The Vibe

Like the glamorous hotels that once drew celebrities, politicians and royalty to Acapulco in the 1950s and 60s, jaw-dropping water views are the pièce de résistance at Banyan Tree Cabo Marqués.

Banyan Tree, located just under 13 kilometres outside the city, has been a tranquil escape since opening in 2010. The resort combines Banyan Tree’s signature Southeast Asian aesthetic with Mexican touches and locally-sourced materials inspired by its setting.

From the clifftop villas where guests stay to the elegant restaurants, almost every area of the property has gorgeous ocean views. Bamboo and tropical plants cover the hilly property, with buggies available to shuttle guests who want to get from place to place without breaking a sweat. The vibe is quiet and relaxed, with guests spending days here going for dips in their private pools, getting pampered at the spa and admiring the views from their villa terraces.

The Rooms

Banyan’s Tree’s rooms are all free-standing villas perched on stilts, which hug the cliffside and offer views of lush greenery or the Pacific Ocean. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows maximize the villas’ connection to their natural surroundings (and let in lots of light). Huge turkey vultures are often visible swooping around the cliffs just outside.

Even the most basic room types put our own apartments to shame, starting at 190 square metres in size. Pricier rooms offer additional space and increasingly spectacular views. There are also a couple of multi-bedroom villas for groups or families willing to throw down some serious cash.

Every villa comes with a roomy wood sundeck and a private heated infinity pool. Inside, villas have a peaceful, spa-like aesthetic, with decor that blends Asian and Mexican elements. Handwoven textiles from Oaxaca are framed on the walls, while hints of silver are a reference to Taxco’s jewelry industry. Super soft king-size beds further enhance the bliss factor. Bathrooms are clean and minimalist, with twin sinks, black granite countertops and rainfall showers, with many also including deep soaking tubs for baths.

The Features

Banyan Tree’s Asian-influenced spa is a highlight, with treatments done in glass-walled pavilions so you can admire the surrounding vegetation while enjoying a Balinese massage or a Thai herbal heat treatment. Greenery also frames the hotel’s bright, modern fitness center. A yoga studio and a thin infinity pool overlooking the coast offer additional ways to get active.

The brand’s South East Asian roots also inspire the menu at Saffron, which offers elegant Thai cuisine with striking ocean views. Mexican restaurant La Nao also has the option to dine a la fresco (plus one of the most elaborate breakfast buffets we’ve ever seen). The views are equally beautiful (noticing a pattern?) at poolside Las Rocas, which specializes in grilled meats, and Las Vistas lobby bar. Cooking classes are available, along with tequila and mezcal tastings.

The Location

The Banyan Tree is located on Cabo Marqués, a peninsula that juts out from the mainland south of Acapulco. It’s about a 30 minute drive to downtown Acapulco and just over 20 minutes by car to Acapulco International Airport.

Most guests choose the property because of its location, away from the hustle, bustle and grit of downtown Acapulco, but it is worth bearing in mind that there aren’t any restaurants or shops within walking distance. For most guests, however, the property is a destination in and of itself.

Room rates start from $379 per night.

Blvd. Cabo Marques, Lote 1, Punta Diamante, 39907 Acapulco, Gro., Mexico, banyantree.com/cabo-marques