The Best Hotels in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

This hacienda-style hotel has tropical landscaped gardens, making it peaceful and intimate while being located close to the centre of Cabo San Lucas. There are warm terracotta walls, patterned tiling and rich-toned fabrics set against dark wooden beds and desks. Outside, there’s a patio and pool area, bougainvillea trees hung with lanterns and a range of sculptures.

Sophisticated Scandi with rustic touches describes the aesthetic at the Bahia Hotel and Beach House. In one direction you’re just steps away from Cabo’s nightlife but head east a short drive along the coast and you’ll find Playa El Medano, one of the most swimmable stretches of coastline in the Sea of Cortez, as the Gulf of California is also known. Bahia has in-house Bar Esquina and SUR, an open-air beach restaurant which hosts live DJs while you dine on octopus tacos, grilled red snapper and a cerveza or glass of Baja wine.

At this large marina-front four-star hotel in downtown Cabo, you can choose a city-view room or one perfect for people-watching, overlooking the boats. Either way the rooms are large, clean and comfortable with plenty of extras thrown in, so it’s a good-value option. Making your stay worthwhile are the helpful staff and the three restaurants, including Vista Roof Restaurant, a great spot to watch the sun set over the marina while eating fresh seafood — it sounds unusual, but the sea bass with mango is great.

The 12-room Los Milagros is a quieter, more personal hideaway compared to many of the hulking tourist-towers in Cabo San Lucas. A fountain bubbles in a flower-festooned courtyard and the shade from palms around the plunge pool keeps things cool and tranquil. The main bars, clubs and restaurants are all just a short walk away. Los Milagros is a boutique hotel on a budget, ideal for families, golfers and surfers looking for a little authenticity in Cabo.

Hotel Mar de Cortez claims to be one of the first hotels ever opened in Cabo back when it was a little fishing village. It’s full of charm and personality, having been family-run for the past 45 years. Don’t expect sleek contemporary lines or modern fixtures and fittings, just anticipate genuine warmth and hospitality from your hosts. There’s a pool with a terrace area, filled with palm trees and shrubs, and a large sofa to relax in beneath the shade of the lobby’s high ceilings.

For convenience, this urban hotel ticks all the boxes, even if local touches are thin on the ground. Its 75 rooms and suites blend bright, simple design and soothing color palettes with all the standard extras you’d expect of an international city hotel. The much-loved Playa El Medano is a five-minute walk away and is particularly suitable for families, as its safe waters are great for swimming, and there are all sorts of aquatic activities, from kayaking to fishing tours.

This hilltop hotel is elevated above the revelry of central Cabo, providing a quieter experience for the more discerning traveler. Castillo Blarney wears its Irish influence proudly with a giant four-leafed clover painted on an outside wall. The rooms all have king-size beds and the suites come with kitchenettes. Brennan’s restaurant has views across the city rooftops to the sea and live music at weekends.

The Bungalows Hotel offers both bungalows and suites a few blocks from downtown Cabo San Lucas. The bungalows have extra living space but either way you’ll enjoy pillow-top mattresses and hammocks. Ask for a room with a private patio and fountain or try the honeymoon suite, which comes with chocolates and fresh tropical flowers. Personal touches throughout include in-room house blend organic coffee and handmade soaps. Do try the peach and pecan breakfast pancakes as they’re delicious.