With thousands of miles of beautiful coastline, Mexico is blessed with some of the world's most spectacular beaches. It also happens to have some seriously opulent oceanside resorts. Knowing where to start can be a challenge, especially if you're in the mood to spoil yourself on your next vacation. That's why we've scoured the country for the most luxurious beachfront resorts, from Cancun and Playa del Carmen to Los Cabos and Riviera Nayarit. Read on for our favorites, which feature everything from stellar spas and attentive butlers to gourmet all-inclusive dining.
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1. One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos
There are few beachfront resorts that match the level of luxury at the One&Only Palmilla. So what makes this place so special? Attention to detail. That starts from the moment you’re greeted by staff members who whisk away your luggage, unpack it, order up snacks based on your tastes, place a drink in your hand, and zip you off to your room with seemingly no effort at all. Every room has a butler, who takes care of everything from packing services to ordering meals, and is reachable by cell phone throughout the day. The Jean-Georges restaurant, multiple pools, and one of the few swimmable beaches in Cabo also make this one of the world’s most exclusive choices. But it’s the small details that add up, too. In the evenings, the air is perfumed by strategically placed censers, while the just-present-enough staff and tropical grounds create a truly magical escape.
2. Rosewood Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen
A popular luxury retreat in Mexico, the Rosewood Mayakoba is one of this brand’s most exclusive properties. Tucked into a lush jungle just north of Playa del Carmen, this property feels entirely removed from the world and its cares. For starters, there’s over a mile-long beach to explore right in front of the hotel, and the sands stay far freer of the vendors you’re likely to find in central Playa del Carmen. But the three gourmet restaurants, numerous pools, massive suites with private pools, and one of the region’s prettiest spas make this a great luxury package.
3. Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort, Los Cabos
Service sets Las Ventanas above much of the luxury competition in Mexico. Expect to see doting staff every dozen yards, offering assistance if you seem confused, concerned, or in need of a little pampering. This level of attention can be found in every corner of the resort, from pathways winding through the beautiful grounds to the beach and poolside restaurants to the beach itself. The massive rooms are tricked out in opulent traditional decor (think: carved hardwood, natural stone, and Mexican textiles), while balconies almost always open onto gorgeous ocean views. Butlers, Clase Azul tequila, and free use of the spa’s hydrotherapy facilities only add to the overall indulgent experience.
4. The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, Riviera Nayarit
While The St. Regis Punta Mita certainly maintains the brand’s exclusive appeal, it offers an altogether beachier take on the luxury resort experience. That posh treatment can still be found here — even entry-level rooms come with butlers, after all — but the focus on wellness and the outdoors makes this one of Mexico’s best luxury beachfront resorts. That includes two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses, an array of water sports and activities, and a beautifully designed spa. There are also multiple excellent dining options, a pretty stretch of beach, and beach-view pools for the sand-averse. While the indoor-outdoor bathrooms in the rooms and suites are beautiful, those with cash to spare should look into the private villas, which have their own pools.
5. Le Blanc Spa Resort, Cancun
There are truly only a few luxury all-inclusive hotels in the world, and Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun’s Hotel Zone is easily one of the most famous. That reputation is deserved, as this hotel breaks nearly every Cancun rule. The food is amazing, the spa is beautiful, and the all-inclusive plan has almost zero restrictions. You’ll also find a different clientele here than other Cancun all-inclusive resorts, where chugging beer and downing neon-hued shots is the name of the game. Instead, expect a refined adults-only atmosphere where light live music can be enjoyed at night and doting poolside service is the norm during the day. Even better? The gorgeous ocean views from most rooms are enough to make even the prettiest resort in the world blush.
6. The Cape, A Thompson Hotel, Los Cabos
As the Los Cabos resort scene continues its high-end trend, helping the region buck its once-notorious spring break-hub reputation, boutique resorts like The Cape draw luxury-seekers in droves. Design is easily the star of the show here, with architecture and decor that manages to look both contemporary and timeless while still evoking Cabo’s breezy, beachy vibe. That style is only rivaled by the hotel’s beachside location, with views across the bay to El Arco, where the iconic mountains of Land’s End jut out of the sea. Higher-category suites come with services like butlers and perks like private hot tubs or pools, though 24-hour gourmet room service is available to everyone (as are the hotel’s stunning beachside pools).
7. Imanta Resort, Riviera Nayarit
For travelers seeking a truly exclusive escape, the Imanta Resort will fit the bill perfectly. This property has only 11 rooms, guaranteeing a private and romantic atmosphere. That makes it the smallest luxury property on this list, but features here belie that small stature. With its striking location set amid the rugged cliffs an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, everything about this resort feels like a hidden gem. Luxury details include soaking tubs hewn from massive granite boulders, stunning stone-lined private pools, and a private beach that’s hemmed in on both sides by steep mountains. Celebrities flock to this Relais & Chateaux property, and with good reason. From gourmet dining to the stunning setting to the massive rooms, it’s a notch above almost anything else in Riviera Nayarit.
8. Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Los Cabos
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences makes a convincing case for an entirely different type of luxury property. Don’t expect tons of dining options, all-inclusive perks, or doting butlers here. Instead, this is a classy option for travelers who like to be spoiled while maintaining a measure of independence. When we visited in late 2018, this was one of our favorite new additions to the Cabo scene. The boutique size of the property gives it an exclusive air, while a laid-back central pool, tricked-out kids’ and teens’ centers, a cinema room, and a beautiful beach all create a more casual vibe. That’s amplified by the many free water sports available on one of the few swimmable beaches in Cabo, Playa el Chileno, as well as the farm-and-sea-to-table restaurant, Comal, and taco bar, TnT. The wellness thread runs deep here, too, with an amazing gym and fitness program plus a beautiful spa.
9. Bayan Tree Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen
The Banyan Tree Mayakoba is one of Playa del Carmen’s most exclusive beachfront resorts, with beautiful jungle grounds that hide 118 chic villas. These villas, which feature massive floor plans and private pools tucked into the tropical garden setting, set this property apart. The gorgeous stretch of white-sand beach is perfectly manicured, while several pools can be found throughout for those who prefer to sunbathe within the resort’s private grounds. Expect decor that blends traditional Mexican styles and materials with contemporary Asian lines and trends. There are numerous dining options, some of which overlook the beach or the hotel’s own lagoon, as well as a spa and PGA-affiliated golf course.
10. Grand Velas Los Cabos
Much like Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun, Grand Velas Los Cabos takes the all-inclusive vacation to truly luxurious heights. Since opening in late 2016, this resort has quickly made a name for itself among travelers seeking an array of luxury services. Nearly every restaurant and bar is stunning, from the sumptuous Frida, which serves high-end Mexican, to the opulent Casa del Autor, where drinks and food in the evening are an event. And while there are very few exceptions to the all-inclusive package here, the style is also worth noting. Massive rooms and suites all have jaw-dropping pool and beach views from flower-draped terraces. Grand Velas feels miles away from the typical all-inclusive fray in Los Cabos, and its luxury status is hard to beat in this category.
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- The 8 Best Mexico Hotels With Private In-Room Pools
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