Top All-Inclusives in Mexico

-AS SEEN IN BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE-

Photo courtesy of Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts

"Ooh, Mexico / It sounds so simple / I just got to go." Jimmy Buffet sings about the appeal of vacationing south of the border so well. Not only are the shores of Mexico sunny and welcoming, they are easily accessible from most major U.S. airports. Toss in an awesome all-inclusive resort experience and — really — it's so simple. Here, we make it even more so by selecting the right property just for you. Now all you need to do is decide "on the rocks" or "frozen" when ordering your margarita.

Sexy Seclusion: Excellence Playa Mujeres

Photo courtesy of Excellence Group

No kids? Check. Private Jacuzzis and rooftop plunge pools? Double check. If it’s grown-up indulgences you’re after, 450-room Excellence Playa Mujeres, located on Cancun’s quieter coast facing Isla Mujeres, has a sexy, adults-only vibe. Garden-level suites offer direct pool access and second-level suites boast pretty rooftop plunge pools. Beachfront pools feature swinging Balinese day beds for two and the champagne-hued beach is lined with chaises shaded by thatched-roof palapas. Even the dining options are intimate and seductive: 10 restaurants specializing in international cuisine, including Mexican, Indian, French, Italian and Pan-Asian, as well as steak and seafood. Eleven bars provide the perfect setting for winding down as the sun sets.

Photo courtesy of Excellence Group

A-Lister Aspirations: Marquis Los Cabos

Photo courtesy of Marquis Los Cabos

Fact: The Pacific twin resort towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are so popular with celebs (Jennifer Aniston, George Clooney, the Olsen twins) they could be called Hollywood South of the Border. Feel like an A-lister yourself and book into one of this 235-room property’s luxurious ocean-view junior suites — at all-inclusive prices we non-famous faces can savor the experience. You'll have everything you need to feel like a star — five restaurants (and 24-hour room service), the sunset-facing Suspiros Bar, Jacuzzi bathtubs and a 13,000-square-foot spa, But if your Instagram feed shows your celeb BFF out and about in Los Cabos, it’s a snap to hop into a taxi and check out the scene, which is about 20 minutes away.

Photo courtesy of Marquis Los Cabos

Wellness Zone: Zöetry Paraíso De La Bonita

At this tranquil Riviera Maya resort, pampering and gourmet cuisine (much of it local and organic) are as much a part of the DNA as sunshine, luxury amenities and romance. Zöetry Paraíso de la Bonita is home to both a certified thalasso (water treatment) therapy center and a Mayan temazcal (traditional sweat lodge) steam room. And both experiences are included in the rates of this ultra-pampering property. The 100 beachfront suites are havens of relaxation that mix culture-rich global decor from Bali, India, Africa and the Mediterranean with Mexican architectural details. And in the marble bathroom you’ll find the perfect sunken tub for two.

Photo courtesy of Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts

Play Time: Moon Palace Cancun

If your ideal day in the sun is all about making a splash in, around or on top of water, this lively 2,446-room resort in Cancun will give you endless options. There are seven pools, six swim-up bars, FlowRider surf simulators, paddleboard yoga, kayaking, a Dol- phinarium and yes, a beautiful white-sand beach. Max out your adrenaline with a day pass to The Grand at Moon Palace, home to an over-the-top and brand-new water park. Opt for some alone time with a couple’s massage followed by a candlelit soak in a rose-petal-topped Jacuzzi at the Awe Spa, or simply order champagne and strawberries and relax in your own in-room whirlpool tub.

Photo courtesy of Palace Resorts

Wine All the Time: Secrets the Vine Cancun

Tequila may be king, but Mexico has a vibrant wine scene. And this sophisticated 497-room adults-only resort is all about show- casing excellent vintages. It’s located in Cancun’s main hotel zone, but with its haute design (every room features a spacious balcony with a view) and urban-modern decor, it feels airlifted from South Beach or Santa Monica. Choose from a variety of premium wines at eight restaurants and seven bars. Better still, enjoy tastings with the hotel’s sommelier next to the glass- enclosed 3,000-bottle wine cellar to find your favorite pour and then enjoy it on your terrace overlooking Cancun’s dazzling turquoise surf.

Photo courtesy of Secrets Vine Cancun

Tequila Temptations: Azul Beach Resort Riviera Maya

Do you dance with abandon every time the song “Tequila” starts to play and think that salt-rimmed glasses and sipping mescal are the stuff of which honeymoon dreams are made? Sample up to 30 different tequilas in the atmospheric Agavero Tequila Lounge at the 14-room boutique-style Azul Beach Resort Riviera Maya. The property also pours its all-inclusive hospitality into contemporary accommodations (including swim-up suites), five internationally inspired restaurants, nightly entertainment and even a specialized romance maître d’ to create the right amount of red-hot together time.

Photo courtesy of Karisma Hotels & Resorts

Bang for Your Buck: Luxury Bahia Principe Sian Ka'an

Having champagne taste on a beer budget can be frustrating, but this chic 420-room, adults-only enclave on Riviera Maya makes it possible to live large and yet spend little. Enjoy upscale, contemporary ambiance while relaxing in spacious suites with garden or rooftop Jacuzzis and enjoying four free-form pools, a golf course, a soothing spa and excellent food, all tucked into a serene, lush jungle setting. The beach is a short tram ride away (Sian Ka’an is part of a four-resort Bahia Principe Riviera Maya complex) and as a Luxury guest, you can dine at any of the 25 restaurants while sipping champagne or beer — or both.

Photo courtesy of Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts

Foodie Euphoria: Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

French-born executive chef Guillaume Morancé helms five restaurants at this photogenic property on the Pacific coast. The acclaimed eateries include Frida (local artisanal Mexican with unexpected ingredients), Lucca (authentic Italian-Mediterranean) and Piaf (elegant French). Savor the global flavors while enjoying magnificent Bay of Banderas views, including the spectacular sunsets. If you prefer a private in-room dining experience (all suites have terraces and the smallest is 1,000 square feet, so there’s plenty of room), order in from any of the eateries. Add in lushly manicured grounds, balconies dripping with vibrant bougainvillea and a sparkling three-tier infinity pool and your appetite for luxury will be more than sated.

Photo courtesy of C/O Velas Resorts