Where To Stay In Mexico During Your First Post-Pandemic Trip
- Words by Alyssa Morlacci
After months at home, a trip to Mexico won’t disappoint when you stay at one of these five resorts.
While most international travel destinations aren’t allowing U.S. citizens to visit any time soon, Mexico has remained pretty lenient with its travel restrictions. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite resorts offering safe accommodations, because let’s face it—we could all use a margarita in the sun right now.
Rosewood San Miguel de Allende
While plenty of travelers will be escaping to beach resorts, when deciding where to stay in Mexico, you might opt to avoid the crowds by visiting the city of San Miguel de Allende. Book a stay at the hacienda-inspired Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, which is set in a colonial artist village just a few hours north of Mexico City. The hotel reopened in mid-July with enhanced health and cleanliness protocols, including reduced seating at restaurants and bars, in-room dining with contactless tray delivery, and 50-percent occupancy at the pool. Stay in one of 67 guest rooms and suites, or reserve a Rosewood Residences private townhouse with two to five bedrooms, a private garage, elevator, and full kitchen, making it an optimal choice for social distancing.
JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa
You’ll feel confident booking a stay at the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa because it was the first property in Cancun to be awarded the World Travel and Tourism Council’s safety and cleanliness certification. Take in views of both the Nichupté Lagoon and the Caribbean Sea during your stay at the property, which is showing off new renovations, including a refreshed lobby, renovated guest rooms, and a new Tulum-inspired beach bar. While there are plenty of dining options at the hotel, we suggest a trip to Porfirio’s for contemporary Mexican food and a selection of 100 different tequilas and mezcals, all in an upscale setting where sunset views are plentiful and some nights are blessed with Mariachi band performances.
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
Take in coastal and mountainous views at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta, which reopened in June following a $20 million renovation that includes an upgraded infinity pool and new bi-level, open-air eatery called Nosh. The Banderas Bay beachfront resort is a short flight from Los Angeles, and located just five minutes from Puerto Vallarta’s International Airport. Guests can reserve a private dining experience in the intimate herb garden with the option to add a tequila tasting or a world-inspired dinner with sommelier-selected wine pairings. Additionally, the property is upholding an elevated hygiene standard and rigorous cleaning protocol that were put in place by Marriott International. The hotel also received the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Safe Travels certification for adhering to consistent global health and hygiene protocols.
W Punta de Mita, Nayarit
While many might escape to the above popular destination of Puerto Vallarta, you might instead choose to visit the neighboring, culture-rich Mexican city of Riviera Nayarit. Stay at the W Punta de Mita, a trendy beachfront property that boasts all the W Hotels amenities we love (the WET Pool and Deck, and the AWAY Spa), while also offering a boutique hotel design that draws inspiration from the artistry of the indigenous Huichol peoples. Right now when guests book the “Suiten Your Stay” package, they’ll receive a comped upgrade to an oceanfront suite with a private entrance, beach access and plunge pools for a more private experience on property. In order to take advantage of the hotel’s amenities while staying safe, the hotel also offers additional personalized experiences, like a private nightly dinner under the stars and an opportunity to experience the spa’s hot and cold plunge pools in a lush, jungle setting alone. The property, which is also Marriott-owned, has implemented the necessary protocols to meet health and safety requirements.
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
Name a better way to social distance than with a private plug pool on your patio. Every guest room at the Waldorf Astoria Cabo San Lucas offers a swim-up view of the Pacific Ocean. Cabo San Lucas is a natural escape for Los Angeles residents, with a flight time that can be shorter than a daily commute on the 405. Located at the tip of Baja California, the city is a destination for nightlife, but also for luxurious stays at resorts like the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, where accommodations are tucked into a rocky, dramatic mountain. The cliffside El Farallon restaurant is a must while staying at the resort—the experience includes selecting your cut of fish from a market-style case on your way to be seated at a table overlooking the ocean. The property is already private by nature, but the Waldorf Astoria has also implemented the Hilton CleanStay program, which includes things like increased cleaning and disinfecting, contactless check-in and check-out, guest-accessible disinfecting wipes, and more.