The Best Resorts & Spas in Mexico
- El Santuario Resort & Spa (Valle de Bravo; www.elsantuario.com): The suites at this spa resort, built into the foot of a quartz mountain, overlook a vast lake. A 1,858-sq.-m (19,999-sq.-ft.) spa offers a wealth of therapies, plus yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, and meditation classes.
- Misión Del Sol Resort & Spa (Cuernavaca; www.misiondelsol.com): This is Mexico's finest spa resort, with every architectural and functional detail designed to soothe body and soul -- from meditation rooms and reflexology showers to magnets under your mattress. This sumptuous, full-service spa and fitness center, with delicious vegetarian cuisine, is a heavenly base for personal renewal.
- Hotel Ixtapan Spa & Golf Resort (Ixtapan; www.hotelixtapan.com): In operation since 1939, this classic, traditional spa resort has consistently upgraded amenities and services. It's also close to the region's renowned thermal baths.
- Paradise Village (Nuevo Vallarta; www.paradisevillage.com): Excellent fitness facilities combined with pampering-yet-affordable spa services make this one of the best all-around spas in Mexico. It actively promotes the beneficial properties of indigenous Mexican spa therapies and natural treatments.
- Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay (Mazatlán; www.pueblobonitoemeraldbay.com): The resort's luxury spa is Mazatlán's best (and most expensive), offering a tempting variety of international spa treatments and more traditional Mexican rituals, as well as massage therapies, body scrubs, and facials.
- Le Méridien Cancún Resort & Spa (Cancún; www.meridiencancun.com.mx): The Spa del Mar is a state-of-the-art, 1,400-sq.-m (15,069-sq.-ft.) facility bordering the brilliant Caribbean. It has the most complete spa in the area, with inhalation rooms, saunas, Jacuzzis, cold plunges, Swiss showers, a cascading waterfall whirlpool, and 14 treatment rooms.
- ME (Cancún; www.mecancun.travel): The ultrachic Yhi Spa of Cancún's ME hotel overlooks the ocean and offers body glows and exfoliations, aromatherapy massages, body masks, and wraps -- this is a place to indulge yourself until you're convinced that you've landed in heaven.
- The Tides Riviera Maya (north of Playa del Carmen; www.tidesrivieramaya.com): Small, secluded, and private, the Tides offers extraordinary personal service -- some villas come with a major-domo on call -- and spa treatments. Rooms are spread throughout the jungle, and there's a beautiful seaside pool and restaurant.
- Rancho La Puerta (Baja Norte; www.rancholapuerta.com): One of Mexico's best-known spas, Rancho La Puerta is a spa-vacation pioneer, having opened its doors (at the time, tent flaps) in 1940. A steady stream of guests returns for the constantly expanding facilities, spa services, and outdoor opportunities.
