Best Luxury Hotels in Mexico

Personal butlers, aromatherapy turndown service, and some of Cabo's best dining are part of the velvet-gloved treatment at One&Only Palmilla. The 160 rooms and villas blend classic Mexican design with contemporary accents like Venetian stucco and walls of windows to create bright, elegant spaces. All have terraces, many with direct ocean views, and some include private pools. Dining includes Asian-Mexican fusion and Mediterranean options, plus a steak house by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The resort has one of the area's only swimmable beaches, an elegant spa, and two gorgeous pools, all of which are hard to top -- the manicured-jungle setting doesn't hurt either.

Rosewood Mayakoba is a gorgeous, peaceful retreat within the resort community of Playa Del Carmen, set on a mile-long stretch of beach. Though it features an extensive children's program, the resort largely attracts couples with its serene atmosphere, upscale restaurants, and spa. The 128 suites feature attractive contemporary decor -- picture clean lines, white walls, and rich woods -- as well as high-tech amenities and private outdoor plunge pools. They have an open-air vibe, with many floor-to-ceiling windows, and the overwater lagoon suites have swim-up access. Plus, suites include freebies such as Wi-Fi, fresh fruit, and bottled water. Seaweed debris along the beach keeps the Rosewood from being flawless (although they diligently attempt to keep it clean by sending staffers to rake it away), but otherwise this hotel is top-notch -- for guests willing to pay top dollar.

Banyan Tree Cabo Marques is a five-pearl resort located in Acapulco’s fashionable Diamente neighborhood. The 45 outstanding villas are subtly opulent, beautifully blending the brand’s trademark Asian decor with delicate Mexican accents. Striking ocean views, exceptional restaurants, and a wonderful spa combine to create an experience unparalleled elsewhere in Acapulco. The location is perfect for guests seeking a romantic escape, but those hoping to visit the city’s beaches and attractions or enjoy the nightlife scene may find it isolated -- Playa Revolcadero will take 10 minutes to reach by car.

There is nothing ordinary about the 260-room Le Blanc Spa Resort: Everything from the wine lists to your workout has been tailored to be top notch. It feels more South Beach chic than Cancun party, with a hip, gorgeous aesthetic throughout the entire pristine white property. The rooms are thoroughly modern and bright with minimalist decor and stunning ocean views (some with large Jacuzzi baths). But most of your time should be spent experiencing the top-of-the-line spa, the chic restaurants (especially the stunningly designed Lumiere), and heavenly white-sand beach.

As one might expect from the ultra-luxurious Banyan Tree brand, the Banyan Tree Mayakoba is one of Playa del Carmen's most sought after resorts. All of the 164 villas feature sleek Asian-inspired decor and Mexican textiles -- as well as walk-in showers, plunge pools, walled-in grass lawns, patios with hammocks, outdoor bathtubs, and fully stocked bars. The grounds,white-sand beach, and lagoon-like pool blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature. When you consider the high-end spa, plethora of outdoor activities -- such as golf, snorkeling, and eco tours -- and the fantastic dining, it's very hard to find anything wrong with this property

Hotel Encanto is a one-of-a-kind luxury hotel with everything that well-heeled travelers could want in a vacation -- except for beach access. The hotel’s pool is mesmerizing with an infinity ledge that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, and has contrasting clear and black-bottom areas which create the perception of two-toned waters. Well-known Mexican chef Mónica Patiño runs Origin, and there's a second restaurant for lighter fare. The spa offers a long, open-air spa tub situated on a wooden terrace, which offers dramatic views of the ocean. There are 44 guest rooms with a striking modern design that includes natural stone furniture. But breakfast isn't included and there's a daily resort fee.

It may be small, but Los Cabos' Esperanza Resort packs plenty of luxury punch. With a dramatic cliffside setting, stunning ocean views are available almost everywhere, and the many terraces at the hotel's gourmet restaurant jutting out into the ocean. The 123 casitas and villas are rustic, bright, and refined, with romantic extras like bathrooms with side-by-side showers and separate soaking tubs. Balconies include plunge pools or hammocks, and pampering services include in-room check-in and personal concierges. The hotel has an elegant spa and large fitness center, and the main infinity pool is a stunner, though the beaches aren't swimmable.

This luxurious 120-room enclave is located in posh Punta Mita, and smartly sited on 22 acres amid undulating fairways and verdant tropical gardens. It's one of the most luxurious properties in the region, and every element is stunning: the three fabulous beachside pools, the acres of peaceful gardens, the ultra-luxurious spa, and the immaculate rooms that look straight out of a decor magazine. The stretch of white-sand beach on-site is interspersed with rocky coves, and there are a couple of pretty little islets just offshore -- as well as the Mariettas Islands, a marine preserve, a few miles farther out to sea.

The 118-room Resort at Pedregal is so exclusive that reaching it requires driving through a striking private tunnel. Set on a long sweep of beach at the base of towering mountains, the style here seamlessly blends modern design and local artisanal details. Rooms have gorgeous hardwood accents plus massive bathrooms and terraces with hot tubs, and select casitas open to the ocean with private pools and fire pits. Oceanside dining and locally sourced menus are a highlight, as are the infinity pools overlooking the beach. There's also a stunner of an organic spa, a modern gym, and a posh boutique.

True to this high-end brand's reputation, The Cape, a Thompson Hotel is arguably one of the swankiest hotels in Cabo San Lucas. The 161 rooms vary greatly, but all have a sharp look plus luxury amenities including spacious glass-enclosed bathrooms, ocean-view balconies or terraces, in-room cocktail bars, and (optional) private hot tubs. Many include services like butlers and and in-villa check-in. The property has two pools, an excellent surfer’s beach, a world-class Mexican restaurant, and a breathtaking spa, it’s unlikely guests will find much to fuss over. However, the secluded location away from town may dissuade some guests, though that's just what others are looking for.

The St. Regis is one of the best luxury hotels in Mexico City. Its location on bustling Avenida Reforma means immediate access to the entire city, but the hotel packs resort-style amenities into a skyscraper for guests who don't want to explore. Features include Remede Spa with an indoor swimming pool, a modern fitness center, and eight restaurant outlets. Each of the 189 spacious guest rooms and suites comes with 24-hour butler service for free assistance with unpacking, laundry services, and morning coffee delivery. The downfall? Extra fees for breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi in the guest rooms.

The Grand Velas -- set on over 80 acres of mangroves that meet a postcard-perfect beach of white sand and turquoise waters -- is one of Riviera Maya’s most sophisticated properties. It features 491 top-notch suites spread out in three different buildings (two family-friendly, one adult-only), all with their own stunning pool complexes, gyms, and restaurants. The property is so huge guests will need to take a three-minute shuttle ride from the farthest building to the beach, but the hotel’s spotless service, outstanding food, luxurious spa, and wonderful amenities make it a great pick for discerning (and well-heeled) travelers.

The colonial-style Four Seasons Mexico City has an impressive gray and white facade and centers around a gorgeous courtyard. The hotel's 240 guest rooms feel fresh and contemporary (all were renovated in 2015), and its features are some of the best in the city: two gourmet restaurants, an upscale bar with a mixologist, courtyard swimming pool, modern fitness center, and colorful spa that incorporates local ingredients, such as chocolate and Mezcal. The Wi-Fi is spotty, but free, though breakfast costs extra.

The former estate of an Italian duchess, the ultra-luxurious Esencia oozes Mediterranean elegance and style. With just 29 rooms spread over 50 acres, the property feels intimate and exclusive, and shows a thorough attention to detail in everything from the services to the decor. Upscale, contemporary rooms are housed in two-story buildings set amid lush tropical grounds, and feature lots of high-end amenities, including pre-loaded iPods, Molton Brown toiletries, and in some, even private plunge pools. The gorgeous spa, excellent restaurant, and relaxing pools with ocean views are highlights.

The 35-room Las Alcobas Mexico DF is a jewel of a luxury boutique hotel in the exclusive Polanco neighborhood, within walking distance of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and museums. Public spaces in this 35-room property are quiet, intimate, and harmonious, and the two on-site gourmet restaurants draw local foodies as well as guests. Rooms are modern and sophisticated, with high-tech touches, and the stylish spa uses indigenous ingredients in many of its treatments. Special services include bath butlers and free wake-up calls offering guests a choice of coffee, tea, or smoothie. Be aware that children must be at least 7 years old to stay here.

The ultra-luxe Beloved, on a white-sand beach, features 109 suites with super sexy decor. They're all-white, with spacious, sleek marble bathrooms and Jacuzzi tubs, and have the vibe of a luxurious New York City hotel room -- except they're about four times the size and feature private balconies, many with ocean views. The expansive spa and fitness center are great, and the two pools with food and drink service are large and attractive (but many guests have complained that the pool water is much too cold). There are four restaurants, but most of them are not open all hours and service can be slow.

The Four Seasons is one of the grand dames in Riviera Nayarit. It’s been around for over two decades, but still wows with its manicured grounds, elegant rooms, outstanding restaurants, and slew of activities both for adults and kids. Its location in exclusive Punta Mita means guests won’t get to experience much of the local culture, but the hotel is a short drive from quaint little villages full of Mexican flavor.

No hotel compares to the level of luxury the Garza Blanca offers. Built on the site of a former hotel that was the playground of Hollywood stars in the 1960s, the property features an exquisite infinity pool, a private beach with great ocean swimming, a serene spa, and a gourmet restaurant with extensive wine cellar and tequila tasting room. The hotel's 73 rooms are all spacious and luxurious, with hammocks, ocean views, and high-tech amenities. Suites offer more space, a separate Jacuzzi tub and full kitchens.