Romantic Escapes

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.

This tranquil and indulgent hideaway is one of our favorite locations for a weekend escape with a loved one.  It has all the ingredients for a perfect getaway - sumptuous rooms with wood burning fireplaces, cozy terraces and an exquisite and very romantic restaurant.  

Alamos itself is a colonial town of great character with a history of silver mining, revolution and ghosts.  There are a number of colorful fiestas and plenty of natural and cultural attractions - excursions available include river trips to Mayo Indian villages, bird watching and tropical forest tours.  The proximity to the incredible Copper Canyon, home to one of the world's most scenic railroad journeys, also makes the Hacienda an obvious choice for a vacation combining sightseeing and pampering.

Located in Campeche this 17th century hacienda has been carefully and sympathetically restored to its former glory. Many of the hacienda's original features are still evident, from its thick stone walls to the beautifully tiled floors.

With just 16 rooms, the hotel feels small and intimate, more like a grand home than a hotel. With every luxury to pamper guests, from its excellent restaurant to the unique swimming pool, it's a great place relax and unwind. The decor and furnishing of the guest rooms is elegant and lavish, reflecting the opulence and style of the hacienda's heyday.

Located on the fringes of the Chichen Itza site, the Hacienda Chichen is a perfect base to explore this world-famous landmark.

After a day exploring the ancient city, you can stroll back to your air-conditioned room or take a refreshing dip in the Hacienda's large swimming pool. In the evening, enjoy a lingering meal in the original 16th Century Casco or main house before taking in the Sound and Light show at the ruins.

This secluded resort is a perfect blend of rusticity, romance and sheer indulgence.  The Tamarindo is set in two thousand acres of rainforest; an area of breathtaking natural beauty where wooded ravines meet the palm fringed Pacific shores.  The attractions include one of the most spectacular golf courses in the country, several secluded beaches and an enticing clear blue sea.

With such inspiring surroundings the last place guests will want to spend time is in their room.  In response, the Tamarindo's villas offer a rare treat of expansive, private and sublimely comfortable outdoor living spaces - huge palapa topped verandahs opening out from stylish interiors and just steps away from a private plunge pool or Jacuzzi.

Some villas have ocean views, others are hidden amongst dense pine groves higher up the hillside.   Although tropical in appearance, the villas include all modern amenities, including air-conditioning, refrigerators, direct dial telephone and oversized bathrooms.  

Las Mananitas is well known as one of the country's finest restaurants, but many people are unaware of the delightful accommodations also offered within the spectacular gardens.  There are 21 rooms and suites, most enjoying views of the colorful shrubs, tropical greenery and carefully maintained lawns that surround the property, as well as its resident collection of peacocks, parrots and other tropical birds.  It's incredible to imagine that this little paradise lies not only close to the heart of Cuernavaca but also within only an hour or two of the world's largest metropolis of Mexico City.

For business people with meetings in the city, Las Mananitas is the perfect weekend escape.  It's also the ideal start or end to a vacation for those who would rather not stay in the capital - there are many interesting sights in Cuernavaca, including a majestic Cathedral, Hernan Cortes' Palace, and some fine museums - all within walking distance of Las Mananitas. 

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.

A current favorite of Hollywood stars and a member of the prestigious Auberge Resort group, Esperanza is an elegant and tranquil hideaway. Guests return here time after time to enjoy blissful dinners under the stars, wallow in the infinity pool while watching the waves crash on the rocks below, and to indulge in a comprehensive range of naturally therapeutic spa treatments.

Each of the resorts' casitas has a large balcony or terrace with ocean views, a fabulously equipped bedroom and a lavish bathroom.

The lavish remodeling of the already-legendary Palmilla has boosted the resort to the top rank of super-luxury hotels in Los Cabos. You won't find a better class of hotel anywhere in Latin America. It's impossible to overstate the decadence here - from butler service in every room to the opportunity to reserve your own private cove, complete with four-poster bed and over-water sun loungers. The main restaurant 'C' is one of the finest we've experienced, while the lush spa and golf facilities are second to none.

Although Palmilla is heavenly for honeymooners, families too can enjoy the superb facilities; there's a special Club house for kids and an activities program for children from four to eleven years old.

With just fifteen sumptuous guest rooms, the Hacienda San Jose offers guests the chance to experience the lavish lifestyle of the henequen lords.

The Hacienda is ideally situated close to Chichen Itza and many other of the "must-sees" of the Yucatan, yet also offers guests the chance to lighten their sightseeing trip with a little indulgent relaxation.

This 17th century colonial building is without doubt a very special place, and a real treasure right in the heart of Merida.

Whether you choose one of the beautifully decorated and maintained Standard rooms, the unique Special Class room or even an exquisite Suite - you'll be enchanted by this hotel's charms.

Formerly the 16th Century convent of Santa Catalina, the hotel is a beautiful combination of the historical, together with the excellent facilities and services of the prestigious Camino Real Group.

In one of the bougainvillea decked courtyards is a stunning swimming pool, surrounded by ancient stone walls, restored frescoes and flowering shrubs. In another, tables from the restaurant spill out under colonnades, and echoes of Gregorian chants drift in the breeze.

The hottest place to stay in Mexico City right now is the ultra-modern W Hotel, with its vibrant red interiors and buzzing lounge bar.  Although critics may say that the hotel lacks traditional Mexican flavor, we reckon that it offers the perfect opportunity to witness the every day city life of the affluent young Mexicans who frequent this area.  The bar is usually full of dating couples, smart business people and occasional tourists, and it stays busy often until the early hours.  The restaurant also serves until at least midnight and the menu includes a "by the piece" section featuring sushi, satay, tempura and oysters - perfect for late night nibbles.

The W's location in up-market Polanco is ideal for sightseeing, being close to the museums and parks, and is also convenient for the city's best restaurants.  Don't forget to save some time to enjoy the fantastic spa facilities at the hotel - these have to be some of the best we've seen in a city property.

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.

Casa del Agua offers the perfect combination for us; it is a stylish, intimate villa in a beautifully tranquil setting, yet within easy reach of many activities. It is quite unique, and having been built from local materials and in Yucatecan style, is quite unobtrusive on the palm fringed white sand beach.

Each of the four Suites here is completely different, beautifully designed and decorated, and each has its own special feature.

Le Reve is an intimate and romantic little hotel located right on Playa Xcalacoco which is approximately 10 minutes drive from Playa del Carmen.  The twenty five rooms are simple but chic with white minimal interiors which are accented by brightly colored accessories and traditional hand-made tiles from Merida. Almost all of the rooms have ocean views while the Beach Front  Bungalows have prime positions right on the edge of the beach.  The resort has a beautiful freeform swimming pool facing the ocean, a small spa area and beachfront bar.  There is an excellent restaurant with a further bar which has a great ambiance at night. 

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.

With luxurious rooms arranged throughout several exquisitely restored mansions, the Casa Sierra Nevada is the ultimate place to stay in San Miguel. Guest rooms boast wood burning fires or sunny terraces, and the room service is impeccable.

For a break from the rigors of sightseeing spend an afternoon by the magnificent heated swimming pool, delightfully set in a gardened courtyard.  In the evening enjoy a gourmet restaurant, one of the most highly regarded in the country, and one of our favorites for its sumptuous decor and refined elegance.

The Todos Santos Inn is a real gem with quality accommodations that are full of period charm and comfortable elegance. It serves as a wondefully luxurious base for excursions into the area's desert landscapes and Pacific beaches. It's also an ideal escape from the commercialized Capes and even a few days will leave you with a taste of the real Mexico.

Romantics will love the hotel's suites: lavishly decorated and very tranquil accommodations, each with a private terrace. The standard rooms have also been furnished with a care and attention to detail that is rarely found in larger establishments.   Recent additions include a small pool and cozy wine bar.

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.

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.

The Hacienda Santa Rosa is a true haven for those intent on seeing the very best that the Yucatan has to offer. We particularly like the intimacy and serenity of the Santa Rosa. A visit here is rather like staying with friends - the welcome is warm and sincere and it's fun to watch the daily activity around this rather grand house.

Rooms offer glorious oversized bathrooms, soaring ceilings - some more than twenty feet high - and enormous, heavy doors that lend so much to the atmosphere. Some original floor tiles also remain, and the rough walls have been repainted in typically Mexican yellows, oranges and blues.

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.

This wonderfully romantic property comes pretty close to our idea of perfection.  The guest rooms capture all of the colors and charms of this richly-textured country and the suites include some of the most luxurious accommodations you'll find anywhere.  Lush tropical gardens stretch right to the sands, where you'll find the surprisingly sophisticated palapa-roofed restaurant "la Villa" and engaging boat-shaped bar.  A further restaurant "la Cantina" has tables spilling out onto the sands and serves Mexican dishes and seafood.

The ambience of the Tides Zihuatanejo is just perfect for a beach resort; relaxed and low key in the daytime, enchantingly elegant in the evening.  And although the Tides has now grown to encompass a total of seventy rooms and suites it still has all the charm and intimacy of a boutique hotel.