Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection

Like its sister property -- Esperanza -- Chileno Bay Resort & Residences has an effortlessly luxurious quality that's hard to match. In a region that's home to classic luxury resorts where butlers stand at your beck and call, the scene at Chileno Bay feels unwound in all of the right ways. Here, the atmosphere is casual, with on-trend extras and design features that make it an exercise in modern luxury. Landscaping embraces the desert setting with style, while interiors feel beachy, but refined. You won't find any formal evenings or loud parties here. Instead, from the upbeat beachside taco bar to the breezy sea-view Comal -- where Los Cabos' locavore food scene is whole-heartedly embraced -- things feel special, but not forced. What's more? The embrace of local culture can be found everywhere from the spa to the dining program, always reminding you that you're actually in Mexico (which isn't always the case in Los Cabos). The resort also has broad appeal, drawing families, couples, groups of friends, and everyone in between with equal fervor. 

While many of the hotels that line the coast between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas can feel like satellites unto themselves, Chileno Bay benefits from its setting in numerous ways. For starters, it sits along one of the few swimmable beaches in the entire Cabo region. The resort itself has a small private bay where you can swim and snorkel, while a gate leads to Playa El Chileno, the public beach that's received Blue Flag status. Here, the resort has set out all sorts of water sports equipment that's free for guests to use. However, you should rent a car if you want to truly explore the region. It's a 15- to 20-minute drive into the center of San Jose del Cabo, where you'll find cute boutiques, charming cafes, great restaurants, and numerous art galleries. It's also the setting for the Thursday night Art Walk, when the streets are closed to traffic and vendors and gallerists open their doors until late. Cabo San Lucas is 20 minutes by car, while Todos Santos is around a 70-minute drive from the resort. Budget 35 minutes to reach the airport.

The 60 rooms are quite similar, with plenty of space and chic beach-perfect decor that blends natural materials and colorful accents. We love the pops of blue and white alongside hardwood furniture and details, while abstract art is bold and bright, but never overpowering. The rooms are arranged inside of stand-alone villas, with four or so per building -- these can be combined to make multi-room suites for guests who'd like extra privacy or who are traveling with friends or family. There are also private villas with multiple bedrooms. Features are numerous, and include massive terraces (many with sea views), Nespresso machines and extensive minibars, welcome snacks, Smart TVs, turndown service, and plenty of storage. The best come with private plunge pools. Wi-Fi is free and all rooms have air-conditioning and ceiling fans. Bathrooms are particularly beautiful, with gorgeous tilework, soaking tubs, outdoor rainfall showers, aromatherapy, and high-end bath products. 

Despite its boutique status, Chileno Bay Resort & Residences packs in a ton of features that work together to create this hotel's luxurious package. The centerpiece of the resort is its pool complex -- a series of tiered pools fringed by loungers. Don't expect swim-up bars or anything so basic here -- instead, servers unobtrusively answer guests' needs, while TnT taco bar and Comal sit off to the sides. The former is the spot for beer, tequila, and mezcal alongside great tacos and beach views. The latter offers locavore Baja cuisine in a beautiful open-air setting that has great views of the sea. It's destination for locals and other tourists alike for lunch and dinner. If you need a coffee, El Molino is located near the lobby and has juices, coffee, and pastries. You can order in-room dining around the clock as well.

Wellness figures largely in the resort's ethos. The spa offers treatments inspired by local traditions and using local products, and is a truly stunning setting to unwind (expect beautiful stone and water details throughout). The hydrotherapy circuit includes a Himalayan salt room and ice bath, among other features, and is free for guests to use. An extensive gym offers a range of modern equipment and has a personal trainer as well as daily workout programs -- some classes are free while others come with a fee. Down on the public side of the beach numerous water sports are available for free, while the hotel's private beach is also available for swimming and sunbathing. Chileno Bay Resort also provides direct access to the members-only Chileno Bay Club for golf enthusiasts.

While the resort's chilled luxury vibe certainly has adult appeal, Chileno Bay is also family friendly. Of course, the swimmable beach makes this a great bet for those with kids and teens. In addition, there are separate clubs for children and teenagers. The former offers supervised childcare, while the latter has video games, tech-savvy extras, photo booth, and even a jukebox. A cinema is also available at the resort. Wi-Fi and valet parking are both free, and each room comes with a personal guest experiences coordinator to take care of any needs in advance or during your stay.