The Best Hotels in Todos Santos, Mexico

Decorated in a traditional Mexican hacienda style – with exposed wood beams, terracotta floor tiles, whitewashed or warm yellow walls and big ocean-facing windows – all the rooms in this beachfront boutique are breezy and open to the beautiful natural surrounds. Most desirable of all are the ocean-view bungalows, where you can take in the sunset from your private balcony and bed.

A short walk from the shops and restaurants of Todos Santos, yet in a quiet outer street, this former art academy has a handful of cool, high-ceilinged rooms with exposed wood beams, raw brick and comfortable beds draped with heavy Egyptian cotton sheets. There are village skyline views from the rooftop terrace, and at the ocean (a five-minute cab ride away), you’ll find El Faro Beach Club and Spa, complete with an excellent seafood restaurant.

The rooms to book at this Greek island-white beachfront hotel are the ocean kings with soaking tubs. Painted all white and simply furnished with comfortable sofas (adorned with colorful Mexican-textile cushions) and weave chairs, each one offers ocean views from the bed and the bathroom. The latter has an indoor shower, an outdoor tub and a privacy screen shielding prying eyes on the beach.

This good-value B&B in the town center has modestly sized, modern rooms (in polished concrete, distressed woods and raw brick) with artsy flourishes – such as stained glass and Mexican mosaic wall tiles. Wooden balconies overlook a small pool and a sundeck, and the hotel’s location means that, while the beach is 2mi (3km) away, the best of the shops, restaurants and bars are outside the hotel lobby.

With raw concrete villas integrated with a semi-wild botanical garden on the edge of an organic farm, a 15-minute mountain bike ride from a deserted beach, Paradero is a chic, rural eco-retreat. The rooms to reserve are the sky suites, complete with expansive sitting areas and balconies, firepits and roof spaces that open to the star-filled sky. There’s a spa and a whole menu of adventures, from mountain biking and surf lessons to all-you-can-eat taco tours.

Before tourism arrived in earnest, Todos Santos was a haunt for hippies and surfers. Perro Surfero celebrates this – feeling like a Californian surf camp – with al fresco dining, a large open-air communal kitchen and lounge areas with pallet sofas and firepits. Rooms, housed in polished concrete and whitewashed casitas, are small and sparsely furnished but filled with natural light. But no one’s here to stay indoors – the beach is a 10-minute drive away.

In 1997, Juerg and Libusche Wiesendanger took a trip to Todos Santos, where their lives changed. Libusche fell in love with the city’s cactus deserts, mountain ranges, tropical palm forests and rich culture. The couple decided to create a place in the area where they could relax, which led to the birth of Posada La Poza. The eight-room hotel is an intimate retreat combining Mexican and European culture. Here, you can enjoy views of the mountains, freshwater estuary and coastal dunes.

Hacienda Todos Los Santos features three guesthouses and four suites. But it’s the quiet atmosphere and enchanting swimming pool sitting in the lush garden attracting travelers. For a grand, private escape, you can rent all four suites and take over the hacienda. And when it’s time to explore, there are a string of restaurants and galleries within easy walking distance.

During the 1870s, the Todos Santos Inn was a sugar baron’s estate, but today, it’s a charming village inn, with antiques, beamed ceilings and courtyard gardens evoking a bygone era. There’s an upper patio, a swimming pool and poolside garden suites. La Copa Bar serves some of the best margaritas in town, while the restaurant, La Copa Cocina, serves delicious dishes with European and Asian influences.

The Casa Bentley Hotel combines three houses inside a Portuguese-style castle surrounded by gardens. It sits atop a former avocado and mango orchard, and although the orchard no longer exists, the natural surroundings ensure the hotel has a relaxed atmosphere. It lies near the beach, making it the perfect place to watch sunsets and take coastal walks.

On February 5, 1950, Mr Wong opened Hotel California; he lived in the 16-room hotel with his wife and daughters. It became a major tourist attraction, as it was the only place that served ice-cold beer. The hotel’s success led to Mr Wong opening a store and the first gas station in town. Over the years, there have been rumors of ghosts in the courtyard and hippies using the hotel to grow marijuana. However, currently, it’s an award-winning, beautifully designed and decorated hotel.

Near the Pacific Ocean, Villas La Mar provides a serene stay surrounded by gorgeous landscapes. Here, you can enjoy spectacular ocean views, walk along the beach and go birdwatching and whale watching. It offers suites and hillside Baja California-style villas built from natural materials. Each suite and villa has one or two comfortable beds, a bathroom and a terrace with ocean views; each villa also has a fully equipped kitchen and dining area.

At Pescadero Palace, you can enjoy a natural rock waterfall, a heated swimming pool and an infinity-edged jacuzzi. The beachfront accommodation can host up to 18 people in its two villas, separated by a pool and patio. It’s near Playa Pescadero, one of the best surfing beaches in the area, and you can also go fishing and diving just in front of the villa. Other activities near the resort include yoga, hiking and biking.

Jenny Armit, the owner of the Hotelito, wanted to create a place that paid homage to Mexican architects and where guests could have space and privacy. This B&B has four stylish and colorful casitas that feature comfortable beds and designer furniture; there’s also a larger house spacious enough for families. The Hotelito has a communal kitchen where you can barbecue fish or make smoothies or other snacks and drinks.

La Bohemia Baja Hotel Pequeño invites travelers to explore Baja California’s culture. You can take advantage of wine tastings, backyard barbecues, tamale-making classes and beading workshops, while the cozy atmosphere will help you forget about the stresses and worries of life. A delicious breakfast is included in the price, and the on-site Panga Rosa Bar serves beer, wine and tasty cocktails with herbs and fruits.

Due to its location near the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, the family-run Palmas Tropicales is the perfect place for a quiet getaway. It comprises six casitas and a three-bedroom home with breathtaking views of the ocean. The lodgings are tastefully designed and have a homey feel. Here, you can experience authentic Mexican culture away from the most touristy spots. Activities in the area include whale watching, visiting a sea turtle sanctuary and surfing.