6 Best Hotels in Cozumel, Mexico

The luxurious InterContinental has top-notch service, expansive lawns, pristine beaches, and spacious, modern rooms. Situated in a quiet patch of jungle, this property is away from the cruise-ship hustle and bustle, making it the perfect place for those looking to escape. Guest rooms are sleek and creatively utilize wood and earth tones to set the mood. The rooms are enhanced by luxe touches like outdoor rain showers, spacious outdoor lounge furniture areas, or whirlpool tubs with a sea view. The spa is the island's best, and active types can take advantage of the dive shop, tennis courts, 24-hour modern gym, putting greens, and daily roster of activities. There is even an adults-only pool away from the main areas and a dedicated kids' area located at the opposite end of the facility.

This sleek boutique property has quickly become the lodging of choice for a discerning young crowd. (It's plenty fun, if not quite as hip as the next-door Hotel B Unique.) Service is attentive; with so many areas to hang out around the pool and beach, though, catching the waiter's eye can be a challenge. Each room has clean lines and its own Mexican decor elements. The restaurant and bar are perfect for enjoying sunsets. Thanks to the hotel’s amenities, you can start the morning with a yoga class and then retreat to the spa, or spend the day snorkeling and diving.

This hip adults-only design hotel has a wellness, holistic, and boho attitude overall. The sister property of next-door B Cozumel, Unique features its own infinity swimming pool, spa, restaurant, and a rooftop bar with a plunge pool included. Wellness coach, yoga lessons, and alkaline menu are available upon request. Rooms come with king beds.

One of the first international-class hotels in Cozumel, Meliá continues to satisfy by offering guests a bit of everything, including a wide variety of restaurants and activities, including motorized and nonmotorized water sports. An 18-hole mini-golf course, plus well-equipped kids' club and games room, mean that children and teenagers will be busy and happy; a top-notch spa is available for parents to unwind and disconnect. 

Playa Azul feels like a charming, understated Mexican hacienda—there's elegance in its simplicity, and its spacious rooms overlooking the courtyard pool and ocean are tastefully decorated with Mexican furnishings. Palapas shade the lounge chairs on the sandy beach, and you can arrange snorkeling or diving trips at the hotel's dive shop. An on-site spa offers body and beauty treatments. The all-inclusive option includes the restaurant's à la carte menu, and the adjacent beach club serves lighter fare and live music on Sunday. The hotel offers frequent Web-only specials.

This sophisticated white tower is one of the island's most luxurious hotels, with ultramodern decor and incredible ocean views. Dine in luxury at the Mayan-named Cuzamil restaurant offering Mexican-Mediterranean-fusion cuisine or enjoy a more casual meal at the water's-edge palapa restaurant. A rooftop bar and pool offer excellent views of the sunset and of the mainland 19 km (12 miles) away. A beachfront pool, kids' club, and small sandy beach complete the ground-floor area. An added bonus are three popular restaurants located directly across the street.