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A luxury trip to Mexico could be just what it’s in order to get you over the final push into normal life after two years of isolation. Fortunately, a high-end getaway does not necessarily mean you have to dig deep into your pockets to make it come true. Some of the best hotels and resorts in Mexico are rewards program members, meaning the points you’ve already stashed away can be traded for well-earned free nights. Here are some of our faves.
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Pacific Beaches
The Cape, A Thompson Hotel
Chic and sexy, The Cape, a Thompson Hotel is one of the hottest resorts in Cabo San Lucas. The scene is set from the cliffs overlooking Monuments Beach, with the view of the famous El Arco in the background.
The swanky resort has serious vintage vibes (picture Mad Men goes to California), with a Sea of Cortez twist. The location of the resort gives it a lot of privacy, despite being surrounded by some of the other fabulous hotels in Cabo. The amenities are also top notch, from the oceanfront infinity pool to the saltwater pool with hot tub.
The Cape features 158 guest rooms, each one showing off an ocean view and private balcony. This is especially appealing because many hotels will only redeem for garden view rooms with points unless you book a premium category room. Villas are also available to book, with the largest maxing out at 5,800 square feet. The villas have their own set of perks, including private plunge pools, outdoor dining spaces, and hot tubs.
Five restaurants are on hand to help keep things interesting, from a seafood restaurant to Mexican cuisine, to one of the only rooftop bars in town. You’ll also find the resort has a Currents Spa with hydrotherapy, treatment rooms, and its own tranquility pool.
World of Hyatt: Category 6. Redeem from 21,000 points per night for off-peak pricing and up to 29,000 points during peak pricing.
St. Regis Punta Mita
The arrival experience at the St. Regis Punta Mita is enough to seal the deal. An avenue of towering palm trees flanking tiered pools guides your eyes to a direct shot of the Pacific Ocean. From there, it only gets better.
The resort sits on a beautiful swath of white, sandy beach with views out to the Marieta Islands, where the Bay of Banderas meets the Pacific Ocean. The resort is definitely St. Regis in terms of quality and luxury, but is decidedly laid-back, unpretentious, and relaxed.
St. Regis Punta Mita has 120 rooms, spread across villa-style houses each with four units. The detail is everything you’d hope for in a luxury resort in Mexico—tile floors, exposed wood beams, terrace, outdoor shower and Insta-worthy views of either the garden or the sea.
While it may be tempting to spend the entire stay in the privacy of your own suite, the resort’s amenities are rather tempting. Take, for example, the three outdoor pools, the golf courses or the massive 10,000 square foot spa.
The resort is also a short drive from some of the best places to visit in the Riviera Nayarit, like the boho-chic town of Sayulita. If you’re up for the drive, the resort is just 45 minutes from the thriving energy of Puerto Vallarta.
Marriott Bonvoy: Redeem for 80,500 to 119,500 points per night with the fifth night free on award bookings.
Conrad Punta de Mita
Riviera Nayarit has no shortage of luxury resorts, and Conrad Punta de Mita is one of the latest in a long list of luxe options. Sitting on 12 acres, the gorgeous resort maximizes its natural surroundings with plenty of spaces to play outdoors.
The resort features 324 rooms, with the smallest measuring 650 square feet. Each room has a balcony that has either a partial or full ocean view, which is something not every resort can brag about.
In the public areas, Conrad Punta de Mita has three pools, one of which is reserved for adults only, as well as a spa and a 24-hour gym. For those who are feeling more adventurous, the resort can arrange zip-lining, horseback riding, golf or hiking excursions.
One of the best features of the resort is the two miles of beachfront at its doorstep. The powdery soft sand is the perfect place to perch for an afternoon. The dining at the Conrad is also fantastic, with seven food and beverage options including a chic oceanfront restaurant.
Hilton Honors: Starting at 95,000 points per night with the fifth night free on award booking for Silver and above Hilton Honors members.
Yucatan Beach Resorts
Andaz Mayakoba
One of Mexico’s most exclusive resort communities, Mayakoba, is home to four of the best resorts in Mexico. These include the Andaz Mayakoba, a member of the World of Hyatt rewards program, making it one of the best resorts in Mexico to book with points.
The oceanfront resort is beautifully designed, blending seamlessly into the Mayakoba landscape of mangrove jungle and canals that lead out to one of the best beaches in Mexico. Guests of the resort have access to the Mayakoba community, which includes a golf course, numerous restaurants, and shopping.
The vibe at Andaz Mayakoba is best described as colorful and beachy, with pops of bright colors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and views over the lagoon or the Caribbean Sea. Guests have two pools to choose from, whether it’s the beachfront pool or a quieter pool by the lagoon. The resort also has five restaurants, including a toes-in-the-sand Mediterranean restaurant that often has live music.
The resort has 214 rooms, including 41 suites. Note that the standard rooms bookable on points are located one kilometer away from the beach nestled among the immense Andaz Mayakoba property.
World of Hyatt: Category 6. Redeem 21,000 to 29,000 points per night.
Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
The best reason to book the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen is to enjoy the absolute best of both worlds. Not only is it perched right on a stretch of one of Playa del Carmen’s most popular beaches, it is also within walking distance to the world-famous Fifth Avenue and all the entertainment and shopping that comes with it.
The sleek, chic resort is known for its minimalist and modern design, with clean lines and sweeping views out to the Caribbean Sea. Rooms here start at a spacious 409 square feet, all with a slate color base defined by white linens and wood accents.
For public spaces, the resort has a three-tier infinity pool, surrounded by chaise lounges and facing the turquoise sea. A spa and fitness center are also available as well as several restaurants. Families will appreciate the extra touches such as a game room and the full-service Camp Hyatt available for when you need a bit of down time.
World of Hyatt: Category 6. Redeem 21,000 to 29,000 points per night.
InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort
Located in the heart of the Hotel Zone, the InterContinental Presidente Cancun is an intimate resort that is an ideal solution for IHG Rewards Club Members with points to spare. The family-friendly resort features a prime stretch of sugary white sand directly in front, spacious rooms and plenty of amenities to keep travelers busy and comfortable. The pricing at the InterContinental is attractive both on points and on cash rates compared to other high-end properties in the hotel zone.
Rooms are minimalist without being spartan, with colorful accent walls and floor-to-ceiling windows to flood the space with light. Rooms have balconies which face either the sea or the lagoon. As for amenities, the resort has two swimming pools, a gym, spa and three restaurants.
IHG Rewards Club: Rewards nights start at 25,000 points with the fourth night free for IHG cardholders.
Papaya Playa Project
Tulum today may be somewhat chaotic and devoted to chasing “the scene,” but you can get back to the roots of early days Tulum with a stay at the eco-friendly Papaya Playa Project. This laid-back (but rustically chic) resort embodies the vibe of what Tulum was designed to be — eco-conscious and designed with nature in mind.
The vibe here is truly barefoot luxury. The design is rustic, with natural wood, jungle-shrouded pathways, and pops of turquoise-colored pools. A member of Design Hotels, the aesthetic here is something next level and truly unique to the destination. Imagine Gilligan’s Island as a luxury getaway to get a feeling of the vibe.
The resort is all about its amenities, including yoga, holistic treatments at the Mayan-inspired spa and excursions to the nearby attractions like archaeological sites or cenotes. An on-site restaurant serves traditional Mayan dishes, as well. But one of the main selling points is the half-mile stretch of sugary beach right in front of the hotel.
Rooms are bungalow style. Basic, but beautifully designed, the entire spaces take their cues from nature, with palapa-style roofs, private porches, and plunge pools. The resort features casitas, and luxury-style villas with private pools that overlook the sea. Best of all, award rooms are ocean view casitas so you are guaranteed a stunning vista even when using points.
Papaya Playa Project got its start as a nightlife and events venue so you can expect the calendar of music events to always be full and interesting. Guest DJs and musicians are always showing up to this artists’ hideaway.
Marriott Bonvoy: Redeem rewards nights for 40,000 to 60,000 points per night with the fifth night free on award bookings.
Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Resort
Amid the hustle of Playa del Carmen sits the chilled-out oasis of the Hilton Playa del Carmen. This adults-only property is particularly popular among younger couples and groups of friends because it is just steps from the frenetic energy of Fifth Avenue.
The resort’s star is the location as well as the size of its rooms. Rooms also start at 653 square feet and all have balconies and Jacuzzi tubs. You’ll also find the all-inclusive resort is replete with bars and restaurants. A total of 13 outlets means you never have to leave the resort to change up your dining routine. Though with the restaurants and bars of Playa just outside, you probably will venture out a few times just to see what the fuss is all about.
Other amenities include two swimming pools and beach access, as well as a spa and gym, nightly entertainment and daily activities and classes. This resort is designed for travelers who want that mega all-inclusive vibe minus the kids and close enough to town to take in all of the action.
Hilton Honors: Redeem 57,000 to 80,000 points per night with the fifth night free on award bookings for elite members.
Urban Luxury
Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel
You don’t have to visit a beach destination in Mexico in order to redeem your points for a five-star hotel. Las Alcobas in Mexico City, for example, is a Marriott Bonvoy hotel that puts members at the doorstep of the country’s exciting capital city.
The Luxury Collection Hotel sits in Mexico City’s exclusive Polanco neighborhood and it is designed to match. Just feast your eyes on that eye-popping spiral staircase that greets you as you enter. The hotel has 35 rooms, each one with a clean, modern color palette. But the joy of Las Alcobas is in the details from the complimentary (non-alcoholic) minibar and morning coffee service to the rain shower to the service that’s just a step above what you would expect from even a five-star hotel.
The jewel in the crown at Las Alcobas is its signature restaurant, Dulce Patria, which has topped “best of” lists across Latin America. But even the casual restaurant, Anatol, deserves a visit for its guest-exclusive breakfast or for room service that will have you rethinking your ideas about what room service should be.
Marriott Bonvoy: Redeem for 50,000 to 70,000 points per night with the fifth night free on award bookings.
Bottom Line
Using points in Mexico is easy—almost too easy—because there are so many options. Check out one of our faves for your next trip. No matter where you choose, you won’t be disappointed. And best of all, you can always choose another for the trip after that, and the trip after that.