Discover the 10 best hotels near the US-Mexican border Stories > Hotels > Discover the 10 best hotels near the US-Mexican border Curation by Yasmina Rodríguez, words by Laura TuckerThe line separating the US from Baja California breeds a whole lot of excitement; Tijuana, Tecate and Mexicali being our first contacts before angling down towards either San Quintín on the west coast or San Felipe to the east. This quadrangle of Mexican cities makes up La Frontera, the region ensuring your first impression of northern Baja is a strong one. Besides being the birthplace of the Margarita, you’ll soon see that the region offers more than simply hedonism and beach days (though it’s not wanting for those things either!). Ruta del Vino, in particular, is a regional wine route that gives Napa Valley a run for its money, while art enclaves, boho towns and foodie markets ensure the border’s long shadow of drugs and gangs can be somewhat excused. Find out where to stay with our list of the 10 best Baja California Hotels below. Tailor Made JourneyLet Us Plan Your Perfect Luxury VacationMr Hudson designs unique and luxurious vacations for sophisticated travelers who prioritize beauty and style. BOOK WITH US Photo: Thomas Verbruggen A rural red-brick retreat centred within a 4,000-acre garden complete with its own mountain, Rancho La Puerta is Tijuana’s celebrity favourite1. Quartz Hotel & SPAStarting in the wild and wonderful city of Tijuana, Quartz Hotel & Spa can allow you to hideaway from the hustlers and the thumping party scene of the pedestrian centre. While of course testing out the gay dance clubs and bars is in the offing, Quartz Hotel & Spa brings the calm, with a holistic approach to wellbeing and an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and spa all among its gardens. Quartz Hotel is also the perfect mid-way between the city centre and the Zona Río business district, making for easy access to nightlife as well as less-touristy boutiques and restaurants, just three kilometres from El Popo Market.2. Rancho La PuertaA rural red-brick retreat centred within a 4,000-acre garden complete with its own mountain, Rancho La Puerta is Tijuana’s celebrity favourite. Founded in 1940 and since visited by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Kate Winslet, Rancho La Puerta has been honing its wellness therapies for decades, now offering a full range of activities such as morning hiking up Mount Kuchumaa, yoga sessions and a number of new-age offerings such as sound therapy and cardio drum dance. The resort is the ideal place to rejuvenate the soul, choosing active days across eleven different gyms, tennis and pickleball courts, or a lazy afternoon floating in any of the four pools before taking the Sacred Moments couples massage. Healthy buffet lunches and meat-free dinners served at the ranch are also made using fresh produce from the garden.3. Torre LucernaGoing for modish and muted luxury beside the sea is Torre Lucerna, based in the coastal inlet of Ensenada, 100 kilometres south down the coast from Tijuana. Putting Ensenada on the map, this five-star hotel is a key feature on the shorefront, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows in each room, a rooftop pool with panoramic views, as well as something special for the foodies. Choose from three restaurants – Riviera Pacific Grill, Acueducto (a fusion buffet) or La Azotea Rooftop Raw Bar, all beautifully decorated in blue and gold, and each sided by a drinks bar or deli to indulge in Valle de Guadalupe wines and local cheeses until you pop. If getting down to Ensenada is too much travel for one day, consider staying one night along the coast at Rosarito hotels or Puerto Nuevo hotels slightly further down. Hotel Encuentro Guadalupe | Photo: Manuel Moreno Photo: Kekai Ahsam4. Hotel Encuentro Guadalupe Centre stage in Valle de Guadalupe wine region and ecological preserve, Hotel Encuentro Guadalupe needs little persuasion to visit. The minimalistic property itself is a dream, with an infinity pool area ensconced by vineyards and 20 eco-lofts that blend right in among the romantic hill landscapes. Perhaps the best designed of all Valle de Guadalupe hotels, the artful lofts here come raised on stilts and each has a balcony terrace for pinnacle sunset views across the region. Though lying slightly outside of Encuentro Guadalupe town and inaccessible by car, the hotel has its own concierge service and there are as many as 12 different restaurants to choose from in the vicinity (as well as 45 vineyards!).5. Alou Hotel BoutiqueAnother top spot in Tijuana is the Alou Hotel Boutique, in easy reach of El Popo, Old Jai Alai Palace, and Caliente Stadium. The selection of rooms here come sleek and minimal, with warm staff providing top-tier hospitality. Like Tijuana itself, Alou embraces gastronomic trends, both at its fifth-floor restaurant that offers glittering views across the city, as well as its lobby coffee bar, which serves up regional beans to perfection. Just one hour from the start of the Ruta del Vino, Alou Hotel can also of course cater to all your wine needs. Photo: La Villa del Valle Lying on a hill near Vena Cava winery in Valle de Guadalupe, La Villa del Valle hosts just six suites each with balconies that overlook the valley and mountains surrounding, fragrant with vineyards and olive groves6. Hotel Punta MorroThe second of our Ensenada hotels has the added bonus of its own private beach, in easy reach of the Ruta del Vino. As well as bay views for days, Hotel Punta Morro brings spacious suites kitted out with the best facilities, each fronted by its own private balcony. In the common outdoor area meanwhile, guests share the pool, gardens and sun terraces, in earshot of ocean waves and sight pink ocean horizons come sunset. Elon Musk fans out there will be pleased to know the hotel has its own Tesla charging station on site, while its international restaurant and wine tours around Ensenada will have you feeling richer than the man himself.7. La Villa del ValleWith a name that rolls off the tongue, La Villa del Valle is an exclusive choice for those exploring the wine region in juicy detail. Lying on a hill near Vena Cava winery in Valle de Guadalupe, La Villa del Valle hosts just six suites each with balconies that overlook the valley and mountains surrounding, fragrant with vineyards and olive groves. On chillier days, your room’s traditional ‘chiminea’ fireplace can come into use, adding to the romance of the hotel’s setting, made all the more alluring thanks to its pool, gardens and library. Enjoy Mexican cookies and fresh fruit on arrival, with 5-course fine dining experiences to come later, paired with the ranch’s very own Vena Cava wines. Besides wining and dining on the grounds, explore the valley on a rental bike, sampling different grapes at Adobe Guadalupe Winery (8 kilometres away) and L.A. Cetto Winery (19 kilometres). Photo: La Villa del Valle Photo: La Villa del Valle8. Hotel Coral & MarinaDelving into La Frontera’s prohibition-era history, we move through the Riviera del Pacifico to Hotel Coral & Marina, a stylish ex casino build in 1930s Spanish styles, formerly favoured by Al Capone and supposedly the birthplace of the margarita (so rumour has it). With its roulette-wheel days far behind it, today Hotel Coral maintains its timeless chandelier-hung lobby, with balcony views over the nearby marina visited by a near constant flow of luxury yachts. Just ten minutes drive from Ensenada, 15 minutes from Playa Hermosa Beach and 20 minutes to a range of Guadalupe Valley vineyards, Hotel Coral is in amongst it all. Back on site, you’ve also got the spa and gym to pass the time, plus the famed Baha-Med restaurant and a tough toss-up between the wine or cocktail list.9. K Tower Boutique Hotel By LucernaOne for urban luxury in Tijuana is K Tower Boutique Hotel By Lucerna, just 3 kilometres from the city’s best attractions in the financial district, an area convenient for upscale dining as well as proximity to the Otay Border Crossing for when the time comes to leave. Before that day arrives, enjoy city views from the pool or jacuzzi on the sun terrace, hit the gym or unwind in the recreation room for billiards and a movie night. While the butler service means you’ll never have to leave your room, the hotel’s sophisticated sushi bar and restaurant will surely tempt you out. Photo: Amine Bashir Photo: Juan Ordonez10. Bruma Valle de GuadalupeOne last necessary stop on the wine route is at Bruma Valle de Guadalupe, a chic bed & breakfast with just 8 suites that all lead off from the main house. Shared facilities include the living room, kitchen, pool deck and outdoor lounge area, decorated in a blend traditional and contemporary Mexican styles, with raw and natural materials used throughout. As well as supporting the regional community through its use of Baja Botanica amenities and locally sourced produce, Bruma Valle de Guadalupe also tries to promote a sense of community among its guests, offering communal dining and wine tasting as well as introductions to the staff who regularly put on special events and weddings across the grounds.Want to simplify luxury travel planning?Whether you want a resort vacation, wildlife safari, city break, luxury cruise, wellness retreat, honeymoon, once-in-a-lifetime adventure or weekend escape, the trip curation experts at Mr Hudson make travel planning a breeze. Find out how we can handle the finer details of vacationing in style. Photo: Athena Hotels - K Tower Boutique Hotel By Lucerna Situated in Tijuana, K Tower Boutique Hotel By Lucerna features accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a fitness centre and a bar. Boasting a concierge service, this property also provides guests with an outdoor pool. Book on Booking.com Hotels - Encuentro Guadalupe Located in central Valle de Guadalupe, amidst an ecological reserve, Encuentro Guadalupe is a property that features an outdoor pool and it is set surrounded by vineyards. The modern-style rooms have minimalistic décor and a balcony with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the valley. Book on Booking.com Hotels - Torre Lucerna Hotel Ensenada Torre Lucerna Hotel Ensenada features a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and bar in Ensenada. Among the facilities are room service and luggage storage space. Guests can make use of a garden and enjoy a buffet breakfast. Book on Booking.com Hotels - La Villa del Valle Located in Valle de Guadalupe, 3.7 km from El Cielo Winery, La Villa del Valle provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a garden. Featuring room service, this property also provides guests with a terrace. Book on Booking.com Hotels - QUARTZ Hotel & Spa Situated in Tijuana, QUARTZ Hotel & Spa features accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a fitness centre and a garden. Each accommodation at the 5-star hotel has pool views, and guests can enjoy access to a terrace and to a hot tub. Book on Booking.com Hotels - Hotel Coral & Marina Just a 10-minute drive from central Ensenada, Hotel Coral & Marina offers indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, tennis courts and a spa. Stylish air-conditioned rooms have furnished balconies with sea views. Book on Booking.com Hotels - Hotel Punta Morro Set on a private beach just 5 km from Ensensada, Hotel Punta Morro offers an outdoor pool, gardens and sun terraces. Each air-conditioned room and suite has free Wi-Fi and a balcony, a minibar and a coffee maker. Suites also have a living area. Book on Booking.com Explore more hotels like this in Baja California View on Booking.comPowered by Booking.comshare Ensenada, Mexico | Photo: Roman Lopez Photo: Hotel La Villa del Valle Photo: Hotel La Villa del Valle Photo: Gerson Repreza Photo: Mohammed Frhat Tijuana | Photo: Victor Roque Photo: Dan Moore Photo: Miguel Urieta Tijuana | Photo: Gautam Krishnan Photo: Greg Neff Hotel Encuentro Guadalupe | Photo: Manuel MorenoDid you enjoy this article? Then sign up for our newsletterDid you enjoy this article? 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