I recently posted an article about Condé Nast’s Reader’s Choice Best Of, and now I’ve found Travel and Leisure’s Reader’s Choice Best Of for 2025. Funny how discrepant their lists are, I would love to see a demographic breakdown of readership to see significant differences in “who reads what”…This list is the top 25 resorts from Mexico, I’m just posting the all-inclusive resorts and those who offer an optional all-inclusive plan. Here goes:
- Le Casa de la Playa is #1. I love Grupo Xcaret resort properties and have stayed at two; however, I haven’t yet stayed at Le Casa de la Playa because it’s so freaking expensive. There are only 63 suites so it’s a boutique luxury property with rooms starting at 1,063 sq. feet and going all the way up to 4,630 sq. feet with the Presidential Suite. I looked at some rates for right after New Years and the best I could find for the first part of 2026 were $973 USD–p/person, and that’s for an entry level room. Hats off to the vacationers who can afford such luxury.
- Hotel Xcaret Mexico is #4. I stayed here when it first opened and got such an amazing deal I consider myself fortunate to have been able to afford this property with lots of $ left to spare with my travel budget. They just completed a $700 million renovation so it should be even better.
- Hotel Xcaret Arte is #9. Loved my stay here, their Speakeasy nightclub was awesome and their food was great, but I could never find the small beach area when I stayed at this property. The resort layout can be confusing if you go from point A to B while walking within the resort from upper floors, but if you go to ground level you can eventually walk easily from place to place.
- Fairmont Mayakoba is #17. Now here’s a crossover from Condé Nast’s list, this resort is part of a megaresort complex and has an all-inclusive optional plan. Mayakoba properties have a stellar reputation and are renowned in the world of luxury resorts.
- Hilton Cancun is #19. Here’s that resort again, I have come across mention of it in so many places over the last 4 mos. or so, I just have to check it out.
- Secrets Maroma is #20. This is a favorite of couples celebrating honeymoons and anniversaries. It’s located on Playa Maroma which at one time was considered to be one of the loveliest beaches in the world. Just don’t stay here during sargassum season and it will exceed your beach expectations.
- Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun is #23. Here I have to disagree. Unless you want your whole stay to be in the spa (this resort has a stellar spa reputation) you may find this resort to be boring–only some rooms have a balcony and having access to a balcony is one of my requisites on a beach vacation. Be aware that the resort seems to have implemented a new policy that non-Palace vacation club owners don’t have access to the primo poolside loungers until after 10:30 a.m. Can anyone confirm this for me?? If this is true it’s just another reason for me to skip this one.
What do you think? Do you agree with this list? Leave your comments below, thanks!