LA AMADA, PLAYA MUJERES, CANCÚN
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Just 20 minutes north of Cancún, the newly developed coastal enclave called Playa Mujeres feels a world away from the flashy vacation capital. The 109-suite La Amada is the smaller of the two hotels so far in Playa Mujeres, and like its top-end competitors farther down the coast, it doesn't equate luxury with glitz. The whitewashed, low-rise architecture is refreshingly understated, while the rooms, starting at 960 square feet, mix sharp-edged lamps with sumptuous sofas and gauzy curtains. The spa, with a great open-air hydrotherapy circuit and an elaborate gym, occupies prime real estate (at too many hotels, it's wedged in the basement). At Aroma, the more formal restaurant, satisfying, straightforward combinations like Caribbean lobster with risotto are made with the freshest ingredients; only the wine list is a bit weak. With a whirlpool tub in every room, the atmosphere is definitely honeymoon-friendly, but larger casitas, with plunge pools, accommodate families. As for the beach, it's perhaps the biggest luxury, considering those in Cancún proper have faced erosion problems. Broad, palm-lined, and quiet, it stretches away to the north alongside a placid bay.

Which room to book: Casita Consentida is closest to the wide, powdery beach. For privacy, avoid the swim-up suites, as these all open onto a large pool, which can be noisy.

La Amada
Tel: 52 998 872 8730

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