A new luxury resort boom is transforming Mexico
Think you’ve been there, done that, in Mexico? Well, say “hola” to a nuevo crop of resplendent resorts south of the border.
Luxury, boutique or just damn beautiful, an astounding number of resorts and hotels opened in Mexico over the last year.
“The reason for Mexico’s appeal is simple: There is incredible nature, incredible diversity of culture, incredible diversity of food and beverage, and a consistency in the climate,” said John O’Sullivan, regional vice president and general manager at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, who is based in Punta Mita.
Those factors led to a boom in check-ins during and post-COVID that in turn supported resort expansions.
For instance, the Four Seasons went from just two hotels in Mexico to six in just 10 years, O’Sullivan said, thanks to American demand for pimped-out playas and hoteles hermosos.
Already shouting salud? Here’s a look at the best new hotels anywhere in Mexico.
A little luxury
When it’s time to say your prayers and go to heaven, the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, just north of Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific coast, is where you end up. But just in case that wasn’t gorgeously luxurious enough, in December, the brand added a new private, super deluxe tented resort, Naviva next door.
The spacious 48-acre resort is now one of the smallest Four Seasons resorts in terms of accommodations: There are just 15 luxury tents, each with an open-air living room and separate bedroom, and a private deck with its own plunge pool, an outdoor shower, and that essential hammock.
This means no crowds, no queues and pretty much one-on-one service, including a dedicated chef at the open-air kitchen and lounge, Copal Cocina, which is focused on local produce, Mexican-produced organic wine, and a large selection of tequila and mezcal.
While the main 52-acre, five-star Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita resort amenities are right next door to enjoy, Naviva’s guests have their very own pool and private 575-foot expanse of pristine Pacific beachfront, which only they may use.
Need a stretch? Take a class at the new resort’s exclusive cliffside yoga pavilion, or recline in a spa pod in the jungle for a custom treatment featuring local ingredients. Working on something more serious than your hams? Sweat it out during a traditional Temazcal ceremony (from $3,950 per night).
Nature’s call
About a two-hour drive south of Punta Mita, the Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo opened last November.
It’s surrounded by a 3,000-acre privately owned nature reserve. Resident biologists and researchers give guided hikes through the jungle and along the coastline.
Or, perhaps a stint on the golf course, or simply basking by one of three pools, better suits? Dine at Coyul; drink at Sal, an oceanside seafood restaurant and sunset cocktail bar (from $1,495 per night).
To the hilt
Hilton has six new properties on the Caribbean coastal stretch from Tulum to Cancun, including the grand Waldorf Astoria Cancun, which opened in November. The 73-room resort situated on 100 acres of Mayan coastline, 19 miles south of Cancun, starts at $700 per night.
Meanwhile, the contemporary-chic Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya opened in January 2022.
Located in a secluded cove overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the 349-room resort has five restaurants, six bars, and lounges and a spa with services inspired by traditional Mexican herbalism and rituals.
Try the Mayan Manteada, a traditional massage technique incorporating shawls tied around the waist to relax and realign the body. Or, consult the in-house Shaman on ancient rituals like the purifying gratitude and sacred cenote ceremonies (from $500 per night).
The 115-room urban-styled Motto by Hilton Tulum opened in November, and is accessed via the Jungle Garden Bar, part of the nightlife-shopping focused Hunab Lifestyle Center (from $125 per night).
Inland, the Albor San Miguel de Allende, Tapestry Collection by Hilton opened last September and sits in one of Mexico’s cultural hubs: San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage city (from $128 night; Hilton.com).
But Hilton Monterrey is the latest, opened just in March. It’s located in the business and financial district of Monterrey’s capital city of Nuevo León (from $195 per night).
Meanwhile, youthful, affordability-focused Tru by Hilton Monterrey Fundidora opened in January. It’s located in the city center of Fundidora (from $88 per night).
Hy season
Hyatt’s south-of-the-border opening spree includes November’s Rancho Pescadero, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, a 30-acre oceanfront resort in El Pescadero on the Pacific coast of Baja (from $745 per night).
Inland in Guanajuato, NUMU Boutique Hotel opened in February and is located in the historic Centro neighborhood of the charming town of San Miguel de Allende. Rooms and suites have private terraces or balconies. There’s a rooftop pool, a full-service spa, and two on-site restaurants and rooftop spot Maura (from $461 per night).
Opened in January, Andaz Mexico City Condesa is located in the Condesa neighborhood, known for stroll-able streets with eye catching Art Deco architecture, trendy restaurants and art galleries.
The hotel honors art and architecture with two grand geometric folk art murals by the hotel’s original architect José Luis Benlliure Galán, and adds new pieces like Dutch artist Jan Hendrix’s shimmering pink optical illusion, “Masterpiece,” suspended above the first-floor escalators.
Eat at the Tulum-inspired Cabuya rooftop restaurant and bar, or drink at the Wooftop Beer Garden and Canine Club on the second-floor terrace, which offers a place for dogs and their humans to relax together. Now, where’s that hydrant (from $288 per night)?
Hyatt added three all-inclusive, adults-only Inclusive Collection resorts, part of World of Hyatt: December’s Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya (from $350 per night); December’s Secrets Impression Moxché in Playa del Carmen, located in a gated community and offering impressive two-story oceanfront penthouse residences among its guest room options, as well as dedicated butler service (from $690 per night); sister spot Impression by Secrets Isla Mujeres is expected to open in May with 125 ultra-luxurious suites. Best of all, it has a four-story waterslide (from $899 per night).
Merry-land
Despite its name, the one- to four-bedroom accommodations at the super exclusive Residences Los Cabos are only available for stays, and not for purchase. Opened in April, each suite has a private kitchen, but the ground floor rooms add private plunge pools, and the penthouse has a private fitness space.
Guests have exclusive access to the new Esencia Onsen wellness spa and fitness center, and to all neighboring Nobu Hotel Los Cabos facilities including its four pools and renowned dining (from $1,600 per night).
Opened in March, St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya, part of Marriott International, is set beside the 620-acre Sian Ka’an Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a short drive from both Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. The uniquely designed circular building inspired by the constellation of Pleiades includes the brand’s signature Butler Service for any guest’s whims and wants (from $1,299 per night).
Marriott’s family-oriented Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun, An Autograph Collection opened in December and has 1,005 suites, 12 eateries, a water park with 14 waterslides and tubes, two lazy rivers and a splash pad, the GameUp Center with a laser tag arena, four-lane bowling, and a trampoline park, and nightly entertainment at indoor and outdoor theaters (from $364 per night).
Young at heart
When it comes to individual personality, luxury company Auberge Resorts Collection tailors each property in its growing portfolio, and Susurros del Corazón, Auberge Resorts Collection is no exception.
Opened in November, overlooking the Bahía de Banderas in Punta de Mita on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, accommodations range from studios to five-bedroom villas, to a seven-bedroom signature suite. Fine food is a big Auberge focus here.
Choose between Casamilpa, a signature Mexican farmhouse-styled restaurant, or La Boquita, an open-air taqueria.
The Roots of Raicilla class includes sampling assorted varietals of this roasted agave brew followed by a communal pairing dinner; while the Morritos Kids Camp’s fun make-your-own tamales class adds a valuable life skill (from $999 per night).
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