Dezeen Magazine

Seven of the best boutique hotels in Mexico

Dezeen is celebrating the Mexican and American holiday Cinco de Mayo today by highlighting some of the top hotels in Mexico, just in time for the summer vacation season. They include Pablo Escobar's converted residence in Tulum and an all-white resort in Baja.


Hotel Mar Adentro by Taller Aragonés

Viceroy Los Cabos by Taller Aragonés
First on the list is a large hotel project formerly known as Hotel Mar Adentro by Mexican firm Taller Aragonés, notable for its shallow pools of water that seamlessly meet various walkways and white volumes.

Situated on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, these infinity pools visually link with the Pacific Ocean beyond. "I wanted to take that horizon and bring it into the foreground," said founder Miguel Angel Aragonés.

Find out more about Viceroy Los Cabos ›


Tulum Treehouse by CO-LAB Design Office

Tulum Treehouse by CO-LAB Design Office

CO-LAB Design Office created this private retreat in Tulum, constructed from concrete and surrounded by dense tropical foliage.

Outdoor spaces integrated into the project include a rooftop terrace, and a lounge with hammocks and an outdoor shower, while interiors boast local craft items like handmade baskets, ceramics, rugs and textiles.

Find out more about Tulum Treehouse ›


Hotel Carlota by JSa

Hotel Carlota by JSA

Lattices of dark blockwork wrap around a verdant courtyard and narrow swimming pool at this hotel in Mexico City, overhauled by local firm JSa.

Located in the capital's Cuauhtemoc neighbourhood and first opened in the 1970s, the renovated building features an aqua-coloured dining room, exposed brick interior walls, and a fully mirrored street facade.

Find out more about Hotel Carlota ›


Papaya Playa Project by Design Hotels

Papaya Playa Project by Emilio Heredia

Rounded shacks on the beach and a Gaudi-inspired treehouse can be found at this expansive eco resort in Tulum, along the Riviera Maya.

To keep the beach units cool, founder Emilio Heredia and his team used a local "chukum" technique with tree resin to coat the walls, which was similarly used on a holiday house on the Yucatan peninsula that can be rented through Airbnb.

Find out more about Papaya Playa Project ›


Hotel San Cristobal by Lake Flato

Hotel San Cristóbal Baja by Lake Flato

Texas-based Lake Flato constructed this boutique accommodation with pale exteriors to blend in with Baja's arid surroundings.

"Inspired by the town's historic designation as a 'pueblo mágico' village, a place considered to offer a magical experience, the hotel's vibe is minimal and beachy, reminiscent of a laid-back Baja in the 1970s," said the design team.

Find out more about Hotel San Cristóbal Baja ›


Drift San Jose by Stu Waddell

Drift San Jose by Stu Waddell and Pablo Torrestrueba

Drift San Jose comprises a series of concrete-designed rooms to form this intimate hotel in San José del Cabo. Founded on heritage tourism, the hotel offers guests local mezcal and a shop filled with products by Mexican designers.

The 600-square-metre property includes a handful of guest rooms, a splash pool with a lush courtyard, and an outdoor dining area.

Find out more about Drift San Jose ›


Casa Malca Hotel

Casa Malca by Lio Malca

Finally, this luxury hotel in Tulum was created at a private residence formerly owned by infamous drug baron Pablo Escobar.

A prominent art dealer turned the local estate into an art-filled hotel, complete with 42 rooms that meet a sandy yet shaded beachfront.

Find out more about Casa Malca ›