The January release of Tripadvisor’s 2011 Travellers Choice Awards confirms that vacationers continue to flock to hotels and resorts in Mexico, and are not buying into media scare tactics regarding safety concerns arising out of violence and drug wars, which still exists, but predominantly along the US – Mexico border. Albeit, the high world ranking of Mexican hotels references mainly beach resorts, the statistics nevertheless confirm that vacationers still believe that Mexico is one of the safest destinations in the world, just as they believed in 2010.
Mexico Ranks High Both in the World, and When Set Alongside the Caribbean
There are several categories in which Mexican accommodations rank high, in fact with the best in the world and when lumped together with what the Caribbean has to offer. For example regarding the former, Mexico is represented twice in the category of Top Ten Hotels in the World, has #1 ranking in the world for best all inclusive, and has three of the top ten rankings for romance hotels in the world.
When lumped together with all the nations and destinations in the Caribbean, Mexican lodgings take most of the top ten honors in romance establishments, bed & breakfasts, and luxury hotels. Perhaps a tribute to vacationers, there is not one entry for a Mexican hotel or resort in the category of Top Ten Trendiest Hotels in The World.
Mexican Resorts Rank High with Other Worldwide Destinations for Romance, Relaxation & More
While not in the top ten, Mexican hotels are represented twice in the category of Top 25 Hotels in the World; Number 11 is Welk Resorts Sirena del Mar in Cabo San Lucas, and at number 18 is Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen.
But turn to the top ten All Inclusives around the globe, and Mexico takes #1 spot with Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso in Playa Paraiso, #3 with Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun, and #7 with Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun in Playa del Carmen.
Banyan Tree and Secrets are once again represented in the top ten for romance hotels in the world. But look at the #1 romance hotel across the globe, and you’ll find Capella Ixtapa, in Ixtapa! Banyan Tree takes #2 spot for ten best relaxation and spa hotels in the world, with La Amada Hotel in Playa Mujeres taking #7 spot.
With Mexican and the Caribbean Categorized as One Region, Mexico Ranks Highest for Romance & Luxury Hotels
With Americans and Canadians usually heading south on their own continent for warm weather vacations, it’s significant that Mexico outranks all of the Caribbean resorts, countries and hotels in several categories, once again suggesting that Canucks and their southern neighbors are just not buying into media suggestions and fear mongering, and their own government advisories regarding safety concerns vacationing in Mexico. This clearly suggests that travellers to Mexican resort destinations are confident that the drug wars and violence as reported are centered far for the resorts, hotels, inns, spas and bed & breakfasts at which they are considering lodging.
Mexico takes five of the top ten places in Mexico and the Caribbean for bargain hotels. They are worth enumerating:
· Luz en Yucatan in Merida (#2)
· Villas Las Ancas in Cozumel (#6)
· Posada Luna del Sur in Tulum (#7)
· La Cabañas de Loreto in Loreto (#8)
· Casita de Maya in Cozumel (#9)
Seven of the top ten hotels for romance in Mexico and the Caribbean are in Mexico, with Mexico taking the top five places:
1. Capella Ixtapa
2. Banyan Tree
3. Secrets
4. Santos Pescadero in Todos Santos
5. Casa Belas Boutique Hotel in Puerto Vallarta
For the top ten bed & breakfasts and inns in Mexico and the Caribbean, Mexico takes the top six, and eight out of ten. The top six are:
1. Casa Zuniga B & B in Guanajuato
2. Casa de La Cuesta in San Miguel de Allende
3. Los Arcos B & B in Merida
4. Baldwin’s Guest House Cozumel in Cozumel
5. The Red Tree House in Mexico City
6. Casa Chocolate B & B in Cuernavaca
Finally, for the ten best luxury hotels in Mexico and the Caribbean, Mexico takes the top two spots and six out of ten. Is should not come as a surprise that Banyan Tree ranks as the top luxury hotel in the category. Number 2 is Iberostar in Playa Paraiso.
What to Do About Continuing Media Scare Tactics Regarding Drug Wars, Violence and Safety Concerns in Mexico
Despite the foregoing, media will continue to frighten prospective travellers to Mexico and its hotels, resorts and inns, reporting drug wars, safety concerns and violence. Foreign embassies and consulates will continue to issue advisories and warnings, perhaps out of liability concerns, or simply paternalism.
The best advice for those considering Mexico for a brief vacation or an extended stay would be to ask others who you know have been to your proposed destination, perhaps relatives or friends, and if you can’t think of anyone, go to an international or Mexican travel website with an open traveller forum, and voice your concerns there.
Alvin Starkman - Alvin Starkman runs Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast. He is a paid contributing writer for Mexico Today (http://www.mexicotoday.org).
