The Very Best Hotels in Mexico, From Cabo to Cancún
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Be it for its white-sand beaches along the Caribbean Sea or its legendary surf breaks tucked within seaside havens along the Pacific Coast, Mexico has long been considered one of the top travel destinations in the world—and that’s only to speak of the beaches. There’s also bustling Oaxaca, where ancestral craftsmanship thrives, and Mexico City, where one of the world’s foremost art and design scenes is taking shape. Making a trip to the country is ideal for pretty much every type of traveler, be it those interested in art, food, adventure, or all three. New hotels are opening almost monthly to keep up with the country’s growing demand of visitors in all areas of the country, creating a little something for everyone.
To enjoy the best of Mexico and its unique culture—and for a getaway on the West Coast, East Coast, or somewhere in between—our editors have selected the best hotels in Mexico, ranging from beachside treehouses and luxury resorts to mountain respites and city boltholes. Read on to see our complete list.
How we chose the best hotels in Mexico
Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We're always looking for beautiful design, a great location, and warm service—as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.
Courtesy The Cape/Photo by Francisco EstradahotelThe Cape, A Thompson Hotel
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Hot List 2016 
Readers' Choice Awards 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024A mod-Mexican restaurant from Enrique Olvera, four bars with note-perfect cocktails (over 100 and counting), two pools, an amazing spa, and not a trace of hacienda-style architecture—in short, just what Cabo needed. Kudos to Thompson Hotels for introducing a place in an otherwise crowded market with uninterrupted views of El Arco and the Bahía San Lucas horizon. Mexico City architect Javier Sanchez has combined a relaxed 1960s Southern California-meets-Baja aesthetic. It’s refreshingly grown-up, perfect for couples, but without an ounce of pretension. Every room has a balcony to view the Pacific (some with private plunge pools and butler service), plus Cabo’s only rooftop lounge to relish each and every sunset.
Barbara Kraft/Courtesy Montage Los CaboshotelMontage Los Cabos
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2020, 2021Located on 39 quiet acres of beachfront between the overdeveloped hotel zones of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, Montage looks out on the serene, divinely swimmable waters of Santa Maria Bay. As impressive is the fact that all of the 122 guest rooms, suites, and casas (not just top-tier rooms) have ocean views, expansive terraces with daybeds, dining areas, and outdoor showers—just the sort of breezy indoor/outdoor setup you want on a beach holiday. And in a town where things can go from place-defining to cliché quickly, Montage gets it right. Interiors have a Mexican 2.0 aesthetic that leans into local materials while executed in a sophisticated desert palette (lots of native wood, earth-toned woven throws and hanging tapestries, and creamy sandstone), and landscaping embraces native, drought-resistant plants like agave, flowering desert figs, and saguaros. The real treat, though, is to sit by the pool with a book and michelada, knowing that the Pacific is there waiting when you’re ready for your plunge. —Rebecca Misner
Courtesy Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa PalmashotelFour Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas
$$$ | Hot List 2020 Readers' Choice Awards 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023Set right on the beach, against the backdrop of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, the Four Seasons is by far the area’s sleekest stay. Exclusivity is of course a draw—a handful of celebrities are rumored to have bought villas. But there’s also a strong outdoor-adventure pull, from snorkeling in nearby Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, where giant polka-dot whale sharks hunt for plankton, to quad-biking empty sand dunes. While there might not be the bars and restaurants to rival Los Cabos, they’re hardly missed. Toes-in-the-sand El Puesto is the spot for ceviche and margaritas; for a proper sit-down meal, an outpost of beloved Greek restaurant Estiatorio Milos serves seafood suppers. All 141 rooms are designed to blend into the surrounding desertscape with sliding glass doors that lead to private terraces, as well as views of the Sea of Cortéz. And unlike on the rough, rocky Pacific side of Baja, the waters here are as tranquil as a lake. —Jen Murphy
Courtesy One&Only PalmillahotelOne&Only Palmilla
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Gold List 2018, 2020, 2022 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023Arriving at this spot on the very tip of the Baja Peninsula feels like coming home. Many of the staff are third-generation employees who remember not only your name but whether you prefer your margarita made with tequila or mezcal (and which brand), and where you like your yoga mat to be set up in your room. And those rooms. Whitewashed hacienda-style architecture brightened with hand-embroidered textiles, plus perks such as private butlers and, in the case of Villa Cortez, an exclusive fitness suite, spa room, and beach cabana reflect Cabo’s emergence as Latin America’s latest luxury hotspot. There is no shortage of glitzy new five-stars, but as the area’s first proper hotel, Palmilla has a serious advantage: real estate. Its secluded location on one of Cabo’s only swimmable beaches is unbeatable. In the ’50s, Hollywood’s elite flocked here, and today a fresh generation of A-listers does the same. A commitment to discretion and timeless glamour in an age of social-media noise, as well as constant reinvention (new wellness offerings from spiritual healer Alicia Kanxoc), have allowed Baja’s big hitter to continue holding court. —Jen Murphy
Courtesy Paradero Todos SantoshotelParadero Todos Santos
$$$ | Hot List 2021 Readers' Choice Awards 2023, 2024Though experience-based lodgings are old news in countries throughout South America and Africa, Paradero claims to be the first hotel brand to introduce the model to Mexico. Located on a previously unused 5.5-acre plot within a farming community in Baja California Sur’s Todos Santos, it’s become the mission of Mexico City-based founders Pablo Carmona and Joshua Kremer to preserve the over 160 acres of family-owned farms that surround the property. The resort, set in front of a palm tree oasis about 20 minutes from the beach, is made up of a series of brutalist-inspired structures designed by architects Ruben Valdez and Yashar Yektajo. They took note of the landscape’s sunbaked hues and designed the property in golden shades to blend into the sandy natural surrounds. The buildings’ desert tones also allow the plants in the resort’s 100,000-square-foot botanical garden to pop: red sand verbena, Mojave yucca, and Shaw’s agave. Though the resort’s outdoor spa and half-moon-shaped infinity pool make it hard to leave the grounds, it would be a shame to miss out on guided hikes through cactus fields to reach the deserted Las Palmas beach, taco tours of the best local spots in Todos Santos, or private surf lessons. The hotel has custom boards positioned in the open-air living room, an airy sanctuary where guests kick back and relax post-adventure in anticipation of seafood-centric meals prepared by chef Eduardo Ríos, an alum of Enrique Olvera’s Mexico City restaurant, Pujol.
Zadún, a Ritz Carlton ReservehotelZadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
$$$ | Hot List 2020 Readers' Choice Awards 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023The high-stakes Cabo hotel scene has been particularly frenetic for the past few years, with fresh openings from big-name players like Four Seasons, Montage, and Viceroy. Amid the fray, Ritz-Carlton managed to seek out a 20-acre plot for its fourth reserve, overlooking the indigo Sea of Cortez and built partially on the sand dunes. Suites feel both comfortable and considered, with vast living rooms featuring blue-and-white textiles, objets d’art from local artisans (woven leather baskets, painted pottery), and terraces with firepits. But it’s the staff that truly makes the place stand out: remembering favorite breakfast tables and knowing the right chaise lounge around the enormous L-shaped pool at which to drop off each swimmer’s margarita. In one of the world’s most elevated hotel towns, Ritz-Carlton shows that the bar can always be raised. —Stephanie Wu
Baja Club HotelhotelBaja Club Hotel
$$ | Hot List 2022With the opening of Baja Club Hotel along the esplanade of La Paz, the coastal town now has its first proper boutique hotel. Attracting the creative, artistic elite of Mexico City and beyond, the 32-room, Spanish colonial–style property serves as a base for further explorations in the Sea of Cortez, from swimming with the area’s seasonal visitors—whale sharks and blue whales—to boating trips to the biodiverse Espíritu Santo island. The rooms all have either a balcony, terrace, or private outdoor patio, with cream-and-coral striped banquettes as well as Grupo Habita’s classic minibar staple: a house bottle of mezcal for guests to enjoy.
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Anna Wolf/Casa SforzaCasona Sforza, Puerto Escondido
You’ll reach Casa Sforza after a windy drive down the dusty roads of Puerto Escondido’s quiet La Barra district. Pure secluded luxury is the order of the day here, allowing you to disconnect and unwind. Mexican architect Alberto Kalach designed this beachfront property with the intention of capturing and not distracting from the striking natural landscapes. The impressive design blends seamlessly into nature, using naturally colored materials and smooth-flowing shapes. The hotel is made up of a series of huge, airy connecting domes that seamlessly slot together to form the 11 suites, an oval-shaped pool, and a bar and restaurant. (Note: There's a strict no children or pets policy throughout.) Beach beds and straw umbrellas spill onto the sandy beach as do spiky cacti, tall palms, and flowering beach shrubs. Follow the wooden stepping stone path to the beach bed dressed in linen curtains or to the shaded hammocks to divide your time between the pool and the beach. Flop and enjoy uninterrupted ocean views; if you plan your visit during migratory months, you may even spot a whale in the distance.
Bedrooms are huge, built from dusty yellow brick that glows warm at golden hour. Ground-floor suites have a private swim-up pool, while second-floor rooms come with a view of the Pacific Ocean, best enjoyed while soaking up the glow of sunset from the huge woven hammock or a freestanding hot tub. The kitchen is run by a husband (who previously did a stint at Lyle's in London) and wife duo originally from Venezuela. —Sophie Knight
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Romain Laprade/Casa ToCasa To, Puerto Escondido
Little boutique hotel Casa To is made up of just nine bedrooms. But this is a property that's a step above the rest among the boho beach-bum hostels on this corner of the Pacific coast. The self-cooling brutalist design was the craftsmanship of architect Ludwig Godefroy. A jigsaw of circular concrete archways makes up the heart of the hotel, crawling with vines that align and frame the lobby's features. There's a well-stocked bar run by a casually cool barman in a paisley shirt, and cozy corners are filled with wicker seating and sun loungers. Wooden stools dotted with retro teal lamps and the odd photography book, statement vases, and plenty of palms decorate the incense-infused space. Then, of course, the hotel's iconic swimming pool, which runs through a series of concrete circular walls spanning the length of the hotel. Beautiful guests spend most of the day sipping mezcal and lounging in the sunlight that beams onto the pyramid of concrete puzzle steps that make up the back wall, conveniently dotted with pillows and candlelight come dusk. The bedrooms follow suit. Bifolding doors reveal a private garden sheltered by lush green palms. All furnishings, such as the colorful woven rug, the striped linen bedding, and heavy wooden crafted chairs, are local artisanal pieces bringing that home-from-home feel. Glou Glou, the rooftop bar and restaurant, is run by a trendy Argentinian couple who were invited to relocate to Puerto Escondido by the hotel owner after he fell in love with their cooking and hospitality back in Argentina. The highlight is an innovative, intimate, and delicious seven-course tasting menu cooked and prepared right in front of you. —Sophie Knight
Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta MitahotelNaviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, Mexico
$$$ | Hot List 2023 Readers' Choice Awards 2024This is not your parents’ Four Seasons. Formalities, like a front desk, have disappeared, and the traditional concierge has been replaced with guides who can help arrange everything from dinner reservations to surf lessons. The all-inclusive model means the entire stay is blissfully transaction-free, and the intimate scale—at just 30 guests, the size is also a shift for the brand—allows for unscripted experiences such as mezcal tastings with local distillers. And the tented suites are what it takes to persuade travelers to book a hotel in Punta Mita that isn’t right on the beach. Terraced into 48 acres of forested Pacific-facing cliffs, this adults-only luxury tented resort was designed by sustainably minded safari-tent pioneers Luxury Frontiers. Each of its 15 bungalows has an indoor soaking tub, an outdoor shower, and a private plunge pool with sunset views. Taking in and getting out into nature is at the heart of Naviva, but a visit to the two spa pods is a must for treatments informed by Mesoamerican traditions, like the five-hour Refuge Retreat. It includes a copal cleansing and Mayan mud massage, plus post-pampering time to soak in the pod’s oversized palm-shaded tub. Guests have access to the amenities at sister property Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, just next door, but it’s doubtful you’ll want to leave this jungle oasis. —Jen Murphy
Courtesy One&Only MandarinahotelOne&Only Mandarina
$$$ | Gold List 2025 Hot List 2021 Readers' Choice Awards 2022, 2023Just when you think all beach resorts are made alike, One&Only Mandarina begs to differ. Nestled in the lush hills of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit—where jaguars skulk in the shadows, colorful birds fly overhead, and the gentle sound of the Pacific urges bone-deep relaxation—One & Only makes it easy to find the big red reset button you’ve been looking for. There’s a traditional temazcal sweat lodge experience at the spa, surfing on a private beach, and even a restaurant that has an Enrique Olvera–designed menu that would draw major crowds in a big city: Carao. Ultimately, though, it’s forgetting about the outside world that is the draw—and promise—of spending a few days here. —Megan Spurrell
Susurros del Corazón, Auberge Resorts CollectionhotelSusurros del Corazón, Auberge Resorts Collection
$$$ | Hot List 2023 Readers' Choice Awards 2023, 2024Everything about this property is seemingly curated to feel more like a boutique hotel than a resort. It’s normal to stumble upon things like a sound bath experience on the beach led by a local bohemian who infuses jazz with the singing bowls or a sombrero-making class. The on-site boutique, a Fashionkind outpost co-owned by Nina Farran and Sophia Bush, includes leading designers from across Latin America, with a special focus on those local to Mexico. The design by Paul Duesing and Glazier Le Architects, sports stone walls that continue from the balcony to the interior of the room with pebble-floored rain showers clad in colorful tiles almost entirely Mexican-made and also supports local and regional makers, artisans, artists, and purveyors, solidifies the POV of being a boho-fresh, intentional, and barefoot sanctuary for those in-the-know. Don’t get me wrong, it still feels like a resort—just a resort that is focused on what is important to today’s customers. —Scott Bay
César Béjar/Four SeasonshotelFour Seasons Tamarindo
$$$Located in the relatively undeveloped western state of Jalisco, Tamarindo is intentionally secluded. From the moment you pass through its tucked-away gates and steal a far-away glimpse of the bright-blue Pacific through miles of lush jungle, it becomes clear just what a hidden treasure the resort is. The outdoor lobby acts as a central home base for the property, where contemporary seating invites you to leave your worries behind and ornate wooden beams frame sweeping views of the coastline below. To the right sits Tamarindo’s Discovery Center, where guests can learn about the wildlife and vegetation that surround the property and how they change throughout the seasons, as well as the resort’s boutique, which is filled with unique crafts, fashion, and homeware made my local artisans alongside some signature Four Seasons merchandise. Just beneath the lobby’s main structure are several levels of eateries and bars, three infinity pools, the spa, and a state-of-the-art fitness center, all cascading down the cliffside and overlooking the beach. An 18-hole golf course and two additional beaches are just a short golf ride away, as is Rancho Ortega, a 35-acre farm that supplies the resort’s produce, meat, and eggs and will soon produce its own tequila. —Gabby Shacknai
La Valise San Miguel de AllendehotelLa Valise San Miguel de Allende
Hidden behind an unassuming vermillion facade lies a surrealist sanctuary in the heart of vibrant San Miguel de Allende. When you open the wooden colonial doors from the pedestrian-only cobblestone street, it feels like you are walking into a too-cool gallery. There’s a large circular structure just beyond the front door that gives way to a bright and airy courtyard space with Escher-like stairs criss-crossing the shared pool. The six rooms look out to the shared pea-gravel courtyard or rooftop patio, each with charming bistro tables for huevos rancheros and fresh squeezed juices in the morning or for enjoying Mezcal in the evenings while chatting (and sometimes dancing) with other guests via candlelight. Everyone I saw during my stay were among the art and style set—and the location can’t be beat. You're steps from The Parroquia (and the other beautiful cathedrals scattered throughout the historic colonial district), trendy boutiques, and some of the best restaurants in the city.
Courtesy Rosewood/Durston SaylorhotelRosewood San Miguel de Allende
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024The Rosewood's 13 acres are enviably sited in San Miguel de Allende's centro, and the hotel is without peer in a town that has its share of swank stays. Portals and stone paths lead to tiered swimming pools, two-person cabanas, covered patios, and a tequila bar, and the 67 rooms are grand and outfitted with regionally sourced hardwood floors and Spanish colonial furnishings. Even a standard king, at an already-generous 535 square feet, comes with special treatment: A bubble bath lit by candles is drawn at turndown upon request. Views from the rooftop Luna tapas bar make a seat here especially sought-after at sunset.
Courtesy Belmond Casa de Sierra NevadahotelCasa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel
$$$ | Gold List 2024 Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024The babble of a courtyard fountain, a breeze that shoulders its way through stone arches: Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel is an unquestionably sensory experience. But the more elemental charms of this historical marvel, whose 17th- and 18th-century buildings are scattered across San Miguel de Allende’s Centro district, are only part of its allure; the rest it owes to the human touch. I arrived at my suite—a corner unit cleaved from a former mansion—to find my wedding portrait set into a carved tin frame; one afternoon, I returned to find textured strips of paper on my reading stack—bookmarks. Chef Alejandra Puente told me about her daughter as we contemplated fresh avocados at the local market, gathering up the bounty we would need for my private cooking class. This is hospitality at its finest. —Betsy Blumenthal
Courtesy Casa DelphinehotelCasa Delphine
$ | Hot List 2020San Miguel de Allende has captivated writers and artists including Jack Kerouac and Frida Kahlo since the 1940s. It also bewitched LA jewelry designer Amanda Keidan, who fell so hard for its bohemian vibe that she relocated to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed spot in Mexico's Central Highlands and bought an empty hotel. With just five rooms, it hits the right note in this artistic landscape so dominated by big-name players. (Book the rooftop suite with its hot tub and epic views of the church spires.) And unlike other small properties opening in the outskirts, it has one of the more enviable addresses, just a 10-minute stroll from the famous neo-Gothic Parroquia church with its distinctive orange-pink towers soaring above El Jardín. The latter is the social heart of the city where everything—fiesta band practice, football games, lovers meeting on benches shaded by laurel trees—takes place. There are original cantera-stone fireplaces, colorful painted tiles from nearby Dolores Hidalgo and lampshades from printmaker Ri Anderson. Local woodworker Peter Grau crafted the cedar dining table where jalapeño-spiked avocado toast and pastries are laid out each morning. Keidan’s insider knowledge rivals any hotel concierge’s, offering tips on everything from her favorite restaurants (El Manantial for tacos) and shops (KM33 for dresses) to Pilates classes and spa treatments. Tarot suppers and chef-led pop-ups double as mini house parties. This feels like a revitalization of the scene, drawing in a new wave of creatives. —Jen Murphy
Chad Wadsworth/Hotel San FernandohotelHotel San Fernando
$$Ornate stained-glass windows and olive green tiles are showstoppers in the lobby of Hotel San Fernando, a boutique property near Condesa’s best cafés and restaurants. It's a great spot for pet owners—the property is steps from Parque Mexico, one of the city’s top dog parks. Originally built in 1947 as an apartment building, this Art Deco property was revamped by Bunkhouse and Mexico City-based Reurbano. Its original architectural details remain, including casement windows, encaustic tile floors, and stained glass windows. An oblong spiral stairwell with a sleek wood and metal railing leads to the 19 guest rooms, each featuring coral-hued walls, wood furnishings by Mexico City-based studio La Metropolitana, and bedside lighting from Oaxaca-based studio Oaxifornia. Guests are privy to a complimentary breakfast of fresh fruits, pastries, and coffee on the rooftop, while afternoon and evening meals are served at the ground-floor Lounge Fernando, from empanadas and tostadas to charcuterie boards and tacos. The bar also offers a selection of natural wines and craft cocktails featuring agave-based spirits like pox, sotol, and raicilla.
Courtesy Soho House Mexico CityhotelSoho House Mexico City
$$$Situated in the heart of Colonia Juárez in a former private mansion and residence, the Soho House Mexico City, with its restored French and Baroque architectural influences, is the most coveted members’ club and hotel in Mexico City—and its pool is worth the stay alone. A playground for the city’s most affluent, there’s not a top Mexican creative or in-the-know international resident who hasn’t congregated here, be it to mingle around one of several bars, see-and-be-seen in the 60+ foot pool, or dance into the night at the underground vinyl room. Restored and reimagined by Soho House Design, this showstopper of a property includes only four rooms set on the second floor of the main house, ranging from a small studio to a large suite with a freestanding marble bath, a separate living area with a velvet sofa, and views overlooking the pool. The design team drew inspiration from the property’s European origins, retaining most of the original finishes and pairing them with a bold color palette, contemporary and vintage furnishings, and an art collection of over 150 works from artists born, based, or trained in Mexico across various mediums—including murals, custom fabrics, pottery, and paintings.
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Michelle Min/Campos PolancohotelCampos Polanco
$$Steps from Polanco’s iconic Lincoln Park and within easy reach of the verdant gardens of Republica Del Líbano, this boutique hotel offers apartment-style suites for travelers interested in long stays where comfort and convenience are paramount. Managed by the hospitality company Mosaic Hotel Group and designed by a trifecta of collaborators—All-Arquitectura, Amass & G, and AvroKO—the 12 suites of this property range from expansive apartments with chef’s kitchens and outdoor balconies to cozy studios with open layouts and claw-foot bathtubs that overlook the gardens. Regardless of the suite guests choose, each comes with bespoke art pieces by some of the city’s top talent. As for dining, breakfast is included, and comes with its own artistic appeal: a delicious menu of traditional specialties like chilaquiles and enchiladas created by chef Diego Isunza Kahlo, the great-grand-nephew of the beloved Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
Zaickz/Casona Roma NortehotelCasona Roma Norte
$$$Be it for the art or the food, travelers arriving at Casona Roma Norte are immediately impressed by the equal parts stateliness and softness of the 1920s rose-hued building. Originally constructed in 1923 by the engineer M. Hernandez Cabrera, the Belle Époque building was recently renovated by Colonnier Arquitectos and Simple Arquitectura; it blends several architectural styles, from Art Nouveau nature-inspired designs to Porfirian high ceilings and grand spaces. Like a living gallery, guests are greeted with a lobby full of framed cutout collages by the artist Maria Rec, while each of the 32 guest rooms features the photography of Santiago Arau set against a palette of soothing earth tones. The hotel offers six dining concepts, from a Sinaloa-inspired sushi spot to a craft cocktail bar with libations made from agave-based spirits like mezcal, raicilla, and xtabentún.
Dan Holtz/Casa CuencahotelCasa Cuenca
$An ode to the bygone era of 1930s Mexico City—when aristocrats built expansive European-inspired estates in what is now the city’s premiere bohemian enclave—Casa Cuenca’s new life as a boutique hotel attracts aesthetes for many reasons, especially thanks to its whitewashed facade and outdoor courtyard with a spiral staircase. The concept and design of the hotel were a creative collaboration between sisters Mara Sánchez Renero and Gala Sánchez Renero, in collaboration with the architect Ivan Esqueda. Together, they renovated the Beaux-Arts building into a minimalist 10-room respite, a peaceful oasis just off of the verdant Parque España and Avenida Veracruz, one of the best walking streets in Condesa. From the open courtyard dotted with terra-cotta-toned tables to the rooms—featuring interiors like coral and lime wall tiles and custom oak and Parota wood furnishings—the hotel is like a time capsule of Mexico City’s leading design and architectural movements.
Colima 71hotelColima 71
$$ | Hot List 2024Tucked away in Roma Norte, one of Mexico City’s most lively corners, this former school is the area’s latest minimalist refuge with a focus on contemporary art. Famed Mexican architect Alberto Kalach led a local design team that transformed the property into a spacious hotel with 16 residential-style studios. In the cozy lobby, there’s a floor-to-ceiling photography installation by Iñaki Bonillas. Just beyond, in the courtyard, is the next showpiece: a hollow latticework steel structure by Sofía Táboas, another globally renowned Mexican artist. The staircase is adorned with a suspended sculpture made of bicycle tires, stainless steel, and brass by Guatemalan provocateur Darío Escobar. Most rooms have outdoor balconies, white oak bed frames draped in Portuguese cotton linens, and kitchens stocked with ceramics produced by Indigenous communities in Oaxaca. Colima 71 blends a boutique hotel with aspects of a serviced apartment building—so it doesn’t have a restaurant, but there are treats. A barista drops by to deliver coffee made with beans from Chiapas and heartier dishes such as ricotta-and-guava-stuffed rolls from Panadería Rosetta, an acclaimed bakery by Rosetta’s Elena Reygadas, who was voted the world’s best female chef in 2023. For evenings, there’s an honesty bar—made from emerald marble imported from Iran—stocked with Mexico’s top tequilas and mezcals. —Michaela Trimble
Octavia CasahotelOctavia Casa
$ | Hot List 2021Fashion designer Roberta Maceda has crafted this seven-room retreat in the chi-chi area of La Condesa as a minimalist extension of her Octavia clothing line. On the ground floor, next to a breezy seating area with bamboo stools grouped around a concrete table by interior firm Habitación 116, there’s a shoppable bronze rail of her pieces that may include white button-up shirts or a black-and-white snakeskin ensemble. Upstairs, rooms are also decorated in neutral tones and each is named after a natural material, from walnut (nogal) and linen (lino) to earth (tierra) and bronze (bronce). The softest bedding comes from Octavia’s new homeware line, while the rest of the studied hangout spaces showcase other Mexican makers with blown-glass cups by Onora and cream-colored vases from ceramics studio Encrudo filled with dried magnolia leaves. There’s no restaurant, but breakfast is brought in from a nearby bakery—conchas (sweet pastries) are served with homemade hibiscus-and-ginger jam and eaten in the meditative pebble-floored garden under a guava tree. In the evenings it’s a short stroll to local favorites such as Italian restaurant Lardo and natural-wine bar Hugo. This is a meticulously designed gateway to Mexico City’s coolest scene.
Hotel DamahotelHotel Dama
With the intimacy of a homestay, polished guests of Hotel Dama can be seen lounging in the hotel’s many spaces, from its cozy midcentury-inspired sunken library lounge to its panoramic rooftop terrace, draped in seasonal jacarandas blooms. Hotel Dama—originally constructed in the 1950s as a vecindad, a residential-style building with five apartments—was remodeled by C2D Arquitectura, with interior design direction led by Paulina Herrera Chain and Patricio Galindo Chain to create an experience not dissimilar to visiting a beloved aunt's home. The result is a boutique hotel filled with personal touches that celebrate Mexico’s heritage—antique books, pre-Hispanic figurines, and Oaxacan pottery and sculptures included—all selected to showcase a deep appreciation for Mexico's culture and history. The 17 rooms, each celebrating a 1950s aesthetic, are spread throughout all three floors of the building, with many featuring a private patio or terrace looking towards the stunning Castillo de Chapultepec.
Karyn Millet/Casa PolancohotelCasa Polanco
$$$ | Hot List 2023Set in Mexico City’s posh Polanco neighborhood, a stay at this elegantly renovated Spanish Revival-style mansion feels like a peek inside the lives of well-to-do chilangos (Mexico City locals). Polanco is within walking distance from sites like Chapultepec Park, a popular hangout for local families on the weekends, and lovely for morning jogs; and a short drive from Museo Soumaya, known for its unique architecture and mirror-like façade. Just around the corner are the trendy Roma Norte and Condesa neighborhoods for eating, drinking, and boutique shopping. While many Mexico City hotels play to classic heritage motifs, Casa Polanco shows off a different side of the city. Here, the lines are clean, neutrals take precedence, and there’s a subtle prep-school flavor with houndstooth pillows and plaid napkins. Given this is a home, soak up the spaces that so clearly remind you that you're in one. Order a glass of wine at the lobby bar and take it to one of the many shared terraces; after a long day, grab a nook in the well-curated library and flip through one of the many coffee table books on Mexican art, history, or culture. —Megan Spurrell
Christian HoranhotelFour Seasons Hotel Mexico City
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Even though it’s set on busy Paseo de la Reforma, this name-brand luxury hotel delivers tranquil, boutique charms. Rooms are set around an interior courtyard, and you’re just a short distance from Chapultepec Park, offering respite from the hustle and bustle of Mexico City. Add to that all the other Four Seasons hallmarks—insanely comfortable beds, high-quality service, and wellness amenities like a pool, gym, and spa—and you’re guaranteed a memorable experience. —Susannah Rigg
Circulo MexicanohotelCirculo Mexicano
$ | Hot List 2021Known for creating Mexico’s trendiest boutique properties, the hotel developer Grupo Habita transformed this 19th-century townhome in Centro Histórico into a Shaker-inspired boutique hotel. The result is Circulo Mexicano, which begins with a buzzing marketplace-style ground floor and moves up to the chilled-out rooftop with an infinity pool, Japanese soaking tub, and views of Centro Histórico sights: the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace, and the Templo Mayor. The 25 bedrooms are fitted out with custom oak pieces and most have their own contemplative terrace or balcony. Head to the courtyard Itacate del Mar restaurant for innovative takes on Mexican street snacks, the standout of which are the tostadas with tangy tuna or fried calamari topped with shiitake mushrooms.
Edgardo Contreras/Casa ChabléhotelCasa Chablé
$$$ | Hot List 2023 Readers' Choice Awards 2023Located within one of Mexico’s most spectacular nature refuges, this luxury lodging experience is a welcome respite from Cancun’s endless strip of all-inclusives and Tulum’s increasingly frenetic development. After boarding a small fishing boat that whisks you past mangroves and colonies of frigate birds, guests are greeted by a lobby filled with beaded chandeliers, thatched ceilings, and rattan chairs and sofas. The overall vibe is: tranquil. With just 10 rooms (decked out with ocean-facing hammocks and outdoor moon showers) and no immediate neighbors, you’ll feel a bit like Robinson Crusoe—albeit with drinks service. Don’t expect a large pool or a bar scene; instead, you’ve got a warm, aquamarine sea at your disposal, and the best drinks happen on the pier at sunset (Chablé is perhaps unique in all of Mexico in that you can view a sunrise and a sunset over water). Come to Case Chablé to fill your eyes and mind with sea and sky.
SHA WellnesshotelSHA Wellness Clinic Mexico
$$$ | Hot List 2024When the original Sha Wellness Clinic opened its doors in Alicante back in 2008, it immediately stood out from other destination spas, taking a holistic, in-depth approach to the often vague concept of “wellness.” This follow-up property includes the same comprehensive treatments and cutting-edge medical techniques—only this time, the address is on a prime stretch of beachfront in Costa Mujeres. The rooms and suites all come with private balconies and studio-size bathrooms, but the health clinic—complete with six stories and a hundred treatment rooms—is obviously the star attraction here. On the top floor there’s a fully equipped gym and a terrace for yoga or sound baths; in the basement there is a hydrotherapy circuit with a sauna, steam room, Roman bath, and cold plunge around a lovely pool; and in between are numerous areas with a dedicated purpose, from aging well to traditional Chinese medicine. Cutting-edge tech abounds, from machines that give you an intense core workout to a bed for advanced cell regeneration therapy. The vibe is calm, cool, dim, and science-y without being overly medicalized. The food is expectedly nutritious but surprisingly flavorful: Following the recommendations of the Harvard Medical School, as well as centuries of Eastern thought, dishes at Shamadi, the main restaurant, emphasize vegetables of various colors, whole grains, proteins (including fresh local seafood), and alkaline foods. If you need a reminder to take care of yourself, a visit to Sha Mexico will flawlessly do the trick. —Jesse Ashlock
William Jess LairdhotelMaroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya
$$$ | Hot List 2024 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2024This palm-studded resort has been one of the most beloved destinations on the Riviera Maya since it opened in 1995. But a complete reimagining of the 72-room hotel has given it a renewed edge over its neighbors—without losing any of its soul. Arriving at Maroma involves driving through thick mangroves where spider monkeys swing from the trees (the property sits on 200 acres of jungle) before reaching its signature whitewashed architecture and thatched roofs. The design still leans heavily on the region’s Mayan vernacular—the curved stucco buildings are based on ancient geometric principles—and wider Mexican craftsmanship. In fact, almost every detail of the restoration, overseen by interior designer Tara Bernerd, prioritized Mexican makers and artisans (80 percent of the property’s furnishings and objects were made in the country), from the hand-painted Saltillo floor tiles and woven wall hangings to the cotton “manta” caftans left in rooms for guests to slip into. Rooms overlook the palm tree-lined pool, the Caribbean Sea, or both, and feature more of those beautiful tiles, along with whitewashed walls hung with regional textiles. Every detail is designed to keep guests rooted in the Yucatán Peninsula: Even the in-room bar, which is far from mini, is stocked with local spirits like pox, a Mayan liquor made of corn, sugarcane, and wheat, and Mayalen Guerrero mezcal in a beautiful bottle. Of the two restaurants on site, the pick is Casa Mayor from Mexican chef Daniel Camacho, which does mind-blowing tomato salads. (The chef also teaches a predictably delicious tortilla-making class.) While the property is spectacular, you shouldn’t miss the chance to explore the surroundings, which include a network of cenotes reached through underground caves. A swim in the pools, bats swooping overhead, is the stuff memories are made of. —Lale Arikoglu
Karyn MillethotelChablé Yucatán
$$ | Gold List 2019, 2025 Hot List 2017 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022Because it’s located in the jungle between the colonial city of Mérida and the Maya site of Uxmal, Chablé Yucatán has two distinct personalities, making it unique among luxury resorts in Mexico. The buildings that form the historic two-centuries-old hacienda now house common areas and the gourmet Ixi’im restaurant, and guests sleep in 38 contemporary glass boxes masterfully situated throughout the lush grounds so that each feels remarkably private—your views are of the jungle foliage, not your neighbor. Each casita has its own pool, but there’s also a larger common one for when you’re feeling social. The resort is home to countless iguanas and diminutive Yucatecan deer, and an astounding variety of birdlife. You’ll feel like you have escaped to a unique Eden, only with gracious service. —John Newton
Courtesy Jason Dewey/St. Regis KanaihotelThe St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya
$$$ | Hot List 2024 Readers' Choice Awards 2024When viewed from above, the St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya looks like a deconstructed Olympic logo—a series of curvaceous shapes sitting on over a mile of private beach. It’s meant to be a celestial schematic (inspired by the 1,000-plus stars in the constellation Pleiades), with gleaming, ultramodern white buildings hovering over protected mangroves. While the scale may seem overwhelming at first, the genius of its indoor-outdoor architecture reveals itself throughout one’s stay. Every thoughtfully designed, Mayan-inspired room has a view of the sea; there are elevated wooden walkways in lieu of cement paths; and the whole place is surrounded by a ridiculous amount of greenery. The generous footprint allows for a variety of tastes and needs to be accommodated—solo travelers, honeymooners, girlfriends on getaways, extended families—with minimal overlap. There are multiple beach clubs, a kids’ club, and seven dining options (and dedicated butlers to help you manage it all). But the pièce de résistance here is the spa: It’s like a boutique resort within the resort, and you could easily spend the entire day there, whether getting pampered or not. Offerings include separate men’s and women’s outdoor aqua-thermal circuits with pools and a menu of treatments that incorporate ancient Mayan traditions. Best yet, the spa can be experienced even if you’re not staying on property. Similarly, St. Regis guests can easily pop over to the Edition or the Etéreo (an Auberge resort), the hotel’s neighbors in this gated development.
Nikolas Koenig/The Riviera Maya EDITION at KanaihotelThe Riviera Maya Edition at Kanai
Hot List 2024Making its debut in Latin America, The Edition Riviera Maya at Kanai brings the brand’s quintessential late-night soirees and chic city style to an expansive, 620-acre nature reserve in the Yucatán Peninsula’s Riviera Maya. With interiors by the Ian Schrager Company in collaboration with the design firm Rockwell Group, and architecture by Edmonds International, the resort was created with cenotes (freshwater limestone pools) in mind. After walking up an orchid-lined staircase, guests arrive at a seating area with views of an oversized lagoon-like swimming pool—the resort’s centerpiece—that looks straight to a palm-lined path leading to the sea. It’s here where the property’s cenote-inspired architecture really shines, courtesy of a bamboo yoga deck designed by Eduardo Neira. The structure’s undulating walls continue to the surrounding limestone buildings—mimicking the seismic ripple that occurred when an ancient asteroid struck Chicxulub—which contain 182 guestrooms, including 30 suites, most with plunge pools and terraces providing either ocean or mangrove views. During a stay, guests are privy to the menus of two Mexican chefs who both appear on the World’s 50 Best lists: Francisco Ruano leads the resort’s signature restaurant Ki’is (meaning “zest” in Mayan), which is known for its revolving tasting menu; while Tomás Bermúdez helms So’ol (Mayan for “oyster”), an outdoor seafood eatery overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
Courtesy Chablé MaromahotelChablé Maroma, Riviera Maya
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023This may quite possibly be the only hotel in Mexico that combines the level of wellness travelers now hop planes for with the country’s trademark sugary beaches. It has 70 neutral-palette suites, each with its own pool, terrace, and palm-shrouded outdoor rain shower. And let’s not forget its access to Riviera Mayakoba’s powdery beach. True to the brand, Maroma’s bright spa remains deeply rooted in Mayan healing traditions (the temazcal ceremony, led by a local healer, is the real-deal, requiring a two-hour commitment). While your schedule in the Yucatán is packed with fitness classes and spa sessions, Maroma encourages time spent sipping margaritas by the infinity pool, as any Mexican resort should. Chef Jorge Vallejo of Mexico City’s top-ranked Quintonil oversees the menus, sourcing ingredients from on-site ka’anches, Mayan gardens. Seafood is the star at Maroma, showcased at the rooftop raw bar and at casual restaurant, Kaban. The tasting menu-only restaurant Bu’ul is more ambitious, with regional dishes like mamey fruit tartare topped with glazed escamoles, surprisingly tasty ant larvae, which will challenge (and wow) your palate. —Jen Murphy
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Victor EliashotelConrad Tulum Riviera Maya
$$$ | Hot List 2022 Readers' Choice Awards 2022, 2023, 2024The most distinctive part of Hilton’s luxury debut on Mexico’s Riviera Maya is its chameleon-like approach to hospitality. Yes, with its 349 rooms, acres of pools, 11 restaurants, and kids’ and teens’ clubs, the Conrad is the type of resort whose (large bronze) gates a traveler would be content to pass through only twice: right before check-in and right after checkout. Spiritually, though, it aligns more closely with the smaller-scale properties 30 minutes north in Tulum that seek to connect guests with the surrounding destination. Honoring the Mayan cultures that have occupied this stretch of Caribbean coast for centuries, a traditional sacbe, or “white road”—the name of the ancient roadways Mayans created to travel by moonlight—cuts through the jungled grounds. In the lobby, a soaring art installation takes a cue from Mayan macramé. And at the cenote-inspired spa, a traditional four-hands massage is second only to a jalapeño margarita in the open-air bar as a way to immediately shed any lingering real-life stress remaining after a dip in the sea. —Erin Florio
Victor Elias/Waldorf Astoria CancunhotelWaldorf Astoria Cancún
$$$ | Hot List 2023 Readers' Choice Awards 2023, 2024For all the resorts that crowd Mexico’s east coast, the Waldorf stands out for its truly white-glove service and amenities that make it hard to leave the property. There are infinity pools aplenty, acres of pristine coastline, and that most glorious asset of all, the feeling of complete privacy in one of the country’s most bustling vacation spots. The decor, a soothing sea of creams and sand hues, spotlights Mexican artisans and highlights materials like tropical woods and local stone. The vibe here is palpably slow—no rushing from one activity to the next, just relaxing. And there are enough private cabanas to go around—you can forget about the dreaded visit to the pool at dawn to reserve a great spot. There are also dozens of lounge chairs facing the beach for when the ocean is your dip du jour. With comfortable yet polished rooms, an excellent spa, and a clutch of bars and restaurants serving excellent riffs on traditional dishes and drinks, this is Cancun like you’ve never seen it. —Meaghan Kenny
Tanveer BadalhotelHabitas Bacalar
$$ | Hot List 2022 Readers' Choice Awards 2022A four-hour drive south of heavily touristed Cancún, the discreet Habitas Bacalar entrance on the side of a remote road makes you feel like you’ve been let in on a grand secret. The place is small—just 34 rooms, each with a maximum occupancy of two—and has a very communal vibe. The hotel makes an effort to bring the community to you, by hosting local vendors for guest experiences like a cacao-and-wine tasting, and partnering with local businesses for complimentary paddleboard tours, yoga lessons, and more. Meanwhile, the wellness program sources local ingredients for its spa products, and restaurant Siete uses traditional Mayan cooking techniques. —Mercedes Bleth
Courtesy Hotel EsenciahotelHotel Esencia, Xpu-Ha
$$ | Gold List 2018, 2019, 2023 Readers' Choice Awards 2019, 2024Right on Xpu-Ha beach, the best stretch of white sands on this part of Mexico's Caribbean coast, Esencia is one of those hotels that is spoken about in hushed tones by bohemians in the know, none of whom want to let this secret get out. But those who do make it here discover a small, natural beauty of place set on a palm-swaying estate on the edge of the tumbling sea. There are hammocks to laze in, and a dimly lit spa where lotions and potions made from garden herbs are crushed into poultices to smooth out knots. For snorkeling among rainbow-colored fish, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is a five-minute hop on the hotel’s catamaran. There are ceviches and tiraditos to try at Mistura, a restaurant with views of the moon-dappled sea, and a wooden beach bar that does the best Margaritas in Mexico. Then there are the rooms. The interiors of the house, originally built as a hideaway for an Italian duchess, have splashes of fifties art and huge bedrooms with generous terraces. The Jungle Rooms, complete with plunge pools and beach suites, are a study in white. The property recently opened Esencia Mansion, a 12,000 square-foot, four-room villa equipped with its own screening room with seating for 20 and a subterranean speakeasy with wall art painted freehand by the Guadalajara-based artist Humberto Ramirez. All in all, it is perfect.
hotelOtro Oaxaca
$$Another brutalist boutique stay by Grupo Habita, Otro is the hospitality group’s second outpost in Oaxaca. Designed by João Boto Caeiro of the firm RootStudio, the hotel’s dual exposed staircases leading away from the main entryway are reminiscent of the greca symbology etched into the ruins of nearby Mitla. The 16 rooms are a study in simplicity, employing an elemental palette of concrete, wood, and iron, while olive green headboards and burgundy suede curtains bring color and texture. The rooftop terrace with a pool is the hotel’s undeniable gem, with uninterrupted views from the Sierra Norte mountains to Santo Domingo and across the city. For dining, guests have the option of the on-site restaurant, or any of Oaxaca’s best eateries just steps from the front door. The hotel’s most unique feature is its subterranean wading pool, meant to mimic a cenote, which guests can use freely during open hours, or reserve for a private visit.
Courtesy Casa SilenciohotelCasa Silencio
$$$ | Hot List 2022Located in a windswept valley within the community of Xaagá (about one hour outside downtown Oaxaca City), this six-room boutique property is an isolated refuge for spirits enthusiasts who desire to taste rare editions of Mezcal El Silencio. Designed by the Mexican architect Alejandro D’Acosta, using a rose-hued shade of compressed clay—along with reclaimed wood, steel, and stone—the property’s heartbeat is an open-air dining room with outdoor fire pits, where its legendary mezcal tastings are held. Each of the six rooms features a moody aesthetic, with design touches like abstract black-and-white textiles produced by local artisans, copper light fixtures, and wood-burning fireplaces.
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Sergio Alejandro Lopez Jimenez/Courtesy Escondido OaxacahotelEscondido Oaxaca
$ | Hot List 2021The city of Oaxaca has long been celebrated for its ancestral artistry and gastronomy, which homegrown hoteliers Grupo Habita have drawn on for their latest opening here. Fusing old and new, behind an unassuming russet red facade downtown, architect Alberto Kalach has added a surprising Brutalist addition to this colonial-era home. Minimalist-looking rooms, four in the original building and eight in the new tower, are dedicated to elevated Mexican craftsmanship. Each features a majority of furniture produced from ahuehuete wood (a type of Mexican cypress that is sacred to the local Zapotec culture and even featured in their creation story), while locally-made olive bedspreads match the elemental interiors. Another surprise is dished up in the restaurant where chef Mario Petterino turns out classic dishes from his home region of Piedmont, Italy, such as homemade ravioli and gelato. Afterwards, enjoy a mezcal nightcap in the library-like ‘Culture Room’. The hotel is in walking distance of all the city’s attractions, from the famed restaurant Criollo by chef Enrique Olvera to the main plaza, home to the Templo Santo Domingo church and the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, that connects Oaxaca’s cultures of past and present; much like the hotel itself.
A version of this article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK. This article has been updated with new information since its original publication date.
