For a sun-soaked Mexican holiday, try Montage Los Cabos, Baja California’s newest resort
The Montage brand of hotels has chosen Baja California, where the desert meets two seas, as the location of its first hotel outside the US
What is it? Hotel brand Montage has just opened its first property outside the United States, in Baja California’s Los Cabos.
Wait a minute. I thought California was in the US. It is, but Baja California is the 1,600km-long peninsula that lies just south of the American state, in Mexico. A water lover’s paradise, home to whales in winter, it has desert terrain and a rugged Pacific-facing coastline.
In the north, vineyards thrive and stellar wine is made. At its southernmost tip, the resort region of Los Cabos stretches for some 30km. The cove-filled coast is bookended by two former fishing villages: party-hearty Cabo San Lucas and artsy San José del Cabo.
So, why should we stay at this hotel? Resorts pepper the Golden Corridor, between the villages, but this one stands alone, on 16 beachfront hectares, in the embrace of two rocky promontories jutting out from Santa Maria, Los Cabos’ most storied snorkelling beach. Featuring views from every guest room, its contemporary, organically shaped architecture lies low and fuses with the otherworldly landscape.
What is there to do? Well, you could just relax around the pool – or should we say pools; built in layers that tumble down the hill towards the sea, this oasis of watery abundance vaunts long pools, shallow pools, hot tubs and round pools. On the other hand, the hotel offers water sports galore on the beach – from snorkelling and kayaking to stand-up paddle boarding.
I’m going to need a massage. No problem; Spa Montage has your … err … back. The spa’s restorative theme draws from a Tree of Life motif, symbolising rebirth and new beginnings.
Locally inspired treatments include the Baja Desert Cocoon, which employs agave and herbs such as lavender and sage in a healing wrap. To connect further with ancient traditions, sign up for a shaman’s blessing, a meditative ritual held on the hotel’s expansive lawn overlooking the Sea of Cortez.
