5. Ahau Tulum
A small retreat on the coast of the Riviera Maya, the environmentally friendly Ahau Tulum offers just 23 rooms, including suites with vaulted palapa ceilings, Balinese-inspired huts and a four-person beach cabana. Standard rooms have full beds and shared gardens with outdoor showers, while upgraded suites boast locally made furnishings, two-person hammocks, king-sized canopy beds and private decks with garden or ocean views. The hotel also offers an array of activities and amenities. Guests can take part in private yoga sessions; try kitesurfing or paddle boarding; or sign up for scuba diving excursions. A beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas is available as well. What’s more, several top attractions – such as Tulum, Mexico’s famous Mayan ruins and El Gran Cenote – sit less than 7 miles away. After working up an appetite, travelers can visit the on-site restaurant, where Mexican-Caribbean fusion cuisine is on the menu. Though some said the food was overpriced, recent visitors overall praised the hotel’s service, design and location.
6. Cabo Surf Hotel & Spa
Standing above Playa Acapulquito’s aquamarine waters in Los Cabos (roughly 5 miles south of San José del Cabo), this boutique retreat boasts prime access to one of the area’s best surfing beaches. All 36 accommodations are stocked with L’Occitane bath products, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi access and private terraces with unobstructed ocean views. After you’ve had a good night’s sleep, suit up for some surfing. If you’re a novice, never fear: At Cabo Surf Hotel & Spa, you can rent equipment and sign up for private lessons. Once you’ve caught some gnarly waves, refuel at 7 Seas Seafood Grille, which boasts delectable seafood fare crafted by executive chef Alejandro Rodriguez. Recent patrons report a pleasant dining experience thanks to tasty seafood entrees and top-notch service. Visitors also recommend booking a service at the small Sea Spa Cabo, which offers an eclectic selection of replenishing body treatments, including Thai massages, warm stone therapies and mineral-rich facials.