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52 Incredible Looks at Mexico's Best Boutique Hotels

Angela Swinderman Elias — Fri, 04 May 2012 06:00:55 PDT

With Summer fast approaching, we're taking a look at some of the most awe-inspiring boutique hotels in Mexico. Whether nestled in the jungle, on a pristine beach, or in the heart of a vibrant pueblo, each of these destinations balances exotic location with truly immaculate design concepts. Keep reading to see the strikingly diverse yet equally enticing destinations in Mexico and the remarkable hotels that occupy them.

Mexico's Las Alamandas Resort Gets a New Look for Spring

Angela Swinderman Elias — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 06:00:00 PST

Nestled in a stretch of pristine coastal land in Mexico's Costalegre region, the revamped Las Alamandas Resort offers new perks including additional suites, an open air rooftop bar and lounge, art gallery, and updated tennis court. While the renovations include expansions, the resort still maintains a secluded and intimate setting, with seven villas and 16 suites to accommodate 42 guests at once.

Surrounded by tropical blooms, exotic birds, sculptural foliage, and a vibrant color palette, the resort is an ideal destination for nature and design lovers alike. Aside from enjoying the surrounding beauty, guests can indulge in contemporary Mexican cuisine prepared with freshly caught seafood and organic produce grown on-property, massages with the sound of the surf, and activities that take advantage of the landscape, like nature hikes, mountain biking, kayaking, tennis and surfing.

The villas are sprinkled among gardens decorated with stone mosaics. Each color-filled room features rattan sofas upholstered in electric hues like canary yellow and shocking pink, as well as embroidered pillows, Mexican folk art, and hand-painted Mexican tiles.

Keep reading for a peek inside one of the chic villas!

A Tale of Three Tortas: Tortas en Mexico

OnSugar Blog — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:28:21 PST

How do tortas stack up when eaten in their country of origin, Mexico? Between the Bread does a little investigating.

Since I'm mildly obsessed with spicy tortas, I couldn't let my first trip to Mexico end without trying a local sandwich. Though Zihuatanejo is more known for pozole and tacos al pastor, we heard good things about hole-in-the-wall Tortas Ziranda and hit it up for our last meal.

Markedly different from Nopalito, obviously, but far more authentic, Ziranda serves reasonably sized tortas on toasty grilled rolls. I ordered ham and cheese (pictured below), while Andrew got the Ziranda specialty of shredded pork and jam with two kinds of cheese (above)

For more of her thoughts and pictures, keep on reading.

High Design and Divine Beaches at Be Tulum

Elka Karl — Thu, 05 May 2011 14:20:52 PDT

My family and I just returned from a beach vacation in Tulum, Mexico, a little town on the Mayan Caribbean that boasts white sand beaches, tropical ocean views, and an incredibly relaxed vibe. While we rented a house to accommodate our baby, after seeing pictures of Be Tulum, I'm wishing we'd spent a few nights in its gorgeous interiors.

The only full-serviced resort in the area, Be Tulum features contemporary design, a celebrated restaurant, and a rooftop bar. With 20 suites that incorporate a minimalist design and local materials including limestone, Bisazza mosaic tiles, and Brazilian wood, the hotel is gorgeous indeed. Take a tour, and get transported on this Cinco de Mayo!

Stay in Authentic, Inspired Style at Rosas & Xocolate

Annie Tomlin — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:30:16 PDT

Mérida is one of Mexico's great cities, offering a vibrant art scene and delicious Yucatan cuisine. This creative flair is easy to spot at Rosas & Xocolate, a boutique hotel and spa, on the city's historic avenue Paseo de Montejo. A member of Design Hotels, the space is inspired by roses, chocolate, and beautiful interiors. One look at this stunning hotel, and we're betting you'll put Mérida on your must-visit list.

Ralph Lauren and Lancôme Get Hand-Painted in Mexico

Annie Tomlin — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 05:00:42 PDT

Here's a small perfume store I spotted in Valladolid, a colonial city in Mexico's Yucatán peninsula. Though it wasn't open during my visit, I still loved looking at the painting details on the outside. The depictions of Lancôme Trésor, Ralph by Ralph Lauren, and Paco Rabanne are pretty spot-on. If you're looking for even more south-of-the-States beauty spots, check out these salons and barber shops in Belize.

Tour of Beauty: Hacienda San Jose, Yucatán

Annie Tomlin — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 03:11:59 PDT

Millions of vacationers fly to Mexico's Yucatán peninsula each year, but too few of them venture far from Cancún. It's their loss, because the interior is filled with beautiful sights that no traveler should miss: Mayan ruins, refreshing cenotes, and unspoiled scenery. Among the must-see places is Hacienda San Jose, a former colonial estate that has been restored and transformed into a luxury hotel and spa. While trekking around Yucatán earlier this month, I stayed for a night and pretty much fell in love with the place. Take this virtual tour and I'm pretty sure you will, too.

What to Pack For a Trip to Mexico

Annie Tomlin — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 03:10:18 PST

I'm off to the Yucatán Peninsula for a week of cenote snorkeling, hacienda exploring, and ruin climbing. It's going to be one part jungle exploration, one part seaside lazing. Wherever I go, I try to pack as lightly as possible. That means bringing multitasking products and focusing on function over glamour. (It's the rainforest, not the red carpet.) For this trip, I'm focusing on protecting my skin with a big floppy hat, oversize sunglasses, photostable sunblock, SPF lip balm, and effective natural bug repellent. Triclosan-free hand sanitizer will come in handy when I'm away from water, and just-add-water facial cloths make skin care easy. Finally, three cosmetics: tinted moisturizer, a lip and cheek stain, and an illuminator pen. What else would you recommend?

Source: Flickr User Mark.Pilgrim

Woman Allegedly Gets Botox in Prison

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:35:00 PST

Sandra Avila Beltran may be awaiting trial in Mexico for her alleged drug cartel involvement, but apparently that doesn't mean she's willing to give up her Botox. Sandra, who is known for her beauty, supposedly had a doctor come in under the auspices of giving her an electrocardiogram. However, she allegedly received Botox instead.

Of all the things you could sneak into a prison, I doubt that Botox would be on most people's top priority lists. Sandra's expected to be interviewed over the next few days for further details, but no word on what the punishment will be if she's found guilty of this beauty crime.

Picture It: Lovely Bones

Colleen Barrett — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:10:57 PDT

Skeleton statues are sold in Mexico City for Day of the Dead, a holiday where friends and family members of the deceased build elaborate shrines with doll-like skeletons, decorate graves with yellow marigolds, and leave out the departed's favorite foods.

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