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Top of the scale for sheer luxury in Cancún, the Ritz Carlton looks like the biggest Italian Renaissance palace ever built. All 365 rooms have ocean views, balconies, or terraces, and there’s a private beach and five restaurants.

The newest big hotel in Cancún is next door to the same company’s slightly older Casa Magna. Expect state-of-the-art facilities, from the lavish health spa to the multitude of electronic accessories in the rooms.

With cascades of greenery from its many balconies, the awesomely huge Coral Beach has 602 rooms and a thick catalogue of facilities, including tennis courts and its own jogging track.

In place of the giant scale of most Cancún hotels, the discreet Baccara deliberately goes another way, as a “boutique hotel.” Each of its 34 suites is individually decorated. Built in contemporary Mexican style and with a lovely pool, it’s an unusually intimate place for Cancún.

Modest-sized hotel on the western side of Isla’s Laguna Macax, with its own beach and boat landing stage, and superb views across to Cancún. No children under 13 are admitted – honeymoons are a specialty. Each balcony has a Jacuzzi.

A secluded and intimate “bed and breakfast” lodge toward the southern end of Isla Mujeres. Its nine spacious rooms, pool, and oceanside terrace are of contemporary Mexican style: stunning to look at and supremely comfortable.

Big for Cozumel but smallish by Cancún standards (253 rooms), the Intercontinental is one of the island’s longest-established hotels. It enjoys a superb location with its own beach and marina. Diving, snorkeling, and fishing trips can be arranged.

Set in an old colonial hacienda next to the ruins of Chichén Itzá. Most of the airy rooms are in bungalows used by archeologists in the 1920s and have a faded charm.

Mérida’s premiere hotel is modern but built in an ornate French-mansion style, with a spectacular stained-glass atrium. Rooms are spacious and well-equipped.

This big hotel near the Uxmal ruins was built in the 1950s and has a gracious style extending through airy, colonial-style patios. The spacious, cool rooms have characterful wooden furniture and verandas, and the service is very charming.