The World's Most Romantic Hotels: Mexico

Honeymoons, anniversaries, engagements, make-ups — so many reasons to be amorous. Find love in all the right places at these romantic destinations throughout Mexico.

Jump to: The Pacific | The Caribbean | The Countryside

The Pacific

Capella Ixtapa
Ixtapa
What's to Love: The hotel is dramatically built into a cliff and every suite (59 total) faces the ocean. Which you'll love gazing at from your private plunge pool.
Good to Know: If you tire of the many spa treatments, you can rent kayaks and explore the coastline. And watch the whale migration during winter months.

Cuixmala
Jalisco
What's to Love: Still a relatively unpublicized secret, the ecoresort is made up of nine casitas and four private villas set on a sprawling 25,000 acre estate of land, lagoons, and beaches. La Loma, the impressive Moorish oceanfront castle with a colorful tiled dome roof, is the main residence. The zebras easily outnumber the guests.
Good to Know: There are no set times to arrive or leave. Requests are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and are seemingly always met by the cheerful staff who outnumber the guests several times over.
Read More on Fathom: Cuixmala, The Epic Pacific Coast Hideaway

Encuentro
Baja California, Mexico
What's to Love: Twenty freestanding eco-lofts are off the grid but feel like the center of the universe. Behold breathtaking views of the Guadalupe Valley.
Good to Know: Leave the kiddies at home so that you can spend time at the pool bar or exploring the burgeoning Baja wine region and Mexican culinary scene.

Photo by Undine Pröhl / Courtesy of Encuentro.

Hotel Boca Chica
Acapulco
What's to Love: 1950s Mexico glamour of the Elvis and Rita Hayworth era brought back to original splendor. 

Good to Know: You're on a hammock on the ocean, and it's cheaper than it should be.

Hotel Hafa
Sayulita
What's to Love: Equal parts dusty old pueblo, fishing village, and surf haven on a mild, off-the-beaten-path gem of a beach.
Good to Know: Perfect for days of beach lazing and evenings on Hafa's stunning roof terrace, which was pretty much meant for lighting sparklers, swigging wine, and smooching.

Hotel Villa Amor
Sayulita
What's to Love: A sexy, boho paradise in a charming town with well-worn thatched roofs, mosquito netting, and white linen curtains blowing in the ocean breeze. Insane seaside views, affordable prices, ocean-front suite with endless views of the blue-on-blue Pacific. The hotel's Italian restaurant serves amazing wood-burning pizzas and fresh ocean catches.
Good to Know: Request a villa with a private plunge pool. Bathing suits optional.

Imanta
Punta Mita

What's to Love: Only eight villas on 250 acres of pristine rainforest. Private beach, private infinity pools. Takes eco-chic to a new level.
Good to know: The new GM's family breeds show horses in Portugal and he organizes midnight rides on the beach for guests.

Rancho Pescadero 

Todos Santos
What's to Love: Total seclusion and private beach bonfires. Some rooms have private roof decks with daybeds for gazing at the ocean and lounging under the stars. The farm-to-table food is excellent, and the quality of Mexican wines will surprise you.
Good to Know: The cilantro margaritas go down way too easily. You can spot whales from December through March.
Read More on Fathom: See our Rancho Pescadero postcard.

The Cape, A Thompson Hotel
 Cabo San Lucas
What's to Love: Incredible cuisine, impeccable views, and endless surf. What's not to love?

The Tides Zihuatanejo 

Ixtapa
What's to Love: No two adobe-inspired casitas are exactly alike, but all have a private terrace and suites have infinity pools. The private, palm-studded beach is gorgeous; white-linen table service comes to your palapa faster than you can request no salt on your margarita. 

Good to Know: For a taste of local culture, go to Mercado Municipal, a bazaar of fresh fruits, handmade huarache sandals, and amulets that attract lovers or ward off enemies.

Verana
Yelapa
What's to Love: Beautiful, extremely undeveloped place. Enveloping, outstanding, but unobtrusively designed rustic-modern spaces.
Good to Know: From Puerto Vallarta, take a taxi or bus to Baca de Tomatlan. One of the hotel's boats will ferry you to their dock, then it's just a short walk up a mountain to paradise. You won't want to leave, but the spa, fishing excursions, and day trips to the nearby island beaches are worth it. Be back in time for dinner — especially if it's taco night.

The Caribbean

Jashita Hotel
Tulum
What's to Love: Modern luxury and privacy set away (but not too far) from the groovy crowds on the main Tulum beach. 

Good to Know: The owners (friendly, knowledgeable Italian transplants) will take you out to their private reef for a gorgeous snorkel if you ask.
Read More on Fathom: It's a Family Affair at Jashita

Maroma
Riviera Maya
What's to Love: Beautiful, boutique hotel on Caribbean waters steps from the beach with the kindest, most personal staff. Paradise: a four-hour flight from NYC.
Good to Know: An ocean-view room is a must. Splurge for the suite if you're staying more than a couple days. Breakfast is included and is delicious: handmade tortillas every morning, tableside.

Hotel Esencia
Riviera Maya
What's to Love: You land in Cancun and drive an hour south. You turn left into the edge of the jungle and are escorted via golf cart through a thicket of vines — cue the peacocks calling out their welcome — emerging onto the quietly grand former estate of an Italian duchess, who you're told built this place to be near her lover. You pass turtles swimming a small cenote, pause for afternoon tea in the sitting room, and check into your room — a sea of white punctuated by a colorful pillow, a dramatic palm frond. Two pools await, as does a secluded beach along a gentle bay. Go-go Tulum is close by, as are excellent archaeological and ecological sites, but if all you want to think about is morning yoga, another bottle of Casa Madero rosé, the guacamole and tacos at Mistura restaurant, and getting back to the day bed along the shore, you're making the right decision.

Rosewood Mayakoba
Playa del Carmen
What's to Love: Beach meets jungle. Privacy meets opulence.
Good to Know: The massive Sense spa is on its own island within the complex. The steam grotto is made for mischief.

Villas Flamingos
Holbox, Yucatan
What's to Love: Sunrises and sunsets. The eco-charming hotel sits on a very quiet beach and has spectacular sun shows. To ensure you get the point that relaxing is fundamental, there are hammocks in prime locations along the beach, and every room has a hammock on the terrace.
Good to Know: Holbox is a hot house of amazing flora and fauna. You'll be getting in touch with nature, so pack a camera, sketch pad, binoculars, and a comfortable pair of pants. Look for whale sharks, dolphins, birds, pumas, and flowers, then comb the beach via horseback. Yum Balam Nature Reserve, a protected natural area perfect for walks, is part of the small island.

Villa Rolandi
Isla Mujeres
What's to Love: The hotel is located on the opposite end of the island, away from the island's crowded downtown and all other hotels. The spa is luxurious and has many couples treatments.
Good to Know: All rooms are ocean/beach/pool facing with great views, but rooms on the second floor provide more privacy. On the first floor, you could walk from your patio to the pool, about five feet away. That might feel too close to other people.
Read More on Fathom: Una Mujer on Isla Mujeres

The Country

Hacienda de San Antonio
Colima
What's to Love: An intimate inn nestled in the mountains where rooms have crazy charm. Privacy is prized here: You'll feel like you have the run of the place.
Good to Know: Lack of cell phone reception forces you to be in the moment.

La Purificadora
Puebla
What's to Love: Amazing design of a converted water purification plant. 

Good to Know: The lap pool on the terrace was built for showing off.

Maison Couturier
Veracruz
What's to Love: A cozy B&B set amid coffee plantations and citrus farms.
Good to know: The amazing El Tajin pyramids are a short distance away.

Quinta Real Zacatecas
Zacatecas, Mexico
What's to love: The hotel built within the restored San Pedro bullfighting ring has since 1866 hosted some of the best toreros in Mexican history. And now it caters to other passions in spacious luxury suites furnished with period pieces, bubbling baths, and original works of art.

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The World's Most Romantic Hotels

Contributors: Ondine Cohane, Camilla Ferenczi, Lauren Finocchiaro, Tara Gallagher, Riva Horwitz, Juliana Jaoudi, Rafael Micha, Jen Murphy, Charyn Pfeuffer, Beth Silverman, Brittany Schwartz.