Less than an hour’s drive from the Mexico-Belize border, the
carefree city of Bacalar is famed for its 50km-long Lake Bacalar –
also known as the Lagoon of Seven Colours thanks to its arresting
shades of blue. Anchored just a short walk from the shores of the
lake is Casa Hormiga, a minimalist sanctuary that embodies the
beauty of its surroundings. Thoughtfully designed following the
traditional Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi (which maintains that
beauty is to be found in nature’s imperfections), open-plan living
spaces feature high ceilings, bamboo furnishings, wooden detailing
and handcrafted elements. Guests are invited to enjoy the spa,
library, restaurant and pool, while a roster of activities will
keep outdoor enthusiasts entertained – we’re talking guided hikes
and plenty of thrilling water-based adventures.

Arriving at this 18th-century mansion set amid knotted palm
trees and overgrown flora, you’d never believe that you were in the
heart of the vibrant city of San Miguel de Allende. Six guest
rooms, each carefully decorated to respect the history of the
property while weaving contemporary touches throughout, feature
time-worn stone walls, original fireplaces and cobblestone
courtyards decorated with linen curtains, Persian rugs and
high-backed armchairs. Make the Ambu room your sanctuary for its
private courtyard and an airy bathroom that houses an enormous
rainforest shower.

Grupo Habita has put the sleepy surf town of La Paz on the map,
with its design-driven renovation of Baja Club – a 19th-century
former villa. Once a hub for harvesting oyster pearls, the
32-bedroom boutique stay has been transformed by Mexico City-based
architect Max von Werz to respect the character and history of the
neighbourhood. Standout elements include handcrafted furnishings,
original walls and delicate ceramics, and, outside, the blanket of
greenery that envelops the property. Foodies will appreciate the
in-house restaurant, whose daily-changing menu draws upon locally
sourced ingredients. We strongly suggest dining on the open-air
rooftop terrace for the ultimate sundowner feast.

Rooted deep within the remote village of Coba, this five-bedroom
hideout is modelled on historical Mayan ruins. Husband-and-wife duo
Francesa Bonato and Nicholas Malleville opened the hotel in 2003,
having transformed the property’s crumbling stone walls into a
stylish residence. Inside, luxurious guest rooms are home to
braided hammocks and enormous stone bathtubs. Throughout the rest
of the property, an earth-tone palette is used to reflect the
surrounding jungle, complemented by details such as abstract
artworks and delicate handwoven materials. Kick-start your day with
a plunge in the outdoor pool, before tucking into regional fare at
the breakfast banquet – most of which has been freshly plucked from
the surrounding farmland.

If we had to design a tropical playground for creative types, it
would look something like this – a marvellous blend of local
culture, sustainability, nature and relaxation. Rooms, which are
better described as design-led cabins, come armed with rooftop
pools and private sandy terraces, while a treehouse is on hand for
adventurous types. The circular suite, which stands on wooden
stilts, has cut-out holes that allow branches to erupt into the
indoor space, making for a seriously off-grid stay. The beauty of
Papaya Playa Project is that there are meditation sessions and a
sublime spa space in which to spend chilled-out days, but also an
open-air nightclub that throws parties from dusk until dawn and has
resident DJ nights.

If you thought staying in a treehouse meant giving up any
opportunity for fine dining, think again. The Acre experience
combines sleeping high above the ground in a completely private and
beautifully designed thatched treehouse with a sensational
farm-to-table restaurant. All dishes (and drinks) are prepared with
ingredients sourced from the property’s own grounds. Dinner looks
like crab-stuffed tacos and creamy shrimp ragu, while a lunch menu
offers chopped salads and wood-fired pizzas. Feasting aside, this
is a space that allows guests to reconnect and properly recharge
through sunrise yoga sessions, craft workshops and relaxing
poolside areas. There is also an animal sanctuary that rescues and
nurtures stray dogs before finding them a new home, and at which
guests are invited to volunteer.

One for surfer types, or anyone who wants to spend a week
surrounded by nothing but white-capped waves and cacti, Hotel
Escondido is far removed from the tourist trails. Spend days
flitting from beachside lounging to paddling in your own private
pool. With just 16 cabanas, you could easily spend an entire week
without crossing paths with another guest – which, in our opinion,
is absolutely not a bad thing. In the mood to be among the hustle
and bustle? Head to nearby Bikini Bar, where bar-facing swings draw flocks of
laid-back locals and an impressive cocktail menu awaits.

An hour’s drive from the vibrant crowds and colourful markets of Oaxaca City, this six-bedroom
eco-retreat sits in the heart of the Valle del Silencio. Dreamed up
by Fausto Zapata, Casa Silencio’s two-floor guest rooms feature
reclaimed wood, distressed leather detailing and velvet upholstery,
while bathrooms flaunt enormous walk-in showers, rugged stone sinks
and walls crafted entirely from recycled El Silencio bottles. There
is also an on-site distillery, which invites guests to join in the
daily mezcal production, picking agave plants that are then
transported to be roasted. Thirsty? Skip the hard bit and make a
beeline for the tasting room, where you’ll be invited to sample a
fresh spirit (or three).

This 32-room property from the forward-thinking Bunkhouse Group
set a new standard for stylish beachfront luxury when it opened in
2017. With brightly coloured woven blankets, handmade tiles and
copal incense accessorising the dreamy location, this barefoot
bohemian idyll makes for a memorable stay. Be sure to visit nearby
The
Green Room restaurant, which is known as the best spot in town
for both its shipwreck tacos and sunset-facing vistas.

“Azúcar” means “sugar” in Spanish, and this chic hotel composed
of 20 whitewashed bungalows is as sweet as its name. Its recipe for
beachside luxury involves minimalist decor with giant pink bean
bags providing the only pop of colour, outdoor showers for washing
off after jaunts to the white-sand beach, a superb spa and
restaurant on standby for a fix of local flavours before a
late-afternoon siesta – hammock-style, of course.

If total immersion in nature is what you’re after, one of
Azulik’s treetop wooden villas has your name scribbled all over it.
Ensconced in jungle foliage, each abode sees natural materials
embody the very essence of Tulum’s landscape, with rope swings,
netting and nests that overlook the ocean. Art lovers will feel at
home here, with a gallery that has two exhibition spaces and hosts
regular artist residencies. Guests are encouraged to browse pop-up
collections and try their hand at various workshops.