Our tailor-made holidays to vibrant and historic Mexico feature some truly paradisiacal hotels where you can lay your weary traveller’s head. True natural nirvanas with serene spas, rich vegetation and exhilarating views, here’s our choice of the most out-of-this-world five...
1. Hacienda San Antonio
Hacienda de San Antonio is located at the bottom of an active volcano in Mexico’s picturesque highlands. All of the suite rooms encompass the rich traditions of Mexico’s arts and crafts and are individually decorated, making each room a unique and sumptuous space. The lush formal gardens look out over vast expanses of unspoiled natural beauty. The mild mountain climate is perfect for activities such as horse riding, hiking and bird watching, or you can enjoy gentle walks and sunbathing by the wonderful outdoor swimming pool.
2. Casa de Sierra Nevada
Absorbing the very best of both worlds, stay in this luxury hotel with leafy gardens, lantern-lit courtyards and an azure pool lined with stone arches, but find yourself right at the heart of the buzzing and historic central Mexican city San Miguel de Allende, famous for its well-preserved 17th and 18th century buildings. The hotel offers the Laja Spa, homage to the Laja River which flows into the city from the mountains, as well as a boutique and even its own cooking school, Sazón, where you can sample and master the bold flavours and intricate techniques of the country’s cuisine.
3. Hacienda San Jose
Located in northern Yucatan, the Hacienda San Jose is a historical plantation house lying close to the famous ruins of Chichen Itza. Most of the guest rooms are located in the original building, offering a unique blend of historic elegance and modern convenience, with beautiful rustic interiors, en suite bathrooms and even hammocks, allowing you to sleep in traditional Mayan style if you wish. The hacienda also features a relaxing spa, an outdoor pool and a stylish restaurant that occupies the old factory buildings overlooking the beautiful gardens. Private tours and cookery classes can also be arranged.
4. Cuixmala
Cuixmala is a luxury villa set on a private estate, located in flourishing vegetation along a golden beach, empty save for the fellow sunbathing pelicans. Conceived as a private home for family and friends, villas look out onto stunning ocean and mountain scenery. Casa Cuixmala is the estate’s fantasy palace, where zen white interiors stand out over panoramic views above the sapphire sea. Palace amenities include a jacuzzi, library and three deluxe suites. Dine on fresh food from Cuxmala’s own organic farms, cooked by your villa’s personal chef; you can even be served on lawns by the stables or at beach barbecues by an evening bonfire. As leaders in their area for sustainability, Cuixmala are involved in preserving the local environment, where jaguars and turtles find their home.
5. Hacienda Temozon
Located a short distance from the famous Pyramids of Uxmal, the Hacienda Temozon lies close to the village of the same name. Part of a sustainable tourism project, its choice of 28 rooms and suites feature high ceilings with exposed beams, tile floors and a private plunge pool and terrace. Surrounded by subtropical jungle, the hotel’s intimate Be Spa overlooks the tranquil swimming pool and lush gardens and offers a range of massages and treatments that reflect the region’s intimate connections with its Mayan heritage. Guests can also take advantage of the hacienda’s ‘Romantic Dinner’ option and enjoy an intimate private dinner in the grounds.
