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We hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!
As winter approaches, we can’t help but think about warmer weather. If you’re like us, you likely plan your travel around where you can go with a nonstop flight. If you’d prefer to stay in North America, one of our go-to destinations, other than the Caribbean, is Mexico. Below are our favorite standout Mexico destinations.
Mexico City
It feels like Mexico City becomes more and more popular each year, with more and more hot spots popping up. This lively metropolitan city offers something for everyone, from enjoying the famous culinary scene or taking a hot-air balloon flight over the Teotihuacan pyramids to visiting Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul.
Our favorite boutique hotel is Casa Polanco, a painstakingly restored, Spanish colonial revival mansion with just 19 unique rooms. Casa Polanco’s privileged location places it in the center of Mexico’s vibrant energy, but in a residential corner, creating an intimate and exclusive retreat. Another favorite boutique hotel in Polanco, the city’s chicest neighborhood, is Las Alcobas. The hotel’s signature restaurant Dulce Patria is home to acclaimed chef Martha Ortiz, and the more casual Anatol is known for its impeccable farm-to-table concept.
A stand-out for architecture lovers is the Alexander Hotel, housed in a striking, trapezoid-shaped tower overlooking Bosque de Chapultepec. Browse designer shops along Avenue Presidente Masaryk, then drop your bags in one of 26 refined suites with custom Italian furnishings.
Riviera Maya
One of the easiest ways to fly nonstop into Mexico from the U.S. is to fly into Cancun. While Cancun sometimes gets a bad rap for all-inclusive resorts, there are some great options in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and our favorite, Mayakoba.
Closest to the Cancun airport of these options lies Etéreo, an Auberge Collection hotel, located within Kanai, Riviera Maya’s 620-acre luxury resort destination just minutes from Playa del Carmen. Each of the accommodations at Etéreo has dramatic forest and ocean views, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows framing the natural landscape.
For those that prefer a more relaxed, bohemian atmosphere and nightlife, we recommend Tulum. We’ve both been and loved it. Two standout hotels include La Valise and La Zebra, both part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Our top pick within Riviera Maya is Mayakoba. Mayakoba is a unique one-of-a-kind lagoon that connects four world-class hotel resorts with a myriad of waterways, nature trails and 595 acres of lush mangrove forest – all set behind one mile of beach paradise in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Our favorite property to book for clients, and one that’s high on our personal travel list, is Rosewood Mayakoba. The hotel makes an unforgettable first impression by taking guests via private boat through the lagoon to reach their suite.
San Miguel de Allende
Tucked away in Mexico’s Central Highlands is San Miguel de Allende, a colorful, artistically minded city with an impressive UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town. Another city that has it all, visitors can walk through the stunning historic district, explore San Miguel’s hot springs, or take a day trip to vineyards.
A standout hotel is Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, nestled in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage site it is a doorway to the eclectic soul of San Miguel de Allende. Six historic mansions, connected by cobblestone streets and secret courtyards alive with vibrant bougainvillea and bubbling fountains, are home to 37 guestrooms – with no two alike. From the 16th-century Casa Principal, once home to an archbishop, to the 17th-century Casa Parque, a former fort, every corner tells a story steeped in heritage.
Another pinnacle of luxury is the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende. Set in the heart of this charming artists’ village, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende promises a stay fit for dignitaries. Accommodations include 67 guest rooms and a collection of residences. The rooms are decorated with stunning wood-beamed ceilings and private balconies or terraces, and most have fireplaces.
With just six suites, La Valise San Miguel is a gem of a boutique hotel. Each suite is themed and designed by the popular Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. Art and design lovers will appreciate the secret garden-like inner courtyard and the creative blend of traditional and modern elements displayed throughout the property.
Baja California
Our final favorite Mexico destination is Cabo San Lucas, the vibrant city located at the tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. With world-class fishing, whale watching, views of the iconic El Arco rock formation, and even dune-buggy adventures through desert canyons, the activities are endless.
No trip to Cabo is complete without stopping at Flora Farms, a 25-acre organic working farm where clients love dining at Flora’s Field Kitchen. You can also visit the Farm Spa, the Farm Bar, the grocery, or take a cooking or painting class. Another top recommendation is Acre, another 25-acre property featuring organic farmland that supports their Michelin Green Star winning Acre Restaurant & Cocktail Bar.
Our favorite hotel is Esperanza, an Auberge Collection hotel, as it is the only private beach resort in Cabo. It’s also an excellent option for families, with a kids club available while parents relax in the adults-only cabanas or take a mezcal-tasting class.
Our other top options include One&Only Palmilla, Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort, and the Four Seasons Cabo del Sol.
We’d love to help you design your next Mexico getaway – please reach out anytime if you’d like support planning your trip!
P.S. We have a new hotel booking tool that lets you book your stay on your own while still enjoying our preferred partnership amenities, like daily breakfast, upgrades, and resort credits.
Password: LKCTravel
