The Best Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Mexico

Wondering where you should go on your first trip to Mexico? With so many amazing Mexico destinations to choose from, from Cabo to Tulum, Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula, to Punta Mita and the Riviera Nayarit, it can be hard to pick just one! Which is where I come in to help. I’ve been traveling to Mexico at least once a year since I was a little girl – and it is one of my top favorite countries to vacation to in the WORLD (Mexico, Maldives, Bali, Greece, Colombia and Italy if you want to hear the list as it stands right now). 

Here are my absolute favorite areas in Mexico to vacation, and where to stay in each for the best (and safest) experience. 

Punta Mita

Best for: couples and young families

Punta Mita is a chic beachfront town located on the Sea of Cortez on Mexico’s west side. It’s a gated community, so is super-safe, and has some of the most beautiful, luxurious hotels in the whole country.

Where to Stay in Punta Mita:

The Four Seasons Punta Mita

Check rates for your dates here

Located within a highly private, 17 million square foot estate, the Four Seasons Punta Mita boasts two big stretches of beach on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. It continues to be one of my favorite resorts to visit – the pools, spa, and food are all big highlights here- and the resort’s restaurant, Dos Catrinas, is a gorgeous two-story restaurant putting a modern spin on Mexican gastronomy (like street tacos, YUM!), and with a stylish cocktail lab and bar upstairs. 

The vibe of the FS Punta Mita is Mexican hacienda meets a luxe jungle lodge meets a tropical beach-front resort. It’s one of the most gorgeous pieces of land in Mexico, and the beaches and atmosphere are hard to beat anywhere else in Mexico. 

There’s also an on-site sea turtle rescue program, and if you’re lucky, you can see sea turtles hatching and making their way to sea during your stay – so beautiful! 

The St. Regis Punta Mita

The St. Regis, true to their worldwide brand, is framed with contemporary luxury and extraordinary hospitality. The 120-room beachfront property is stunning and the casita-style feature private terraces, expansive marble bathrooms, soaker tubs, and spacious balconies. And, in true St. Regis fashion, each suite is assigned a personal butler – available (by text!) 24/7. I LOVED this resort. 

Check the best rates for your dates here

Mandarina

Best for: Honeymooners, nature-lovers

One&Only Mandarina is located 1 hour North of the Puerto Vallarta airport, in a secluded, gated new development called Mandarina. Puerto Vallarta / Mandarina feels super tropical, and this resort sits on the edge of a rainforest and is very lush and jungley. Mandarina is ideal for the nature lover. They are modern jungle treehouses stilted up 40 feet in the air!!! One of my favorite things about this resort is the way each modern treehouse villa was constructed to blend in seamlessly with nature. The O&O hashtag is #NatureUnspoiled and it’s easy to see why – the natural beauty and connection to nature here at Mandarina is so special, and the feeling waking up surrounded by birds chirping and crashing waves, sipping your coffee poolside, at your ocean-view jungle treehouse? Unbeatable.

Cabo San Lucas

Best for: anyone! Couples, families, groups of friends, and bachelor and bachelorette parties (though you’re probably not staying at these hotels if you’re coming to Cabo on a bach, check out my best luxury villas for groups in Cabo post for group accommodations in Cabo!)

A trip to Cabo is a choose-your-own-adventure type of trip. Cabo has the majestic Pacific coast, high-end beachfront resorts, tons of golf, deep sea fishing, pampering, and all the all-night fiestas you could ever want if you’re up for it. Whether you’re traveling with your family, your loved one, or a big group of friends, Cabo is always a good idea.

The Best Luxury Resorts in Cabo:

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos

Waldorf Astoria is located in one of my favorite exclusive gated areas in Cabo – Pedregal. This hotel defines luxury, and stands out even among the many luxurious options in Los Cabos. Upon arrival, you’re welcomed with a bottle of tequila. You’ll experience special touches throughout your stay, with their one-of-a-kind service. The rooms here feature a terrace with ocean views and a plunge pool! While the Pedregal area does not have a swimmable beach, it is still breathtaking on the beach with gorgeous views, and there are four resort pools on property and a gorgeous spa! This is also a Hilton hotel so if you’re a Hilton Honors member, you can consider using points! 

Check rates for your dates here.

How to book the Waldorf Astoria Pedregal and get perks for being a Jetset reader! 

If you’re interested in getting a complimentary upgrade on arrival (subject to availability), daily breakfast for 2, a $150 resort credit, and an early check in/late check out, fill out this contact form and be sure to use the referral code “JETSETCHRISTINA” if you use my referral, my agency partner will reach out with more information and can help book you at the best rate with all kinds of fun perks (at no extra cost to you, and they don’t charge a fee to book!)

One & Only Palmilla 

One&Only Palmilla has long been a chic Mexican playground for the rich & famous. It’s constantly ranked as one of the best resorts south of the border, and boasts one of the most relaxing atmospheres anywhere in Mexico. There are 2 beaches, and a world-class spa. If you’re feeling a little adventure, Los Cabos is renowned for its deep-sea fishing, and the resort can set you up with a day trip out to sea, or you can explore the nearby coral reefs and go scuba diving and snorkeling, with visibility more than 100 feet down (!!!). 

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Jetset Christina (@jetsetchristina)

 

The One & Only also owns a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course, and greens fees are significantly lower for hotel guests than the public. Big win if you’re looking for the best golf in Cabo!

2016 © Nickolas Sargent Photography

How to book the One&Only and get perks for being a Jetset reader! 

If you’re interested in getting a complimentary upgrade on arrival (subject to availability), daily breakfast for 2, a $150 resort credit, and an early check in/late check out, fill out this contact form and be sure to use the referral code “JETSETCHRISTINA” if you use my referral, my agency partner will reach out with more information and can help book you at the best rate with all kinds of fun perks (at no extra cost to you, and they don’t charge a fee to book!)

Esperanza – an Auberge Resort

Set on the dreamy bluffs of the Baja Peninsula, this ultra-chic, five-star, oceanfront resort in Cabo features spacious private terraces, infinity hot tubs, six on-site restaurants, two private beaches, a full-service spa, four swimming pools, and AMAZING restaurants. If you’re looking for the perfect resort for an anniversary trip to Cabo, a romantic getaway, or even a honeymoon, Esperanza is your spot. 

Check the best rates for your dates here.

The Cape – A Thompson Hotel

The Cape is sleek, boutique, and hip, and boasts some of the best views (from every single room) in all of Cabo. The service is unparalleled and makes for an ideal luxury hotel in Cabo. Did I mention the food is AMAZING, they are amazing with food allergies and sensitivities, and they even have gluten-free churros??? YEP. 

Check rates for your dates here

Mantea Villas – Pedregal

If budget is no object, and you want to rent out an 8-bedroom villa that vacation DREAMS are made of, check out Mantea Casa Cabo’s picturesque gated community of Pedregal.

 

This perfect beachfront getaway features ocean views, high-tech digs, a full gym, and a private chef and bartender at your beck and call any hour of the day. Mantea Casa Cabo has everything you could possibly want at a five-star resort, but in the comfort of YOUR OWN VILLA. It’s the perfect celebrity hideaway, or luxury family retreat in Cabo.

 

The best luxury all-inclusive resorts in Cabo:

Marquis Los Cabos – If you’re looking for a luxury adults-only all-inclusive Cabo resort with great food and drinks, and super-chic rooms, this is your spot. This exclusive beachfront all-inclusive resort overlooks the Sea of Cortez in Cabo. Los Cabos’ most luxurious adults-only experience includes 235 suites with stunning sea views, three beachfront pools, the exquisite Spa Marquis, and five distinctive dining options created by Master Chef Thierry Dufour.

Cancun, Tulum, and the Yucatan Peninsula

Cancun’s postcard-perfect coast, with white, powder-soft sand and crystal-clear turquoise Caribbean water, make it one of Mexico’s best tropical destinations. 

Rosewood Mayakoba

If you’re looking for a luxury resort in Mexico that will blow your expectations out of the water, it’s the Rosewood Mayakoba. Rosewood Mayakoba is a gorgeous, exotic paradise nestled on crystal clear lagoons and mangrove forests stretching over 620 acres, with a large stretch of beach across the coast. This resort constantly wins awards for its service (that truly, is some of the best hotel service we’ve ever had anywhere in the world!!) and its modern design. It is ESPECIALLY good for families (from babies, to kids of all ages, they will spoil your kids in the best way) and everything feels pretty dang perfect here, and I felt like our stay completely rejuvenated me in all the ways you hope a vacation will. We will DEFINITELY be going back!

Finest Playa Mujeres

Finest Playa Mujeres is one of my favorite all-inclusive resorts in the entire Caribbean, and the best part is that it’s in Mexico! Which means AMAZING Mexican food, beautiful turquoise waters, and picture-perfect pools. You can read more about my experience at Finest Playa Mujeres here! 

Where to stay in Tulum

If the idea of staying in a mega-resort doesn’t appeal to you, the low-key Yucatán peninsula has other areas, like Tulum, that offer a different, more authentic, Mexico vacation experience. In Tulum, small boutique, beachy-chic hotels line the trendy coastline between turquoise Caribbean waters and lush Yucatan jungle, and you can spend your days exploring underwater cenotes, ancient Mayan ruins, and eating amazing, authentic Mexican food in trendy farm-to-table restaurants.

Ahau Tulum

This eco-friendly Tulum hotel on the trendy shoreline is an upscale, chic hotel pick in Mexico. There are beach cabanas, garden palapas, Bali huts (the most basic accom, despite their awesome name) and even a beach house. All of the boho-chic cabanas come with four-poster beds covered by white mosquito nets, while most also have handcrafted wood or polished concrete floors and spacious decks with ocean views.

There’s also a ‘jungle gym’ an amazing take on a resort gym – an outdoor eco-gym set right on the beach that offers free weights, monkey bars, parallel bars and rope climbing!

Check the best rates for your dates here

Hotel Esencia

A celeb favorite in Tulum is the Hotel Esencia – set on a secluded Beach just north of Tulum, with 40 rooms and suites, a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant, and endless areas to relax. Check out the spa for hydrotherapy and the bar for fresh-pressed morning juices. Hotel Esencia is the perfect escape from reality, for a weekend, or a week.

Sanara Tulum

Best for: wellness retreats, yogis, and anyone looking for a healthy detox hotel in Mexico

If a detox or yoga retreat is what you’re after, look no further than the ultra-chic Sanara Tulum, where wellness takes center stage. With clean eating and thrice-daily yoga sessions, the living is easy at Sanara Tulum. The in-house wellness center is a comprehensive holistic vacation destination, offering everything from crystal healing to bio-magnetic treatments. Their in-house spa is also ranked as one of the world’s best spas – so you’ll be guaranteed to come back from your vacation not only feeling healthier, and more centered, but pampered as well.

For food, you’ll love the hotel’s restaurant – The Real Coconut, where a wholesome, health conscious menu has awesome creations like a guilt-free nacho bowl topped with coconut flour chips. There’s also a team of juiceologists who customize smoothies, as well as an on-site nutritionist to help you meet your wellness goals.

 

Is it safe to travel to Mexico?

While Mexico has gotten a bit of a bad rap lately for its safety concerns, it’s important to note that most of the recent violence has occurred outside of tourist areas, and far from the resorts that I’ve featured here on this list. Resorts have tightened security in recent years, and I have never felt unsafe at any of these resorts I’ve mentioned here. Safety is a huge priority to these places and you won’t feel unsafe at one moment during your stay! As I say with anywhere that the media tends to call “unsafe”, don’t let your fears stop you from seeing the world!

What should I pack for my trip to Mexico?

The ultimate beach packing guide for women

Check out my related posts

One&Only Palmilla vs. One&Only Mandarina

Where to get a covid test in Cabo before coming back to the US

The Ultimate Cabo San Lucas Travel Guide

What to pack for a beach vacation

The best travel hacks

Excellence Playa Mujeres review – Jetset Christina

How to survive your first long flight

The Best Babymoon Destinations

The Best Luggage Brands That Aren’t Away

 

 

PREV

The Best Winter Coats

NEXT

The Best Christmas Home Decor

WRITTEN BY:

Christina is a leading luxury lifestyle and travel blogger with over 2 million readers. Follow her on instagram @jetsetchristina.

LEAVE A COMMENT