The Top 15 Resort Hotels in Mexico in 2019

Resort at Pedregal
Photo: Courtesy of The Resort at Pedregal

Mexico's resorts are perennial favorites among globetrotters. With a variety of beach options, rich heritage, and fantastic food, you'll be hard-pressed to find a place that's got more to offer within such easy reach of American travelers. Other destinations may have their moments, but if you're looking for a culturally immersive beach getaway that's just a direct flight away, Mexico's the place to be — and it's tough to beat the appeal of seaside shrimp tacos and margaritas that flow like water.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.

Related: The World's Best Awards 2019

The country's Pacific coast took top marks this year, with 10 of the top 15 properties on the list scattered from Sinaloa to Baja. In Los Cabos — the catchall name for the neighboring towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo — six properties made the cut, including two Auberge Resorts Collection hotels (No. 8 Chileno Bay Resort and No. 9 Esperanza) and the brand-new Montage Los Cabos (No. 5), which clearly made a major impression on readers after opening just last year. "Location, location, location — that's what it's all about in Cabo, and Montage nails it," enthused one reader. Another was enamored with the property's spa, calling its shaman experience "amazing."

On the Caribbean side, the resort towns are familiar ones: Playa del Carmen, Cancún, and other spots along the Riviera Maya dominated the list. Coming in at second place, the Rosewood Mayakoba wowed T+L readers with its round-the-clock butler service, ultraromantic villas with private plunge pools, and a dreamy entry via the lagoon that wraps around the property. "I can't think of anything butlers were not anticipating to do with a smile," said one reader. "Just feels like a home away from home." In fourth place, the Viceroy Riviera Maya captures the imagination with 41 villas, all offering 1,000 square feet of space to honeymooners and couples who crave the ultimate in privacy and luxury. As one fan commented, "Staff is wonderful and takes the time to get to know you."

Scroll down for the full list of the World's Best resort hotels in Mexico.

15. Cala de Mar Resort & Spa, Ixtapa

Cala De Mar Resort + Spa
Courtesy of Cala de Mar Resort & Spa

Score: 92.46

More information: calademar.com

14. One&Only Palmilla, San José del Cabo

One&Only Palmilla
Courtesy of One&Only Palmilla

Score: 93.26

More information: oneandonlyresorts.com

13. Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, Mazatlán

Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resorts
Courtesy of Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resorts

Score: 93.28

More information: pueblobonito.com

12. St. Regis Punta Mita Resort

The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort
Courtesy of The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort

Score: 93.56

More information: marriott.com

11. Hyatt Ziva Cancún

Hyatt Ziva Cancun
Courtesy of Hyatt Ziva Cancun

Score: 93.69

More information: hyatt.com

10. Mahekal Beach Resort, Playa del Carmen

Mahekal Beach Resort
Courtesy of Mahekal Beach Resort

Score: 93.82

More information: mahekalbeachresort.com

9. Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection, Cabo San Lucas

Esperanza resort.
Courtersy of Auberge Resorts Collection

Score: 93.99

More information: aubergeresorts.com/esperanza

8. Chileno Bay Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection, Cabo San Lucas

Chileno Bay Resort.
Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection

Score: 94.45

More information: aubergeresorts.com/chilenobay

7. Unico 20º87º Hotel Riviera Maya

UNICO 20˚87˚ Hotel Riviera Maya
Courtesy of UNICO 20˚87˚ Hotel Riviera Maya

Score: 94.56

More information: unicohotelrivieramaya.com

6. Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta

Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta
Courtesy of Grupo Vidanta

Score: 95.30

More information: vidanta.com

5. Montage Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas

Montage Los Cabos
Courtesy of Montage Los Cabos

Score: 95.32

More information: montagehotels.com

4. Viceroy Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen

Viceroy Riviera Maya
Courtesy of Viceroy Riviera Maya

Score: 96.00

More information: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

3. Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort, San José del Cabo

Las Ventanas al Paraíso
Courtesy of Rosewood

Score: 96.56

More information: rosewoodhotels.com

2. Rosewood Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen

Rosewood Mayakoba
Courtesy of Rosewood Mayakoba

Score: 96.89

More information: rosewoodhotels.com

1. The Resort at Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas

Resort at Pedregal, Don Manuel's lounge
Courtesy of The Resort at Pedregal

Score: 97.51

More information: theresortatpedregal.com

There's no such thing as a bad room here. The 105 guest rooms and suites of the Resort at Pedregal cocoon guests in luxury; each promises ocean views, a private terrace, and a plunge pool. With all that at your fingertips, it'd be tempting never to leave your room — but then you'd miss out on the three other pools on the property (including the saltwater meditation pool at the Luna y Mar Spa), the two restaurants, and the on-site boutique. If you're feeling ambitious, the resort offers cooking classes, tequila tastings, even craft classes for the kids, but we don't blame you if you'd rather just soak in the sun on the golden sand and eat your weight in guacamole. As one reader summarized, "How can you miss with this hotel? Have been coming annually since it opened. It so embodies Mexico, and the service is the best."

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