Mexico may be a popular destination for couples and families, but the beautiful country also has lots of appeal for groups of girls wanting to take a vacation. From the bustling metropolis of Mexico City to the laid-back beaches of Tulum, all of the top destinations in Mexico have hotels that are well-suited to friends traveling together. So don't leave all the fun to honeymooners and child-toting adults. Check out the best hotels for a girls' getaway in Mexico, below.
1. Hacienda Beach Club & Residences, Cabo San Lucas
Situated in the heart of Cabo San Lucas, Hacienda Beach Club & Residences is a luxury property with 109 contemporary apartments done in a chic Mexican style. Ranging from one-bedroom residences to beachfront villas, units are lovely and all have full kitchens and large furnished terraces -- some with stellar Sea of Cortez views. Standout features include a beautiful and swimmable beach, full-service spa and a bi-level infinity pool overlooking Land's End. Additionally, the all-day restaurant serving upmarket Mexican cuisine is a favorite among guests.
2. The Red Tree House, Mexico City
Occupying a converted 1930s residence, the seven-room Red Tree House is a charming bed-and-breakfast with a fabulous location in the uber-trendy Condesa neighborhood. The residential area is packed with cafes and galleries, and while on-site, guests can eat a free breakfast and rotating lunch special in a pleasant courtyard. Colorful, individually decorated rooms are bold, and all feature flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. Some add full kitchens and/or balconies. There aren't a ton of amenities here, though free beer and wine are offered every evening. Another plus for girls' getaways: Children under eight aren't allowed.
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Luxurious, all-inclusive, and adults-only, the Hyatt Zilara Cancun is an ideal pick for friends on vacation. It has a stellar setting in the Hotel Zone, along a beautiful white-sand beach. The 307 colonial-style rooms are spacious and upmarket, equipped with furnished balconies -- some with phenomenal ocean views -- whirlpool tubs, and massage showers. Six restaurants are part of the rate and are well-regarded, particularly the Mexican eatery and Asian restaurant. A sprawling, beachfront infinity pool is where most guests gather in the day, occasionally grabbing drinks from the center swim-up bar. A spa, gym, and fun activities, including weekly foam parties, tequila tastings and evening shows, means guests can always stay busy.
4. Ahau Tulum
An eco-chic property with just 26 rooms, Ahau Hotel accurately evokes the bohemian style of Tulum. Opened in 2012, the hotel was built using locally sourced materials, resulting in a rustic look with lots of wood and colorful accents. Rooms have charming beds draped in mosquito netting, furnished terraces -- most offering great ocean views -- and showers. Although there's no pool, a gorgeous stretch of beach dotted with daybeds and hammocks, daily yoga classes, and bike rentals are on offer. Two restaurants are on-site, including the popular Raw Love organic eatery.
5. Hotel Matilda, San Miguel de Allende
The 32-room Hotel Matilda is a luxury boutique set in the heart of trendy San Miguel, so most attractions are within easy walking distance. However, there's plenty to keep visitors occupied on-site, including a charming courtyard pool, full-service spa, and delicious Mexican restaurant run by well-known chef Enrique Olvera. A chic bar is also popular with guests and non-guests alike. The spacious and contemporary rooms have AC, flat-screen TVs, minibars and furnished balconies, plus some add kitchenettes. Free Wi-Fi and continental breakfast of pastries, fruit, tea, and coffee add value.
6. CasaSandra Boutique Hotel, Holbox Island
Set just a few minutes' walk from the center of the secluded island of Holbox, the 18-room CasaSandra is a charming and upscale boutique property. The owner and hotel staff have earned a reputation over the years as reliable and friendly, and its peaceful location along a white-sand beach with palapas and loungers is a standout. Other highlights include a small pool with an adjacent bar, free buffet breakfasts, and a fantastic restaurant serving top-notch seafood and Cuban fare every Saturday. Rustic-luxe suites with hammock-equipped terraces and canopied beds are lovely. A two-bedroom apartment can sleep up to five adults.
This adults-only all-inclusive resort is an ideal pick for 20- and 30-something couples and groups of friends. The luxury property has 507 rooms with sophisticated decor, jetted tubs, furnished terraces, and minibars. A particular draw of this resort is its proximity to the nightlife of downtown Playa del Carmen, especially bustling Fifth Avenue, though the gorgeous stretch of beach is another appealing factor. The abundance of features -- seven restaurants, five bars, an Olympic-sized pool, a spa and evening entertainment -- means there's something for all types of travelers.
8. Hotel Boutique 1850, Guanajuato
One of our picks for the best boutique hotels in Mexico, the Hotel Boutique 1850 is a hip, upmarket hotel conveniently located in the center of Guanajuato, just off the town's main square. A chic and fun design incorporates vibrant prints and artful details. Stylish rooms also come with free Wi-Fi, minibars, high-end toiletries and iHome docking stations. Hotel features consist of a rooftop bar with stellar views over the city, a popular restaurant serving gourmet Mexican fare, and a small spa for massages and facials. Free breakfasts are served at a cafe next door.
The affordable Hotel Villas Sayulita appeals to young travelers with its health and wellness focus, and location, which is a five-minute walk from the beach. A frequent host for yoga retreats, the hotel provides daily yoga classes in its two on-site studios. There's no full restaurant, but an outdoor smoothie bar has a health-conscious menu, and guests on retreats can book all-inclusive meal plans. Although on the simple side, rooms are clean and spacious, outfitted with simple Mexican-inspired decor, kitchenettes, and free Wi-Fi. A tiny pool is also on-site. Sayulita is well-known for being a great surfing spot on Mexico's Pacific Coast.
10. Hotel B Cozumel
Travelers wanting a hip atmosphere at an affordable rate should look to Hotel B Cozumel. It draws a young crowd with its lounge-y beach, gorgeous infinity-edge pool, buzzing bar with great cocktails, and yoga classes multiple times per week. The traditional Mexican touches and crafts made by Mexican artisans only add to its allure. Rooms are sophisticated and stylish, equipped with outdoor spaces, free coffee and organic toiletries. The Mexican restaurant receives positive reviews, and all rates include Wi-Fi and continental breakfast.
11. Hotel Boutique de la Parra, Oaxaca
Located in the historic city center of Oaxaca, the mid-range Hotel Boutique de la Parra has 13 colonial-inspired rooms set in a former private residence. A lovely courtyard pool, gardens, and an alfresco bar are cute and charming, while rooms have simple yet pleasant decor. In-room amenities include minibars, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers. An open-air restaurant serves authentic and inexpensive Oaxacan fare, plus there are ample restaurants, bars, and attractions within easy walking distance.
12. CostaBaja Resort & Spa, La Paz
Tucked along the Sea of Cortez near Baja's capital is this upscale (yet affordable) resort with panoramic views in all directions. Ample amenities include three pools -- one infinity option -- a swimmable beach, 18-hole golf course, and a spa offering a variety of treatments. A yoga deck, free use of non-motorized water sports, and free Wi-Fi are also provided. Contemporary rooms have somewhat dark decor, exposed walk-in showers, and furnished terraces. Open-air restaurants like the gourmet California-style Steinbeck's and Beach Club -- popular for its stellar sunsets -- serve quality fare.
(Editor's note: Oyster.com is an independent hotel review site that does not have any financial arrangement with the individual hotels reviewed.)
