Zesty margaritas. Neon sunsets. Palapa roofs dotting virgin beaches. Mexico’s idyllic coasts are naturally predisposed to stimulating romance. From Cabo’s near-guaranteed sun to the mystical jungles of the Riviera Maya, here are eight romantic hotels in Mexico that cater to couples with steamy spa treatments, discreet butlers, private pools and more.
Celebrities from James Marsden to Felicity Huffman have chosen The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort for their romantic getaways, but if you need more proof of its amorous acclaim, consider its personal butlers, who happily unpack your bags while you rendezvous at the Areca adult pool. Make a memory together on a boat ride to the rugged Marietas Islands, home to rare blue-footed booby birds. You'll be back in time to catch the Champagne Sabering Ritual, held Fridays at sunset.
Couples reach the entrance to The Resort at Pedregal through a literal tunnel of love: the Dos Mares tunnel, cut through a cliff face. On the other side are 113 suites that each boast an ocean vista, a deep soaking tub and a private plunge pool. Start the day on the right foot with a sunrise paddle-boarding expedition to the striking Land's End rock formation; then stroll hand in hand to a picnic brunch on adjacent Lovers Beach.
Las Ventanas al Paraíso is so focused on couples, it has its own Department of Romance that works with guests to plan special tête-à-têtes during their stay. We recommend a blind tequila tasting, a candlelit dinner in La Cava wine cellar, or a movie screening on the sand. Up the ante with a twilight whale-watching excursion or a beach cabana with its own hot tub. Resort staff will even set up your bedroom on your rooftop terrace one night for snuggling under the stars.
Baja California is a desert, but you'd never know it at One&Only Palmilla, where the dense tropical landscaping creates a romantic oasis. Slip away to the spa's hot and cold rock pools, or rekindle your amor with a couples massage in a seaside palapa: The 90-minute Magic Moment treatment begins with a vow renewal. Celebrate back in your Mexi-chic room, which features an aromatherapy turndown menu, a double-head shower and a private terrace with a daybed.
Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita takes the idea of "all-inclusive" to the next level. Beyond included gourmet dining and top-shelf spirits, couples receive 24-hour room service, a daily bottle of sparkling wine and even a catamaran sunset sail. Book a Romance Ocean Front Lover Suite: nearly 1,300 feet of living space for spreading out or getting close in the outdoor shower, plunge pool, double sun lounger and oversize sunken marble bath.
A 29-room estate that once served as the holiday retreat of an Italian duchess, Hotel Esencia is the smallest resort on our list. Contact with other guests is minimal, so indulge in some PDA at the adult pool or on the quiet stone paths that wind through the lush foliage. Or hunker down in your whitewashed abode, where gratis in-room breakfast and remote-controlled blackout blinds encourage pillow talk well into the morning.
At Viceroy Zihuatanejo, the toughest decision is choosing which spot to lounge à deux — perhaps a crocheted oceanfront hammock, the adults-only infinity pool or a "bed swing" on the sand. For more privacy, canoodle in your private plunge pool; all 35 suites have one. Schedule date night for Saturday evening, when the beach transforms into a dreamy bonfire lounge, complete with mezcalita cocktails, small bites and a DJ.
Infuse some Maya magic into your romantic getaway at Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa, a whitewashed stucco boutique fronting the Caribbean Sea. First, purify yourselves with a traditional Maya temazcal ritual at dusk. After, tuck into a private dinner on El Mirador observation deck, where you can feed each other red Mayan octopus while savoring a 360-degree view. Pro tip: Request an in-room mud-bar kit for a silly/sexy body-painting session.
