Weekend Getaway At A Luxurious Los Cabos Hacienda

Los Cabos sits at the southernmost tip of Baja California, offering dramatic vistas of stunning shores and Land’s End. No wonder it’s one of Mexico’s top tourist destinations, with accommodations to suit every style and budget.

Visitors are enticed here courtesy of its magnificent natural resources. Thanks to a collective embrace of sustainable practices, Los Cabos has earned numerous eco-awards. The unblemished beaches and sapphire-colored water of the Sea of Cortes have remained pristine, even as the tourist infrastructure has steadily developed.

For those who crave pleasures of a different sort, Los Cabos is a nightlife powerhouse loaded with tequila bars and dance clubs that satisfy late into the night.

For families, this region of Mexico is full of appeal. Dozens of daily nonstop flights from North America, excellent roads, a safe environment, age-appropriate active adventures, a fresh dining scene and a range of resorts make Los Cabos a top choice for a family beach vacation or a weekend getaway from the West Coast.

Sheraton Grand Los Cabos, Hacienda del Mar

My son and I recently spent a long weekend at the Sheraton Grand Los Cabos, Hacienda del Mar. Alec is a college student in Los Angeles, and the nonstop flight from LAX was a quick 2 hours, just enough time for him to catch up on homework.

I was immediately seduced by the resort’s physical attributes. The sprawling Mexican Colonial hacienda-style buildings are nestled in gardens so curated, you may think you’ve arrived at a botanical garden. There are five swimming pools dispersed throughout the grounds, including an infinity pool with a photo-worthy sea view. We couldn’t wait to get into our swimsuits and dive in.

The hotel is situated on a picture-perfect stretch of beach. The blue-green ocean water was tempting, but the crashing surf is too rough for even strong swimmers. In fact, many of the areas most beautiful beaches are not suitable for swimming. We walked along the beach with waves crashing at our feet but heeded the warnings to stay out of the water.

Hacienda by the Sea has Traditional Guest Rooms

The 270 spacious guest rooms and suites present old-world elegance. They offer amenities such as Jacuzzi tubs, walk-in shower, private balcony or patio, complimentary Internet access, satellite television and much more. I loved the traditional Mexican decorative touches, such as tiled showers and terra cotta floors. The authentic local aesthetic was a welcome respite from the sleek and modern décor that I sometimes encounter at Mexican beach resorts.

Kids Club gives you Golf & Spa Time

The Adventure Kids Club provides supervised low-key, drop-off activities for children ages 4-12, with hourly, half day and full day options at a reasonable cost. The colorful indoor space is bright and airy. It is stocked with basic materials for making locally inspired crafts such as piñatas, as well as hi-tech video games. Outside, a fenced in pool entertains with aquatic fun in the shape of a mushroom waterfall and multiple spraying jets. Children are always under the supervision of Red Cross 1st Aid and CPR-certified staff. The club is not open in the evening, but the concierge will gladly book a babysitter.

Active Options in and around the Resort

Besides the array of swimming pools and Jacuzzis, the resort is a paradise for golf enthusiasts. The Cabo del Sol Ocean Course and the Cabo del Sol Desert Course are just 10 minutes away. Sunrise yoga, water aerobics, Mexican bingo and other poolside activities round out the diversions.

Resort Dining Options: a la Carte and Delicious

If you are an epicurean, the Sheraton Grand Los Cabos is Disneyland. The property is not all-inclusive, so you won’t find the bland buffets often served at one-price resorts. The Sheraton is proud to be the only resort in Los Cabos to feature two award-winning restaurants, so anticipate mouth-watering ?meals. For a casual bite, head to Tomatoes Restaurant. They serve a variety of international dishes three times daily. At breakfast, we liked the fresh-pressed juices, made-to-order omelets and tropical fresh fruits. The panoramic views of the ocean eased us into the day.

For a splurge, try De Cortez Grill and Restaurant. Executive Chef Manuel De Luca makes it his mission to please even the most discerning palate. We feasted on fresh produce from local markets and ridiculously good seafood from the cold waters of the Pacific and Sea of Cortez, artfully served and accompanied by a fine wine.

Cactus Spa Pampering

The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar’s Cactus Spa pampers with massages, body therapies, facials and scrubs. The coed outdoor relaxation area is a true sanctuary. Dunk in the plunge pools where water temperatures range from ice cold to nearly scalding. The steam and sauna are extra soothing.

Activities off Property

We explored both Cabo San Lucas and art-infused San Jose del Cabo, the twin towns that make up Los Cabos. Our mission was to swim in the jewel-colored waters of the Sea of Cortes. We headed to action-packed Medano Beach because locals told us that this popular beach was safe for swimming.

We set up base camp at Sur by Bar Esquina. It felt like a casual private beach club and the epicenter of all things aquatic. We were given towels and beach chairs and in two seconds flat, we were splashing in the crystalline waters of Cabo San Lucas Bay. The refreshing dip did not disappoint. Invigorated, we satisfied our appetites with a delicious lunch of fresh ceviche and shrimp. Bliss.

We headed to the marina and caught a glass-bottom water taxi to Lover’s Beach. Our brief journey offered magnificent views of the famous El Arco, a sea lion colony and the whimsically named Divorce Beach.

For families seeking active adventures, the Sheraton partners with Cabo Adventures. They offer programs including dolphin swims, kayaking, zipline tours and mountain bike adventures. They organize everything for you, so all you have to do is show up ready for fun.

Los Cabos Culinary Treats

We enjoyed an exquisite meal in San Jose del Cabo at Acre. The rural setting is lush with mangoes, citrus trees, herbs and flowers. It’s an architectural wonder of landscaping, seamlessly blending natural elements into modern design. The innovative garden-to-table cuisine was an organic delight. We stuffed ourselves with fresh produce and sea creatures that had been swimming in the sea only hours before.

For additional information about the region, go to Visit Los Cabos.

Photos courtesy of the resort and the author