants, and designer bars but also all the facilities and dining options of the Grand Palladium. The hotel is all-inclusive with a new approach of ‘Infinite Indulgence’, with no limits for guests. The service includes a premium all-inclusive package, such as a fully personalised and stocked in-room bar; as well as a personal butler and various other benefits such as a complimentary in-resort transfer facility, 24-hour room service (available via the property’s free app) and unlimited access to all the facilities and services offered at the next-door Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa.

A top-tier Marriott resort, The St Regis is large, but calm. Guests are ferried around the grounds in golf carts and provided with the brand’s signature butler service. 120 bedrooms are housed in a number of casitas, with decor that’s neutral upscale rustic and airy, outdoor showers and modern beamed ceilings. Multiple pools ensure every type of traveller – from families to honeymooning couples – can find their perfect sunbathing corner. Lush, manicured gardens lead onto the white sandy beach, where guests can take a seat on a cushioned teak lounger. The St Regis has five restaurants, several bars, a fitness room, tennis courts and a kids’ club.

Peek across to the island of Cozumel from this immaculate resort in Playa del Carmen. Grand Velas has 531 rooms, six themed restaurants, two gyms and seven bars. Expect manicured lawns, high-end boutiques, perfectly tended sands and gleaming marble surfaces. The decor by Melín Castro Ardavín, is neutral, with mahogany furnishings, expansive walk-in showers and large terraces overlooking the ocean. Whether travelling as a family, or in need of some child-free time, it’s all possible here. There’s a kids’ club, but also a whole area of the resort reserved for over 18s, and a serene spa for some much-needed r&r.