There’s a reason why celebrities call this charming part of Mexico a second home. Here are our picks of the best Los Cabos luxury resorts.
Los Cabos hosts a large variety of luxury resorts. It is located at the southern tip of Mexico on the Baja California peninsula, comprising the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Cabo San Lucas is known for its breathtaking views of the Sea of Cortez and its vibrant nightlife. San José del Cabo, on the other hand, is revered for its charming cobblestone streets lined with local cafés and boutique art galleries.
A celebrity playground, Los Cabos is a popular luxury destination because of its fine dining, warm service, and pristine beaches. While many enjoy spending the holiday season at a resort in Los Cabos, the best time to visit is May and June, when it’s warm and there’s almost no rain. No matter when you plan on visiting, our expert selection will help you choose wisely from the long list of Los Cabos luxury resorts.
One&Only Palmilla
One&Only
One&Only Palmilla is the definition of modern luxury. It is a secluded property with access to one of the only swimmable beaches in Los Cabos (the region’s currents are notoriously strong and unexpected). Beyond the chic oceanfront rooms, the resort has an array of casita suites and villas. The spacious rooms nicely juxtapose a cozy color palette and contemporary decor. The staff offers a warm welcome to adults and families, encouraging all guests to partake in activities such as whale-watching, surfing, and fishing. Don’t worry if you’re not a fan of water sports. The resort also provides art classes led by artist in residence Elizabeth Sutton. Whether it’s painting the beautiful horizon or savoring Chef Jean-Georges’s famous fresh ceviche, you’ll be doing so in peace — away from the downtown noise.
Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas
Four Seasons
Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas is a great choice for adventurers seeking luxury. The rooms are modern but inviting, and the bathrooms are spacious. Book an oceanfront room to have an up-close view of another of Los Cabos’s only swimmable beaches. Some oceanfront rooms and all garden rooms come with a private plunge pool. Cabo Pulmo, a historic coral reef dubbed “the aquarium of the world,” is just 45 minutes from the resort. You can depart from its private marina for an unforgettable snorkeling experience.
Four Seasons offers private retreats and packages that include ATVing, zip-lining, and hiking through the Santiago Waterfall. After a long day of excursions, you’ll want to relax in the hotel’s wet areas, complete with individual cold pools and serenity pods. As for on-site fine dining, El Puesto is a must for seafood lovers, hosting fresh sushi nights throughout the week. More intimate options include resort-organized dinners on the beach or cooking classes.
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort
Rosewood Resorts
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort, captures the serene feeling of an oasis. Each guest room is thoughtfully embellished by local artisans and features Mexican-Mediterranean-inspired touches, such as colorful tile mosaic headboards and hand-carved cedar doors. Drift down Baja’s first-ever lazy river while enjoying the swim-up bar, featuring laid-back refreshments, including gourmet street tacos and rolled ice cream. The hotel invites tequila enthusiasts to participate in the Tequila Sign class, in which experts guide a blind test of various blancos, reposados, añejos, and mezcals to design a flavor profile just for you. Your “sign” signals your preferences to bartenders and chefs, allowing them to personalize the cocktails you savor during your stay.
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a collection of rare estates in unique locales. Zadún is the brand’s first such concept in Mexico. The hotel is built into a hillside, and its 115 rooms are distributed across a 20-acre property. This means you can enjoy panoramic ocean views in private. Families are particularly fond of Camp Zadún, where children participate in activities like yoga, origami, and animal adventures. This gives parents the perfect opportunity to slip away to Spa Alkemia. The spa offers unique services like the Temazcal Experience, a cleansing ceremony guided by a shaman (spiritual healer). For maximum relaxation, book the Alkemia deep-tissue massage. When ready for a nightcap, head to Candil, a lantern-bedecked bar with more than 100 varieties of agave distillates.
Montage Los Cabos
Montage
Montage Los Cabos is where vacation meets the feeling of being at home. Perched on the shores of Santa Maria Bay, the resort offers heartfelt service from the moment of your arrival. After enjoying a welcome cocktail (or two) at check-in, you’re led to the rooms by golf cart. Each room has an outdoor shower and a private terrace, as well as embroidered pillowcases to take home. The beachfront resort welcomes adults and families and offers a daily babysitting program called Paintbox, in which children can enjoy arts and crafts, among other activities. This allows parents to enjoy amenities like three massive pools, one tennis court, and two pickleball courts. If you’re like me and enjoy live music, you won’t want to miss out on the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Marea, featuring nightly musical performances.
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
HILTON
Nestled impressively inside a mountain, the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal has a unique locale. The setting ensconces guests in luxury and allows them to immerse themselves in the resort’s exceptional services. Every room boasts scenic views and amenities, including curated reading material and private plunge pools. While it’s easy to get lost in the resort’s luxurious atmosphere, the Waldorf Astoria Spa connects you with Mexican tradition through the ancient rituals of curanderismo, or Mexican folk healing. Combining massage therapy and energy-cleansing rituals, its treatments are inspired by the phases of the moon. Services such as seaweed wraps, lymphatic facials, and salt scrubs are also available. Pedregal is also home to El Farallon, one of the most exclusive dinner spots in Los Cabos. Savor renowned Chef Gustavo Pinet’s menu, which highlights locally caught fish, while enjoying gorgeous ocean views. I recommend arriving early for your reservation so you can sip from the Champagne Terrace’s collection of 20 Champagnes while watching the sunset.
Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection
Auberge Resorts
Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection is the only resort with a private beach in Los Cabos. Its cabana-style rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase stunning panoramic views of the ocean. This is a repeat spot for many because of its outstanding heartfelt service. It’s also lauded for amenities like poolside complimentary foot and neck massages. Steps away from the infinity pool is La Terraza Americana, a casual restaurant that offers elevated takes on classic American cuisine. After basking all day in the sun, you’ll want to book yourself a skin-hydrating treatment at the resort’s spa. Another draw is the resort’s annual art festival in November called Esperanzarte. The event welcomes regional artists to collaborate on art installations and exhibitions across the resort.
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collections
Auberge Resorts
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collections, shares similar high-end amenities as its sister property Esperanza. But it attracts a younger crowd with its chic, contemporary aesthetic. For larger groups, the Sky Villa is a great choice. It comes with fully equipped kitchens, spacious indoor and outdoor communal spaces, and rooftop terraces with a private pool and fireplace. Like the Bahamas, Los Cabos has stunning turquoise waters that are home to exotic fish and sea life. Chileno Bay is one of the few Los Cabos luxury resorts located on a swimmable body of water. As such, guests are encouraged to explore nearby coral reefs using complimentary snorkeling gear, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards. Other unique offerings include daily barre and aqua-spin classes, as well as exclusive access to its members-only, 18-hole luxury golf course, designed by Tom Fazio.
Grand Velas Los Cabos
Velas Resort Group
Above all, Grand Velas Los Cabos is lauded for its innovative architecture. Right when you walk into the lobby, you’re met by two massive walls that frame a stunning ocean view. Architect Roberto Elias did this to simulate the experience of a live painting. The all-inclusive resort is adult- and family-friendly, welcoming guests of all ages with a three-tiered infinity pool. The first tier is for families, the second is for activities and exercise, and the third is for adults only. Se Spa also draws on themes of water, offering a signature “water journey” treatment using hydrotherapy pools. Led by your own spa valet, you’ll start by soaking in warm water and slowly move to cold. Then, you can saunter through a tiled ice room, eucalyptus-scented steam cave, and heated stone lounge at your own pace.
After a day of relaxation, you’ll want to hit Piaf for an authentic French fine-dining experience. The space is a modern twist on France between the 1940s and ‘60s, the height of Edith Piaf’s singing career. At first, eating French delicacies like foie gras and escargot in Baja California might feel a little bizarre. Nevertheless, the restaurant’s dreamy atmosphere and impeccable service are sure to leave you seeing life in pink, as the lyrics to “La Vie en Rose” go.
The Cape, a Thompson Hotel
Thompson Hotels
The Cape, a Thompson Hotel is a luxury resort that’s a departure from the region’s typical hacienda-style architecture. The rooms were designed by Mexico City-based architect Javier Sanchez, who pulled inspiration from mid-century Latin America. Each space features natural wood and copper elements, creating a cozy, sophisticated feel. All rooms have a private balcony; some have a private plunge pool and butler service. Of all the resorts in Cabos San Lucas, The Cape offers the best views of El Archo, the region’s famous rock formation. You can savor the beautiful horizon at The Ledge by day, where the Cape Toast is a must, and at The Rooftop by night, where the hotel regularly hosts celebrity DJs.