Every year Condé Nast Traveler asks readers to nominate the places they love most, and for 2025 more than 757,000 of you weighed in during the 38th annual Readers’ Choice Awards. The result is a snapshot of where travelers are returning again and again: resorts that deliver long, immersive stays, top-tier service, memorable dining, and a strong sense of place. Below is a distilled guide to the Mexico winners — highlights, what makes them special, and a selection of other top picks to help plan your next trip.
How the list works
Readers cast their ballots for hotels and resorts they’ve stayed at and loved. The winners reflect popularity, consistency, and the kinds of experiences travelers prize now: privacy, wellness, connection to nature and local culture, and thoughtful design.
The top 20 (highlights and why readers chose them)
1. Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya — A long-time favorite that recently received a careful redesign. Maroma balances whitewashed, Mayan-inspired architecture with Mexican craftsmanship, private plunge pools, and easy access to cenotes; its intimate scale and attention to local makers keep it rooted in the Yucatán.
2. The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya — A modern, large-scale property built with indoor-outdoor architecture and Mayan references. Multiple beach clubs, an expansive spa, and a roster of restaurants (plus butler service) make it ideal for travelers seeking variety without compromising luxury.
3. Fairmont Mayakoba — Family-friendly and sprawling across mangrove-lined lagoons, the Fairmont is prized for its multiple pools, kids’ clubs, a strong dining program, and its location within the ecological enclave of Mayakoba, which also includes golf and nature-focused activities.
4. Rosewood Mayakoba — A luxury property that blends high-end design with wild Yucatán surroundings. Expect lagoon pools, an acclaimed Sense spa, and a range of dining venues set across a mile of white-sand beachfront.
5. Etéreo, Auberge Collection — Intimate and quietly sophisticated, Etéreo sits above mangroves with every room ocean-facing. It’s popular with couples and families who appreciate an upscale, calm base close to Cancún.
6. Almare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Isla Mujeres — The brand’s first all-inclusive in Mexico (opened 2024) on idyllic Isla Mujeres. Adults-only design, oceanfront suites, multiple restaurants, and an emphasis on local culture and wellness.
7. Viceroy Riviera Maya — Palapa villas, meandering pathways through fragrant gardens, and a jungle-meets-beach vibe make the Viceroy a resort that feels private and restorative.
8. Excellence Playa Mujeres — An adults-only all-inclusive known for streamlined service, roomy suites with private terraces, and a lively but restful beachfront experience (pillow menus and rooftop terrace suites among the perks).
9. Kempinski Hotel Cancún — A large, full-service beachfront classic in Cancún’s Hotel Zone with multiple restaurants, an extensive tequila program, and family-friendly amenities.
10. Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya — Hilton’s luxury outpost that merges large-resort programming with a local, culture-forward design: Mayan-inspired features, cenote-like spa treatments, and artful installations.
11. The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai — The brand’s Latin American debut, notable for cenote-inspired architecture, a lagoon-centric layout, and high-profile culinary talent.
12. Catalonia Riviera Maya — A value-driven, activity-rich all-inclusive with tennis, diving, multiple pools, and a large spa — a hub for travelers who want a lot to do on-site.
13. Atelier Playa Mujeres — Five-star service, rooftop bars, and butler offerings make this a favorite for celebrations and group trips.
14. Finest Playa Mujeres — Family-oriented all-inclusive with dozens of dining options, a children’s program, and beachfront design that blends into the Yucatán landscape.
15. Excellence Riviera Cancun — An adults-only enclave near Cancún with palapa-dotted beaches, winding pools, and a strong spa program focused on water-based wellness.
16. SLS Playa Mujeres — A newer, large all-inclusive with an emphasis on food and nightlife, plus a large wellness spa and many room types for varied travel styles.
17. Mi Amor, Tulum — A romantic, adults-only boutique hotel on a rocky Tulum outcrop; known for intimate design, private nooks, and a spa with local-inspired treatments.
18. Beloved Playa Mujeres — Upscale, adults-only suites, a thoughtful spa with hydrotherapy circuits, and a broad beachfront that feels more tranquil than the Cancún strip.
19. Banyan Tree Mayakoba — After a significant expansion, Banyan Tree offers private beachfront pool suites, an oceanfront beach club, mangrove waterways, and an on-site golf course, all within the Mayakoba development.
20. Hotel Esencia — A bohemian hideaway on Xpu‑ha beach with a spa rooted in garden herbs, straightforward seafood dining, and intimate beachfront charm.
Other standout winners across Mexico’s Pacific and Baja coasts
– Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita — A sprawling private oasis with elevated service and a celebrated Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course.
– Chileno Bay Resort & Residences (Auberge) — A modern, swim-friendly Cabo beach resort with a lively food and beach scene.
– Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal — A cliffside Mediterranean-village–style retreat with private terraces and highly personalized service.
– One&Only Mandarina — A secluded, nature-forward escape in Riviera Nayarit with a strong wellness program and surf access.
– Viceroy Los Cabos, Esperanza (Auberge), Las Ventanas al Paraíso (Rosewood), Zadún (Ritz-Carlton Reserve), Solaz (Luxury Collection), The Cape (Thompson), and several Four Seasons properties across Cabo and the Pacific — all received strong reader support for their design, service, and sense of place.
How to use this list
– Choose by mood: For secluded, intimate stays pick boutique properties (Mi Amor, Hotel Esencia). For family time and lots to do on property, consider Fairmont Mayakoba, Etéreo, or family-oriented all-inclusives. For adults-only pampering, Excellence and Almare are reader favorites.
– Look for special programs: many resorts now pair spa rituals with local traditions (Mayan treatments, temazcal ceremonies), offer culinary programming with celebrated chefs, or center conservation and local sourcing.
– Book earlier for peak seasons: the most popular resort experiences and villas (private plunge pools, limited tented suites, or exclusive residences) fill fast.
A note on selection and commerce
Editors select and verify award results, but the Readers’ Choice winners come directly from reader ballots. If you follow hotel links to book, some outlets may offer affiliate links or partner booking options that help fund editorial work.
Planning your trip
Use this roundup as a starting point: read individual property reviews, check recent traveler photos and updated menus or spa offerings, and think about what you want most from your stay — privacy, family programming, adventure, or pure relaxation. The resorts readers voted for in 2025 range from Baja cliffside estates to jungle-encircled Riviera Maya sanctuaries, so whether you’re chasing surf, cenotes, whale watching, or hammock-side stillness, Mexico’s top resorts offer options that match how you want to travel now.
