When searching for that perfect getaway, sometimes it’s best to just go back to the basics. Mexico is chock-full of classic resorts with something for every couple.
“The country is easily accessible, which makes it a great destination for an extended weekend, but there’s still plenty to offer for a longer trip,” says Kelly Smith of SmartFlyer.
One&Only Palmilla
There isn’t any form of romantic travel that One&Only Palmilla in San Jose del Cabo doesn’t cater to. Or as Peter Bowling, managing director, called them, “every-mooners.”
He says the resort can create just about any experience the guests may be seeking. Previous customized experiences range from private yacht charters with chef-prepared meals, cocktails and whale-watching to helicopter rides around the peninsula and Jeep excursions to Todos Santos or Cabo San Lucas.
Fortunately, One&Only Palmilla’s offerings don’t end with adventure tours.
The resort has seven romantic dining pods at Agua by Larbi. They’re perched on the cliff’s edge, affording diners an uninterrupted view of the Sea of Cortez. Starlit dinners at Vista Point, Pelican Beach and The Cove are the other options. Prefer to dine inside? We hear the Sunset and Moonlight tables at Agua by Larbi are the best seats in the house (make reservations through hostagua@oneandonlypalmilla.com as early as possible).
There are even three private coves, complete with a “floating bed” under a palapa for couples looking for even more intimacy. The space is available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and includes beach butlers on call (guests are given a mobile phone to reach their butlers for whatever they may need — water bottles, cold face towels, lunch, and more).
Advisors looking to book a special evening or excursion for their clients should contact Alajandro Flores (alejandro.flores@oneandonlypalmilla.com), chief concierge. Also available for advisors is Pati Fagoaga (pati.fagoaga@oneandonlypalmilla.com), sales manager.
One&Only Palmilla has extensive wedding offerings. Each couple gets its own wedding manager, who customizes and assists with every detail and acts as a personal coordinator for all events. The resort has its own chapel, which accommodates up to 40 for a formal ceremony but that number increases to 240 for an outdoor event. The Chapel Ceremony includes floral arrangements, an altar runner, ceremony candles and a horse-drawn carriage.
Couples receive complimentary wedding dress steaming / pressing, room upgrades and two additional nights (a minimum room block applies), and special arrival and departure amenities.
Note: One&Only Palmilla hosts only one wedding per day, meaning each couple will have exclusivity.
To plan a wedding, advisors should speak with Samantha Macedo (samantha.macedo@oneandonlypalmilla.com), wedding coordinator, and Arianna Ocampo (arianna.ocampo@oneandonlypalmilla.com), director of groups & special events.
One&Only Palmilla’s Villa Cortez is designed in the style of a traditional Mexican hacienda, yet it’s equipped with all modern-day amenities.
For additional pampering, couples should head to the 22,000-square-foot spa, which has 13 private treatment villas in a garden setting. The signature treatment is the 60-minute One&Only Palmilla massage, where, after a detailed consultation, the therapists will offer the guests a Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports or personalized combination. For couples’ massages, we suggest the Enamorados Bespoke Couples Experience in the Private Spa Suite, which consists of two individual treatment beds, changing area and private bathroom, and is available for two- or three-hour treatments.
While all therapists are ESPA-certified, One&Only Palmilla reports that the following are the most requested: Diana (deep tissue); Mayra and Edaena (facial); Jorge and Francisco (male therapists); and Cyntia and Briseida (female therapists).
Guests will also have access to the Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastein Gonzales, which includes a series of signature “Duo” treatments that has two therapists at work simultaneously. Barber&Blade is the men’s salon of the resort (they need pampering, too!). For bookings, advisors can contact Skarlette Castro (skarlette.castro@oneandonlypalmilla.com), spa director.
Wedding parties should know that the spa has ROIL by Amanda George, a celebrity hairstylist, and provides a range of blow-dries, hair and nail services, and beauty treatments. For all of the signature treatments available, contact Norberto Quintanilla (norberto.quintanilla@oneandonlypalmilla.com), spa supervisor.
One&Only Palmilla has 174 guestrooms and suites, with the top accommodations being Villa One and Villa Cortez — each of which come with a household staff, chef and 24-hour butler. However, more suitable for couples’ retreats are the Ocean Front One Bedroom Suites / Premier Suites or the Ocean Front One Bedroom Grand Suites / with Pool. Particularly suitable for romantic vacations are the Pool Casitas Suites, which have a private infinity-edge pool and a lavish bathtub, in addition to ocean views.
Imanta Resorts Punta de Mita
Couples looking for that special getaway should consider Imanta Resorts Punta de Mita, which brands itself as a couples’ hotel. They cater to any form of travel, including birthdays and anniversaries.
The resort, located within a 250-acre ecological jungle reserve along the Riviera Nayarit coast, has a mere 18 suites and villas. Good to know: Imanta has a no-neighbor design, meaning every couple will have plenty of space to themselves.
The Tree House, perched on a cliff above the beach, is the top accommodation and is situated five minutes outside the heart of the hotel (but still located on the property). While it’s just as suitable for a family of four, couples can enjoy complete privacy here — all guests can hear are the ocean, birds and the breeze. A waterfall cascades into three ponds, which serve as private pools.
Imanta Resorts Punta de Mita’s three-bedroom Casona Jaguar has a 65-foot infinity-edge pool.
All accommodations are suitable for couples — it’s only a matter of guest preference. The Tree House, Casona Jaguar, Casona Los Templos, Casa Taiyari, Casa Xurawe, Casa Aye and Casa Tayau all have direct ocean views. However, if guests would prefer, there are also the Jungle View Suites and Jungle Deluxe Casa, both of which include a private terrace; the latter also has an infinity-edge swimming pool. Note: All accommodations have double sinks and bathtubs.
“On the west coast, I love how remote and wild Imanta’s location is,” says Lila Fox of SmartFlyer. “The rooms are massive and luxurious while still retaining a sense of place, tucked throughout the jungle, the best of which have private infinity pools and views of the ocean. I always recommend a private dinner cliff-side for my more adventurous clients, and a hike to nearby waterfalls is also a must.”
Advisors may contact Rodrigo Ruiz (rruiz@imantaresorts.com), director of sales, to book a specific villa or suite.
Given the resort’s location, couples have plenty of options should they wish to explore. VIP experiences that Imanta can create include yacht charters, ATV rides, zip-lining, bird watching, hiking, scuba diving and snorkeling. On property, guests have access to tennis courts and a golf course.
For a romantic evening, consider Romance at The Cliff. Couples walk through the jungle to a reception by a traditional Nayar conch blower, a drummer and a Huichol flute player — each will guide the couple to a different secret location along The Cliff. The dinner will consist of a surf ‘n’ turf — oysters, lobsters (caught from the rocks below) and filet mignon, in addition to wine pairings by Chef Miguel. Imanta’s signature dessert fondue concludes the meal.
Reservations should be made 24 hours in advance and is subject to weather conditions. Contact Rogelio Valdvia (guestexperience@imantaresorts.com), guest experience manager, to book an evening on The Cliff.
The Tree House is nestled in a mountain and offers a jungle experience.
Good to know: If couples really enjoyed their meal on The Cliff, breakfast is also available there, but reservations must be made 12 hours in advance.
At the Jungle Spa, guests can enjoy a variety of holistic treatments that are based on Aztec and pre-Hispanic methods, all underneath the jungle canopy. Imanta recommends the Ying-Yang couples’ aromatherapy massage, which lasts 85 minutes. Here, Martha and Azucena are the most requested therapists. The spa manager is Cynthia Torres (spa@imantaresorts.com), but guests shouldn’t have a problem walking in and booking a treatment.
VIPs looking to have their wedding at Imanta have the option of a beachside venue, but it must be part of a hotel buyout. The event will be fully customized to the couples’ preference. The wedding package includes the ceremony, reception and a post-wedding brunch.
Advisors should reach out to Rodrigo Ruiz to book a wedding event. General Manager Cris Gonzalez (cgonzalez@imantaresorts.com) is also available for advisors to contact.
Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa
Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa is inherently romantic, starting from the hundreds of tea lights that line the walkways of the resort to the 200 acres of jungle, private white-sand beach and the Belize Barrier Reef (the world’s second-largest).
While the tea-light walkways may set the mood, the resort has plenty of activities and amenities specifically designed for couples, from wedding buyouts to on- and off-property experiences, spa treatments and honeymoon packages.
Advisors can reach out directly to Heda Chehda (heda.chehda@belmond.com), director of sales and marketing, as well as Christie Alvarez (christie.alvarez@belmond.com), the front office manager.
Belmond Maroma Resort and Spa has 63 rooms and suites.
Have a VIP couple thinking of tying the knot at the Riviera Maya resort? Couples will have the ability to create a custom menu, selected from an extensive list of drinks, wines, flowers and arrangements. A still photographer and videographer, live music, and hair, makeup, and spa treatments are all available. And to keep the family entertained, the hotel can create a full itinerary for guests, which can include tequila and / or cigar tastings, cooking classes, Mayan ruin excursions and cave diving or snorkeling.
Belmond Maroma, however, has several services strictly for couples.
The hotel has a Honeymoon Hideaway that includes a three-course aphrodisiac dinner menu served on the beach, a 50-minute in-room couples’ massage, in-room mud bar kit, and a welcome amenity of chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne.
An Evening With the Moon and Stars, another couple’s amenity, begins with a moonlit massage by the beach, followed by chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne back in the couple’s room adorned with rose petals and candles.
A Picnic to Remember includes a picnic with champagne overlooking the Caribbean waters, followed by a spa treatment back in suite where guests can choose from a range of Mayan mud kits to enjoy together.
A Special Dinner has a specifically curated menu for the couple to be enjoyed either right on the beach or from Maroma’s Observation Tower overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
At the Kinan Spa, they can enjoy the Temazcal of Sacred Love or the Aphrodisiac Chocolate Invigoration. The former is an ancient, spiritual Mayan ceremony geared toward uniting couples with nature, the universe and each other through native chants and meditation (90 minutes); the latter is a gentle exfoliation with natural cacao, followed by a massage using 100 percent pure chocolate and coconut crème (120 minutes).
Belmond Maroma Resort and Spa is set among 200 acres of jungle, beside a private, white-sand beach.
The signature Temazcal treatment is performed at dusk on the beach where heated rocks are doused with herbal water to create a healing steam. Aloe Vera is applied to the skin, and then guests plunge into the Caribbean sea. This treatment is available for anyone. Carmen is one of the most requested therapists here and her specialties are the Kinan ritual, Janzu Ritual and Lomi Lomi.
The Kinan Spa has 10 treatments rooms, two open-air massage palapas, and a rooftop yoga and meditation pavilion. To book a treatment, please make reservations at least 48 hours in advance and contact Carla Prado (guestrelations.mar@belmond.com), guest relations manager. The spa manger is Cinthya Alva (cinthya.alva@belmond.com).
Of the 33 suites and 30 guestrooms, Room No. 65 is the most requested — it’s an oceanfront, one-bedroom suite with a covered patio, a plunge pool, a private fitness center, a palapa for private spa treatments, and a spacious bathroom with double sinks and two showers (one indoor, one outdoor). This room also has private access to the beach and unobstructed views of the ocean. From the king-size bed, couples can watch the sunrise (just leave the curtains open).
The Ocean View Master Suites and Oceanfront One-Bedroom Suites are the most suitable for couples; all accommodations have bathtubs, while Oceanfront One-Bedroom Suites also have double sinks. Butler service is available for any room upon request.
What Advisors Are Saying:
There’s, of course, more to Mexico than beach resorts. Couples looking for more of a city approach should head inland to San Miguel de Allende, a city filled with markets, art, ruins, architecture and festivals.
“The beach resorts are wonderful, but for something with true ambiance and sense of place, I love their colonial cities,” says Susan Moynihan of Largay Travel. “San Miguel de Allende is absolutely gorgeous, filled with stunning architecture, art and a unique history. It’s a different kind of romantic, swapping palm trees and sand for cobblestones and centuries of tradition and history.”
Moynihan also recommends checking out the food scene there. For instance, the city has cooking schools where participants can explore the local markets with a chef, and then return to prepare the meals.
VIPs still have a choice of luxurious accommodations, including the Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende and Hotel Matilda.
Back in Los Cabos, The Resort at Pedregal is “amazingly romantic, gorgeous, sophisticated and truly a magical resort,” according to Michelle Andersen of Admiral Travel. “The spa is fantastic. Anyone staying at the resort must do the whale shark swim — this is a do-not-miss experience.”
The Resort at Pedregal’s adults pool is situated near the bar and provides sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.
Another notable highlight of the hotel is the outdoor champagne tasting on the Champagne Terrace at El Farallon — all you need to do is decide how many and what measure of each option (from Blanc de Blancs to Rose to vintage Champagnes) you want.
For a romantic weekend away, NIZUC Resort & Spa is a great destination, as it’s only a 15-minute drive from Cancun International Airport.
“The aesthetic is sleek and calm, and all of the restaurants on property are top notch — complete with a chic cigar bar, which frequently has live music,” says Lila Fox of SmartFlyer.
Kelly Smith of SmartFlyer warns that what might be suitable for one couple isn’t always ideal for another.
“Vacations are very personal, so no two romantic getaways look the same,” she notes. “Some people want to relax and unwind while others want to immerse themselves in the culture. I love finding properties that balance them both.”
Included in hotels that have this balance is Hotel Esencia, a beachside boutique hotel set on 50 acres of lush gardens just north of Tulum.
Nice Touch: Located on property are two authentic farm-to-table Mexican restaurants and an organic spa.