Mexico has always held a dear place in my travel-loving heart. The warmth of the people, the food, the Caribbean beaches, azure cenotes and the luxury resorts – all such tempting reasons to visit alone or with your sun-loving loved ones.
After months of covid-related meh in the UK the nation is busy packing their bags and and jetting all over Europe to indulge in various cultures and much needed sunshine. When the summer comes to an end here, it starts all over again in sunny Mehico, so which are the best Mexico hotels and holiday hotspots for your autumn/winter break?
Here are my tried and tested favourites for luxurious stays and frolics in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Cancun
Nestled regally on the Yucatan Peninsula, this ultra luxurious costal hotel is a joy to visit for some much needed rest, relaxation and culinary excitement. Whilst my fiancé and I loved the fresh sushi we feasted on at the hotel’s main restaurant, the breakfast buffet in particular won us over due to the plethora of tempting choices on offer, including the unlimited tacos served with slow cooked Mexican lamb that was almost otherworldly.
Honeymooning or simply want to inject some much needed romance into your relationship? Request a moonlit private dinner for two on the beach and feast on seafood platters and champagne surrounded by the sultry sounds of the sea. Our experience was truly magical.
The large swimming pools overlook a stunning private beach with powdery white sand and feature luxury VIP cabanas complete with hammocks, beach beds and endless nachos with all the necessary trimmings. The exquisite spa has a spacious stream room, whirlpool, refreshing plunge pool and aromatherapy showers to invigorate your senses. This beauty haven is particularly famed for its soul soothing treatments using locally sourced ingredients and ancient Mayan beauty rituals – go for the Mayan warm stone massage before pampering with the volcanic red clay body wrap and thank us later…
JW Marriot Cancun Resort & Spa
Nestled in the heart of Cancun’s premier hotel strip, this gigantic luxury resort has it all – large family swimming pools overlooking the Caribbean Sea, adults-only infinity pools, a selection of restaurants to suit all tastes and a Mayan inspired spa with the biggest whirlpool we have yet to encounter.
Go for the 80 minute platinum anti-ageing facial and experience quite possibly one of the most game-changing beauty treatments in existence. Utilising low–molecular weight ionised platinum, the treatment helps lift, tone and moisturise the skin, boosting microcirculation for a red carpet (or Cancun party strip) ready complexion.
Our suite was spacious and furnished in a luxurious contemporary style with the bathroom featuring a massive bathtub lined with my favourite organic body care products from Aromatherapy Associates – it’s always the little things..
The restaurants at this iconic resort were equally impressive. We were particularly enamoured with the new Hana Polynesian Grill where we sipped tiki style cocktails, gorged on surf and turfs and savoured our molten chocolate desserts as we watched in awe the traditional dance performances in front of us.
Playa del Carmen
This idyllic adults-only resort is delightfully hidden away in the scenic jungle of Playa del Carmen and is perfect if you’re seeking the ultimate in Mexican escapism. Wander through the meandering pathways and discover a quaint boutique selling handmade beauty products, a chic poolside restaurant serving exquisite dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, a palm-tree lined pool overlooking a private beach and even a writers and painters corner hidden away in a leafy alcove complete with paintings amidst the foliage by local artists.
Being a villa-only resort, this slice of Mexican paradise is ideal for honeymoons, baby moons or proposal holidays. Our luxury jungle villa was a dream – a bottle of champagne, homemade truffles and fruity non alcoholic cocktails greeted us as we arrived. Fragrant, handmade soap was even sliced in front of us as a warm welcome to our home away from home – a delightfully unique and special touch.
A large bedroom housing a glorious super king sized bed and elegant furnishings overlooked a glamorous patio area with plush sun beds, dining table and hammock hanging by an inviting almond shaped private pool.
The spacious bathroom- complete with an ultra deep bathtub, featured wall to ceiling windows overlooking an open air shower – perfect for washing away the day under the emerald green forest canopy.
Tulum
Perched in a side street within the bustling centre of Mexico’s glam hotspot Tulum, this modern city hotel prides itself on its sleek interiors, morning yoga classes, daily excursions and enticing rooftop pool.
Perfect for anyone who prefers being at the epicentre of Tulum’s iconic nightlife, you’ll find a plethora of bars and restaurants within a few minutes walk with the famous Caribbean beaches only a short taxi ride away.
Aching muscles after a long night of dancing or energetic yoga? Book yourself in for a soothing massage which takes place on a comfortable massage bed hidden amongst the hotels’ secret tropical garden.
Gym bunnies can work out to their heart’s content at the state of the art Re:Charge gym before grabbing a beach friendly salad or smoothie from the RE:fuel restaurant close by. A pool table gives a relaxed, social feel to the space with lots of travellers mingling and sharing stories of their next excursion or scandalous night on the town. The Atico rooftop bar is also known for its Instagramable cocktails and late night DJ sets.
Known for its numerous social media followers and luxury-loving influencers who flock in their masses for the “money shot,” this bohemian-esque resort is by far the most unique hotel I have ever stayed in and known as Tulum’s place to see and be seen in. From the moment you arrive it’s clear you are in one of the most inimitable places in the world.
Yes there is no air con in your unreal Seaview suite and your neighbours can quite possibly see your naked bums bobbing around between the sticks held together to form the walls, but this place is so magical I don’t think anyone will be looking. When you’re spending 1k a night on your luxury sky/sea/moon villa, you will most probably only be focusing on your own wondrous surroundings.
Our beautiful sky villa was humongous and featured a large king sized bed shrouded in romantic white netting, a large stone indoor bathtub and a spacious balcony area with an even bigger bathtub overlooking the ocean, a hanging sunbed and swing – perfect for those iconic Instagram shots.
Both restaurants at Azulik are divine – Kin Toh serves Mexican fine dining on private treehouse pods above the jungle canopy and the hotel’s Japanese offering Tseen Ja is a bewitching space discovered through winding wooden paths and boasting a 10 course tasting menu to tantalise even the fussiest tastebuds.
Spending sun-drenched days mincing about chic beach clubs is practically the law in Tulum, and Mia is one of our ultimate favourites. Set idyllically on a powdery white sandy beach fringed with swaying palm trees, this celeb frequented hotspot is perfect for long lazy lunches and cocktails nursed joyously on plush sea-facing sunbeds.
We devoured sizzling steak served on a hot stone, slow cooked beef-filled corn tacos, fresh tuna tartare adorned with a creamy wasabi sauce and a tomato and mozzarella salad drenched in a dressing that stole the show.
Ice cold bottles of Perrier and the newly launched Mia beer helped keep us cool in the sweltering Mexican heat – as did swimming in the emerald green swimming pool surrounded by leafy foliage and beautiful people.
Notable DJs play sultry tribal and deep house sets from lunchtime until midnight when sunkissed beach babes make like cinderella and disappear into balmy nights delightfully dishevelled and full of mischief.
This monochrome gem of a boutique hotel is nestled away in the quieter side of Tulum’s main beach strip and is popular with holiday makers seeking a more relaxed but effortlessly elegant holiday experience.
All 31 rooms are exquisitely furnished in a minimalist-chic style and feature luxurious bedding, premium toiletries and scenic views. Book the master suite for an unrivalled sea view, massive terrace with inviting hot tub and a humongous bathroom complete with sultry shower overlooking the turquoise waves of the Caribbean Sea.
Wander through the winding paths of this idyllic resort and find the communal swimming pool compete with hammocks and waterfall for those extra special “‘I’m holidaying in Tulum photos.”
Meander down to the hotel’s beach club and discover even more photogenic spots – we were particularly fond of the black and white row of swings facing the sea.
Food lovers won’t be disappointed with the range of freshly made Mexican dishes on offer – the pretty plates of marinated fish, tacos and zesty salads that graced our sunbed as we sipped fruity cocktails were a dream, each and every one.
This ultra glam beach club/hotel/raving paradise is one of the most talked about establishments in Tulum with thousands of music, food and pleasure seeking travellers visiting every year.
I visited with my fellow food-loving friend Julia on a sweltering hot day to seek cooling solace from the sea breeze on their comfortable and extra large beach beds – and feast in a truly fabulous fashion.
Giant king prawns, ruby red cherry tomatoes topped with lashings of cheese, even more exciting tacos (hey when in Mexico) and a seafood platter to end all other seafood platters were presented before our hungry selves. All dishes were incredible and looked so social-media worthy an uninvited fellow beach club guest hovered around our table, expertly snapping images of said food for her Instagram stories. The cheek.
The cocktails were equally alluring to the eye and tastebuds, and were nursed in front of the waves before we wandered through the bohemian artwork majestically dotted around the hotel grounds.
As we left, we made a mental note to return for one of the famous beach raves – known for their big name house DJs and extravagant party people who come to life in the early hours .
One of the highest rated Tulum restaurants on Tripadvisor, this absolute hidden diamond of a restaurant is elegantly situated amongst a luxurious modern apartment development and features a seductively lit swimming pool.
The food is raved about by both locals and tourists, so my foodie bosom buddy and I had to pay not just one, but two visits for some of the most impeccable food we had the joy of savouring in this enticing corner of the globe.
The plump burrata and syrupy fig starter with Serrano ham brought so much happiness to our table and filled us with glorious promise of what was to come. The wasabi tartare starter featuring sultry slathers of yellow fin tuna marinated in wasabi emulsion and topped with red onions and shallots was a true palate pleaser before we embarked on our mains.
Julia and I are what I call identical food twins – and both with a love of red meat, so we decided to order two grilled Angus streaks drizzled in a warming Malbec sauce, perched decadently next to crisp asparagus and shamelessly creamy potato gratins.
The night ended on a seriously sweet note when a raw cacao cake greeted us sitting on a tasty almond crust and extravagantly topped with homemade strawberry sauce. The key lime pie which followed shortly after was similarly merriment-inducing with its creamy cashew base and tangy avocado laden zesty topping.
Quantum healing meditation by Dr Akashika
If you fancy delving into Tulum’s famous spiritual side, why not opt for a spot of soul soothng Quantum healing mneditation in the comfot of your own private hotel room or villa?
Dr Jean Mascret and his meditation practicioner partner Pauline Rodriquez are known in Tulum’s wellnes and spiritual circles for being the go to duo for healing and detoxifying meditative sessions.
After hearing about their enlightening book – Awakening to cosmic consciousness and how it helped many people reach a more content way of living, I decided to trial one of their renowned quantum healing meditations at my villa.
The session started with Pauline asking me questions about my relationship, health concerns and life stressors before I was told to lay down and take part in a guided breathing exersise.
I was then taken on a deeply visual meditative journey which focused on my past, present and future. As I was brought back to a more present state of consciousness by Paulina I felt relaxed and calm.
My session concluded with a visit by the insightful Dr Jean himself who discussed the intricate complexities behind the Quantum healing meditation practice which uses a type of hypnosis to help heal past traumas. Although I felt fully concious throughout my meditative journey, the visualisations were deeply relaxing and helped put me in a more postive frame of mind.
The couple are in the process of building their retreat centre in a private location in the tropical jungle 15min from Tulum, which will have comfortable accommodations for those looking to receive Quantum Healing Hypnosis sessions, yoga classes, crystal sound resonance therapies and Herbolary treatments.
I left my healing meditation experience with two packs of Dr Jean’s renowned Mermaid Secrets women’s wellness supplements – made with a blend of natural herbs to promote a deep detoxification of the body. After taking them regularly over the last few months I’ve noticed a lessening of anxiety and deeper, more nourishing sleep.
Mexico you are the holiday that just keeps on giving…
Main featured image: Mia Tulum
