Cala de Mar Resort & Spa Ixtapa has been awarded One MICHELIN Key in the newly released 2025 MICHELIN Guide for Hotels, placing it among the world’s most exceptional hospitality destinations. The recognition highlights the resort’s “serene and elegant seaside retreat” and reinforces Mexico’s growing prominence on the global stage for luxury travel and world-class service.
Perched on a dramatic cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the 59-suite resort earned its place in the MICHELIN Guide following a rigorous evaluation process. Inspectors, who visit anonymously, assess properties based on a universal set of standards that include architecture and design, service quality, character, and overall value. Out of more than 5,000 hotels reviewed globally, only those that deliver a truly memorable guest experience are awarded a MICHELIN Key—ranging from one to three, mirroring the Guide’s internationally renowned restaurant star system.
“Cala de Mar Resort & Spa Ixtapa is proud to announce its inclusion in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide for Hotels, having earned the prestigious distinction of One MICHELIN Key in recognition of its outstanding hospitality,” the resort announced in a statement.
A Benchmark of Hospitality Excellence
The MICHELIN Guide’s expansion into hotel rankings represents a milestone for global hospitality. For Cala de Mar, the accolade acknowledges years of investment in guest experience, sustainability, and local cultural integration. The award also comes as part of a broader movement positioning Mexico as a leader in boutique and luxury tourism experiences, attracting visitors from Europe, North America, and Asia.
The Guide’s inspectors praised Cala de Mar for its design and atmosphere, describing it as a tranquil escape that “perfectly balances nature, architecture, and personalised service.” Each suite offers sweeping ocean views, private plunge pools, and terraces designed to immerse guests in the coastal landscape of Guerrero.
Culinary Excellence Anchored in Local Flavours
Cala de Mar’s culinary program played a pivotal role in its MICHELIN recognition. The resort boasts four signature restaurants, each offering a distinct experience that reflects the region’s rich gastronomic traditions and global sophistication.
Under the warm Ixtapa sun, Las Rocas Restaurant presents creative, seasonal dishes in a relaxed poolside setting. The Seafood Market is celebrated for its fresh Pacific catch and local ambience. At the heart of the resort, A Mares Restaurant showcases original creations by the Executive Chef, paired with premium Mexican and international wines. Meanwhile, the A Mares Terrace Bar offers tapas and light fare against the backdrop of the setting sun over the ocean.
A 24-hour in-room dining menu further complements this culinary offering, ensuring guests enjoy an elevated dining experience at all hours. Together, these elements underscore Cala de Mar’s reputation for delivering gastronomy that embodies the spirit of place while meeting international standards of excellence.
A Sanctuary for the Senses
Beyond dining, Cala de Mar is home to El Capricho Spa, which has become a defining feature of the resort’s identity. The spa blends ancient Aztec healing traditions with contemporary wellness practices, creating what guests describe as a “true sanctuary for the senses.”
Located steps from the sea, the spa welcomes visitors with the aroma of toronjil, a flower native to Guerrero, before offering treatments that draw on local ingredients such as cacao, aloe, coffee, and cactus. The extensive wellness menu includes reflexology, body scrubs, and hydrotherapy, while facilities such as a jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna complete the restorative experience.
A Boost for Mexico’s Tourism Reputation
The 2025 MICHELIN Guide for Hotels recognised four properties across Guerrero, including Cala de Mar, as models of “excellence in hospitality.” This milestone strengthens the region’s position as a global destination combining natural beauty, luxury, and authenticity.
“This MICHELIN recognition not only elevates Cala de Mar but also reinforces the global prestige of Mexico as a world-class travel destination,” the release stated. The award, it continued, places Guerrero “on the global tourism map,” showcasing the state’s combination of understated sophistication and cultural depth.
The MICHELIN Key programme, introduced worldwide in 2024, aims to offer travellers a trusted benchmark for hotel quality—one that mirrors the reliability and authority of the Guide’s long-standing restaurant rankings. For Cala de Mar, being part of this inaugural wave of recognised properties signals both international confidence and a testament to Mexican hospitality’s evolving excellence.
As travellers increasingly seek experiences that fuse comfort, culture, and sustainability, Cala de Mar’s recognition stands as proof that Mexico’s Pacific coast has become a cornerstone of global luxury tourism. The One MICHELIN Key distinction not only celebrates a single resort’s achievement but also reflects the collective ambition of a nation investing in its people, traditions, and the art of hospitality.
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