Cala de Mar Resort & Spa Ixtapa

Overdevelopment has taught many of us to approach Mexico’s resort towns with some trepidation, but here’s one that just might restore our faith. Cala de Mar Resort & Spa Ixtapa, clinging as it does to a cliff face on Mexico’s pacific coast, its rooms and suites cascading down towards the water.

Looking at the plan it’s no surprise that all the accommodations look right out to sea. Plunge pools abound, and the breathtaking views are a reminder of what the whole infinity-edge thing is supposed to be about. Meanwhile indoors, despite the traditionally-influenced décor, you’ll find the absolute state of the art in luxury lodging.

The end result is a smallish resort that feels even smaller, a tranquil experience in a luxe enclave by the sea. While hardly the edgiest or most aggressively trend-setting of hosts, you can count on them to never put a foot wrong — lapses in taste are virtually nonexistent, and the service is always professional. Take the splendid beauty of the setting into account, and there are few places in Mexico to match it.