There’s a reason why places like St. Barths, Lake Como, and Saint Tropez are the getaways of choice for celebrities. They offer a sense of seclusion and privacy for high-profile personalities who are seeking some downtime, and the concierge at the luxury hotels there are worthy of a membership to the prestigious Les Clefs d’Or.
One other celebrity hotspot that is now attracting top hoteliers to its shores is Los Cabos. Situated just at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, the region is just a quick two-hour flight away from Los Angeles. There are two towns here, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, give no indication that a hurricane ravaged through them just back in 2014. A party still rages on every night in Cabo San Lucas, and the tranquillity of San Jose del Cabo allows for that necessary recovery in the morning.
If you thought that the influx of celebrities has diluted the Mexican culture in Los Cabos, that’s where you’re wrong. Sure, a part of it has been immortalised in the song “Hotel California” (yes, it’s referring to a hotel in Los Cabos, not in California), but the heart and soul of the region still come from things like the fishing boats kicking into gear on the daily. The hotels are also integrating crucial cultural elements into their operations, especially with using fresh produce for farm-to-table dining.
Despite its tropical climate, Los Cabos is mostly dry and warm, making it great to visit from October to December. But you’d have to start your hotel search early, as that period is also the peak season for the destination. To help you get a headstart, here are some of the best luxury hotels in Los Cabos.
P.S. The Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and Aman are all set to open resorts in Los Cabos by 2020.
Some people might call the Hotel El Ganzo a boutique accommodation, but its impressive guest list tells us that it’s anything but. The 70-room hotel has in the past hosted the likes of Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo’s entire wedding party, perhaps because the property has an underground recording studio that’s craftily hidden beneath a trap door.
Even if you’re someone who couldn’t hold a tune, you’d still be able to appreciate the views of the Sea of Cortez from your guestrooms and the live art installations – El Ganzo often invites artists to use the hotel as their canvas.
The space formerly known as the Mar Adentro is now home to the architecturally-stunning Viceroy Los Cabos. Opened a little more than a year ago in May 2018, the luxury hotel now boasts 194 guest rooms that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living, especially so with the floor-to-ceiling glass windows in all ocean-facing rooms. If you’re looking for the pinnacle of contemporary beachside living, the Viceroy is it.
With a design reminiscent of the iconic Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort, the Grand Velas Los Cabos hotel goes one up in its architectural planning, ensuring that all 307 of their suites have a picture-perfect view of the Sea of Cortez. The all-inclusive resort also features a three-tiered infinity pool (including one that’s adults-only) and an expansive, 35,000 square foot spa that prides itself on their water-based treatments. Oh, and did we mention that all guest have access to a personal concierge?
The marriage of Danish and Mexican design gave birth to the Solaz, a vast compound part of the Luxury Collection Resort’s portfolio. Your first step into the 11,000-square-foot front desk will immediately give you a sense of the scale at the resort before you head up to one of the 128 beautifully appointed rooms and suites that have been outfitted with local Mexican Huanacaxtle wood and marble textures. With two heated outdoor infinity pools at your disposal and the only Thalassotherapy wellness spa in the region, there’s almost no reason for you to leave.
The legendary Nobu brand founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper opened their first hotel in Latin America just a few months ago, bringing their storied hospitality and dining experience to Los Cabos. 200 guest rooms at the Nobu Hotel Los Cabos are designed in the style of contemporary Japanese minimalism but fused with the laid-back spirit of Cabo. Think Onsen teak soaking bathtubs in your suite but with 24-hour room service from Nobu Restaurant.
The adults-only, all-inclusive resort Les Blanc Los Cabos is essentially Club Med on steroids. As one of the largest resorts in Los Cabos with 374 guest rooms and suites, it’s an opulent display for those who revel in the indulgence of luxury. The contemporary rooms boast wall-to-wall marble flooring, pedestal bathtubs with Bulgari toiletries, and a smart TV for you to binge on your favourite Netflix shows even while on vacation. If that’s not enough, hand-painted petit fours are delivered each night of your stay to your room, and if you’d like more than just a nibble, your personal butler can arrange your every whim.
Josiah Neo
Writer
Josiah Neo is a tech writer who contributes occasionally to the fashion, travel, and culture beats. When he’s not busy keeping up with the keynotes, he’s probably stuffing his face with the best Melbournian donuts (at Shortstop, BTW) or watching his favourite esports team, the Los Angeles Valiant, pummel their opponents into oblivion.
