Palenque
Set on lush, sprawling grounds just to the east of the center, this 207-room behemoth (part of a Mexican chain) has all the trimmings you'd expect: comfy…
Must-see hotels in Mexico
Sayulita
Perfectly located between the plaza and beach, this hotel has a variety of rooms named after classic rock bands. All are bright and creative, with nice…
San Patricio-Melaque
Aside from being one of the cleanest budget hotels in town, the Bahía lies just one block from Melaque's most swimmable beach. Simple tiled rooms are…
Veracruz
With its split-level rooms clustered around two greenery-filled courtyards, this historic hotel has plenty of charming features: a bona fide well in the…
Puerto Vallarta
Astute use of bright colors and a plethora of original artworks enliven the tidy, comfortable rooms at this hotel in the heart of the Zona Romántica. Some…
San Miguel de Allende
The communal areas of this boutique place, which is in a quiet part of town, are stuffed full of extravagant statues and other works of art (admire that…
Puerto Vallarta
A block north of San Sebastián del Oeste's town square, the Mansion's eight immaculate rooms combine colonial stylings with modern comforts including flat…
The Copper Canyon & Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico
This budget hotel in the center of El Fuerte has charming staff who go the extra mile to look after their guests. The rooms, set around a shady pillared…
Hotel Boutique Casa Don Gustavo
Campeche
The 10 rooms here are decorated with antique furniture and have huge modern bathrooms, while the public areas look more like a museum than anything else…
La Paz
Located in the trendiest part of town with organic stores and cafes, this homey, aging B&B has rooms and a leafy patio set around a small pool and outdoor…
Querétaro
This funky hotel-hostel hybrid has both private rooms and dorms. Dorms are good value and simple, while the price hike for the private rooms gets you one…
Zipolite
Peaceful Las Casitas sits like a lighthouse on a lane behind the west end of Playa Zipolite. Six detached rooms done out with tasteful Mexican color…
Zihuatanejo
About as central as it gets, on a quiet little pedestrian street, this is the closest Zihua has to a hostel. Branching off the plant-festooned lobby, the…
Campeche
This hostel enjoys a good location in the historic center (but away from the crowds) and has a friendly atmosphere. Dorms are nothing fancy, but women can…
Veracruz City
Who knows why it’s called the Hawaii Hotel? The 30-room hotel looks more like the prow of a boat, with marble-and-white decor inside. However, it’s the…
Central Pacific Coast
The village's most upscale offering has decent rooms, suite with a Jacuzzi, a lovely pool surrounded by lush vegetation, and a characterful restaurant…
Cabo San Lucas
This place is in town, but the palapa roof, colorful decor and plant-filled courtyard make you feel like you're in nature. It's close to quite a few…
Puerto Vallarta
Overlooking one of Mexico’s most famous gay beaches, this resort is a byword for 'gay' in Vallarta. At the time of our last visit it was looking a bit…
Zona Rosa & Reforma
This Zona Rosa institution strives to maintain a belle epoque ambience dripping in gold despite the globalized mishmash around it. The lobby exudes class,…
Morelia
Facing the cathedral is Morelia’s slickest boutique hotel. The 11 rooms – all suites – range from spacious to palatial, all with dark-wood floors, stylish…
Puebla
The stuff of romance, with double-ceilinged rooms, plush four-poster beds and ornate wallpaper, even if it is a modern refurb of an old building. Road…
Campeche
With its unbeatable location on the Plaza Principal, this breezy, bright and friendly hostel offers a combination of dorms and private rooms, all with…
Acapulco
On the Playa Condesa, this spruced-up 1950s behemoth features art-deco tiles in the breezy lobby, a maritime theme in its spacious rooms, decked out in…
Cholula
Is Piki a hostel or hotel? The chic metal dorm beds are a dream to sleep in and look more suited to a boutique hotel. The cheapest 'suites' are more akin…
Western Central Highlands
A bright, airy hotel with a huge courtyard, Casa Iztac has four spacious rooms (more are in the works) just one block from the central plaza. All have…
Bahías de Huatulco
María Mixteca offers 14 prettily decorated yellow-and-white rooms on two upper floors around an open patio, with supercomfy beds, air-conditioning, all…
Central Pacific Coast
This beachside complex run by the local indigenous community offers pleasant cabañas and a restaurant (8am to 7pm) offering delicious plates of lobster…
Northeast Mexico
Perched on a hill, this rustic colonial house-turned-hotel is a pleasantly relaxed and unfussy choice, with its atmospheric bar area, charming garden and…
Veracruz
It's all about bright colors and lively Mexican design at this OK place down beside the river, south of the town center. There's the pleasant La Molienda…
Alonso10 Hotel Boutique & Arte
Guanajuato
A stylish boutique hotel located a street away from the centralized chaos. White and taupe hues rule, as do smart rooms with all the trimmings. The front…
Mérida
This charming addition to Mérida's hostel scene has an enviable location in a converted colonial building just a couple of blocks from Plaza Grande. There…
Chetumal
Right on the bay, the Noor will appeal to those looking to get away from the bustling center. Bay-view rooms, though pricier, are your best bet, as ground…
Veracruz
Once the home of the town's midwife, this old whitewashed house is beeing beautifully looked after by local painter Rafael, whose colorful artwork has…
Central Pacific Coast
Two kilometers north of the church in the town center, this beachside retreat has romantic cabin-style rooms. There's artful use of wood throughout,…
Taxco
Its excellent location and hypnotic terrace views over the plazuela make Casa Grande an attractive budget option, but bring your earplugs as the music…
Isla Cozumel
This is in the sedate area north of town on a pretty little stretch of beach, and there’s good snorkeling. All rooms have a sea view, a balcony or terrace…
Guadalajara Region
It can get mighty cold and damp in these hills at night, so you'll want a warm and cozy place to snuggle down. The large rooms at Casa de Maty, which…
Puebla
The tiled, sparse rooms at this bright hostel have an openness to them, being built around a covered courtyard that is sociable without being party…
Querétaro
A good value and architecturally interesting city-center option. The front half of the hotel is housed within a tenderly restored old building made up of…
Puerto Vallarta
Clothing is optional at this gay retreat in a beautiful hacienda-style mansion in the characterful streets high above the malecón (beach promenade), where…
