Rosewood Mayakoba
Photo Courtesy of Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, L.L.C.
While summer is for jaunting around on the Amalfi Coast or the French Riviera, winter is the perfect time to head south. The quickest route to warm, sun-filled weather from the U.S.? Mexico, of course. Whether you want to luxuriate on the beachfront village of Punta Mita, spend days on the gorgeous beaches of the Riviera Maya, or laze away the afternoon soaking in a private plunge pool in Ixtapa, there’s a luxury Mexican getaway waiting to welcome you.
Rosewood Mayakoba, Riviera Maya
“Paradise” comes to mind as an apt word to describe this all-suite resort. Rosewood Mayakoba is a tropical fantasyland, a place that lets you choose the type of vacation you want to have. Is a view of the Caribbean Sea important? If so, book one of the spectacular oceanview suites with sliding glass doors that open to direct waterfront vistas. For a similarly stunning vantage point mere steps from your terrace, book the deluxe overwater lagoon suite, which floats above the water and has an indoor/outdoor shower. And for amazing looks from higher up, choose a unit located on the spa island. You’ll want for nothing at this resort, which boasts a Greg Norman-designed golf course; Sense, a 17,000-square-foot spa sanctuary with lagoon-side treatment rooms; fantastic culinary options, ranging from fine dining at the Casa del Lago to sushi at the Agave Azul Sushi & Tequila Bar; and easy access to nearby Mayan ruins and the vibrant town of Playa del Carmen. As if that all that weren’t enough, every suite comes with butler service, its own heated plunge pool and an in-room tequila amenity.
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Photo Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels Limited
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
Nestled on the tranquil beaches of Banderas Bay along the Southwest shores of Riviera Nayarit is this Punta Mita jewel. Once you make the 45-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta International Airport, there won’t be a need to set foot off the property until your departure. From a full-service spa (get the signature Hakali massage, which incorporates fresh cactus pulp for exfoliation) and two nearby Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses (don’t miss Pacifico’s famous 3b hole known as “The Tail of the Whale,” which requires an amphibious vehicle to get you to the green), to boutique shopping, world-class dining (Aramara’s Asian-fused cuisine and drinks on the terrace are a must), and pools for everyone in the family, the property has it all. Winter season is a great one for whale watching, too, as the massive marine mammals can be easily sighted in the bay. From now through January 31, 2015, the resort is offering a Get Away, Get More – Third Night Free package, the perfect excuse for planning a long weekend escape.
Capella Ixtapa
There are a host of resorts along the Pacific Coast where you can hear waves crashing from your room. Few do it with the elegance this 59-suite Capella property exudes. In addition to equipping every unit with Instagram-worthy views and its very own private outdoor plunge pool, this ocean-view property offers penthouses (ranging in size from 918 to 1,250 square feet) for travelers who want to truly experience the ultimate Mexican getaway. Thanks to anticipatory personal assistants, you’ll never have to lift more than a finger to experience the luxuriousness of the place. Capella Ixtapa’s spa espouses Aztec rituals that begin with a flower foot bathing before going into detoxifying treatments (lemongrass and toronjil grass wrap) or thousand-year-old practices (Sacred Obsidian massage). Dining is also a pleasure, with three ocean-facing restaurants and bars serving Mexican and international cuisine overseen by chef Miguel Baltazar. The best way to sample all that the kitchen, spa and rooms have to offer, book the Capella Escape package, which includes a complimentary third night, American breakfast for two each morning, and a 50-minute couples massage.
The St. Regis Punta Mita, Photo Courtesy of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc
The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort
Whether your objective is to spend your days in the 10,000-square-foot Remède Spa or simply laze by one of the resort’s three pools, you’re right at home here. Elegantly appointed rooms and suites are decorated in warm Mexican tile with local wood accents. Butler service is available with just a touch of a button. Unforgettable meals happen even easier by selecting from options such as Carolina’s Mediterranean menu, authentic Mexican alfresco at Las Marietas Restaurant & Bar and relaxed Latin fare at Sea Breeze. Through the end of the year, The St. Regis Punta Mita is offering a wonderful Love Your Family promotion, which features a daily $100 resort credit and adjoining rooms based on availability.
NIZUC Resort & Spa, Punta Nizuc
Just 15 minutes from Cancun International Airport sits one of Mexico’s newest luxury beach properties. Positioned inside a 29-acre natural reserve, the 2013-opened hotel overlooks the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (the second-largest coral reef system in the world). The 274-room gem features ocean suites, garden pool villas and residence suites that can accommodate up to four guests. Two secluded beaches, five swimming pools, six world-class restaurants (including the one-of-a-kind Chef’s Table, Peruvian eatery Ni and the Asian-inspired Indochine) and an impressive 30,000-square-foot ESPA (try the muscle-melting Mayan Cacao massage) help complete the journey to beachfront blissfulness.
