Palace at Playa Grande

This 21-room boutique hotel is reminiscent of an Indian Moghul palace, with carved stone columns, onion domes, statues of Ganesh, and peacocks strutting through the landscaped tropical gardens. King of the crop here are the glass-fronted suites cut into the cliff, facing the ocean over steps down to Jacuzzis and the beach. Rooms have four-poster beds with silk drapery and tall ceilings; amenities include plush robes and slippers, complimentary Wi-Fi, and water-sports equipment like snorkeling gear. Guests can also enjoy the 1,000-foot private beach, a swimming pool with a swim-up bar, and old-fashioned pastimes such as table tennis and board games.