The early days of Mexican tourism were one-dimensional: most saw travel there as an opportunity for cheap food and drinks to enjoy on the beach. While the beaches are as glorious as ever – and prices are still kind to travelers wallets – the country has blossomed into a destination for all seasons, a land of historic intrigue, immense culinary appeal, and expansive natural beauty that runs the gamut from desert to sea. The Luxury Travel Agency has spent more and more time in Mexico, and every time we return, we find more to love! Below are a handful of our favourite luxurious properties to plan a trip around.
Luxurious Properties – Peninsular Paradise
The shining star of Mexican tourism has long been the collection of beachfront resorts on the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula, where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea. Everyone’s heard of Cancún, but the city is merely a gateway to the ultra-luxurious properties that dot the coastline. You don’t have to go far to find the first on our list, a mere fifteen-minute drive from the Cancún Airport: the impossibly picturesque NIZUC Resort & Spa.
Just minutes from the airport, NIZUC guests will have their toes in the sand in no time!
Here is a property that was recently voted to be, “The Most Instagrammable Hotel in the World” – if that doesn’t draw you in, nothing will! The resort is built with the finest in modern comfort, injected with a distinctly Mayan style that renders its overall aesthetic completely unique. The best example of this might be its 30,000-square-foot ESPA wellness center, the first of its kind in the region. Ancient Mayan principles are imbedded in contemporary techniques, producing treatments which not only do wonders for your mind and body, but connect your soul to this amazing environment and a tradition hundreds of years old. Six fantastic restaurants offer a vast range of culinary delicacies, from exceptional Peruvian small plates to wood-fired Italian pizzas and everything in between. There are few resorts in the world that marry this level of quality with airport proximity – NIZUC is certainly one not to miss.
Less than an hour south along the coast, travelers will find a property that lays claim to being not only Mexico’s best, but one of the finest the world over – a claim it has no trouble backing up. The Rosewood Mayakoba is a sprawling haven of tropical luxury, set within a 620-acre resort enclave that offers the ultimate in privacy and security for its guests. This resort is a world within a world, an oasis of lagoons and soft white sand – the type of place to get lost in, and never want to be found!
Lagoon Suites at the Rosewood are impeccably designed – perfect romantic hideaways
The property’s 129 suites begin with gorgeous units built over the winding lagoons, and work their way up to the beachfront accommodations, where guests can stroll off their expansive wooden terraces right onto the inviting sands. There are few resorts more romantic than the Rosewood; the lush jungles surrounding your expansive suite, the inviting personal plunge pools, the all-encompassing sense of seclusion that puts mind and body at ease. And while this magical atmosphere might make it difficult – if not impossible – to venture off the property, there are more than enough reasons for doing so. History lovers will marvel at the staggering Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá and Ek Balam, while those with an explorer’s mind will jump at the chance to swim in the nearby cenotes, water-filled caves that were sacred to the Mayans. A truly special honeymoon journey through the Americas should undoubtedly have this property on the itinerary!
Luxurious Properties – Lovely Los Cabos
While Mexico’s east coast was the first to gain worldwide fame, it’s the Pacific side which may soon wrest away the mantle of the country’s premier place to be. The Baja California Peninsula juts down from the mainland, an immense spike with ocean on both sides, ripe for luxury travel, its hotspots less “all-inclusive package” and more “those-in-the-know”. Chief among these is the municipality of Los Cabos, occupying the very southern tip of the peninsula. This is where the Mexican Pacific’s best of the best are found, including the Montage Los Cabos, a luxurious property in every sense of the word.
It’s a desert-meets-sea aesthetic at the Montage Los Cabos
On the Baja Peninsula, the jungles of the Gulf Coast give way to a much different environment – think southern California with gratuitous helpings of seafood and mezcal. The Montage’s 39 acres and everything upon it bring this energy to life. The property’s signature restaurant (itself called Mezcal, appropriately) reinvents time-honoured Mexican practices into a brilliant menu of creative, modern dishes. The terrain here, much more accessible than the Gulf side, offers guests the opportunity to explore on mountain bikes, ATVs, and even enjoy a night of exclusive glamping! On the water, there are just as many adventures: surfers are blessed with an extensive range of surf breaks, while those with an underwater bent will adore snorkeling and diving at Cabo Pulmo, a world-class coral reef. The Montage Los Cabos is a property with a little bit of something for everyone!
Half an hour south along the coast, mere minutes from the pulsing heart of Cabo San Lucas, lies the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal. This luxurious property enjoys a cliffside location that provides guests with extraordinary views of the Pacific Ocean. Every single room category here is equipped with an expansive terrace and a private plunge pool – after all, what good is a million-dollar view if you can’t properly enjoy it?
Clifftop perches provide Mexico’s best views at the Waldorf!
For those who are always keen to be in the midst of the action, the Waldorf Astoria Pedregal is the property for you. Downtown Cabo, with its shopping, dining, and all-night parties, is a mere ten-minute drive from the resort – there are no finer luxury options so close to the heart of the region. Yet guests on the property will feel a world away from hustle and bustle. Perched on one of the largest and most brilliant beaches on Cabo, it’s easy to while your days away in complete tranquility; no less than four pools (not including the one in your room) course through the grounds, while the Spa’s ten private rooms host treatments inspired by the lunar phases – a true Mexican tradition. Whether you’re in Cabo to enjoy the nightlife or to escape it, the Waldorf Astoria provides the exceptional best of both worlds.
Luxurious Properties – Cultural Cornerstones
Of course, Mexico is more – much more – than a collection of beautiful beaches. A few hours north of Mexico City, high above sea level in the country’s center, lies the enchanting city of San Miguel de Allende. Populated by indigenous peoples before the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, this is a region with ancient history and the cultural weight to show it off. San Miguel has long been a haven for artists, its architecture and galleries exuding a unique blend of timeless Mexican principles with streaks of foreign influence. Painters, sculptors, musicians, writers – all have been inspired by, and in turn inspire, the very fabric of the city. San Miguel’s cultural clout has given rise to a number of luxurious properties that do an impeccable job of creating a “sense of place” – perhaps none better than the Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada.
You can hear the history echoing from every corner of the Belmond’s historic walls
A collection of 17th & 18th-century buildings, the Casa is a gorgeous hideaway for savvy visitors to San Miguel de Allende. With only 37 rooms and suites, there are no monolithic structures or super-sized towers to ruin the vibe; instead, guests are encouraged to explore the courtyards and gardens, beguiling surprises at every turn. In the spirit of the city’s artistic inclinations, no two rooms are alike. Stone fireplaces, private libraries, breezy terraces – this property is full of treasures, and acts as a perfect balance to the coastal brilliance of Mexico’s more well-known locales.
Finally, one cannot – or at least, should not – complete a trip to Mexico without a stay in the sprawling exuberance of the nation’s capital, Mexico City. For locals, the city has always been a place of power, the center of all things political, cultural, intellectual. Its international reputation has taken some time to catch up; today, Mexico City has emerged as a true destination in itself, a can’t-miss capital for travelers with a thirst for the best. There are plenty of hotels to pick from, but one that The Luxury Travel Agency can’t recommend highly enough is The St. Regis Mexico City.
The light-splashed Diana Restaurant is just one of the St. Regis’ fantastic features
The hotel has long enjoyed a glittering array of awards and recognition from industry critics, and guests will understand why from the moment they arrive. Soaring interiors give way to plush rooms and suites, each offering floor-to-ceiling views of the fabled city. Everything is done in impeccable taste, with sleek furnishings complementing a thoroughly modern style that resonates throughout the building. Mexico City is known as a destination of endless culinary delights, but you may have trouble straying from the offerings under your own roof; a mouthwatering array of options is highlighted by La Table Krug, an intimate jewel where the chef’s best dishes are built into an eight-course menu, all paired with the world-famous Krug champagne. For your stay in the nation’s capital, there is no better address to consider!
These and the rest of Mexico’s incredible properties are part of The Luxury Travel Agency’s unmatched Partner Hotel network. At all of our Partner Hotels & Resorts, we’ll provide you with the very lowest rates available anywhere, along with free benefits such as room upgrades, daily breakfast, exclusive experiences, dining credits, VIP status, and so much more! All this simply for booking with The Luxury Travel Agency.
We can help with everything from a simple hotel or resort booking to complete travel planning, including yacht and private jet charters, villas, and more! Contact us today via Whatsapp or telephone at +1-647-551-4560 and let’s start planning your next trip.
Interested in more tropical trip-planning? Check out our articles on luxurious properties in the Caribbean, Oceania, and Asia to get those travel wheels turning!
