Our editorial staff traveled through Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Playa Del Carmen and Los Cabos and stayed at some of the top luxury resorts. Here are our top picks where the sun shines a little brighter.
1. One & Only Palmilla | San José Del Cabo | Rating: 98.3
A secluded hideaway at the tip of the Baja, the 250-acre One & Only Palmilla is Los Cabos’ shining jewel. With 173 rooms, suites and villas hovering over blue waters, this resort is the center of luxury. Spectacular dining options complement this resort, including the very popular Agua by Larbi, an indoor/outdoor “Mexiterranean” restaurant overlooking the infinity pool. For golf enthusiasts, a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus designed course is the standout of Palmilla Golf Club among many other attractions like the spa and boutique. One look at this resort and it’s simple to understand its ever-growing collection of travel awards.
Our Editors Love: Best location, incredible dining, spa and level of privacy.
2. The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort | Punta Mita | Rating 97.6
Latin America’s first St. Regis property is located 26 miles north of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport in the alluring and exclusive destination of Punta Mita. 89 guestrooms and 31 inviting suites make up this luxurious 22-acre resort. Two Jack Nicklaus Signature courses, Pacifico and Bahia, are an attracting and challenging feature of the resort. The 19-hole Pacifico is home to the famous three-par “Tail of the Whale” feature. Three infinity pools, a 10,000-sq.-ft. Remede Spa and tempting dining options complete this multiple award-winning resort.
3. Esperanza, An Auberge Resort | Cabo San Lucas | 97.4
This 17-acre resort has plenty to be proud of. Located atop the bluffs of Punta Ballena, as the only private beach resort in Los Cabos, it’s no surprise that all accommodations boast ocean views. With access to championship golf, four swimming pools and a full-service spa, this resort is a Cabo San Lucas gem. A wide variety of culinary activities and dining choices are also offered, so you can over-indulge to your heart’s content.
Our Editors Love: Newly renovated and great dress boutique, Solana.
4. Rosewood Mayakoba | Playa Del Carmen-Riviera Maya | 96.8
White beaches, emerald landscapes and turquoise waters surround this tropical resort. Lagoons and wooden lattices create a tranquil ambience amid open-air spaces. One hundred and thirty exclusive suites are crafted from indigenous materials like limestone, wood and water, while sliding glass doors and contemporary furnishings decorate this Riviera Maya resort. Since opening in 2008, the 1,600-acre resort, inspired by Mayan traditions continues to tempt guests looking for luxury among the ultimate escape.
Our Editors Love: One of the most romantic resorts.
5. NIZUC Resort & Spa | Cancún | 94.7
Located between the Caribbean Sea and Nichupte lagoon, is this 29-acre resort whose name, when translated from Mayan, means “dog nose.” Since March 2013, NIZUC Resort & Spa has grown from a small number of rooms to, now, 274 rooms where warm, earthy interiors mixed with its lush surroundings give this resort a perfect balance of modern harmony. Six world-class restaurants, each with its own distinct culinary theme, will excite any food lover, while three bars, two tennis courts, black mosaic pools and a 30,000-sq.-ft. spa give way to ultimate tranquility.
Our Editors Love: Foodie’s paradise.
6. Banyan Tree Mayakoba | Playa Del Carmen-Riviera Maya | 93.8
Seamlessly blending the East with the West is this Riviera Maya resort, which was the first for Banyan Tree in the Americas. Its indigenous surroundings create a captivating sanctuary of peacefulness and its award-winning spa offers a unique wellness retreat. Enhancing the tranquil theme, each room features a private swimming pool and outdoor bathtub. When you’re hungry, Ixchel, a private dining boat, is available for an exotic culinary experience as it drifts through the canals of Mayakoba, while you feast on a cooked-to-order menu.
Our Editors Love: Private pool and mini backyard in every villa.
7. Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Golf & Spa Resort | Cabo San Lucas | 93.3
The only all-inclusive resort to make our list is this Cabo San Lucas charmer, perfect for families, friends or couples. Six hundred and thirty-five suites make up the accommodations, complete with marble bathrooms and cedar woodwork. Multiple dining choices are available including LaFrida’s, the recipient of a AAA Four Diamond Award for excellence in cuisine and Cabo San Lucas’ first 24-hour restaurant, The Bistro. Top-rated Armonia Spa features European-inspired treatments and Quivira Golf Club, an exclusive amenity for guests of Pueblo Bonito Resorts and the Quivira community, which offers Pacific Ocean views from every hole.
8. Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort | San José Del Cabo | 93.1
The bright white exterior of Las Ventanas al Paraiso contrasts beautifully with the crystal blue waters. The natural, desert landscape is a standout at this Rosewood Resort and like its name means in Spanish, this resort is truly a window to paradise, creating a sanctuary of luxury and hospitality since opening in 1997. With exquisite dining options like La Cava, a private dining experience set in a wine room, and an unparalleled infinity pool, Las Ventanas al Paraiso is the perfect tranquil escape.
9. The Cape, A Thompson Hotel | Cabo San Lucas | 92.0
Keeping with Thompson Hotels’ traditions of bringing luxury hospitality in a hip and trendy environment, The Cape is no exception. Set on the renowned surf spot, Monuments Beach in Cabo San Lucas, The Cape offers up relaxed, yet sophisticated, coastal vibes. Sleek lines, expansive windows and modern yet retro architecture complete the vibe of this Thompson Hotel. World-renowned chef Enrique Olvera provides culinary creations at Manta, the signature restaurant, while the Glass Box offers a stylish events space inside a geometric cube. Let the night come alive up top at The Rooftop, Cabo San Lucas’ only rooftop lounge that serves to be the nighttime hotspot.
Our Editors Love: Big-city feel with a rooftop bar.
10. Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita | Punta Mita | 90.8
The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita is a 400-acre tropical resort sprawled out on the southwest point of the Riviera Nayarit. Just 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, this beachfront wonderland sits in a quaint fishing village and is surrounded by lush foliage and sweeping ocean views. A Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, spa, three alfresco Richard Sandoval restaurants and rural Mexico vibes complement the 173 casita-style guestrooms awaiting your arrival.
(Featured in InMexico Magazine 2016)