For CN Traveler’s 33rd annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey—yes, more than three decades—their readers leaned in heavily to nostalgia, as travel was pretty much on pause the whole year. When it comes to the best resorts in Mexico, they were dreaming about all their favorites: There are swim-up bars for potent sips and miles of beachfront bliss, not to mention all-inclusives, where nifty bonuses like a personal butler service and an unlimited supply of fresh, fruity cocktails are factored into your nightly rate. Some of these winners are big and brash, set in the heart of hopping towns like Playa del Carmen and Cancun, others are tiny, intimate, barefoot, and well off the beaten path. Here are the resorts in Mexico you couldn’t stop thinking about this year.

 

40. Grand Palladium Colonial Resort & Spa

Located on the beautiful Riviera Maya, Grand Palladium Colonial Resort & Spa has access to some seriously gorgeous beaches—and it's an easy drive away from both Tulum and Playa del Carmen. The all-inclusive hotel is great for both couples and families, letting guests choose how close they want to be the kid's club and water park. When you aren't soaking up the sun on the half mile of beach lining the resort, head to one of the freshwater swimming pools or enjoy a round of mini golf. As for the rooms, you can expect colorful artwork and throws and balconies with hammocks.

 

 

39. Royalton Riviera Cancun

Royalton's newest resort is just a 15-minute ride from the Cancun International Airport, meaning you don't have to waste much time between arrival and total relaxation. All of the 840 Royalton Riviera Cancun rooms and suites have terraces and balconies, plus rain showers and 24-hour room and concierge service; Diamond Club suites have extra features, like private pools and rooftop Jacuzzis. The entire family can enjoy the 11 swimming pools, especially the designated “splash park” for kids. And with the 10 on-site restaurants and 16 bars, you'll never go hungry (or thirsty) during your time here.

 

 

38. The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun

It’s a behemoth in size, but still a Ritz-Carlton cocoon in terms of personalization and comforts. The hotel fronts 1,200 feet of white sand beach right in the heart of Cancún’s Hotel Zone. The nine dining outlets include two award-winning restaurants, the recently renovated Mexican-Mediterranean Fantino and the Club Grill, which has a champagne bar and live jazz every night. At D-Lounge, you can sip more than 100 varieties of tequila. All of the rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and ocean views. Of course there are the expected amenities, like the Ritz Kids camp, and the Ritz-Carlton Spa, which has custom treatments inspired by ancient Mayan healing rituals.

 

 

37. Nizuc Resort & Spa

The beach—and its views—are the main attraction at this 274-room resort on the Yucatán Peninsula. Book one of the eight penthouse suites, which have outdoor living rooms and Caribbean vistas. Views aside, there’s much more to love: three colossal infinity pools and two beaches, both well stocked with loungers, and six restaurants. CN Traveler loves Ramona, with its clean and contemporary Mexican cuisine (did somebody say lobster bisque with mezcal sauce?) and La Punta Grill, where a tender, expertly salted flank steak might be the main event.

 

 

36. Palmaïa – The House of AïA

Book a family suite (many of which have bunk beds, kid-friendly decor and can sleep up to four people) at this eco-friendly, wellness-focused beachfront paradise in Playa del Carmen, and get comfortable. With swim-out terraces, a private beach with crystal-clear waters, a dedicated kids’ pool with its own slide and waterfall, plus a children’s activity program with a full calendar of educational events, Palmaïa is a resort where the entire family can get pampered. Plant-based menus shine at all four restaurants and the 24-hour room service, with items like dense vegan chocolate cake and strawberry chia-seed pudding. For those looking to tap into a deeper spiritual awakening, the in-house shaman offers a program of guided rituals.

 

 

 

35. Vidanta Riviera Maya

At this jungle paradise built for luxury, nothing was done halfway. Guests have access to more than a thousand acres of wild and manicured tropical land, dotted with gleaming swimming pools and flanked by beach. There are more than 15 bars and restaurants, a Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course, a lavish spa, and a dynamic water world called the Jungala Aqua Experience. Further proof that no stops were left un-pulled-out: Vidanta is home to the Riviera Maya’s resident Cirque du Soleil show, Joya. Guests can choose between five separate hotels on the property: The Grand Mayan, Grand Luxxe, The Grand Bliss, The Bliss, and Mayan Palace.

 

 

34. Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort

Beyond its stretch of resplendent beachfront, there's plenty to impress at this secluded adults-only retreat. Rooms are vibrant and airy, but what CN Traveler really loves are the deliciously scented holistic treatments at Armonia Spa (such as the Lavender & White Tea relaxing ritual), and the restaurants that are tasty and varied enough to please picky palates. Siempre blends Mediterranean and Mexican flavors, while the new Market at Quivira is modeled on the great food halls of Europe. Need more ways to pass the time? Golf, fishing, and trips to observe nesting sea turtles are just a few of the available activities.

 

 

33. Mahekal Beach Resort

There’s a bit of a Swiss Family Robinson feel at this Playa del Carmen resort, with bungalow-style accommodations, either facing 920 feet of beach or surrounded by jungle. The most fun are the Treehouse Rooms, many of which have elevated terraces at leaf-level. There are Maya decorative elements throughout, such as brightly patterned textiles. The “Tulum” style Fuego Restaurante y Cantina follows the popular trend of cooking over a wood fire. If swimming in the turquoise water isn’t thrilling enough for you, one of the most trusted dive centers in the Riviera Maya is on site, nearby the hotel's artisan pottery center.

 

 

32. Las Alamandas

This seaside resort feels like a nature reserve (1,500 acres of gardens!) without the crowds. There are only 16 larger-than-life suites, but with four private beaches along the Costalegre—secluded strips of sand owned by four mega-rich hoteliers who love a sense of understated glamour—you get more than your fair share of sand. Celebrities like Cindy Crawford and Sting are regulars, as is Robert De Niro, for whom the owner custom-built a gym.

 

 

31. Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos Beach Resort

This resort is like a slice of the Mediterranean in Cabo, with white-washed, blue-domed buildings standing out against the Sea of Cortez. Each of the 147 suites are decorated with the same Mediterranean style (think blue touches everywhere), and have private patios and balconies perfect for watching the sunset. When it comes to swimming, you'll be spoiled for choice between the tropical swimming pool and direct access to El Médano Beach. Other resort amenities include three on-site restaurants, full-service spa, and seaside golf course.

 

 

30. Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

At this 1,500-acre hidden oasis north of Puerto Vallarta, no request is too outlandish—readers have shared stories of dedicated servers, like one who walked chest high into the ocean, in his uniform, to bring a drink. Red-roof garden casitas are done in a sea-and-sand palette, with Mexican art and louvered doors. Meanwhile, the state-of-the-art 18-hole Jack Nicklaus course at Pacifico takes the game to the extreme: be prepared to swing for a hole that's on an island 200 yards offshore.

 

 

29. Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa Cabo San Lucas

Set on the world-famous Médano Beach, Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa Cabo San Lucas has everything you would expect from one of the best resorts in Mexico. You know you've landed somewhere special the moment you enter the nine-story atrium lobby, with chandeliers and saltwater aquariums. The luxury continues in the 460 suites, which have stunning views of the Sea of Cortez and outdoor terraces or balconies. But the main draw here might be the Desert Spa, a 31,000-square-foot spa boasting hydrotherapy centers and a full-service beauty salon, and a menu that features every type of facial and massage you could imagine.

 

 

28. Excellence Playa Mujeres

If you need a break from your wily brood—and let’s be honest, who doesn’t, every once in a while?—it’s down to Excellence Playa Mujeres you go. This adults-only, all-inclusive resort north of Cancún racks up rave reviews for its service, which begins with a cold towel and cocktail greeting—much appreciated when it’s hot and humid—and continues at dazzling speed. The place has plenty of beach real estate, where you can float aimlessly for an hour or two, or latch onto an icy cold margarita via beachside service.

 

 

27. Grand Solmar Land's End Resort & Spa

Concealed by granite cliffs, where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortés and near Cabo San Lucas's famous Lands End arch, this unbelievable hacienda-style resort opened in 2011. Golden, beige, and coffee tones in stone, cast bronze, wood, and tin fill rooms that are so close to the ocean you feel like you're on a boat. Suites have full kitchens with marble counters and stainless-steel appliances. Public areas showcase woods, wrought iron, and leather. At La Roca, expect homemade baked goods, savory seafood dishes, authentic Baja cuisine, and impeccable service.

 

 

26. Viceroy Riviera Maya

Staying at the Viceroy Riviera Maya is a vacation in the truest sense of the word: Palapa villas with lots of wood and rattan (many with private pools and outdoor showers) are connected by meandering pathways that fan out to lush, fragrant gardens. And it’s all fronted by seven miles of glorious, white sand beaches. Just remember that you are in the jungle, so be sure to keep your eye out for the wily spider monkeys.

 

 

25. Generations Riviera Maya

Opened in 2014 by Karisma Hotels & Resorts, this 144 all-suite spot has mastered the art of being family-friendly without all that elbow-jostling; with some of the largest rooms in the Mexican Caribbean, sliding walls that allow guests to determine the amount of space they need, and big bathrooms with two sinks and a Jacuzzi. A dedicated butler service takes care of the unpacking and settling in, and even books local activities like kayak lessons. No detail is too small: strollers, cribs, even child-size robes and slippers, are there for the taking. The resort represents a happy marriage of casual and comfortable without getting too boisterous, starting with an airy lobby. There are milkshakes for the young, and wine tastings through a partnership with Santa Rosa-based Jackson Family Wines for parents. If you feel like getting some quiet time, drop the children off at the Eko Kids Club and head over to the adults-only El Dorado resort right next door, where vegetables are harvested from the resort's own 76,000 square-foot hydroponic greenhouse.

 

 

24. Palafitos - Overwater Bungalows

Evoking images of resorts in the Maldives or South Pacific, Palafitos Overwater Bungalows lets guests sleep, well, over the water in individual, thatched-roof villas. (For something extra special, book the Elite Overwater Bungalow, which comes with glass floors and a private plunge pool.) You can swim in the surrounding Caribbean waters directly from your room, but venture a bit further to discover the resort's other offerings, which include scuba diving lessons and camel rides in the desert. The included dining options range from Mexican to Peruvian cuisine, with Caribbean influences all around.

 

 

23. Royalton Chic Suites Cancun Resort & Spa

The latest installation of Royalton Resorts is an all-inclusive, adults-only stay in buzzy Cancun. The location means you can expect white sand beaches and crystal clear water, but you also can choose from the hotel's artfully tiled pools (all with accompanying bars). Spend your days doing sunrise yoga and swimming, while nights are reserved for partying at Level 18, a rooftop bar and lounge. All 180 rooms and suites come with rain showers and balconies; Diamond Club suites come with extra features, like jacuzzi tubs, pool tables, and private terraces.

 

 

22. Montage Los Cabos

Located on 39 quiet acres of beachfront between the overdeveloped hotel zones of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, Montage looks out on the serene, divinely swimmable waters of Santa Maria Bay. As impressive is the fact that all of the 122 guest rooms, suites, and casas (not just top-tier rooms) have ocean views, expansive terraces with daybeds, dining areas, and outdoor showers—just the sort of breezy indoor/outdoor setup you want on a beach holiday. And in a town where things can go from place defining to cliché quickly, Montage gets it right. Interiors have a Mexican 2.0 aesthetic that leans into local materials while executed in a sophisticated desert palette (lots of native wood, earth-toned woven throws and hanging tapestries, creamy sandstone), and landscaping embraces native, drought-resistant plants like agave, flowering desert figs, and saguaros. The real treat, though, is to sit by the pool with a book and michelada, knowing that the Pacific is there waiting when you’re ready for your plunge.

 

 

21. El Dorado Maroma

Fronting one of the prettiest beaches in the world, just 10 minutes north of Playa del Carmen, one of the best of nearly a dozen Karisma hotels stands out for its impeccable sand and incredible staff. Favorite picks of the 72 accommodations are the Royal Swim Up Suites with direct access to the main pool via a lazy river. All are spacious and romantic, flaunting a creamy orange and deep purple paint job. Breakfast and lunch at Sabores or Papitos Gourmet Beach Club can be followed by dinner at the Japanese-centric Kiyoko or Mediterranean-inspired Mio Cuccina Italiana restaurants. There's no need to bring bucks or bibs, this being the all-inclusive, adults-only set up that it is.

 

 

20. Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection

Cabo San Lucas is a town full of resorts that are either too fusty, too fancy, or too family-friendly, but Chileno Bay is the rare option that feels both sophisticated and hip. Follow the throng of weekending thirty-somethings to the resort's cool open-air restaurant, or to a little taco shack on the beach with an excellent selection of small-batch mezcal. The beach that the hotel is on is probably the only real swimming beach in Cabo—no small thing, since it can be kind of painful to be at a "beach resort" and not be able to take a dip in the ocean. (Cabo's waters are notoriously choppy, rough, and not swimmer-friendly).

 

 

19. Fairmont Mayakoba

Some consider Tulum a little too laid back—just ask the patrons of . Designed around a network of crystal clear waterways, the Fairmont Mayakoba is situated deep within 240 acres of dense tropical forest. The hotel is home to five pools—including an adults-only infinity edge pool—and El Camaleón, the 18-hole course designed by Greg Norman, has two water features. Rooms are bright and airy to reflect modern Mexican design, and have deep marble soaking tubs. Book a private suite, and you’ll have a pristine white beach at your doorstep. El Puerto restaurant captures the flavors of regional Mexican seafood, while Las Brisas blends traditional Latin flavors with global ingredients. Willow Stream Spa focuses on traditional Mayan techniques and offers a top deck with unbeatable ocean views. And if you want to design your own adventure, take out an electric lanchita—a small, electric boat—to explore the grounds.

 

 

18. Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa

Located on on Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta, this outpost of Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa sprawls across 85 acres of jungle and beach. The elegant and spacious suites feature terraces with sun loungers and panoramic ocean views. Outside of the rooms, guests can enjoy the resort's infinity pools, tennis court, and world-class spa, plus guided activities like jungle hikes and birdwatching tours. The Blanca Blue Restaurant serves up avant-garde Mexican cuisine, while the Aquazul Beach Bar & Lounge is the perfect place to grab some casual poolside bites.

 

 

17. Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa

Belmond Maroma's white stucco buildings with thatched-roof terraces were entirely handcrafted by one family of Mayan masons, and the attention to detail inside is equally impressive: white-walled rooms are decorated with hand-loomed bedding and rugs, and oversized tubs are lined with vibrant Mexican tiles. The dinner menu at El Sol includes Kumamoto oysters, foie gras with almond, prickly pear, and aged balsamic, plus all manner of grilled and roasted fish and meat. On the beach, Freddy’s Bar serves craft cocktails and mocktails, plus snacks like fish chicharrones. The service is out-of-this-world—15 on a scale of one to ten.

 

 

16. El Dorado Seaside Suites

This Karisma resort, opened in late 2015, does nothing in halves. With 10 restaurants, 4 bars, a spa and fitness center, it could easily come off as another tacky kid on the Riviera Maya block, but instead surprises with finesse and clever details. With 192 rooms that include swim-up suites, and even a beach and pool butler service, there’s no excuse for avoiding some quality aqua therapy. Oceanfront jacuzzi suites are the way to stay, with closets larger than traditional bathrooms, double sinks and glass-wrapped showers. Despite the size of the place (80 acres!), there’s no skimping on quality and style: vegetables and spices are cultivated in a 70,000 square foot greenhouse, and the resort’s N’aay Spa has a Beachfront Sky massage that’s administered in an ocean-side palapa.

 

 

15. Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort

A meandering network of terraces, suites, pools, and bars make up this Mexican-Mediterranean resort overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Beyond the rooms, which feature terra-cotta fireplaces and hand-carved cedar doors, guests can look forward to personal butler service and a fresh fruit basket each morning. But the Ty Warner mansion (named for the resort’s owner and founder of Beanie Babies) wildly outdoes it all: The exclusive, 28,000-square-foot estate sits at the water’s edge. Guests who book it can request a fireworks display to watch as their personal chef prepares dinner.

 

 

14. Cuixmala

Cuixmala, a private estate south of Puerto Vallarta with 12 suites, three private villas, and 10 casitas, sits on a private beach backed by a 30,000-acre nature preserve. It doesn’t have a kids’ club, but who needs one when the whole family can go horseback riding and fishing, or watch sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach?

 

 

13. Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas

Set right on the beach, against the backdrop of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, the Four Seasons is by far the area’s sleekest stay. Exclusivity is of course a draw—a handful of celebrities from L.A. are rumored to have bought villas. But there’s also a strong outdoor-adventure pull, from snorkeling in nearby Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, where giant polka-dot whale sharks hunt for plankton, to quad-biking empty sand dunes. While there might not be the bars and restaurants to rival Los Cabos, they’re hardly missed. Toes-in-the-sand El Puesto is the spot for ceviche and margaritas; for a proper sit-down meal, an outpost of beloved Greek restaurant Estiatorio Milos serves seafood suppers. All 141 rooms are designed to blend into the surrounding desertscape with sliding glass doors that lead to private terraces, as well as views of the Sea of Cortéz. And unlike on the rough, rocky Pacific side of Baja, the waters here are as tranquil as a lake.

 

 

12. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

At this all-suite beach resort just north of Puerto Vallarta and the Paradise Village mall, you would never believe you're in an all-inclusive. Rooms with views of the Pacific include colorful Mexican art by the Huichol people, goose-down comforters, and Balinese furnishings. Outstanding staff even clean your sunglasses, spritz you with Evian, and circle the pool with an ice-pop cart. The spa is one of the best in the country. Five restaurants serve wonderful, well-prepared international cuisine.

 

 

11. Villa del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa

The soft sands of the “Mexican Riviera” stretch about 200 miles along the Pacific Ocean. They line the coastal state of Nayarit, a compact region with a mix of tropical and adventure recreation that’s increasingly made it one of Mexico’s top destinations. Villa del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa is an all-inclusive, family-friendly stay located in the heart of the Riviera Nayarit, with everything you need right next to some of the country's best beaches. There are tons of activities to discover in the region, but you don't really need to leave the resort to fill your days with fun. Whether you want to go whale watching or take a Spanish-language or cooking class, Villa del Palmar has you covered.

 

 

10. Vista Encantada Spa Resort & Residences

This resort surrounded by the Pacific Ocean has almost everything you'd want on a Mexican vacation: colorful rooms with incredible views, seafood restaurants, a secluded spa, and a rooftop pool. And that doesn't even touch upon the huge array of activities available here, ranging from golf and zip-lining to parasailing and snorkeling tours. Come mealtime, pay a visit to one of the resort's 12 on-site restaurants, including Los Riscos, an ocean-adjacent grill serving up Mexican cuisine, and Ático, the rooftop bar.

 

 

9. Chablé Maroma

This may quite possibly be the only hotel in Mexico that combines the level of wellness travelers now hop planes for with the country’s trademark sugary beaches. It has 70 neutral-palette suites, each with its own pool, terrace, and palm-shrouded outdoor rain shower. And let’s not forget its access to Riviera Mayakoba’s powdery beach. True to the brand, Maroma’s bright spa remains deeply rooted in Mayan healing traditions (the temazcal ceremony, led by a local healer, is the real-deal, requiring a two-hour commitment). While your schedule in the Yucatán is packed with fitness classes and spa sessions, Maroma encourages time spent sipping margaritas by the infinity pool, as any Mexican resort should. Chef Jorge Vallejo of Mexico City’s top-ranked Quintonil oversees the menus, sourcing ingredients from on-site ka’anches, Mayan gardens. Naturally, seafood is the star at Maroma, showcased at the rooftop raw bar and at casual restaurant, Kaban. The tasting menu-only restaurant Bu’ul is more ambitious (and delicious, in CN Traveler's opinion) than the Yucatán’s fine dining spot. Regional dishes like mamey fruit tartare topped with glazed escamoles, surprisingly tasty ant larvae, will challenge (and wow) your palate.

 

 

8. One&Only Palmilla

In the 1950s, Don Abelardo Rodríguez, son of Mexico’s former president, had his choice of real estate in Baja Sur. He decided on the very tip of the peninsula, between the calm Sea of Cortez and the crashing Pacific, as the site for the area’s first hotel of note, the 15-room Palmilla. The hotel became the hideaway of politicians and actors looking for a little sun and a lot of privacy. Sixty-some years on, the luxury hotel set has moved in, and much at the Palmilla has changed—but not enough to keep nearly half of its guests from coming back each year. The hotel, which was taken over by One&Only in 2004, still has the best location—on its own little point between Los Cabos’ two busy hotel zones, making it more secluded than most. The hacienda-style rooms with wrought-iron chandeliers and updated mission-style furniture continue to embody the pueblo Cabo once was. But it still comes down to the service here, just like it always has—the small, thoughtful touches, such as the roaming masseuse who offers foot massages while you lie facedown on a pool chair.

 

 

7. Chablé Yucatán

If you’ve never visited the ruins at Uxmal—truly a wonder of the world—and you want somewhere luxurious to stay, this is your best bet. Forty contemporary white-limestone-and-glass casitas are strung across the densely wooded 740-acre estate, each with its own terrace, pool and hammock, and guests fall broadly into two categories: those who have come to explore the ruins of ancient abandoned Mayan cities, and those who are here for the spectacular forest spa, where the pools are lined in tiles of petrified wood. Surrounded by jungle, a dozen treatment cabins are arranged around a cenote, a water-filled sink hole which the Maya believed to be a portal to the underworld but guests are told is a fountain of wellness. It’s a place of such beauty and charm that even non-converts to traditional Maya healing rituals will succumb to the overall spirit and peace.

 

 

6. Rosewood Mayakoba

Once you arrive at this gorgeous ecological enclave in the Riviera Maya, don't expect to rush anywhere—chances are, you'll want to gape at the interior details, like hunks of Yucatán limestone and renewable wood, as well as wooden lattices and glass doors that punctuate the guest rooms. On your Rosewood Mayakoba to-do list should be the Sense spa, which sits on its own private island overlooking limestone lagoons. Try out one of its unique Mayan-influenced treatments, like the Cenote Temazcal Purification—you'll start by meditating in the garden, and work your way to a detoxifying steam bath, scrub, and massage.

 

 

5. Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

This Mediterranean village-inspired enclave gives off a rustic beach vibe that makes you feel like you just stumbled upon the place, and luckily so. Suites are outfitted with hand-carved wood, locally made ceramic tiles, and plunge pools hanging off private ocean view-terraces. Another selling point? The exceedingly attentive staff, plus a personal concierge program—you'll have someone dedicated to making your vacation dreams come true, including planning romantic evening cruises and early morning massages at your request.

 

 

4. Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa at the Islands of Loreto

Despite its reputation as a getaway for teens looking to hone their tequila shooting, the Baja California Sur peninsula in Mexico is much more than a "spring break!" destination. Plan a visit and make Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa at the Islands of Loreto your home base. The all-inclusive resort overlooks the gorgeous Sea of Cortez from its 4,447 acres, complete with golf course, award-winning spa, tennis courts, five swimming pools, and several restaurants—not to mention miles of hiking trails and kayak rentals. Choose from an array of suites and penthouses, including options that can sleep up to 12 people. And make sure to book a scuba diving tour with the hotel to enjoy the real draw of the region—incredible underwater wildlife, including turtles and dolphins.

 

 

3. Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection

The only private beach resort in Los Cabos, Esperanza couldn't feel further from the freewheeling streets of downtown Cabo San Lucas (though it's only a 15-minute drive, in case a craving for cheap strawberry-mango margaritas strikes). This 57-room hotel sits right on the rocky Cabo coast, meaning every room, suite, and infinity pool—several room categories come with their own—promises stellar views, and a constant soundtrack of crashing waves. Inside, the rooms have a soothing blend of crisp white linens, light wood-beamed ceilings, and massive windows, and are all spacious enough to spend the day in. But with a world-class spa, fitness center (which also offers a full schedule of workout classes), and experiences that include sea foraging and a tequila tasting course, you'd rarely be tempted to do so.

 

 

2. Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

The high-stakes Cabo hotel scene has been particularly frenetic for the past few years, with fresh openings from big-name players like Four Seasons, Montage, and Viceroy. Amid the fray, Ritz-Carlton managed to seek out a 20-acre plot for its fourth reserve, overlooking the indigo Sea of Cortez and built partially on the sand dunes. Those familiar with other Reserves (in Puerto Rico, Bali, and Thailand) will notice similarities, including suites that feel both comfortable and considered, with vast living rooms featuring blue-and-white textiles, objets d’art from local artisans (woven leather baskets, painted pottery), and terraces with firepits. And like Zadún’s sister at Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico, the sanctuary-like spa is central to a stay; here, the showpiece is an earthy temazcal (sweat lodge), as opposed to Dorado’s jungle-shrouded thermal pool. But it’s the staff that truly make the place stand out: remembering favorite breakfast tables and knowing the right chaise lounge around the enormous L-shaped pool (so large you can’t hear splashes from the other end) at which to drop off each swimmer’s salt-rimmed margarita. In one of the world’s most elevated hotel towns, Ritz-Carlton shows that the bar can always be raised.

 

 

1. Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya

Set in the private, gated Mayakoba complex, the Andaz has a bit of beachfront and is a more youthful, playful, free-spirited alternative to some of the other hotels that are also part of the complex. Most of the Andaz is built around tranquil lagoons and lush gardens, all crisscrossed with trails for walking and cycling. Guest rooms and suites are inspired by nature with open-plan layouts, abundant natural light, and a sea-and-sand color palette with bright pops of color in Mayan-style artworks and textiles. The activities staff encourages adventurous undertakings, from stand-up paddleboarding to kitesurfing. The four on-site restaurants showcase local cuisine and cooking techniques.

 

 

 

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