This prestigious 'pink and white paradise' with its secluded casitas and 250 swimming pools is bigger than most of our other Mexican recommendations, but the privacy and indulgence of the accommodations make it one of our favorite choices in Acapulco.

The excellent service and personal attention are more typical of a small and intimate resort, and you won't find crowds here even in high season. Romantics and honeymooners will revel in the seclusion of their casitas and we'd particularly recommend the Private Pool or Brisas Beach Club casitas for those who seek real privacy.

The Ambiance Villas has a perfect beachfront location that provides high quality accommodation with self-catering facilities and child-friendly amenities.

Guests can choose a luxurious one bedroom suite, with fully equipped kitchen and comfortable sitting room, and then add one or two more bedrooms as required. The suites are also indulgent enough for honeymooners, with their spacious king bedrooms and large dressing area. For an economical choice, there is also a range of large one-room studios with kitchenettes.

A village of brightly painted one and two bedroom casitas, all with ocean views from their spacious terraces, perched above the beautiful Playa Rosa beach.  Many of the casitas have splash pools or oversized Jacuzzis on their terraces.  Each has a fully equipped kitchen and daily maid service is included in the rates.  Full concierge service is available and babysitters can be arranged, so the casitas will appeal to both honeymooners and families alike.  The casitas are adjacent to the Careyes Hotel and Spa and the closest airports are Manzanillo (about 90 minutes away) and Puerto Vallarta (2 hours 30 minutes away). This is an area of outstanding natural beauty, with palm-fringed beaches and glorious sunsets.

The rich and famous head to Las Alamandas for its seclusion and privacy - with a maximum capacity of 30 guests in a paradise of 1,500 acres, you may never even see any other visitors.  The hotel  is the creation of Isabelle Goldsmith, granddaughter of the Bolivian 'Tin King' Don Antenor Patino and daughter of the British financier Sir James Goldsmith.  On inheriting from her grandfather the ecologically rich reserves where Don Patino had planned a mega-resort, Miss Goldsmith visualized a discrete hideaway of exquisite taste.

The results are quite extraordinary.  With vast financial resources and a distinguished background, Miss Goldsmith might have created the type of resort where jewels and couture were flaunted by day and night, and where guests were insulated from any kind of local culture.  Instead, with a skilful eye for color and an instinctive appreciation of Mexico's indigenous crafts, Las Alamandas was conceived as a very relaxed, very Mexican retreat.

The thatched roof casitas of the Bahia de la Luna hotel are nestled around a beautiful bay that has one of the best swimming beaches in the area.  The accommodations may be simple, but the location is stunning; it is incredibly private and secluded and yet only a short drive to the nearest town.  You may share the pristine bay with sea turtles, manta rays, dophins or even whales, whilst a rich variety of birds and wildlife inhabit the hills behind the beach.  The casitas have either one or two bedrooms and work well for families.  They have electricity, good ceiling fans and nice bathrooms with showers (though the water in the showers is not heated).  All meals are served in the delightful beachfront restaurant, where fresh fish and seafood are specialties and the prices are very reasonable for such beautifully prepared dishes.  Lunch is offered a la carte and the three course set dinner menu changes daily, but dietary restrictions can be catered for. Highly recommended as a barefoot and get-away-from-it-all adventure!

Playa Azul is a lovely small hotel that positively oozes with Mexican charm. Located in a quiet area of Cozumel, just opposite Cozumel Country Club, it is just 10 minutes drive from the main town, San Miguel, and the ferrry dock.

The hotel has just 50 rooms, in both the original hotel building and a newer section located around the pool. Room interiors are bright and spacious and feature lovely pieces of Mexican arts and crafts throughout, and almost all have great views of the Caribbean. It offers an excellent selection of accommodation from romantic Master Suites for couples, spacious Suites for families, and versatile Standard Rooms that are perfect for couples, friends or families with young children.

Rancho Leonero is situated on Baja's beautiful East Cape and offers charming thatched roof bungalows and the calm, incredibly enticing ocean.

We enjoyed our best off-the-beach snorkeling in Mexico here; the water is so clear that you barely need a mask to see the multitude of colorful fish in the shallow water. And it's spectacularly remote - the Rancho estate includes two miles of pristine coastline and access is via an unpaved road that winds through a spectacular desert landscape.

With its superb pool and great beach, the Camino Real Zaashila is a tropical delight for both families and couples.  The Deluxe Rooms are spacious, easily sufficient for two adults and two small children who don't mind sharing two double beds and one bathroom.  They are slightly elevated so have good views over the bay and are close to all the amenities.  The Club rooms also offer a pretty plunge pool.

The virtually uninhabited island of Espiritu Santo plays host to one of the most luxurious of camp-hotels. Five safari-style tents lie on a pristine beach, with a maximum of ten people at any one time to share the starkly beautiful landscape, the spectacularly clear ocean and the breathtaking night sky.

Add to this some of the finest cuisine you'll find anywhere on the Baja peninsula (we enjoyed scallop carpaccio, chocolate clams, delicately flavored seafood pasta and flambéed bananas during our stay) and the genuinely warm hospitality, and the result is close to perfection.

Note: Baja Camp is only open from May to early October.

The little island of Holbox is about three hours from Cancun but the journey is worthwhile, for at the end you'll find Villas Delfines, an enclave of thatched-roof casitas by a wide and deserted beach, a natural paradise and a perfect escape from the crowds.

It's a great destination for fishing and bird watching, and the hotel offers some excellent excursions. The enchanting casitas, with their huge terraces and hammocks, are idyllic tropical hideaway cottages and they're also big enough to accommodate a family with two or three children - kids will love the huge beach with its powder soft sand scattered with seashells.

An intimate boutique hotel with stylish rooms, a great restaurant, and reasonable prices too. It's no surprise that the Cabo Surf attracts a high number of repeat guests, and runs close to full occupancy throughout the year.

But book early and you can reserve a room with one of the best ocean views around, a suite that's big enough to accommodate up to 8 people comfortably, or a Junior Suite with a kitchenette and dining area.

Lauded as one of the most luxurious properties in the world, Las Ventanas al Paraiso maintains its high reputation with outstanding service and constant innovations.

One of the first properties to furnish guest rooms with a telescope for star gazing or whale watching, its recently added a fleet of convertible Mini Coopers for guests use.

Pre-loaded iPods and Sony LocationFree TVs are available pool-side and there's even a Department of Romance overseen by a Director of Romance (perfect for extravagant honeymoons!).

This small artistically designed hotel is located in the very center of Playa del Carmen; just a few blocks from the beach and a block away from 5th Avenue.  There are just twelve imaginatively styled guest rooms that are arranged around pretty courtyard gardens.

Its white stucco buildings and terraces adorned with colourful plants are inspired by Greek architecture.  Rooms feature plasma TVs, air-conditioning, ceiling fans and mini-bars.   They feature artwork from the owner and face the peaceful tropical gardens

Ideally located at the end of Playa del Carmen's lively 5th Avenue this small hotel is an excellent choice for families. It's just a pleasant ten-minute stroll into the center of town, passing some wonderful bars and restaurants en-route, but without the noise of more centrally located hotels.

It's also just one block from the finest stretch of beach in Playa del Carmen, where you'll find the most popular beach clubs (hotel guests enjoy complimentary access to one of these clubs, so they can use the sun loungers and beach towels there and of course enjoy bar service by the ocean).

Excellent facilities together with a beachside location and the best restaurant in town make the Santa Fe an ideal choice for those wanting a resort vacation with real Mexican flavor.

We like to spend our evenings here in the thatched-roof open-sided restaurant, overlooking Playa Zicaleta. It's the best place around for cocktails at sunset - we recommend you order the tasty guacamole with your drinks. The restaurant specializes in seafood and vegetarian dishes and has a casual atmosphere - but arrive early for the best tables.

It's an easy walk along the bay into the pretty town, but the Santa Fe has everything you need for a relaxing break and you may be tempted not to stray far.

The luxury of Casa Velas Hotel Boutique might be a surprise to many.   Hidden away just back from the ocean, the tranquillity and intimacy of the property together with the superb facilities make this a welcome change from the high rise hotel zone.

Formerly known as the Quinta Real, the property has always had an excellent reputation for its cuisine.  The Casa Velas is now an all-inclusive property yet it maintains the same high levels of food and service.  Children are no longer accepted in the main seasons, so it is a complete contrast to most of the other all-inclusive properties in the region.

The recent addition of a private Beach Club, with infinity pool, restaurant and air-conditioned TV lounge, plus a full-service spa had already elevated the property's appeal and it remains our top choice for charm and luxury in Puerto Vallarta.

This small luxury hotel located in downtown Puerto Vallarta is guaranteed to surprise and delight.  We loved the impressive range of guest rooms, all beautifully furnished and including some very special suites.  If you've been searching for something out of the ordinary for a honeymoon or other romantic occasion but don't want to sacrifice a central location, we recommend that you check out the Honeymoon Suites with their huge terraces and outdoor Jacuzzis or the sumptuous Master Suites.  The latter must some of the finest accommodations in town, boasting indoor and outdoor whirlpools and breathtaking views up and down the Bay of Banderas.

Villa Premiere Hotel & Spa is a premium all-inclusive property with an optional European Plan (no meals, drinks or activities included). Guests may select the plan of their choice when booking.  Guests at the Villa Premiere must be at least sixteen years old and conscious efforts are made to create an elegant and formal ambiance. 

Al Cielo is located on a fabulously long, wide powder-soft beach on Mexico's Caribbean coast. For those yearning for the simple life, it is heaven indeed.

The hotel has a chic "bare feet and linen" restaurant, a couple of beach bars within walking distance, and just four rooms - each with balcony or terrace and hammock and all with views of the dazzling Caribbean beach.

Mayakoba is a group of luxurious and prestigious resorts which have been developed in the tropical forests and mangroves that edge an idyllic stretch of Caribbean coast.  The Fairmont was the first resort to open here and offers extensive facilities and amenities including championship golf course, Willow Stream Spa, fitness room, restaurants and swimming pools.   Many of the rooms are arranged in small buildings of just two or four and set around one of the many fresh water rivers that run through the resort.  This is an excellent choice for families with children of all ages, as well as being a romantic and exotic retreat for couples.

Maroma is truly special - a discreet hideaway on a perfect Caribbean beach with a welcome that makes you feel at home within minutes. You won't believe that you're less than an hour from the crowds at Cancun - from the moment you leave the coastal highway you really are in a different world. After clearance at the gatekeeper's lodge, it takes a good fifteen minutes' bumpy drive through the jungle before you catch a glimpse of white stucco walls and thatched turrets.

Within you'll find a world of rounded white walls, lush green foliage and stylish furnishings, with views of the turquoise Caribbean and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

The Four Seasons' newest Mexican property lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty.  Secluded, pristine beaches and unusually calm and clear ocean make swimming and water sports especially enticing.  These beaches are the nesting grounds of several species of marine turtle, and whales, dolphins and manta rays are occasional visitors.  For the moment this is the only resort in the area, although more are planned, and the relatively small scale of the resort adds a sense of exclusivity and privacy.

We recommend the resort to couples looking for some serious pampering - a world class spa and breathtakingly scenic golf course may be reasons enough alone for a visit.  Punta Mita is also a great place for families.  The surprisingly child friendly facilities and the "Kids for all Seasons" club mean that parents have time for some private relaxation.  But don't worry if you want to escape the family environment - there's plenty of space for everyone and even during the busiest holiday season, it's still possible to find a secluded beach of your own.  

A chic and exceptionally stylish small hotel with a superb restaurant that's just a few steps from the excellent restaurants, art galleries and chic wine bars of San Jose del Cabo.

The high walled courtyard of the hotel offers a cool and peaceful haven from the hustle and bustle of the little town. All of the rooms are decorated in bright and vibrant colors with beautiful artistic touches and features. We particularly like the mix of indoor and outdoor living space that offers both privacy and great views.

Looking for some high tech amenities and modern conveniences in Tulum?  Be Tulum could be the first of a new wave of design hotels in this bohemian beach town.  Only a few years ago hot showers were a luxury here, but now Be Tulum offers Jacuzzi tubs and glamorous rooftop plunge pools.  The 20 suites are housed in two story buildings, with the Ocean Suites being beachfront, followed by the Arena Suites and then Jungle Suites to the rear of the property.  In the Arena and Jungle Suites, ground floor rooms have plunge pools whilst the second floor rooms have Jacuzzi tubs.  The two Ocean Suites occupy the prime beachfront, second floor locations.  Their generously sized rooftop plunge pools offer amazing views over the jungle canopy and the ocean. All suites have air-conditioning, spacious interiors and floor to ceiling windows.

This unique small resort is located on a wonderful beach in Tulum.  There are just 7 beautifully appointed rooms.  The style of the property is very different to others in this area.  It is less beach cabana and more of a elegant but rustic hotel.  Canopied beds, rattan furniture and cream stone bathrooms which feature a large soaking tub add to the style. 

The hotel has a very good spa which offers a range of services from massages to facials and some wonderful spa ritual packages.  There is a small restaurant which serves breakfast.  Lunch and dinner are available with prior reservation.  The hotel is also within walking distance of several other good restaurants.

A wonderfully rustic hotel located on a beach of cool white sand that stretches as far as the eye can see. The water here is incredibly clear making it a superb location for swimming and snorkeling.

This simple hotel is a true getaway; perfect for those who yearn for rest and relaxation. With some rooms directly on the beach and others just a little way behind you are never far from the tempting waters of the Caribbean.  Several rooms have a king bed and a second bed (beachfront rooms have a king and a queen bed).

Hemingway is the perfect spot to escape the pressures of day-to-day life and get back to nature in true Mexican style.

Mezzanine is changing the sleepy image of Tulum with its inspired modern design and a lively party beat. It's set to become the coolest bar in town, and the four guestrooms are guaranteed to be amongst the most coveted addresses for the in-crowd.

Positioned just yards from the ocean, the guest rooms are eminently comfortable as well as being sleek and stylish. Each has a double height sleeping area and novel mezzanine level for additional guests or for lounging.

A small and friendly rustic resort located on a beautiful stretch of beach with comfortable, spotlessly clean rooms and a great restaurant. Though the rooms themselves aren't directly on the beach, they are all only a few steps away and most have glimpses of the powder-white sand and turquoise ocean.

Although there are no electrical outlets there is 24-hour electrical lighting and the recent addition of surprisingly effective tower fans ensures that the rooms are kept cool in the evenings.  We were also pleasantly surprised to find other amenities not typically found in this part of Tulum, including room service, and wireless internet access in the restaurant and surrounding beach area.

Brisas del Mar is a charming small hotel with an excellent location.  It's situated right on Madera beach, just a short walk by the sea from the center of Zihuatanejo town.  The hotel is perfect for families and offers an excellent range of accommodation with plenty of space and good facilities. 

The hotel is built down a steep hill and as a result there are several flights of stairs separating the rooms and hotel facilities; as there is no elevator it wouldn't be a good choice for elderly people or anyone with mobility problems.

El Murmullo is the sister property to la Casa que Canta and was formerly a private residence.  The stunning terracotta colored building is located on a bluff projecting into the bay and enjoys breathtaking ocean views.  Playa la Ropa, one of the most beautiful beaches in the area, is just a few steps from the entrance to the house and Zihuatanejo's colorful town is just a short cab ride away.

There are just four luxurious suites at El Murmullo and it is an ideal choice for small groups (up to eight people).  Reserving the property in its entirety would allow the group exclusive access to the beautiful infinity pool, with swim up bar, and the magnificently furnished reception areas and lounges of the Casa.