Located in the south of Mexico, the state of Oaxaca is renowned for its rugged landscape, indigenous cultures, and epic food scene. Beloved as a getaway by both locals and tourists, you’re sure to find plenty to tickle your fancy, whether it’s joining in with local festival celebrations, visiting a pelanque to sample mezcal, or switching off completely by the coast. For lovers of designer accommodation, you’re in for a treat when checking-in at one of the best boutique hotels in Oaxaca state.

The very best boutique hotels in Oaxaca state, Mexico

1. La Casona Oaxaca | Oaxaca de Juárez

If you’re searching for Oaxaca city’s most traditional boutique hotel, look no further than La Casona Oaxaca, which is more than 120 years old and located in the heart of the city. There are just 25 rooms here, from Standard Singles, perfect for solo travellers, to Superior rooms, which are decked out in a light wood finish and feature a king-sized bed and balcony.

The hotel is classic Oaxaca, designed in a colonial style and painted bright sunshine yellow, with long exterior halls and archways which surround the hotel’s internal courtyard – the ideal suntrap for enjoying a drink or a good book. There aren’t extensive facilities, but you can opt for a hearty breakfast, and the hotel is just a block away from Oaxaca’s main square, where you’ll find no end of delicious food options; just ask the friendly staff for their recommendations.

Learn more about La Casona Oaxaca or Book through Booking.com

2. Majagua Hotel Boutique | Oaxaca de Juárez

Majagua Hotel Boutique interior of guestroom
Majagua Hotel Boutique

Majagua Hotel Boutique is an adults-only hideaway that makes a great base in the city. The homely design incorporates the region’s bright colours and local handicrafts, making guests feel right at home.

There are only 14 rooms at Majagua Hotel Boutique, each with cosy lighting, wood floors and soft furnishings in traditional earthy tones. For once, it doesn’t matter which room you choose, as they all come with king-sized beds, are decked out in an array of traditional prints and have personal patios and large bathrooms with artisanal toiletries.

When you’re not exploring the colourful streets, the hotel’s Endemico Restaurant and Bar on the terrace is the place to be. Enjoy a small menu of seasonal dishes with sunset views, and if you don’t have to check out the next day, order a few of their delicious local mezcals.

Find out more about Majagua Hotel Boutique or Book through Booking.com

3. Hotel Terrestre | Puerto Escondido

For no expense spared luxury, Hotel Terrestre isn’t just a leader in sustainability but a paradise oasis with a price tag to match. Designed by architect Alberto Kalach from Taller de Arquitectura X, the hotel uses 100% solar power and is featured in our guide to the world’s best sustainable hotels.

There are 14 villas in this brutalist, slightly futuristic-looking hotel. Each has a private swimming pool and is kitted out in earthy materials such as wood, brick, clay and sand. Expect custom-made furniture and inside-outside living, with views of the mountains, a private terrace, an open-air bathroom and local toiletries.

While the hotel encourages you to disconnect, they do have WiFi and plenty to do. There’s a large main swimming pool and a spa boasting treatments, a cold pool and steam showers. You can enjoy panoramic views from the restaurant, which dishes up a mix of fresh Mexican and Mediterranean food.

Situated on the coast, if you really need to escape, the property is just a short drive from beaches and a range of artistic attractions, as well as activities like surfing, horseback riding, and hiking.

Check out more about Hotel Terrestre or Book through Booking.com

4. Otro Oaxaca | Oaxaca de Juárez

For those that want a touch of luxury during their stay, Otro Oaxaca is a 5-star property, with a city centre location, cool, brutalist architecture by João Boto Cairo and interiors from Carlos Couturier at Grupo Habita that feature plenty of local touches.

The 16 rooms and suites are minimalist to the extreme, with wood feature walls and stone floors, finished with local handicrafts in muted colours and Copal toiletries. The Townhouse and Deluxe suites also span two floors and hide their own rooftop plunge pools.

The hotel’s restaurant offers a modern take on Oaxacan cuisine and a long list of mezcals, enjoyed from the terrace or roof. But the property’s real draw is the amenities – the rooftop space has a lap pool with sweeping city views, where you can enjoy drinks on tap from your daybed. Alternatively, head underground to their subterranean plunge pool at Otro Spa, which offers aromatherapy, massages and more.

Check out more about Otro Oaxaca or Book through Booking.com

5. Hotel Flavia | San Felipe del Agua

Hotel Flavia interior of guestroom with bath
Hotel Flavia

Featuring an elegant brutalist design, Hotel Flavia could be an apocalypse shelter from the outside, made from concrete and glass. But the interiors couldn’t be more different, with dramatic artwork, leather furniture and rugs everywhere you look.

Every room is unique, whether you opt for the Bunker, an underground suite with a solid marble tub under an open-air skylight, or Biblioteca, boasting a wall of books, handwoven carpet, a double marble shower and lithographs signed by Picasso.

The property has its own cactus garden where you can book a romantic dinner, plus a rooftop bar with views over the entire city, a resident mixologist, and a DJ. To top it off, Cruz Restaurante sits next to the infinity pool, serving a constantly rotating menu that mixes Mexican and Chilean cuisines.

Learn more about Hotel Flavia

6. Tabáa | Oaxaca de Juárez

Tabaa hotel interior of guestroom
Tabáa

Just 10 minutes from the city centre, Tabáa feels like a home away from home with its handmade furnishings and cosy spaces to unwind. The property doesn’t have a restaurant or spa, but it is an ideal bolthole for exploring, with a sun-soaked garden complete with a hammock to while away the day in.

Rooms are bright, with wood or brick walls, king-sized beds and spacious bathrooms, while suites also have private patios. The hotel is run by a friendly local family, who are endlessly helpful and can arrange everything from airport transfers to tours and spa visits. And they even provide coffee and a light breakfast on request.

Read more about Tabáa or Book through Booking.com

7. Ayook | Oaxaca de Juárez

History, tradition, and delicious cuisine come together at Ayook, which sits in the centre of the city and was rebuilt from the remains of an 18th-century local house. The hotel’s incredible interiors feature portico-style hallways, warm lighting and accents such as wooden staircases and cactuses that ground the design in Mexico.

The hotel’s 12 rooms are all unique, featuring patios or private balconies and simple white designs contrasted by patterned rugs, throws and pillows made locally. While wandering the hallways, keep your eyes peeled for the art and handicrafts made sustainably that are available to buy.

To fuel up, start your day with their breakfast (complimentary with every room), where you can choose Oaxacan specialities like Huevos Zapotecos (scrambled egg with cactus). They also have a small cafe onsite serving coffee and homemade pastries, salads, and sandwiches throughout the day.

Discover more about Ayook or Book through Booking.com

7. Casona Sforza | Puerto Escondido

Casona Sforza architecture
Casona Sforza

Conceived by Ezequiel Ayarza Sforza and Mexican architect Alberto Kalach, Casona Sforza is an ultra-luxe Michelin-recommended boutique hotel designed with pure relaxation in mind. Decked out in artisan Mexican handicrafts, the hotel has been designed as a series of giant arches, under which you’ll find the rooms and amenities. It’s rattan everything here, with light-flooded spaces, brightly coloured furnishings and dozens of places to unwind or sip on a sundowner.

The 11 rooms continue this theme, with high, arched ceilings, pure white beds and private terraces which boast hammocks, plunge pools or hot tubs overlooking the ocean. The property also has its own circular saltwater pool, and offers a range of holistic treatments and massages. Aside from the well-stocked bar, don’t miss La Boveda which serves both Mexican and international cuisine using local, seasonal ingredients from nearby farms and cooperatives.

Find out more about Casona Sforza or Book through Booking.com

8. Casa Antonieta | Oaxaca de Juárez

Casa Antonieta view of the courtyard
Casa Antonieta

Casa Antonieta is a boutique bolthole with a secret, and we don’t just mean its stylish design, which blends Scandi chic with Mexican colours. The hotel is hidden behind an unassuming doorway, through which you’ll find a cosy courtyard surrounded by columns, where you can enjoy a steaming cup of coffee from the onsite Muss Cafe.

You’ll find pops of colour throughout the property, from the contemporary paintings in the lobby to the bright in-room rugs. On the subject of rooms, there are nine to choose from – our pick are the Antonieta Suites, which have two comfy beds, living spaces and a bathroom, finished with handcrafted pieces such as throws and rattan headboards, with some also featuring a private patio.

While Muss Cafe is perfect for a morning brew or daytime cocktail, the best kept secret here is the rooftop terrace, which serves wine, mezcal, light bites such as tacos and healthy desserts, all overlooking an Oaxacan sunset.

Learn more about Casa Antonieta or Book through Booking.com

9. Casa Silencio | ​​Xaagá

We love an experiential hotel, and Casa Silencio ticks all the boxes with the hotel dedicated to guests wanting to experience authentic mezcal from its distillery. Located in Xaagá, about an hour south east of Oaxaca de Juárez city, it has just six incredible rooms reserved for those keen to try variations of Mezcal El Silencio.

The property was built using red clay by Mexican architect Alejandro D’Acosta, and each room is spacious yet moody. Interiors feature wood walls, black and white textiles, and distressed leather paired with local crafts. The focal point of the hotel is an open-air dining room where mezcal tastings are held. First, you’ll get a tour of the palenque before starting the tasting, after which you can enjoy lunch or dinner here, choosing from a selection of traditional Oaxacan cuisine. Best of all, the hotel is completely solar-powered, with zero waste and reusable rainwater systems.

Read more about Casa Silencio

10. Hotel Casa Santo Origen | Oaxaca de Juárez

Hotel Casa Santo Origen swimming pool an outdoor seating area
Hotel Casa Santo Origen

Just a short distance from the city centre, Hotel Casa Santo Origen is a slice of adults-only tranquillity. Built in a rustic, colonial style and dotted with cacti, it has a small outdoor terrace and pool and lots of outdoor seating in the sunshine.

Otherwise, you’ll have total privacy in the suites, named after regions of the state, and decorated in full wood, with local art and patterned furnishing, and living spaces that open up onto private balconies and patios.

The restaurant, Entre Sombras, serves Mediterranean dishes wherever you like, whether by the pool or in the comfort of your room. Plus the friendly team can organise everything from private walking tours to art gallery visits, and unique excursions.

Read more about Hotel Casa Santo Origen or Book through Booking.com

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