"The Lodge at Pico Bonito is exquisite, from its gardens to its open-air lounge to its private luxury cabins and terrific food. And crested owls and keel-billed and tody motmots await in the cloud-shrouded hills above. Raptors, owls, woodpeckers, toucans, tanagers, crazy moths on UV-lit bedsheets, the strangest Heliconia flowers ever – they had to pry me out of Pico Bonito. Manager James Adams is an expert naturalist and hotelier, and it shows in every detail."

Bordered by the dramatic Sierra Mountain range, cobalt blue seas and lush vegetation, Todos Santos, for example, is redefining itself with the inauguration of the Guaycura Boutique Hotel & Spa, a charming 14-room inn dating back to the 1880s. A traditional weekend haunt for people from neighboring La Paz and Los Cabos, Todos Santos now has a property that is attractive to visitors from across the border.

"When I entered Esencia's Aroma Spa, tucked into a quiet corner of the estate, I passed through a cloud of copal incense wafting from a terra-cotta bowl. A tree resin much like frankincense and myrrh, copal nuggets look like amber. The Maya have used it for a variety of secular and religious purposes, and in my travels here, I've come to expect the crisp scent on a daily basis.

"They say there is no such thing as the perfect hotel. Variables like size, location and vibe, as well as who is traveling and for what reason, all figure in the decision (the Indagare bookings team can help members narrow down options and hone in on the best properties). That said, a select group of hotels and resorts consistently score high with our staff, contributors and community. These unique retreats defy categorization: some are perfect for family bonding, others for romantic getaways; some are far-flung and beachy, others urban and cutting-edge. All excel at one thing—making guests feel utterly transported."