3. Gran Hotel Ciudad De Mexico
With its stained-glass ceilings, art nouveau decor and a Louis XV-style chandelier in the foyer, the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México possesses one of Mexico City’s most impressive interiors. The Gran Hotel is a favorite among guests for both its central location and gilded design. And though its original structure has towered over the Zocalo since 1899, the hotel’s $25 million renovation completed in 2005 brought all the rooms into the 21st-century while maintaining the property’s Old World charm. Rooms boast flat-screen LCD TVs, comfortable beds, air conditioning and Wi-Fi access. If your digs lack arresting views overlooking Zocalo square, head to the fifth floor Terrazas Restaurant & Bar to enjoy wide-sweeping vistas of the National Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral. And if you’re yearning to take in Mexico City’s vibrant culture and world-class museums, you’re in luck: The Palacio de Belles Artes and the Museo Nacional de Arte, among other top sites, are within walking distance of the hotel.
4. El Dorado Maroma
For travelers who enjoy the atmosphere and versatile amenities that all-inclusive resorts offer without the throng of vacationers and maze-like layout, El Dorado Maroma in Punta Maroma, Mexico (a coastal area about 10 miles northwest of Playa del Carmen) may be the perfect getaway. Each of the resort’s accommodations faces the teal waters of Maroma Beach or the property’s tropical gardens and boasts neutral hues or bright Caribbean decor, cable TV, a minibar and a spacious balcony or terrace. Recent guests praised the well-appointed digs but warned that while El Dorado Maroma is technically a beachfront resort, the rooms aren’t directly situated on the sandy strip. Nevertheless, you’ll enjoy beach butler service, access to three freshwater pools and a fitness center, Spanish lessons, complimentary use of kayaks and snorkeling gear and limitless meals and beverages at the resort’s six restaurants and five bars. Though travelers give kudos to the variety of gourmet menu items, some wish the food had more of a Mexican flare. And though the spa services aren’t part of your all-inclusive package, guests say the soothing treatments and massages are well worth the splurge.