The Best Hotels to Book in Mexico

Facing the grand cathedral in Mexico City, a stay at this Grupo Habita hotel (from the Mexican-owned boutique brand) means you couldn’t be more immersed in the Centro Histórico (historic center). This 19th-century residential mansion has been reimagined with a bustling ground-floor marketplace and a boutique hotel on the two floors above. Each of the 25 rooms has a soothing minimalist feel, blending simple Shaker-style carpentry with whitewashed walls. Head to the rooftop terrace to spend time at the pool and one of two restaurants, looking down to the huge Zócalo (grand plaza).

This dreamy jungle-lodge-like hotel is on a lush hillside in the small fishing town of San Agustinillo, on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca. It blends impeccable eco credentials with a rustic-boho aesthetic. Eleven suites are housed in thatched-roof palapas, offering cinematic ocean and jungle views from serene terraces. You’ll only find super-seasonal, local produce in the on-site restaurant, including fish sourced that very morning from the sea, just a short stroll away.

Part elegant colonial building, part modern add-on, the bold design of Hotel Elena de Cobre certainly stands out among the streets in downtown León. But it’s inside where the fun really starts, with original features mixed with lots of brooding black wood and smart contemporary design. There’s also a carefully preserved ancient pergola made of wood and clay. Rooms are smart with high-end comforts, and the outdoor pool is long enough for laps.

On a clifftop at the tip of a lush peninsula, the setting of this luxury resort is nothing short of spectacular. It sits on the side of the mouth of Puerto Marqués Bay, south of legendary Acapulco Bay. The 45 villas really are at the cliff edge, adding a sense of drama to the incredible Pacific panorama. There’s swanky Asian-inspired decor throughout – thanks to the resort being part of the Singaporean Banyan Tree brand – and five-star staples such as fine dining and a full-service spa.

A wonderfully ornate entrance leaves little doubt about this Cuernavaca hotel’s colonial-era beginnings. An update has included bold modernist additions inside and around the tropical gardens, where you’ll find a huge pool. You can also opt for al fresco spa treatments with fancy Natura Bissé products. Elsewhere, each guest room is named after and features artwork inspired by a different 20th-century Italian artist. Indeed, Italian influences continue in the restaurant, with its menu of Mexican-Italian cuisine.

Surrounded by the thick low scrub of the Yucatán jungle, this rarified resort feels utterly secluded – despite being a half-hour drive from the city of Mérida. This 19th-century former sisal factory and hacienda has been transformed into an enchanting five-star retreat. There’s an emphasis on physical and spiritual wellness, with a gorgeous spa, daily fitness classes and even pre-Columbian-style ceremony rituals. Chablé Yucatán has 40 stand-alone casitas and villas among lush tropical flora, each with a private pool and invigorating waterfall shower.

Set among the lush backdrop of a 5,000-acre (2,023ha) nature reserve and rainforest, this wonderfully preserved late-19th-century hacienda is now regarded as one of the best hotels in Mexico. Its coral-pink facade pops against the rich green surroundings, with the constant presence of the Colima volcano looming in the background. There’s a frozen-in-time quality about this storied former coffee-producing estate, with the suites even echoing the feel of a traditional Mexican country mansion. Whether you’re exploring the volcanic jungle or lounging by the pool to the chirruping of exotic birds, this is a hotel to remember.

Join the jet set at this five-star Los Cabos resort sitting atop a rocky bluff overlooking the Sea of Cortez. The accommodations range from casitas to the four-bedroom hacienda with a private pool, hot tub and dedicated host. Make the most of the beautiful Baja California Peninsula with sunset sailing trips through the bay, camel riding in the outback or whale-watching photo safaris. After a day spent exploring, come back to locally inspired seafood at the romantic Cocina del Mar restaurant or pan-Mexican delights under the thatched roof of La Palapa.

The concept of Canadians Cameron Watt and Stuart McPherson, Acre brings eco-chic to the foothills of San José del Cabo. You’ll stay in one of 12 thatched-wall treehouses, which sit upon palm leaves and are connected by a suspended bridge. Each comes with a terrace – the ideal place to enjoy the in-house small-batch mezcal label. Stays include complimentary continental breakfasts and morning yoga. Take the time to explore the gardens and visit its residents, including peacocks, roosters, Nigerian dwarf goats and Burrito the donkey.

Far from the reggaeton-pumping clubs, Azulik is a design-led boutique property in the Maya jungles of Tulum. The 48 villas seem to grow from their surroundings; twisted wooden stilts prop up large terraces with views over the Caribbean Sea ahead. Visit the spa for ancient rituals and sacred ceremonies before enjoying elevated Maya-Mexican cuisine at Kin Toh, a treehouse restaurant with a surreal design and multisensory dishes.

Curated by artist Sandra Pérez, this boutique resort on Isla Holbox fuses the beauty of the Mexican Caribbean with aesthetic flourishes. Its solferino-wood structure is interspersed with artistic trinkets, including Patricia Urquiola furnishings, boho crystals and antiques. Each room is supplied with Egyptian cotton sheets, Mexican ornaments and peace-bringing silence thanks to a lack of TVs, alarms and telephones. Island life is tranquil and sand gravity strong. Spend days eating fresh ceviche at beachfront restaurants or, during the season, swimming alongside the visiting whale sharks.