Inside the brilliantly hued Talavera-tiled kitchen, I was learning a seriously important "don't" of poblano cuisine. Don't inhale. At least not while leaning above chiles roasting over a stove's open flame. It's not as painful as rubbing chile oil in your eyes, but spicy steam will fill your lungs. The resulting coughing fit, however,...

Puerto Vallarta, MEXICO (March 27, 2012) – Excellence in travel writing comes in many forms and, in Mexico, recognition for these endeavors now comes in the form of the Nick Gallo Award, created by MexicoPremiere.com  and co- sponsored by Mexico Boutique Hotels four years ago in honor of one of the country’s fondest admirers....

It’s 9:30 p.m. and both Christine and I are delirious with exhaustion as we climb the steps to our room at Quinta Las Acacias in Guanajuato. It’s been a long and eventful day and as we reach the top of the stairs we are laughing uncontrollably for absolutely no reason. It all started with our decision...

HEADING to Puerto Vallarta for some sunshine this winter? Book one of its boutique hotels, where your stay is a worthy vacation experience in itself. These six are unique, intimate and have loads of character.

During my stay in Puerto Vallarta, my husband and I had the absolute pleasure of spending 3 nights at a boutique hotel located in the heart of the city (a honeymoon treat). The Hacienda San Angel is one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever seen and I had to share my experience...

Tucked away on a leafy street in Guadalajara is this gem of a boutique hotel. A member of Mexico Boutique Hotels, Villa Ganz delighted us with its old-world charm. The restored 1930s villa is built around a high-walled garden and courtyard; inside, it has ten lovingly-restored rooms and suites. We speculate it’s perhaps the...

David Simmonds Our old friend and colleague Nick Gallo tragically died just over four years ago. Please read about that here. The following year we at Mexico Premiere started the Nick Gallo Award, dedicated to Nick’s memory and the lofty standards he brought, yes, demanded, to travel writing.  The Gallo Award fills the void...

On February 18, the 9th Thierry Blouet Trophy took place in the luxurious restaurant Café des Artistes; renowned hotel chefs competed this 2014, such as: Vidanta Group, Villa Premiere, Haramara Retreat, Four Seasons Punta Mita, Hotel San Bernardo, and Coco Tropical Restaurant. As well as prominent personalities of the Gourmet world, Roland Menetrey, Gerard...

written by Tiffany February 11, 2016 Often, our vacations are more work than relaxing! Busy hotels that are uncomfortable, long plane or car rides, spending excessively on food, and then you get home more tired than you left! If you are looking for a TRUE vacation, Hotel Villas Flamingos Holbox is IT! Villas Flamingos...

Are you planning a trip to Mexico and wondering where to go? We get you. There are so many wonderful spots in this vibrant country that it can be a bit overwhelming at first to pick and choose! If you want to be mesmerised and want your senses to be ignited then read on...

They may be called presidential suites, penthouses, villas or some creatively concocted name. Whatever the moniker, they are top-of-the-line accommodations. And in Mexico, hotels have continued to up the ante when it comes to refining their most fabulous places to stay. Surprisingly, these expansive and elegant suites can actually be affordable — when you...

Brands such as The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis may attract hordes of luxury travelers to Mexico, but smaller, independent hotels also imbue their offerings with enticing amenities, style and service. Whether it’s a relaxed coastal beach resort or a historic inland city that clients are looking for, Mexico is well-equipped to satisfy sophisticated globetrotters looking...

Have you ever walked up to a young child in a department store and said “Look! TOYS!”, and then saw their face explode with sheer delight as they scream and make a run for it? That is me whenever someone says the words ‘road trip’. I get insanely excited over the prospect of going...

In a place known for its massive all-inclusive resorts Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit puts forth some unique and more authentic options, boutique hotels that cater to a more personal experience. Three locations have emerged as among the most interesting choices, with impressive accommodations and luxurious, private features. While some travellers come to Mexico in search...

Fireworks light up the night sky as Peter and I sit on a rooftop bar, sipping tequila cocktails and nibbling on tapas. Lounge music plays softly as a warm breeze wafts across the tile rooftops of the surrounding town. Fashionable young people chat and laugh on couches nearby. It feels like we could be...

Editor’s Note: I was a guest of Luna Liquida, a boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta. You can review my disclosure policy here.  Tucked on a cobblestone street, perched on a steep slope, this boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta seems inconspicuous. If it wasn’t for a tiny sign hanging on the outside of the old...

Oaxaca’s appeal is so fundamental it’s a wonder this southern state of Mexico and its mile-high capital, Oaxaca (pronounced wah-HA-ka)  City, are not more traveled. Blessed with year-round temperate climate, nearby archeological ruins, distinctive cuisine and magnificent artisan handicrafts, the 16th century settlement nestles in a temperate highland valley and enjoys year-round abundant sunshine. ...

Hoteliers are targeting specific niches in the market with more collections and sub-brands within those collections. By  Kerry Medina GLOBAL REPORT—Hotel collections are following the recent proliferation and shuffling of brands to provide more targeted offerings to guests. Preferred Hotel Group, for example, last week announced it was doing away with its fragmented structure...

Because the city of Oaxaca has become so very popular in recent years with both Mexican national and international tourists, the city itself has become a lot busier. Although still as beautiful as it ever was, there’s more of everything, including more crowds and more traffic. Hotel Hacienda Los Laureles, located in the section of San...

The most famous place in Quintana Roo is undoubtedly Cancún, where the number of tourists reached 6.8 million in 2017. But truth is, there is so much more to this beautiful state than overpriced hotel and fast food chains, beach clubs and shopping centers! If you love culture, pristine beaches, great food and prefer...

A place unspoiled by tourism with the warmest of welcomes This is day five of our epic, all out, Indiana Jones vs. Tomb Raider, ten-day adventure to the Riviera Maya and Isla Holbox on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico where we explored Mayan culture, mythology and eco-adventure. Today we are at one of the best resorts in...

Kaden and I got back from an AMAZING trip to Mexico about 6 weeks ago and I am really missing that place today. We started our journey in Cozumel staying at Hotel B and traveled up to Hotbox Mexico staying at Villa Flamingos. Hotel B Cozumel was our favorite boutique hotel for a few reasons....

Argovia Finca Resort and organic farm in Tapachula, located on Mexico’s Pacific coast south of Huatulco, has become a member of Mexico Boutique Hotels, a group that bills itself as a “curated collection for the discerning traveler.” Argovia Finca combines a spa and resort with an organic flower and a fourth-generation coffee farm. Guests...

Awaken your life force and arouse your senses, as the warm Mexican sun soothes your soul. Regain your vitality and con- nect with your inner resources as you gaze and the starlit sky. Enjoy horseback riding along the pristine shoreline as you ob- serve the majestic humpback whales, and listen to soaring seagulls and...

I admit, I was a little leery of travelling to Oaxaca last year. Usually places that garner so much positive press are overrun with travellers and I get a little suspicious. I want to explore Mexico, not float from tourist hotspot to tourist hotspot! It sounds absolutely ridiculous, I know.  I think it’s because I...

Yoga may have originated in India, but this health-minded discipline has found a perfect home in Mexico, as an increasing number of hotels and yoga schools are offering classes and venues that are designed to align physical, mental and spiritual well-being in some of the nation’s most beautiful settings. Mexico’s dramatic Pacific coast provides...

Less than Ordinary Villas Flamingos in Holbox, Mexico I never look for paradise. Can I just say that out loud. I’ve always been more of a look for the monsters or the ancient cursed stones kind of traveler. But I’ll admit it, I needed to find paradise, and that’s what led me to Holbox, Mexico...

When I first started traveling to Mexico, lodging choices veered between humble homegrown pensions or rather dingy motels and the massive El Presidente, Fiesta Americana and similar hotel chains. There was virtually nothing in the middle. As more comfortable, well-run but still small and locally owned inns and small hotels sprung up, they weren't...

by CRAIG ZABRANSKY on DECEMBER 1, 2014 in CULTURE THRU CUISINE, MEXICO TRAVEL When I travel to Mexico breakfast often, if not always, translates to Chilaquiles Verde. Every trip and everywhere I dedicate one morning (if not more) to tasting my favorite Mexican Breakfast dish. A Mexican Breakfast - Chilaquiles Verde What are Chilaquiles? Simply stated, the dish originates from...

Many North Americans have never wandered beyond Mexico’s beautiful coastline. Yes, both coasts of this country offer beaches that are spellbinding, so there’s good reason that travelers stick to those stunning seaside destinations, but Mexico offers so much more than grand ocean breeze-swept getaways. There are ethereal colonial cities sprinkled throughout this multifaceted destination...

Romantic-minded couples of all stripes have one thing in common: their attention is firmly focused on their beloved. But once a couple decides on a Mexico beach vacation, it's definitely not a one-size-fits-all proposition. One couple's eco-adventure might be another's dull-as-dishwater vacation. Conversely, a couple's wild night out on a beach town, complete with...

Welcome to Bernal! Bernal is quite a magical town in Querétaro, and it has the trophy to prove it. You see, México has defined a few particular towns as “pueblos magicos” — magical towns — and Bernal is one such town to earn the honor, with quite a unique style.   What a town! As...

Mexico may be world famous for its sun-soaked beaches, but this vast nation is also home to some pretty exciting cities, too. Each of the major metropolitan areas in Mexico’s interior offers its own unique array of activities, attractions and experiences. Travelers are apparently taking notice, as visitor numbers continue to rise in urban...

Row a boat to your candle-lit beach bungalow? In Puerto Vallarta, you have to venture a bit further afield to find these boat-access-only bungalows. But, then, the most special resort experiences are often a little off the beaten path, right? Around Puerto Vallarta, three boutique beach hideaways are worth the extra drive from the airport. Deluxe Puerto Vallarta hideaways We’ve chilled...

January 30, 2015Raise funds, teach English or clean up the environment with these volunteer travel opportunities in Mexico By: Mark Chesnut Vacation should be fun, rejuvenating and relaxing. But increasingly, travelers are looking for experiences that enrich more than just their tan lines. Indeed, doing volunteer work while on vacation — a concept that’s often...

While mega all-inclusive brand names tend to ring a more familiar bell, it’s the hidden gem boutique properties that are trending among savvy travelers craving a destination’s authentic flavor. Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit is no exception. Sprawling along 192 miles of Mexico’s Pacific coast, Riviera Nayarit is graced with a bevy of quaint B&Bs, chic...

Nestled at the base of the majestic mountains in Jalisco, you will find a bustling Mexican town with a lot of personality and artisan charm. We honestly weren’t sure what we’d find in Sayula when we took the easy drive from Ajijic, Jalisco, but we were full of anticipation — and we were not...

Wow! The magical city of Querétaro is a bustling center of history, art, and tasty food. We fully enjoyed walking around, popping into cute boutique shops that caught our interest, and restaurants with some prime people-watching tables.   The streets are all abuzz with magic! The Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro is a wonderful UNESCO World Heritage...

Villas Flamingos Holbox The night was falling fast. Just as we made our approach the mosquitos were out in full force. There was no stopping them. We were without repellant and pretty much running into the office. Still, despite the army of blood-sucking insects, I took notice to the charming sand paths that led...

To us, Chiapas is authentic Mexico. Tulum and Yucatan are often what we, tourists, imagine Mexico to be. They truly are gorgeous parts of Mexico but Chiapas is a little gem way less touristy and offers more than beauty. This little paradise region, at the border with Guatemala, is a unique destination offering a...

Hoteles Boutique de México and Semillas have come together to support the Red de Mujeres Empleadas del Hogar de Guerrero (Network of Domestic Workers of Guerrero) in setting up “Casa Solidaria” a shelter for women and girls from the Mountain Region of Guerrero who migrate from their communities to the city of Chilpancingo looking...

I could feel a frown forming on my face as the taxi puttered up a skinny, steep cobblestone street toward my hotel. Visions of breathless, thigh-burning climbs made me question my choice. Puerto Vallarta, after all, has an ample selection of small, moderately priced hotels downtown. But this inn came recommended by Mexico Boutique...

COLONIAL-STYLE WEDDINGS HONEYMOONS Yes, many Northe American brides dream of that beach side wedding whit the surf gently lapping againist the shorline, the sun settiing into the horizon and a dreamy resort casting its shadow over the festivities, and while that is all well and good, and can make for strikingly beautiful nuptials, perhaps...

A light drizzle started to fall just as my daughter and I stepped on to the narrow cobblestoned Callejón de los Sapos (Alley of the Toads). We ducked into the tiny folk art shop next to us to stay dry, and gazed at the impossibly vast array of wares on its narrow walls. A...

When it comes to a tropical island paradise, Cozumel may be one of our favorite islands. It has palm trees, amazing tacos and scuba diving – everything we value in a vacation. Past vacations have brought us to Cozumel on a cruise ship, but on this trip we came to the tranquil oasis of...

With its array of colonial architecture, sumptuos hotels and big city sophistication, Mexico´s interior is a natural fit for planners looking to provide luxuries experiences for groups. "The colonial cities in Mexico offer numerous advantges" said Jaime Nelo, a spokerperson for IVI DMC, a DMC that operates in multiple Mexican destinations. He noted the...

Road trips are one of my favourite travel activities as I have a chance to see the place I’m visiting in a more personal way. I can stop whenever I wish and snap photos. I can eat by the roadside with locals. I have complete freedom to choose my route, and then change said...

by CRAIG ZABRANSKY on NOVEMBER 30, 2014 in MEXICO TRAVEL, SUNSET SUNDAY It was my first time back to Cozumel since I was a kid in the 80s. I wondered what changed, what I’d remember and if I’d be able to catch a Cozumel sunset on the water. As much as I love the Riviera Maya and its Caribbean sea...

Puebla This sleepy colonial town in central Mexico claims a stake on the map for its beautiful cathedral, famous university and the fact that it is the birthplace of the ubiquitous, faintly chocolaty mole poblano sauce. Locals say it was first concocted by nuns in a panic over the archbishop’s sudden visit. Today’s poblano...

If I say, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Grenache or Syrah, what are you thinking about? Probably cycling through the vineyards in France or sipping a glass of red among sunlit Spanish vines? Am I close? Wine Regions in Mexico - Source; winefolly.com Well, it might come as a surprise but Mexico too produce these grape...

Puebla, Mexico, is famous for its namesake dish, mole poblano (meaning mole of Puebla). Mole is a heady, exotic sauce made of some 30 or so ingredients, including unsweetened chocolate, various chilies, corn tortillas, cinnamon, spices, nuts, tomatoes and onions. It is a rich, dark brown and a tantalizing topping for chicken and sometimes...