T+L Readers Named This All-inclusive the Best Resort in Mexico — With Roomy Suites, Celebrity Chef-led Restaurants, and Nighttime Swims in Underground Rivers
The resort was joined by 24 other gorgeous properties, voted as the best in Mexico in our annual "World's Best Awards" survey for 2024.
Courtesy of La Casa de La Playa
There's no doubt why Mexico is one of the most visited destinations in the world, thanks to its white sandy beaches, towering jungle-covered Sierra peaks, and hundreds of fabulous hotels. No matter what the travel style calls for, Mexico has an aesthetic and a vibe to match. Looking for a sprawling all-inclusive resort? Or an exclusive, adults-only escape complete with private plunge pools and a fabulous spa? How about a spectacularly designed jungle-meets-beach resort with opulent treehouse-style villas and a restaurant helmed by one of the most famous chefs in Mexico? You'll find all of that and more in these Travel + Leisure reader picks.
How Voting Works
Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey. A total of more than 700,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below:
Rooms/facilities
Location
Service
Food
Value
For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
What Readers Loved
This year's winners are scattered around the country's coastlines, but Riviera Maya resorts were a particular favorite for T+L readers. Last year's winner, Hotel Xcaret Arte, slipped down to the No. 3 spot and was replaced by the parent company's even more luxurious adults-only, all-inclusive resort, La Casa de la Playa.
Hotels in Los Cabos also had a strong showing, with 11 resorts clustered around Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Montage Los Cabos (No. 17) was particularly praised for its swimmable beach, which is not typical of hotels in Los Cabos.
One of the newest resorts to catch the attention of readers is Susurros del Corazón, Auberge Resorts Collection (No. 5), which opened at the end of 2022. The 89-key resort is in the exclusive Punta Mita community, about 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta via car. Also along the Pacific Coast, One&Only Mandarina in the No. 22 spot. With just over 100 suites, a 27,000-square-foot spa, and six pool options, this resort has continued to wow travelers since it opened in 2020. One reader calls this resort her "favorite place on earth."
A trend shines through here, with all-inclusive resorts continuing to be popular among our readers. Seven all-inclusive resorts ranked on the list for this year, with three of them — La Casa de la Playa(No. 1), Hotel Xcaret México (No. 3), and Hotel Xcaret Arte (No. 7) — all part of the Grupo Xcaret portfolio. Here, see why La Casa de la Playa in particular took the top spot.
The Winner
La Casa de la Playa
Courtesy of La Casa de La Playa
The all-inclusive, 63-suite resort from Grupo Xcaret debuted at the end of 2021, just south of the buzzy Playa del Carmen. When it opened, the goal was to prove that the sky is truly the limit when it comes to what an all-inclusive resort can be. Each of the sprawling suites is more than 1,000 square feet, and comes with ocean views and private pools. Culinary offerings include celebrity chef-helmed restaurants, a decadent spa with salt and mud rooms, and a lengthy list of activities to choose from. Think intimate dinners in a cenote or nighttime swims in underground rivers — all included. "Best resort I've ever been to, from the service, to the most amazing food, to even the smells of the rooms and the hotel spaces," summarized one reader.
"Best resort I've ever been to, from the service, to the most amazing food, to even the smells of the rooms and the hotel spaces."
T+L Reader
The Full List
1. La Casa de la Playa: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Reader Score: 99.76
2. Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort: San José del Cabo, Mexico
Reader Score: 97.94
3. Hotel Xcaret México: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Reader Score: 97.33
4. Viceroy Riviera Maya: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Reader Score: 97.04
5. Susurros del Corazón, Auberge Resorts Collection: Punta de Mita, Mexico
Reader Score: 96.63
6. Rosewood Mayakoba: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 96.44
7. Hotel Xcaret Arte: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Reader Score: 96.41
8. Viceroy Los Cabos: San José del Cabo, Mexico
Reader Score: 96.33
9. Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Reader Score: 96.27
10. (tie) Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita: Punta Mita, Mexico
Reader Score: 96.00
Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria
10. (tie) Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Reader Score: 96.00
12. The Cape, A Thompson Hotel: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Reader Score: 95.87
13. Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Reader Score: 95.49
14. Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Los Cabos: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Reader Score: 95.45
Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection
15. Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection: Punta Maroma, Mexico
Reader Score: 95.15
16. W Punta de Mita: Punta Mita, Mexico
Reader Score: 94.75
17. Montage Los Cabos: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Reader Score: 94.22
18. One&Only Palmilla: San José del Cabo, Mexico
Reader Score: 93.58
19. Vidanta Riviera Maya: Playa Paraíso, Mexico
Reader Score: 93.57
20. Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas: La Ribera, Mexico
Reader Score: 93.50
21. Nobu Hotel Los Cabos: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Reader Score: 93.41
22. One&Only Mandarina: Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Reader Score: 93.27
23. Marquis Los Cabos: San José del Cabo, Mexico
Reader Score: 93.18
24. Grand Velas Riviera Maya: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Reader Score: 92.95
25. Fairmont Mayakoba: Riviera Maya, Mexico
Reader Score: 92.91
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