When you’d hear “Cabo” decades ago, it would mean buckets of Corona, tequila incidents, and all-night discos. However, Cabo has grown up and is now known for its impeccable service, delicious cuisine, and the sun, sand, and sea. Aside from the fact that it has an enviable location on the tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, Cabo has also been an enclave for high-flying travelers for more than 70-80 years. In fact, its continued success has partly been due to the fact that the most expensive hotel in Cabo list has reinvented itself decade after decade – and how. Today, it’s home to some of the world’s best forward-thinking luxury stays. Not only do they excel at offering top-notch luxury and relaxation, but also they range from chic boutique hotels to stylish beachfront resorts.
Besides being home to some of the most opulent stays in the world, what makes Cabo so amazing is that it boasts activities for practically any and every type of adventurer. So, whether you want to do scuba diving, snorkeling, whale watching, hiking in the Sierra Nevada mountains, or even exploring the region’s culture, there’s something for everyone in “nature’s playground.” Here’s a detailed guide to the priciest stays in Cabo San Lucas.
Table of contents
- Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort and Spa
- Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
- Chileno Bay Resort & Residences
- Montage Los Cabos
- Grand Velas Los Cabos
- Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection
- Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
- The Cape, a Thompson Hotel
- One&Only Palmilla
- Marquis Los Cabos Resort & Spa
- Las Ventanas al Paraíso
- Where do the celebrities stay when they go to Cabo?
- What celebrities stay at Las Ventanas Cabo?
- What is a good amount of time to stay in Cabo?
Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort and Spa
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We begin with the Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort and Spa, a reborn Cabo classic and the hotel closest to the iconic El Arco rock attraction. Two things stand out here: the legacy and the location. It’s the only resort on the half-mile Land’s End headland, which is the southernmost end of the Baja California peninsula. So, it boasts a spectacular beachside setting between the Pacific Ocean and Cerro del Vigía.
The architecture here is to die for, with raked sand, cactus gardens, infinity pools, and subterranean stone passages complementing the sublime ocean views. Even though it’s also a timeshare, the service here rivals that of Cabo’s top resorts, which are complemented by an outstanding staff. There’s a lot to do on the property, ranging from poolside lounging and spa sessions to weekly themed nights at the three restaurants that keep the menu exciting. A Kids club, onsite tennis courts, a mini-golf course, and cooking classes round out the experiences.
One thing that stands out is that all digs at this hacienda-style resort are villas, the best of which have sweeping ocean views. Nevertheless, they all have balconies, king beds, gleaming marble floors, and modern kitchens. The ultimate privacy is in Building “I,” which is closest to Land’s End and a less-visited adult pool. While the entry-level villas start at USD 450, the largest, the three-bedroom penthouse, costs USD 1,200.
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Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
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If you’re a foodie and want to indulge your voracious appetite, then look no further than Nobu Hotel Los Cabos. This is the Japanese-inspired brand’s first Mexican outpost and sits on a remote stretch of the Baja peninsula, thus lending it a sense of privacy and exclusivity. Also, its culinary scene is a standout, with it being Mexico’s first Nobu property. So, besides the world-renowned Nobu restaurant, the hotel also offers a pool bar, a rooftop bar, a champagne bar, a cafe, an organic restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, a Mediterranean restaurant, and a steakhouse!
But that’s not all. There’s a weekly wellness program where you can participate in spinning classes, pilates, and Tabata, to name a few. The Escencia Spa is one of the most decadent in the region, where you can indulge in a variety of massages and body treatments. Those who want to indulge in lounging around have four swimming pools to choose from, including a stunning beachfront infinity pool.
The rooms boast sophisticated and traditional Japanese décor, complete with Japanese-inspired light fixtures, shōji closet doors, wooden soaking tubs, and custom pieces. Did you know that some rooms even have private swim-up pool access? The entry-level rooms cost USD 400, but the higher-up rooms are truly amazing. While the junior oceanfront suite with a private pool costs USD 1,300, the four-bedroom Kogane Penthouse at Nobu Residences costs a whopping USD 5,800!
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Chileno Bay Resort & Residences
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The sophisticated and chic Chileno Bay Resort & Residences lies on what is one of the only swimmable beaches in Cabo. Hitting just the right balance between cool and sophistication, the resort is swathed in bohemian Baja decor that underpins the Chileno aesthetic and vibe. Since it’s surrounded by desert on three sides and water on the fourth side, the sapphire, white, and tan color palette perfectly complements the views.
The lovely and warm service kicks off right from the moment you arrive, with the friendly and personable staff greeting you at the entrance. The amenities are excellent, especially the glittering tiered pool, with the pool staff spilling down to the beach, one of Cabo’s only swimmable beaches. What’s more, there are three restaurants, with Washoku wearing the culinary crown, especially due to its Wednesday Japanese beach dinners. Don’t miss heading to The Well Spa, the renowned wellness brand’s first Mexican location. A reflexology pool, a “nap garden,” and a bathhouse guide you toward true Baja bliss.
Choose from just 61 spacious rooms, suites, and villas, all of which have hedonistic hideaway vibes and shaded terraces overlooking the pool or beach. Sitting areas set with sapphire-striped armchairs and coffee tables (furnished with dried and fresh fruits, spicy nuts, and other complimentary snacks) flow out to cool, shady terraces.
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Montage Los Cabos
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Montage Los Cabos hugs the serene and sparkling blue waters of Santa Maria Bay, making you feel like you’ve stepped right into paradise. In fact, it’s one of the country’s swimmable beaches, which is what makes staying here a perfectly luxurious experience for water babies. Montage embraces, rather than tries to hide, the fact that it sits smack dab in the heart of the desert. So, the drought-tolerant, native plants such as beautiful tall saguaro, all kinds of agave, and rock figs make for a lovely backdrop, with the beachfront being the cherry on top.
Besides the fabulous interiors, the amenities at this luxurious hotel will blow your mind. Two main restaurants serve everything from sushi and authentic Thai to quintessential Mexican cuisine. What’s more, the spa treatments here are unmissable, especially the unique, traditional Mexican folklore-inspired rituals. Or, you could do the most favorite thing to do for everyone at the property — soak up the sun on a beach bed or unwind in a cabana by the pool. However, the hospitality and attentiveness of the staff will blow you away, especially since they remember drink and food orders and recommend the best places to eat in town.
What’s great is that all suites boast water views, including partial and complete ones. Moreover, they all boast outdoor showers, spacious patios, and swanky mod-cons. If you’re looking for some more indulgence, you can also opt for the pool suites. While entry-level one-bedroom suites begin at USD 1,000/night, the swankiest costs USD 1,500/night. But that’s not all. The higher-up categories, the two-bedroom residences, and the three-bedroom casas, cost USD 3,000/night and USD 12,400/night, respectively.
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Grand Velas Los Cabos
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You’ll never have an all-inclusive experience like the crowd-pleasing, family-friendly Grand Velas Los Cabos, which sits 20 minutes from the marina. A beautiful, pristine stretch of sand lies right out front, and even though it’s not safe to swim in the waters, the resort makes complete and amazing use of the oceanfront location. Interestingly, while many of Cabo’s all-inclusive resorts are chain hotels, the Grand Velas Resort is small and family-owned, which means that their critical attention to detail is superb.
The resort has all the keys to a great family vacation: action, action, action, and a parental escape hatch or two. So, there’s an entire roster of planned activities every day, which includes everything from dance and cooking classes, beach soccer, and morning yoga to cornhole and Ping-Pong tournaments and e-bike tours. At the same time, adults have an adults-only pool to lounge at, thanks to the baby concierge and babysitting services. Guests have the choice of seven restaurants, and there are even kids’ and teen clubs where parents can drop their children off and enjoy a date night.
Since it’s an all-suite resort, all digs measure more than 1,000 sq. ft., so there’s lots of room to spread out. What’s more, they all have balconies with beautiful views of either the pool complex or the ocean with the rocky coastline. Meanwhile, entry-level suites cost USD 1,400/night, which goes up to USD 1,800/night. The priciest suite is the two-bedroom Family Suite, which costs as much as USD 2,100/night.
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Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection
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Discerning travelers who love the old-money vibe will feel at home at the Esperanza, part of the prestigious Auberge Resorts Collection. Imagine just 53 thatched-roof casitas and suites spread over 17 acres of lush landscape, all sprinkled with palms. What makes it all the better is that it’s the only private beach resort in Los Cabos. Even then, it’s a mere 15-minute drive from the freewheeling streets of downtown Cabo.
Every amenity at the Esperanza is designed around and focused on privacy and impeccable service. Those staying here can reserve beach palapas for breakfast, morning yoga, or even all-day lounging. The infinity pool is the crown jewel, stretching out as if to meet the waters of the North Pacific Ocean. There are pickleball private lessons, a weekly pop-up market selling jewelry and local crafts, and even an onsite gallery showcasing the work of Baja’s top artists. However, we highly recommend one of the new spiritual wellness experiences at the newly reopened Spa at Esperanza. Finally, when the hunger pangs come calling, you have five fabulous restaurants to choose from, which serve practically every cuisine under the sun.
Since the hotel sits right on the rocky Cabo coast, every amenity and every suite promises stellar and sweeping views, even if they’re all wildly different. Nevertheless, they all boast swish mod-cons, luxurious bathrooms and bath products, handmade Mexican furniture, and amazing outdoor sea-facing hammocks. If there was an only-in-Baja vibe you were looking for, this place is it. Entry-level rooms, which are the King Oceanview Casitas, cost USD 200/night, while the One-Bedroom Oceanview Penthouse Spa Suite costs a cool USD 2,500/night.
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Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
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A torchlit tunnel through the imposing Pedregal Mountain heightens the drama of being welcomed at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal. The Mediterranean village-inspired seaside enclave has a rustic beach vibe that’s hard not to fall completely in love with.
It’s quite difficult to leave the confines of the sublime pool complex at this resort, which has four pools with different vibes. One can’t go wrong indulging at any of the six amazing restaurants, of which Travesía, hanging off the side of a cliff, is something else. It’ll be a crime not to head to the onsite spa here, where treatments incorporate traditional Mexican folk healing elements for a soothing experience. However, the resort’s 60-ft-long Mares yacht is the most luxurious thing. You can book a private evening cocktail cruise and soak in the sunset colors. It might be difficult to leave the pool, but we highly recommend the Cabo Reef snorkeling tour and the coffee class and tasting. Did we mention the complimentary afternoon chips, guacamole, and Coronitas delivered to your room every day? Yep.
What will blow your mind is that all rooms here have plunge pools and terraces with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean! You’re welcomed to your rooms with nuts, fruits, miniature Clase Azul bottles, and other conveniences like leather toiletry bags, beach bags, and binoculars for whale watching. Even entry-level rooms cost USD 1,100/night here, while the One-Bedroom Beachfront Premium Suite, the highest in the for-two category, costs USD 3,100/night. The priciest room in the house, though, is the Three-Bedroom Beachfront Presidential Suite, which costs USD 5,200/night!
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The Cape, a Thompson Hotel
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The romance factor is out of the world at the beachfront retreat of Cape, a Thompson Hotel, which boasts stunning views of the Bahia and El Arco. In fact, you can see El Arco, Cabo’s infamous rock formation, from most of the rooms here. The vibe is a blend of ’60s SoCal and Mexico, so you’ll find a lot of vintage and regional artwork as well as funky art throughout the hotel.
The plethora of amenities here will make you never want to leave this place. Not only does the hotel have an infinity pool with a swim-up bar, but it also has a separate saltwater pool. Besides the state-of-the-art fitness center, the hotel also offers classes ranging from body sculpting to full-moon yoga. Do make a visit to the spa, which has a steam room, cold and hot plunge pools, alfresco treatments, and even a couples treatment room with a private pool. Sigh. The highlight, though, is the restaurants here, especially the rooftop at the Cape, which has a fire pit, beautiful sunset views, and musicians and DJs spinning tunes.
With just 161 retro-inspired rooms and villas, staying here is as intimate and exclusive as it gets. Moreover, every room/suite has a balcony with mesmerizing views of the Pacific Ocean, and some even have butler services and private plunge pools. While entry-level rooms cost USD 550/night, the magnificent Oceanfront Surfer Residence with a Plunge Pool costs a cool USD 3,400/night.
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One&Only Palmilla
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The serene and exclusive One&Only Palmilla was built back in the 1950s as a hacienda and was accessible only by plane or yacht. Today, the fabulously intimate and remote 174-room resort juts out into the Pacific, retaining its remote feel even as the region around it boomed. The geography is unique; it makes the beach out front one of Los Cabos’ few swimmable beaches, making this an excellent place for a family-friendly holiday. In fact, this resort is home to the only Mexican outpost of Tropicsurf, a preeminent guide service and surf school.
Amenities
The service is excellent here, and the prevailing culture is “no time of the day or night being too much trouble to get something done.” This self-contained luxury resort focuses on rejuvenation, with treatment cabanas peppered around the lushly landscaped courtyards, and even has its own yoga garden. Besides the private surf school, there’s also a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course and a Pedi:Mani salon for bespoke treatments. In fact, the resort happens to be one of the top golf resorts you must visit. Of course, paddleboarding and all sorts of water activities are available out front. Three restaurants serve all cuisines under the sun and even have vegan options for those looking for it.
Rooms
Even the basic oceanfront rooms, which cost USD 1,000/night, are massive, but the Pool Casiat Suites, with private plunge pools and uninterrupted beach views, are truly amazing to splurge on – they cost USD 5,000/night. What’s more, all guests get cocktail snacks, complimentary fruits, and free unpacking services. For the ultimate luxury, choose the Five-Bedroom Villa One, which is a favorite with Hollywood stars who regularly stay at Palmilla. Oh, and it costs a cool USD 11,000/night.
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Marquis Los Cabos Resort & Spa
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All inclusive? Yes. Adults-only? Yes. Sign us up, then! Welcome to the Marquis Los Cabos Resort & Spa, whose elegant lobby and unobstructed Pacific Ocean views make it one of the most stylish locales on the Los Cabos corridor. If we were to indulge and splurge on a luxurious Cabo vacation, we’d certainly like to do it at the Marquis, which has landscaped gardens and pools facing a spectacular white-sand beach. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
Amenities
You’re impressed from the minute you arrive in the striking lobby, with its white, arched dome framing the glittering Pacific Ocean and the sky in the same frame. It’s a cool retreat that sets the tone for the rest of your stay, especially as you gaze at the tranquil decorative pool that reflects the blue sky. The staff is extremely helpful, attentive, and courteous, no matter where you are on the property. Choose from three beachfront pools, all of which boast plush daybeds with parasols gazing out to the ocean. Aside from the fitness center, there’s also a spa and a beauty salon, but the highlight is the entertainment staff, who organize beach and pool volleyball sessions. Five restaurants, including a wonderful seafood one, wrap up the amenities here.
Rooms
No matter which room (it’s an all-suite hotel) you book at this resort, you can’t go wrong. Better yet, they all have furnished balconies, hot tubs, and views of the Sea of Cortez. They also have luxurious bathrooms with L’Occitane bath products, and traditional Mexican design touches that meet the swish furnishings. While the standard ocean suites are on the lower floors, they still cost USD 700/night. The master suites and casitas all have plunge pools, but the priciest is the Marquis Presidential Suite, which costs USD 7,000/night!
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Las Ventanas al Paraíso
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In the late ’90s, Las Ventanas al Paraíso was the first one to show Baja how an OTT escape can be without pretense. Even today, Las Ventanas remains the epitome of beach life in the region with its lantern-lit trees, suites with rooftop terraces and brass telescopes, and a lazy river pool. At the same time, it’s not afraid to dig into Baja’s party repute; cue the speakeasy piano bar La Botica. It plays Afro-Cuban, Latin, and jazz music, and its exit resembles a vintage Coca-Cola fridge!
Amenities
Of all the amenities, the real showstopper, though, is the Four Elements spa. Its treatments utilize the powers of water, fire, air, and earth and are inspired by ancient healers. Even pets are thoroughly pampered; they have ‘doga’ classes, can have massages and use portable pool/beach cabanas, and are even assigned a personal butler! Moreover, the six dining options range from the aforementioned speakeasy to a restaurant serving delicious Oaxacan cuisine. Did we mention that there’s also a tequila and ceviche bar? Yes!
Of course, the ocean-facing infinity pool is utterly romantic and perfect for early morning or evening swims and lounges. But that’s not all. There are seven other pools (!) that are waiting for you to come take a dip.
Rooms
All rooms at Las Ventanas have their own unique touches, with elements such as gorgeously carved wooden pieces and mosaic headboards. While entry-level rooms cost USD 680/night, the One-Bedroom Beachfront Signature Ocean Villa costs a whopping USD 6,300/night! Even its Three-Bedroom version costs USD 6,800/night, but it’s still not the most expensive room here! That would be the 28,000-sq-ft-huge, USD 35,000/night Ty Warner Mansion, a Two-Bedroom Mansion with a seven-person staff, an infinity pool, multiple terraces, and a “library” of rare tequilas. Sigh.
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Where do the celebrities stay when they go to Cabo?
Celebrity sightings have been the most common at luxury resorts, but most sightings have happened at Espreanza and One&Only Palmilla.
What celebrities stay at Las Ventanas Cabo?
Las Ventanas has seen and hosted the likes of Jessica Alba, Diane Kruger, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, JLo, and Barbra Streisand, among many others.
What is a good amount of time to stay in Cabo?
Spending one week in and around Cabo is the perfect amount of time for enjoying your luxurious resort, as well as other exciting adventures and activities.
