After 400 nominations, 64 top hotels around the world competed in a tournament to crown just one as Luxury Travel Advisor’s Most Instagrammable Hotel in the World for 2024. That winner, receiving 128,305 votes in the final round, was Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets. What makes this hotel such a feast for the eyes, as well as for all the other senses? Read on for a taste (and just a few photos hinting at why). UNIK bar and pool at Impressions Isla Mujeres by Secrets. Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets Welcome to Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets. Open since May 2023, this 125-suite resort is on gorgeous Isla Mujeres, eight miles off Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The island is a favorite day-trip destination for Cancun vacationers—they come by ferry or day cruise and tend to stay at the island’s north end plus dive or snorkel offshore at the Museo Subacuático de Arte (MUSA) artificial reef and, from May to September, snorkel with the gentle whale sharks. Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets is on the island’s quieter south end and tucked into a lush hill. Nearby are clifftop ruins of a temple honoring the Mayan goddess Ixchel—the goddess of happiness, fertility, healing and the moon. The island’s current name, “Island of Women” in English, is from 1517 when Spanish explorer Francisco Hernández de Córdoba founds statues dedicated to Ixchel when he landed. Hyatt Hotels’ resort here is the first in its new portfolio of elevated luxury hotels for adults only. It now has a sister, too—Impression Moxché by Secrets in Playa del Carmen. Swim in one of five pools or in the Caribbean Sea at Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets. Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets—World’s Most Instagrammable Hotel Could this be your new pinned pic? Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets. Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets won 2024’s award for most Instagrammable hotel not only because of the stunning setting and design but because of the superlative service it offers to guests in an atmosphere of tranquility and privacy. Hyatt calls these services Endless Privileges, and they go way beyond all-inclusive. Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets is an ultra-luxury resort. Its five pools, white sand beach, and even a spiraling waterslide provide plenty of opportunities to capture that perfect Caribbean turquoise in all your photos. Which pic will you pin to your profile? At the infinity pools that cascade into each other, maybe with your feet in the powdery sand at the beach, how about looking for tropical fish from one of the shaded loungers tiered out from the dock, or gazing out to the sea from one of the countless perfect architecturally-framed views? Or do you prefer sending out an exclusive story, perhaps showcasing the view from your suite balcony with your own hot tub and hammock? The terrace of one of the 125 suites at Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets. And not only does Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets look stunning, but sustainable materials like bamboo were used in its construction. Plus it has eco-conscious additions like solar panels for heating up the water and it works with the Saving our Sharks Foundation to help protect the region’s marine life and their habitat (look for related shark art as you plan out your photo ops). Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets’ Service Impresses Too While a fantastic-looking resort is ideal for IG, what most vacationers want is a hotel with fabulous service, plenty of places to play and relax, and top-notch food and drink (okay, those are good for the ‘gram too). Dinner at sunset, Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets Here’s where ultra-luxury and those Endless Privileges really count. At Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets, staff aim to anticipate the needs of guests and provide tailored experiences with the highest levels of service. Endless Privileges goes beyond the all-inclusive concept and includes the dedicated service of a butler who customizes your daily itinerary. Should you wish a bath drawn with a personalized Le Labo scent profile, a private dinner on the beach, or a trip to snorkel with the whale sharks, your butler can take care of it (the easiest way is to make a request via WhatsApp or your suite’s tablet). Gourmet meals featuring organic ingredients are prepared by master chefs in seven restaurants or served 24/7 in your suite. Expert mixologists curate cocktails with premium sprits. Your in-suite minibar is stocked twice daily and your suite has thrice daily housekeeping. Laundry service for select items, international calls, arrival via the resort’s catamaran, the list goes on and on. And, perhaps the most luxurious Endless Privilege of all: no check-in or check-out times (subject to availability, of course). Dramatic meals at Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets. Picture-Perfect Meals at the Most Instagrammable Hotel The food competes with the views at Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets. Despite being a boutique-sized hotel with just 125 rooms, Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets has seven à la carte restaurants in addition to five bars plus 24-hour in-room dining. Snap quick pics, though, as this food is so delicious you’ll regret dawdling. The resort has not one but two signature restaurants. Spezia features Italian cuisine from Tuscan master chef Paolo Parlanti while UNIK The Kitchen offers tapas and shareables (guests rave about the ceviche) plus drinks around the rooftop glass-walled pool overlooking the sea. Wildfire Grill is a steakhouse also offering seared tuna. Sake is pan-Asian and highlights sashimi, sushi and teppanyaki. Mercado is poolside for lunchtime Mexican specialties and wood-fired pizza. Cacao is a café and French patisserie open 24 hours. La Vista is for both breakfast and lunch (though it’s pretty hard to compete with in-room breakfast, especially when it can be delivered directly to your room via the Secret Box). Swing on a swing or frame a view at Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets'. Cocktail from the Teodoro Bar Your first impression of the resort’s five bars will be at The Yacht Welcome Lounge—you’ll arrive here on the resort’s catamaran from Cancun and can make your first toast to your good taste in choosing this hotel. Isola is the sophisticated lobby bar and the main pool’s swim-up bar is called Sharks. The terrace bar at The Temple is ideal for sunset while The Top is the rooftop sports bar. Drinks feature top-shelf spirits—desirable not just for those with specific tastes but also important for anyone needing to ensure their cocktails don’t have any allergy-inducing ingredients (often a challenge at other all-inclusive properties). Plan your visits to them all—and your day’s activities, photo ops and more—via The World of Hyatt Inclusive Collection app or your in-room iPad, and of course with your butler’s guidance. Impressive Activities Too The waterslide at Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets. You don’t want to spend your whole day documenting your surroundings, as gorgeous as they are at Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets. Holidays are for destination-specific activities, not to mention rejuvenating naps. A hydrotherapy pool at Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets' spa. Snorkel off the beach and around the docks. Zip down the waterslide right into the sea. Determine which of the pools is your absolute favorite. Book a session with the resort’s certified personal trainer or do a standup paddleboard yoga class. Go to a tasting of tequila, mezcal or coffee. Take a cooking, mixology or language class. All guests at Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets receive a complimentary 20-minute wellness treatment, too. But those in the know will also want to book a session in the spa’s hydrotherapy circuit, a warm saltwater float in the Floatarium, or—best of all—a hammam therapy treatment. Though Impression Pure Spa is a feast for the eyes and all your other senses, leave your phone in your room so you can focus on relaxation and rejuvenation rather than reels. If you want to go further afield, it’s just a 15-20 minute taxi ride to Playa Norte and the Centro district. You can rent a golf cart or the resort hosts a bike tour if you want to explore Isla Mujeres further. Which lounging spot is for you? Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets. Other Most Instagrammable Hotels Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets was the top of the 12 hotels on Luxury Travel Advisor’s Most Instagrammable Hotel in the World list for 2024. You’ll need to travel far to get pics at almost all the others though—most are in the Maldives, Middle East, Africa, or Asia and have a much longer flight than that to Cancun. Stay tuned for the hotels that will form 2025’s list of the most Instagrammable hotels—nominations are open now. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work. Editorial StandardsForbes Accolades