By Angela Fairhurst
Cabo San Lucas in Baja California is back with a vengeance after 2014’s Hurricane Odile. Completely remodeled, there are two boutique hotels providing two completely different experiences, although one management and hospitality team run them.
The Hotel El Ganzo is located at the Puerto Los Cabos Marina. Gonzo Journalism, a style of journalism that is written without claims of objectivity, inspired the name of the resort. El Ganzo actually means goose, hence the iconic hotel logo. Upon entering the massive wooden doors, you know this is a place where sustainability, creativity and artistry coalesce. This hotel is a mecca for both recording artists and visual artists. Its artist in residence program invites talent from all over the world to use the Hotel Ganzo’s white walls as their canvas and “The Underground” recording studio accessible only by trap door from the lobby lounge offers musicians a special place to create and record. Once a month artists perform a free concert.
The décor is modern with a rustic twist of natural materials and woods throughout. All 69 rooms have cement floors and overlook the Sea of Cortez. The fully stocked mini-bar in a hand-designed cabinet is complimentary. Even the plugs are hidden in nicely constructed wooden boxes. The bath amenities are hand-made rosemary products.
There are three dining options including the Ganzo Downstairs creatively mixing Mexican flavors with international techniques; the Restaurant at Ganzo de Playa, a “no shoes, no problem” lunchtime casual dining restaurant at one of Cabo’s few swimmable beaches; and the Gachoo Sushi Bar on the rooftop.
The rooftop is the place to be. Chill at The Upstairs Bar; soak in the infinity pool or the one-of-a-kind glass-enclosed Jacuzzi, or just relax in one of the cabanas while taking in the scenery of the marina and the sea. Experience the spa and wellness center, read at the lap pool on the ground level or borrow one of the complimentary bikes for an easy ride around the marina.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Casa del Mar Golf Resort and Spa. Cabo San Lucas’ first boutique hotel is built in classic Spanish Colonial style and situated conveniently on the beachfront in the tourist corridor in San Jose del Cabo; this resort is perfect for families. The hotel is casual and relaxing in tone. Its 54 spacious rooms and suites are simply decorated with period pieces of Antigua furniture and Mexican artwork. The ample bathrooms overlook the bedroom from the Jacuzzi tub. If you’re a golfer, Casa del Mar guests have access to three of the area’s premier courses designed by championship golfers. Next door to the resort is Cabo Real, the Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the golf course which often has whales seen from one of its three-signature ocean front holes. The hotel’s main restaurant Tapacano takes traditional Mexican flavors and foods and fuses them in a nouvelle cuisine style.
No matter which hotel you choose, you’ll find hospitality, cleanliness and good food.
