Speaking of Mexico, you would think of the mysterious Mayan civilization that disappeared overnight, leaving behind numerous mysteries and great pyramids; Or a colourful Latin American town with fiery food everywhere? Under the labels of hot, colorful, mysterious, delicious and so on, we can't ignore the transparent blue coastline that connects with the Caribbean Sea. From the classic beach resort destination of Cancun to Los Cabos at the end of the peninsula, today let us plant grass for you in one go, 9 seaside, windward Mexican beach resorts.
Rosewood Mayakoba
Cancun
Cancun is located in the northern Caribbean Sea, at the northeastern tip of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, across the Yucatan Strait from the island of Cuba. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, the city is beautiful and has one of the top ten beaches recognized in the world, making it a famous international tourist city in Mexico.
Located just south of Cancun, Mexico, in front of a mile-long stretch of pristine Caribbean beach and backed by lush tropical jungle, Rosewood Mayakoba is a jungle retreat in its own right.
The hotel is just steps away from Mayan ruins, ecological parks, stunning beaches, a variety of water sports and a world-class diving experience at The Great Mayan Reef.
The hotel's design is modern and stylish, and the 129 detached villas perfectly present the magnificent and iconic "residential style", which can be said to be a textbook-level template for home design. All kinds of custom furniture is not only surprising, but also the urge to move home. There is also a private plunge pool, garden showers and a separate marina. At night, the stars twinkle on the riverbank, which is unique.
With the top local dining team, coupled with the beautiful Caribbean Sea, every meal is transformed into a magical experience.
With a strong focus on local experiences, stay at Rosewood Mayakoba and you'll have the opportunity to explore the Mayan jungle. This jungle preserves a number of ancient traditional projects, such as traditional medicine practices, the protection of Melipona bees, and the protection of forests. After immersing yourself in the bee world in the heart of the Mayan jungle, there's nothing better than a refreshing dip in the underground Cenote, where you can enjoy a delicious picnic and sample local produce. Participating in the agave tasting is also very interesting.
For a round of golf, enjoy El Camaleón, a 7,000-yard 18-hole golf course signed by Greg Norman, which in 2006 became the first golf course to officially host the PGA Tour in Mexico. Right on the doorstep of Rosewood Mayakoba, this championship golf course winds its way through the lush tropical jungle along the Maya River and offers a swing of the golf while admiring the stunning natural scenery.
Hotel Esencia
Riviera Maya
Originally a private estate, Hotel Esencia has been converted into a hotel that continues its chic, private and luxurious royal atmosphere.
The 40 villas are set in empty spaces, all with a path leading to a beautiful private beach. The beaches here are also home to top turtles, and if you stroll along the coastline on a summer night, you'll have the chance to discover the wonders of these majestic reptiles laying their eggs.
The hotel's beach suites are named for their unobstructed sea views, which are located directly on the sand, just 20 metres from the sea. The Jungle Suite is a private retreat tucked away in palm groves and tropical gardens, with hammocks, wicker chairs, sofas and a private terrace for guests to enjoy a refreshing time in the most comfortable way possible. Of course, it is only two or three minutes to reach the beach through the jungle.
Set amidst the trees of the garden, the two-storey pool villa offers unparalleled tranquility and privacy. There are more terraces suitable for "island paralysis", as well as a courtyard with hammocks, entertainment facilities and swimming pool.
Dine in the restaurant of the Hotel Essencia as if you were on a journey through another civilization. The food seems simple but is mostly converted from Local Mexican cuisine, and the ingredients may be purchased directly from local farmers.
Despite its intimate location, fun-loving guests won't be bored, as it's only 20 minutes away from Mayan ruins, underground natural wells or those great beach bars.
Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Riviera Maya
As Mexico's first Banyan Tree, Banyan Tree Mayakoba blends Asian hospitality with Mexican idyllic hospitality to provide guests from afar with tranquility, luxury and secluded retreats.
Surrounded by lush vegetation, each villa has a private pool, indoor and outdoor living areas, small gardens and bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and rain showers. The 322㎡ Spa Pool Villa features a two-storey duplex with outdoor showers, massage beds and an outdoor dining area with a bird's eye view of mayakoba's poetic waters.
The 512㎡ sea view villa is more suitable for the whole family, just a few steps away from the white sand beach and the turquoise blue sea.
Numerous restaurants offer a variety of cuisines to suit all tastes. From authentic Thai dishes to contemporary Mexican cuisine, private dinners on a boat ride across the lagoon can be reserved, or even a one-of-a-kind Mayan dinner deep into the jungle.
Guests with children can let their children release the turtles themselves at the beach club under the guidance of the staff, watch the turtles arrive safely in the sea and swim freely, and believe that the children's harvest must be more than you think; Adults can play a game at El Camaleón, Mexico's most popular golf course, which is famous for combining three distinct ecosystems (jungle, mangroves and beaches).
Another experience not to be missed is the spa, which has never disappointed the world-winning Banyan Tree Spa. Eight different spa experiences, including rain walks, aromatic steam baths and Finnish saunas, are reborn in a tropical setting of natural beauty.
Chablé Maroma
Riviera Maya
Chablé Maroma is located on the Maroma waterfront on the Riviera Maya, between two busy popular resort cities, Playa del Carmen and Cancun, while being less than an hour's drive from Cancun Airport.
Surrounded by lush greenery, the entire hotel is nestled in the azure waters of the Mayan Riviera. It blends the comforts of a luxury hotel with the authenticity of the environment. Before arriving, all guests will cross a narrow gravel road into the jungle, passing through a kaleidoscope of vibrant palm and mangrove forests to the powdery white sand beach to see Chablé Maroma at the end of the road.
A private plunge pool, outdoor living area or terrace is naturally standard in a beachfront villa, but the indoor spaces retain some elements inspired by Mayan culture and local nature. Tropical hardwood, generous upholstered fabrics and soothing tones echo the sand and the sea.
Outdoor rain showers, thatched roofs, open-air seating areas and floor-to-ceiling windows leading to the rainforest garden create a mesmerizing flow of indoor air that brings the beauty of the jungle indoors and allows guests to feel seamlessly connected to the natural environment. Of course, all of these designs are combined with the finest accessories – including top-of-the-line personal care products, European bedding and plush sheets.
The hotel's geographical distribution of the building is very clever, ensuring the privacy of the residence, while strung together the various functional areas through the path, giving people a relaxed feeling of just a few steps between most of the functions. Winding stone paths from the depths of the villa complex lead towards lush native bush that eventually leads to a pool parallel to the white sand beach. Decorated with vintage-inspired blue serpentine tiles, the pool not only takes a dip underwater, but the fully serviced beach is the perfect place to spend an afternoon in completely relaxing mode.
For dining, Raw Bar by Bu'ul is a great place to enjoy rooftop sunsets, while Kaban offers relaxing poolside meals. The more formal Bu'ul, translated as "bean" in Mayan, showcases the chef's ingenious interpretation of traditional recipes from the region with unique dishes, giving guests the opportunity to experience a special culinary journey at each meal.
One & Only Mandarina
Monteon
Even from above, it's hard to see that One & Only Mandarina has built 105 villas in the jungle next to the beach. As the hotel's design team put it, the purpose of this One & Only is to keep the building "hidden from sight." Even the 50-foot-tall pillars that support the treehouses and villas were quickly swallowed up by the wild shrubs and forests that thrived in the area. Nowadays, we can only see beautiful holiday homes floating in the treetops.
Such an environment means that the resort's villas have up to 3 walls mainly covered in glass, and from the interior it will be easy to spot the forest's active long-tailed raccoons and colorful birds through binoculars. During the rainy season, tropical clouds can also be observed at any time from the skylight; There are also frequent "accidental visitors" around the outdoor private plunge pool.
Even though each tree house or villa has a private pool, there are five other pools dotted within the resort, and it has a wide expanse. Choose from all of these options, plus coastal rainforests and miles of hiking trails to relax or explore.
Of course, the One&Only experience wouldn't be complete without a world-class spa, and One&Only Mandarina is no exception. Here you can breathe in the fresh sea air, listen to the birds singing, and feel completely out of the world through mindfulness and yoga classes and healing, inspired by progressive and ancient healing practices.
From food to entertainment, One & Only also creates a world where body and mind are completely relaxed. Multiple dining spaces combine creative cuisine with stunning views, and you can also make authentic Mexican tacos from scratch and discover astrological delicacies; Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club allows you to enjoy horse riding lessons, polo lessons and off-road riding in the jungle or along the beach; Set in a forest, KidsOnly Kids Club features jungle tree houses, suspension bridges and slides, climbing walls and nature trails. Here, children can use their imaginations to realize the best dreams of childhood.
Hope
Auberge Resorts Collection
Los Cabos
To say that one of the favorite vacation spots for North Americans in recent years, in addition to the Cancun, Mexico mentioned above, Los Cabos, a coastal town near the southernmost tip of California, is also one of the favorites of North American travelers. Heading south along California Route 1, the end of the continent is Los Cabos. The terrain here is arid desert mountains on one side and the surging Pacific Ocean on the other, and the landscape is very visually striking.
The Esperanza Auberge Resorts Collection is arguably a "first sight" hotel example, with its towering hillside, a wide sea view from the circular courtyard in front of the lobby, and almost all of the 59 rooms and 96 villas facing the sea or bay.
Inspired by rocky cliffs and azure oceans, the rooms' interior design, from grey wooden floors, light-coloured driftwood accents and hand-woven roofs, to original Mexican artwork and handmade leather furniture, add a lively atmosphere to holiday life and make it feel like you're in a local house. Outside, a private balcony with plunge pool or hammocks faces stunning ocean views.
Each room is even equipped with a sizable telescope pointing directly into the ocean or bay, where you can gaze out at the jumping light of the sea or the occasional whale or dolphin jump.
Auberge, which started with catering, has always had a good reputation for its production, and the hotel restaurants are mostly seafood-based, highlighting the hotel's special geographical location and traditional Mexican flavor; The five-star spa is the number one spa institution in Latin America by many well-known magazines; Four swimming pools and a private beach make for a great place for water sports enthusiasts; The competitive-grade golf course meets the requirements of all golf enthusiasts.
Four Seasons Resort
Los Cabos
Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos is located on a 3 km long quiet white sand beach overlooking the tranquil Sea of Cortez, a UNESCO Maritime Heritage Site known as the "Aquarium of the World", where more than 900 species of fish swim freely. Here, guests can enjoy a variety of recreational options such as swimming, snorkeling, fishing, golf and desert safaris.
The hotel has a total of 145 spacious rooms, including 35 suites. Almost all rooms have beautiful sea views. The rooms are cleanly decorated in a clean and tidy style that matches the sea. Just push open the floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows to enjoy the sun and the sea.
The Four Seasons Spa has 14 treatment rooms and a sports and activity centre with fitness equipment, volleyball, semi-basketball and tennis courts. In addition to the hotel itself with four swimming pools, there is also a beach where you can swim, and all the play facilities allow guests to indulge in the wonderful feeling of "the back garden of the sea".
If you are not satisfied with the ocean, the inland behind it is also full of adventure opportunities. Can be accompanied by an adventure concierge, hike to hidden waterfalls in the jungle, and swim with majestic whale sharks; Or surf in the legendary waters and dive in the UNESCO-listed Cabo Pulmo; There are also boat trips, desert dune bashing, and even horseback riding in vibrant natural beauty.
Viceroy Resort
Los Cabos
Viceroy Resort was designed by renowned local architect Miguel Angel Aragonés, a designer known for his bold, unconventional designs who chose white to convey the minimalist design language of the hotel, but through the dislocation between the buildings, the gap between the sea and the blue sky is revealed, allowing pure whites, clean lines and transparent clear water features to blend. Not only is it very artistic, but the visual impact of the scene is super strong.
In addition to white, another hidden architectural language here is "water above all else". The use of a large amount of water creates the illusion that the hotel building is like a box floating on the water, and at the same time reflects the symmetrical beauty through the reflection in the mirror pool.
Many people who have stayed here have lamented that they fell in love with this hotel because of the pool, and this is indeed the case. The exquisite oval main pool with a strong sense of presence both echoes the distant seascape and projects a rich architectural texture. At night, the lighting effects tailored by famous lighting experts add a magical romance to the pool, even without moonlight and starry sky, which can make people feel like they are in a dream.
The "Bird's Nest" restaurant, woven with branches, is another finishing touch to the hotel, with a semi-open layout that brightens the openness yet modern aesthetic of the hotel itself, contrasting sharply with the tough lines of the hotel itself.
Each room in the hotel is guaranteed to be equipped with at least one floor-to-ceiling window with panoramic sea views, no superfluous decoration in the room, straight strip furniture and a large white wall background, creating a modern but classic minimalist space.
In addition to the rooms and suites, there are residences, streamlined concrete walls combined with glass windows, interiors decorated with simple and comfortable furniture, natural materials and unique designs that blend perfectly with the exterior of the building.
One & Only Palmilla
Los Cabos
Nestled on the edge of the Baja Peninsula, One & Only Palmilla, Mexico has long been recognized as one of the most exclusive ultra-luxury resorts in the world.
The unique location, secluded surroundings and stunning scenery, seductive Mexican cuisine, and dedicated and meticulous service have made this hotel popular with many dignitaries such as former US President Eisenhower.
In 1956, Don Abelardo Rodriguez, the son of the then mexican president, built the hotel. After a $90 million renovation in 2004, it officially became One & Only Palmilla. It was renovated again on 20 April 2014 and opened with new guest rooms and suites, outdoor relaxation areas, spa and fitness centre, as well as star-rated restaurants such as SEARED restaurant in collaboration with star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
The main part of the hotel will be like a mountaintop, and the jump platform, infinity pool, viewing deck and cliff bar facing the blue sea will take the fairy spirit of the mountain and the grandeur of the blue sea into the arms.
Red-tiled roofs, snow-white walls and exquisite fountains surround palms, flocks of birds and flowers in an ancient Mexican style. Tucked away in a single- and three-storey building that surrounds the hotel along the edge of the peninsula, the hotel offers 172 rooms and suites, each with a courtyard or balcony, offering stunning sea views while enjoying the ultimate in space and privacy.
With an excellent location, One & Only naturally offers a great outdoor experience.
The infinity pool, perched on a cliff face, is a tranquil retreat; The hotel also preserves Pelican Beach, one of the few beaches in the entire Los Cabos area for a refreshing swim; Even invited the world's top surfers from professional surfing agency Tropicsurf to provide personalized training and services for surfing enthusiasts who are looking for excitement, so that they can confidently and boldly conquer the rushing waves.
Moderate temperatures throughout the year, well-maintained water quality and fine sand, and are blessed with a host of luxury resorts and rich historical sites. Different from the islands of Southeast Asia, the main theme of Mexican coastal vacations is both the joy and exuberance inherited from California and the restrained calm inherited from the Mayan culture. If you're a seaside holiday lover yourself, the waters of Central America are definitely worth putting on your bucket list and taking a break.
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