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Readers chose accommodations in Mexico that offer spectacular scenery, delicious food, and a wealth of excursion options in our annual “World’s Best Awards” survey for 2023.
How Voting Works
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, iBestTravel 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. Nearly 165,000 iBestTravel readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, 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.
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What Readers Loved
Nine of the hotels on this year’s list are clustered in Baja California Sur. The 2022 WBA winner, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, slipped one spot to No. 2, but readers still had plenty of praise for the 113-room oasis. Multiple people commented on the superlative cliffside restaurant El Farallon, with one person calling it “one of the most romantic spots anywhere.” The dining was equally memorable for another reader, who stayed at The Cape, a Thompson Hotel (No. 8), who said that “the craft drinks and Peruvian ceviche became a daily tradition.”
Hotels in the Yucatán Peninsula — specifically, in Cancún and the Riviera Maya along the Caribbean coast — also had a strong showing, grabbing another eight spots on this year’s list. One of the newest hotels to catch readers’ attention is No. 17 Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya. Opened in January 2022, the vibrant 349-room resort offers a sophisticated option in a destination whose spectacular natural scenery and adventure pursuits have, in recent years, been overshadowed by high-octane beach clubs and overtourism.
All-inclusive hotels have become increasingly popular and increasingly elevated in their offerings. This is perhaps one reason why five of them appear on this year’s list of the best resorts in Mexico, as voted by iBestTravel readers. The family-friendly Hotel Xcaret Mexico (No. 11) is a 900-suite property that provides access to eight theme and water parks as part of every booking. “Xcaret makes it so easy to relax,” wrote one voter. “You don’t have to think too much! The time we spend here is perfect, whether we’re there as a couple or taking our teenagers.” Other perks include a round-trip ferry to Isla Mujeres, a popular site for snorkeling and scuba diving. On the opposite coast, readers loved both Grand Velas Los Cabos (No. 12) and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit (No. 10). Of the latter, one iBestTravel reader said, “The cuisine and beverage selections are made to please the most discriminating palate. This is a very special place to stay if you would like to be treated like gold in the most beautiful surroundings.”
The Full List
1. Hotel Xcaret Arte: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
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This all-inclusive, 900-suite property debuted in July 2021 just south of resort hub Playa del Carmen. While the hotel is a popular destination for honeymooners and touts itself as being adults only, it actually allows guests as young as 16, making it a solid choice for families with older high schoolers and college students. Like its sibling property (No. 11 Hotel Xcaret Mexico), Xcaret Arte offers unlimited access to a group of a combination of water and theme parks, where guests can participate in zip-lining, snorkeling, white-water rafting, and other activities. As the name implies, art is also a big focus here. Eight on-site workshops let travelers dabble in specialties like textiles and painting. “Amazing,” summarized one reader.
Reader Score: 98.67
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