{"id":3809,"date":"2010-02-04T07:57:21","date_gmt":"2010-02-04T13:57:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=3809"},"modified":"2016-12-16T21:45:49","modified_gmt":"2016-12-17T03:45:49","slug":"top-picks-for-a-romantic-mexico-vacation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2010\/02\/top-picks-for-a-romantic-mexico-vacation\/","title":{"rendered":"Top picks for a romantic Mexico vacation"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

\"Mexico<\/p>\n

By Lena Katz<\/em><\/p>\n

Tired of all the rain, hail, sleet and snow yet? Yeah, me too. It doesn\u2019t seem to really fit the Valentine\u2019s theme at all. That\u2019s why I\u2019m making February the official month of the mini-moon — and suggesting lovebirds should migrate south. With most of Mexico\u2019s most popular resorts just a few hours\u2019 flight from any U.S. hub, it\u2019s the perfect three-day beach vacation<\/a> getaway. Escape crowds and get canoodly on a romantic Mexico vacation<\/a> at one of the hideaways below.<\/p>\n

Los Cabos<\/strong> often reminds me of a smaller Spanish-speaking beachfront version of Las Vegas. Not muy<\/em> romantic,\u00a0I know.\u00a0But certain hotels in this Mexico vacation hub know how to provide ultimate serenity and beauty in the eye of\u00a0the tourism whirlwind — which is why you constantly read about celebs and jetsetters taking beach vacations here to \u201cget away from it all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Demi, Gwyneth and their ilk aremost often seen at One & Only Palmilla<\/strong> and Las Ventanas al Paraiso<\/strong><\/a> — stunning properties to be sure, but also among the most expensive in Mexico.<\/p>\n

\"Mexico

Spa at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica<\/p><\/div>\n

Slightly less prohibitive but still offering a luxurious Mexico vacation experience, I recommend the Pueblo Bonito hotel group, which gets special\u00a0 kudos for being Mexican owned. Of its four Los Cabos hotels<\/a>, I find Pueblo Bonito Pacifica<\/strong> <\/a>Resort & Spa <\/strong>to be the best for \u201ctogethering.\u201d\u00a0Spa is central to the hotel experience; the design incorporates lots of subtle water features, and the very air seems to have a dewy, blissful, rejuvenating quality.<\/p>\n

Pueblo Bonito Rose<\/strong><\/a> recently introduced an all-inclusive option that includes room service \u2026 perfect for couples in that enviable \u201choneymoon phase\u201d because they can literally stay in bed all day drinking Mimosas and feeding each other tropical fruits.<\/p>\n

\"Beach

Maroma Resort and Spa by Orient Express<\/p><\/div>\n

The Riviera Maya<\/strong> is the biggest Mexico vacation destination — it encompasses Cancun and Playa del Carmen, with Cozumel right offshore. Beach vacations here run the gamut from sexy and couples-only to family-friendly to tequila-powered crazy. For Valentine\u2019s moments, I suggest postcard-perfect Maroma Beach, a gated resort community near Playa del Carmen.Because of its secluded, exclusive location, Maroma is where you can find many of Riviera Maya\u2019s adults-only, all-inclusive resorts<\/a> like the luxurious El Dorado Maroma All Inclusive<\/strong><\/a>, eco-innovative Hacienda Tres Rios<\/strong> Spa & Nature Park All Inclusive<\/strong><\/a> and self-styled \u201csensual\u201d Secrets Maroma Beach<\/strong><\/a>. Luxury brands bring their breathtaking best to those who can afford it: Splurge on spa treatments at Maroma Resort and Spa by Orient Express<\/a><\/strong>, or explore the Riviera Maya\u2019s most lavish new development at Banyan Tree Mayakoba<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Beach

Valentin Imperial Maya Resort<\/p><\/div>\n

Another adults-only all-inclusive resort is the Valentin Imperial Maya Resort<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0This was a natural pick for a Valentine\u2019s mini-moon piece because of its location: Playa Del Secreto, a half-mile white sand beach with a name that inspires \u201clet\u2019s keep this between the two of us\u201d moments (at least in my mind).The first Valentin\u00a0hotel outside Europe, it\u2019s an impressive property with Spanish-inspired architecture, a 900-foot swimming pool, natural lagoon area, nine restaurants and 540 guest suites.<\/p>\n

A Mexico vacation destination for decades, Puerto Vallarta<\/strong> is so built-up and heavily trafficked that certain parts of it give an overwhelmingly \u201cbig city tourist trap\u201d feeling. However, it too has its more sophisticated, secret enclaves. Nuevo Vallarta fits this description (it\u2019s technically outside the PV city limit, but only a 10-minute drive away).<\/p>\n

\"Mexico

Grand Velas All Suites and Spa Resort<\/p><\/div>\n

It harbors some of the region\u2019s most lavish hotels, including the elegant Grand Velas All Suites & Spa<\/strong><\/a>— a property that has perfected the admirable double standard of being <\/em>an all-inclusive resort but not really feeling<\/em> like one. Among a-la-carte properties, Villa La Estancia<\/strong> <\/a>is one of my top picks for reasonably priced romance. Couples can comfortably laze the days away poolside at this picturesque new-ish property. Orbitz customers also vote sister property Villa del Palmar<\/strong><\/a> among their favorite romantic getaways.<\/p>\n

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong><\/h3>\n