Cabo San LucasResort We Love: Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort
Why We Love It: Las Ventanas is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious hotels in the area, complete with an A-list clientele. We hear the new sushi bar is to die for--look for the Mexican maki, filled with lobster, grilled corn and avocado.
Price: Rooms start at $550/night; lasventanas.com.
Resort We Love: Sirena Del Mar
Why We Love It: This new Welk resort sits on seven acres of gorgeous cliffs with a clear view of El Acro, an iconic rock formation. Plus, it's close to the downtown area, so you can walk to all of the local restaurants and bars. The guest rooms, in turn, are actually apartments--every unit has a kitchen, washer/dryer and balconies.
Price: Rooms start at $199/night; welkcabo.com.
Resort We Love: Grand Solmar Land's End Resort & Spa
Why We Love It: This hotel isn't even opening till February 2011, meaning everything is guaranteed brand spanking new. The guest rooms feature traditional Mexican details--like picture-carved wood furnishings and wrought iron and stonework--make for an organic experience.
Price: Rooms start at $456/night; solmar.com.
Acapulco
Resort We Love: Banyan Tree Cabo Marques
Why We Love It: This recently-opened hotel features oversize windows that showcase stunning views. The Asian-inspired decor gives way to a delicious Thai restaurant (amidst a sea of tacos and mole). If you book a room with a private plunge pool or jacuzzi, you'll also have a private porch that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
Price: Rooms start at $600/night; banyantree.com.
Resort We Love: Boca Chica
Why We Love It: This 38-room, super-chic boutique hotel is reminiscent of 1950s Acapulco, when Elvis was king. Each unit features floor-to-ceiling shutters that open up to sweeping views of the Roqueta Island nature preserve. Check out the freeform pool and the palapa-topped candlelit pool bar for extra romance.
Price: Rooms start at $95/night; hotel-bocachica.com.
Next: Puerto Vallarta >>
Puerto Vallarta
Resort We Love: Garza Blanca Preserve Resort and Spa
Why We Love It: This beachside hotel features a sleek natural design and al fresco lounges that mesh well with the gorgeous bay views. Plus, the resort maintains a 70-foot yacht that's available for private sunset cruises and whale-watching tours.
Price: Rooms start at $316/night; garzablancaresort.com.
Next: Riviera Nayit >>
Riviera Nayit
Resort We Love: Imanta Punta de Mita
Why We Love It: This super-luxe cliffside resort has all the bells and whistles, including incredible White-curtained daybeds on the beach. The hotel also offers kayaking, hiking and snorkling across its 250-acre property.
Price: Rooms start at $1,000/night; imantaresorts.com.
Next: Baja Peninsula >>
Baja Peninsula
Resort We Love: Rancho Pescadero
Why We Love It: Once a 12-room hotel complete with marine biologist and turtle sanctuary, this hotel now features 39 folk art-filled rooms with Mexican accents like hammered-tin mirrors. If you're into yoga, you're in luck: the hotel is building a 220-foot open-air oceanfront yoga studio. Om, right?
Price: Rooms start at $185/night; ranchopescadero.com.
Next: San Miguel de Allende >>
San Miguel de Allende
Resort We Love: Hotel Matilda
Why We Love It: This boutique hotel bills itself as a "living gallery;" much local art is showcased here. If you're burnt out, head to the spa--it's set in a peacful tropical garden.
Price: Rooms start at $275/night; hotelmatilda.com.
Resort We Love: Artesana Rosewood Residences
Why We Love It: The not-yet-opened hotel (February 2011 is the tentative date) is actually part of a larger complex of residences, giving it an at-home feel. With spectacular local views, pink stucco buildings and flower-filled grounds, this resort is an affordable gem.
Price: Rooms start at $350/night; artesanasanmiguel.com.
Next: Riviera Maya >>
Riviera Maya
Resort We Love: One Playa del Carmen
Why We Love It: This Fiesta Americana-owned resort is the newest, chicest boutique hotel in the area--and the most reasonably priced. It's not close to the beach, but that's not why you stay here: head to the sceney main strip, filled with restaurants, bars and even sometimes mariachi bands.
Price: Rooms start at $60/night; onehotels.com.
Resort We Love: Ocean Breeze Riviera Maya
Why We Love It: This is a veritable hotel-within-a-hotel, simply put. The 96-room boutique-style spot is actually part of the much larger Grand Mayan and Mayan Palace Resort, which means access to all the amenities without the extra people, noise or whatever else comes along with a jumbo-sized hotel.
Price: Rooms start at $90/night; oceanbreezehotels.com.
Resort We Love: Hotel Reina Roja
Why We Love It: This new hotel oozes pure sex appeal with an industrial-chic pool plus themed rooms with all the trimmings--offerings include the erotic suite, which aims to "free the senses and the imagination." Count us in.
Price: Rooms start at $140/night; reinarojahotel.com.
Resort We Love: Jade Riviera Cancun
Why We Love It: Located just south of Cancun, this brand-new all-inclusive hotel has modern decor, tons of hot tubs, five restaurants and three pools. And there are beach movie nights!
Price: Rooms start at $172/night; nowresorts.com.
Next: Mexico City >>
Mexico City
Resort We Love: Las Alcobas
Why We Love It: This 35-room comsopolitan hideaway manages to evoke a calm vibe amidst the hecticness that highlights Mexico's capital. Make sure to eat at Dulce Patria on the property; famed local chef Martha Ortiz helms it, serving modern takes on regional dishes like stuffed zucchini blossoms and chicken with mole.
Price: Rooms start at $405/night; lasalcobas.com.