7. Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
On an outcropping at the northern limit of Banderas Bay (about 26 miles northwest of Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport in Puerto Vallarta), the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita is a tropical paradise. Guests are greeted with a thatched-roof lobby, which affords spectacular ocean views. You can also enjoy an excellent Pacific panorama from many of the casita-style accommodations. And even if you’ve booked a garden view room, you’ll encounter traditional Mexican decor, comfortable beds, generously sized bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and a furnished balcony or terrace. Outside of the rooms, you’ll find three pools, including the heated Nuna infinity pool and the smaller plunge pools of the Tamai Pool Complex. Beyond that, you’ll have access to a lazy river and 10 tennis courts. Plus, golfers will have their choice of two scenic Jack Nicklaus-designed links. If you feel sore after a day spent swimming or golfing, make an appointment at the luxurious spa (or have a masseuse come to your room). And when hunger sets in, take a stroll to one of the resort’s nine restaurants and bars, including the seafood-centric Bahía by Richard Sandoval and the Asia-inspired Aramara. Overall, travelers praise their stays here, with many calling the resort “perfection.” Visitors love the wealth of amenities and the scenic setting, and say the service is exceptional.
8. Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada
Sitting in central San Miguel de Allende, a sizeable city in central Mexico, Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada blends into its historic surroundings. The hotel occupies several colonial mansions within walking distance of popular cultural sites like the San Miguel de Allende Historical Museum and the stunning Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel cathedral. Yet despite its central location, guests describe Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada as quiet and peaceful. Guest rooms ooze Old World charm with antique furnishings and bright decorative accents (some rooms also boast stone fireplaces). Although they look like they belong in an 18th-century villa, most accommodations are equipped with modern-day conveniences like upscale bath products, TVs and wireless internet access. However, recent guests mentioned that you could hear outside noise from within the accommodations. Meanwhile, the property’s outdoor swimming pool provides respite from the Mexican heat, while a massage at the Laja Spa will leave you feeling replenished. Although Casa de Sierra Nevada’s location is ideal for sampling the city’s culinary offerings, consider dining in at least once: The on-site restaurant, Andanza, earns rave reviews from previous guests for its contemporary Mexican fare and charming colonial-inspired setting. And for a quiet nightcap, make your way to The Blue Bar.