Best Luxury Hotels in Los Cabos

The One&Only Palmilla is easily one of the most luxurious resorts in Los Cabos, in Mexico, and in the world. Every single feature here has a high-end touch. That includes a steak house by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, gorgeous pools, attentive butlers, and a stunning spa crafted from stone. The 160 rooms and villas are nothing less than lavish, with contemporary and traditional Mexican accents, massive bathrooms, and high-tech amenities. The included extras -- such as luggage unpacking, daily snacks delivered to rooms, and an aromatherapy turndown menu -- put this resort at the top of our list. Need even more incentive to stay here? The One&Only Palmilla sits on one of Los Cabos' few swimmable beaches.

A bit more casual than the One&Only Palmilla, Esperanza offers a laid-back vibe that's increasingly the norm in Los Cabos. Guests will find luxury without pretense, including in the 123 hacienda-inspired casitas and villas that are rustic and refined. Romantic extras include bathrooms with side-by-side showers and separate soaking tubs. Massive terraces with hammocks or plunge pools are the standard, and rooms feature tablets that connect to concierges and porters. The hotel also has an elegant spa and large fitness center, a beautiful infinity pool, and stunning ocean views available from almost everywhere. That's especially true at its famous restaurant, Cocina del Mar.

The 118-room Resort at Pedregal -- set on a long sweep of beach at the base of towering mountains -- is so exclusive that reaching it requires driving through a private tunnel. The style here seamlessly blends modern design trends and local artisanal details. Rooms have gorgeous hardwood accents plus massive bathrooms and terraces with hot tubs, and select casitas open to the ocean with private pools and fire pits. Oceanside dining and locally sourced menus are highlights, as are the infinity pools overlooking the beach. An organic spa, a modern gym, and a posh boutique are also available.

If you're after hyper-attentive luxury service, Las Ventanas al Paraiso is your pick. While the vibe here is a bit more casual than institutions like the St. Regis (you won't spot a white glove here -- this is Cabo, after all), the service is impeccable -- you won't go more than a few feet without finding someone ready to cater to your every need. Come to be spoiled -- the pools are photo-worthy, the traditional decor is striking, and the food is delicious. It's also the perfect spot for a romantic getaway, with beachside cocktail bars and a picture-perfect spa. The personal butlers don't hurt, either.

As of 2019, Los Cabos is seeing a major boom in luxury boutique hotels, and the 60-room Chileno Bay Resort & Residences leads the pack. The vibe is upbeat and casual, with a layout that centers on beautifully tiered pools. As nice as those pools are, the property's own swimmable beach might just be the best perk of all (though guests also love the locavore Comal restaurant, as well as the stunning spa). You'll spot cool art all around the resort, which perfectly complements the bright beach-chic rooms. Standard amenities include beautiful indoor-outdoor bathrooms and spacious terraces (many with ocean views), while active types can enjoy the wealth of free beach activities on Playa El Chileno next door.

Grand Velas Los Cabos is the best luxury all-inclusive resort in Los Cabos. From the moment you arrive here, the striking contemporary architecture, beautiful grounds, upbeat bars, and chic restaurants all make an incredible impression. You'll find little excluded from the generous all-inclusive policy, which includes Mexican, French, and Italian fares (along with the requisite mezcals, wines, and other high-end cocktails). Large rooms come in soft contemporary tones and feature ocean and pool views (many also have their own plunge pools). Numerous pools are all oriented toward the pretty beach, and the spa's hydrotherapy circuit is a stunner.

Embracing this region's beautiful landscapes and cultural heritage, Montage Los Cabos is the first Mexican outpost of this North American luxury brand. There are only 122 rooms, lending this hotel an intimate vibe that's similar to the nearby Chileno Bay Resort & Residences. And while there are numerous pools with views out to the sea, the Montage Los Cabos is one of the few resorts in the region that has its own swimmable beach. Contemporary Mexican and great international fare are on offer in the restaurants, while a chic boutique sells local art and crafts -- all with a story behind them. To top it off, the spa here -- inspired by the desert and hot springs in the Los Cabos region -- is one of the region's best.

True to this high-end brand's reputation, The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, is arguably one of the swankiest hotels in Cabo San Lucas. The 161 rooms vary greatly, but all have a sharp look plus luxury amenities including spacious glass-enclosed bathrooms, ocean-view balconies or terraces, in-room cocktail bars, and (optional) private hot tubs. Many include services like butlers and and in-villa check-in. The property also has two pools, an excellent surfer’s beach, a world-class Mexican restaurant, and a breathtaking spa. However, the secluded location away from town may dissuade some guests, though that's just what others are looking for.

If sun, sea, and stunning architecture are your thing, the JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa should be your luxury pick the next time you head to Baja California Sur. Design throughout the resort blends sharp contemporary edges with desert landscaping and views out to sea at almost every turn. It's a peaceful resort, and features massive rooms that include king-size beds, spa-worthy bathrooms, and large furnished terraces. The fitness center is a proper gym with a great selection of classes and modern equipment, while dining at the gorgeous Cafe des Artistes -- alongside light music and sea views -- draws tourists from across the region.

With spectacular Sea of Cortez views and some of the best dining in Cabo San Lucas, Hacienda Beach Club & Residences has a lot going for it. This luxury property's 109 contemporary apartments range from one-bedroom residences to beachfront villas. For the most part, the property is the definition of tranquility, with a lovely spa, gym, and bi-level infinity pool with stunning Land's End views. And while the location on Medano Beach is fantastic -- and San Lucas' bustling marina is less than a five-minute walk away -- a bit of noise from party boats in the bay is inevitable.

This adults-only resort outside of San Jose del Cabo is practically a destination unto itself. Manicured grounds are sprawling (expect to walk often) and offer great views of the Sea of Cortez, especially from the two pools and golf course. All-inclusive rates are among the highest in the area, even for a luxury hotel, but the six bars and eight restaurants provide guests with plenty of food and drink options. The 500 suites have modern amenities and playful, romantic touches (some are swim-out). Most guests are couples, though the resort's conference center also attracts big (and sometimes loud) corporate groups.

Groups with big budgets can stretch out in these pinch-me-now, three-bedroom/three-and-a-half-bathroom cliffside villas overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Montecristo offers 151 bi-level houses that can sleep eight guests each. Villas are similar in design with high-end amenities such as infinity pools, gourmet kitchens, and stainless steel Weber grills, to name a few. Guests are granted free access to Montecristo's own facilities, as well as Pueblo Bonito's beach, pools, and restaurants (all-inclusive packages are available). Golfers also have access to the award-winning Quivira golf course. Free shuttle service is provided to key points around the resort and to town, though a car will come in handy.

The Viceroy Los Cabos, which opened in late 2018, brings contemporary cool, trendy buzz, and modernist style to its setting on the shores of the Sea of Cortez. Visuals here are dramatic: Blazing white buildings frame massive reflecting pools all centered on the iconic wooden dome of Nido, Viceroy's signature restaurant. Amenities also run deep, and include a spa, beach club, cinema, gym, and trendy dining. As of early 2019, the rooftop nightclub has also become a destination in itself, making the Viceroy a solid choice for a lively, but still refined, vacation.

Like its famous sibling in Cancun, Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos feels like nowhere else in Los Cabos. You'll find everything you could need for an all-inclusive getaway, plus chic decor and attentive service. It's a contrast to the more opulent style found at Grand Velas Los Cabos, which is Le Blanc's only direct competitor in the region. Gourmet a la carte dining plus premium alcohol all score rave reviews from previous guests, though we found the Lebanese restaurant to be the best and most unique (it's the only one in Los Cabos as of 2019). The pools, lined with lounge chairs for sunbathing and sipping cocktails, are also some of the nicest in the region.