A version of this article was previously published by Fathom.

San Jose del Cabo, MEXICO - Montage has hit it out of the park with Montage Los Cabos, the boutique hotel company’s first international outpost. I have been visiting the Los Cabos area regularly since 1980 (my family had a second home there for 20 years), and grew up taking the public bus to snorkel at Santa Maria Bay. Back then, the small crescent shaped, white sand beach was a haven for locals and people “in the know.” There were no facilities and no restaurants, which meant it was a peaceful place to relax in the shade of an umbrella, float in the crystal waters, and make friends with the fish. Adjacent to Santa Maria Bay was the old school Twin Dolphins Hotel, a luxe haven for hippies and travelers that opened in 1977 and was torn down for redevelopment in 2006. I stayed there right before it was demolished and at the time had trepidations about what would happen to Santa Maria Bay and the Twin Dolphins property, and whether it would sadly go the way of all the mega resorts in Cabo. For ten years, the property sat as if the development had been abandoned. Then on a visit to the area in 2017, I noticed access to the beach had changed and there was action on the flat slab of dirt where the Hotel had been. So naturally, when I heard that Montage was developing the property, I was pleased because of the company’s good reputation, and ever so curious about how the presence of a hotel on the beach would affect that relaxed feeling of Santa Maria Bay.

So, this September I decided to head down to Baja to see for myself what exactly had been built on the beach after all these years. Not only was our stay at Montage relaxing and luxurious, but I am happy to report that Montage has skillfully preserved that peaceful, secluded feeling that I believed was part of its responsibility of developing such a private cove. Not only did Montage do an excellent job integrating the hotel into the natural landscape of the Bay, but it enhanced the public access and facilities to the beach, encouraging community and reinforcing the understanding that in Mexico, everyone owns the beach. Well done Montage!

I visited Montage Los Cabos in mid-September, just a few short months after its opening and right in the middle of Baja’s short hurricane season (I like to roll the dice sometimes), which meant it was quiet and not even close to capacity. We arrived at the hotel after a quick 20-minute drive from the airport and were welcomed with a margarita and escorted to our room. Management at Montage was smart to realize that when most guests arrive at the hotel, they want two things: 1) a cocktail, and 2) to get to the pool as quickly as possible. Done and done. The tour of the property would come later.

Montage Los Cabos is built on the shores of pristine and previously undeveloped Santa Maria Bay, a quiet cove located halfway between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. Occupying one of the few stretches of swimmable beach in the Los Cabos area, Montage is the ideal place stay if you are interested in swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boarding, in a secluded and peaceful environment.

The hotel was purposefully designed to blend into the environment. The collection of two-story buildings features contemporary architecture influenced by traditional Mexican design. During construction, native plants were removed from the property, sent temporarily to a “plant hotel,” and reintroduced to the finished landscape when construction was completed. As a result, the property simultaneously feels new and mature. Viewed from the water, the hotel seamlessly blends with the desert landscape and merges with the gentle shores of the sea.

EXPERIENCE

Whether you are traveling with a loved one, the whole family, or a group of friends, Montage Los Cabos can accommodate all. During our stay, the other guests that we met had, for the most part been to Los Cabos numerous times, stayed at all the top-end hotels, and had chosen Montage because it was new and they were familiar with the company’s other hotels. Montage is especially well set up for large groups traveling together. All rooms are interconnected and can be booked as a block to make your group feel like you have your own space. Mezcal (the marquis restaurant) has a large, intimate private dining room that can seat up to 20 people. For bigger groups, Montage has several outdoor dining options that can be transformed for weddings, birthdays, or large corporate events. For families traveling with small children, there is something for you too. Big kids will love playing Marco Polo in the huge pool, while a wading pool and sandbox is set off to the side for the youngest crowd. Or if a break from your children is what you are looking for, drop them off for a few hours at Paintbox, the fully staffed kids club.

A few steps from the deck of the infinity pool is a staffed water sports shack, where guests can check out complimentary kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkeling gear. No need to carry your board into the water – they do that for you around here.

Don’t even think about visiting without spending time luxuriating in the 40,000 square-foot Spa Montage. The spacious complex features a large, adults-only pool with private cabanas, his and hers Jacuzzis, light-filled treatment rooms, and a state-of-the-art gym with complimentary yoga every morning. Treat yourself to a four-hands massage or go for it with the full Baja Experience Spa Package, which includes a foot soak, body wrap, and simultaneous facial and massage. The estheticians and therapists at Montage Los Cabos have worked and trained at some of the best spas in the world, so whatever treatment you chose, you will leave feeling like a new person.

In addition to Spa Montage, I really liked Paletas, the small coffee shop and boutique below the lobby, not only for the namesake paletas (Mexican popsicles) in a huge range of flavors (like guava and watermelon) but also for the coffee and pastries in the morning.

STAY

The 122-guest rooms and suites are designed to take in the views of stunning Santa Maria Bay. For a more exclusive experience, Montage Los Cabos has three individual villas with butler service, private swimming pools, spa amenities, and expansive living quarters. Designed as traditional Mexican haciendas, the villas are a lovely contrast to the contemporary design of the individual guest rooms. In addition to the guest rooms and villas that surround the pool, 52 privately owned 2 and 3-bedroom Montage Residences border the rear perimeter of the property and can be booked for those looking larger accommodations with resort amenities and all the creature comforts of home (full kitchen, laundry, parking, etc.).

All guest rooms feature indoor and outdoor showers, as well as an over-sized soaking tub. Luxury bath products by Seattle based Antica Farmacista are a lovely amenity of the expansive bathrooms. The fully stocked mini-bar includes artisan tequila and mezcal, and a Nespresso machine, for when you just can’t quite leave the room for coffee. Wifi is good and strong throughout the entire property.

The terrace of one of the Montage Villas

EAT

The food at Montage Los Cabos is excellent! So good, that I felt no need to leave the property. A la carte breakfast is served daily at Mezcal, the contemporary Mexican restaurant that is the highlight of the hotel. I kept it super simple with avocado toast and smoked salmon … unless I went all out with chilaquiles or lobster eggs benedict. As far as I’m concerned, there is no better meal than breakfast in Mexico because the food is simple, fresh, includes all-you-can-eat-avocado, and has just enough spice to make me forget my indulgences from the day before. Lunch is served by the pool or at Marea, the hotel’s open-aired beachfront restaurant. Fresh seafood and locally sourced grilled meats are the stars here. Don’t miss the tuna sashimi – one of the best meals of our stay.

We switched between Marea and Mezcal at dinner, but preferred the intimacy and cuisine of Mezcal, where chef Alexis’ talents really shine. The food at Mezcal is innovative without being too intimidating. The menu, a mix of small plates, highlights Baja’s freshest ingredients. Every dish we ate at Mezcal during the course of our stay was exceptional, but we kept coming back for the suckling pig and the nopal salad. We also particularly enjoyed sitting at the bar watching Carlos, Mezcal’s lead bartender, create his liquid miracles. I know this is Mexico and you have to have at least one margarita, but you must allow Carlos to show off his talent by creating a cocktail for you. Ask him for a smoked shot of tequila. You won’t be disappointed by the show. Don’t leave Montage without experiencing a mezcal tasting at Mezcal! Side note: Montage goes out of its way to accommodate allergies, so don’t be afraid to let them know.

DETAILS

Drawbacks: Los Cabos gets 350 days of sun per year. There is absolutely no drawback to spending a few of them at Montage!

Standout Detail: The staff and service are exceptional. Clearly, the management spent a lot of time cultivating the best talent to open this hotel, and it shows.

What to Do Nearby: There is really no reason to leave the hotel, but if this is your first visit to Baja, have the concierge arrange for a catamaran tour of the Sea of Cortez. If boats make you seasick, have a taxi drop you at the main square in San Jose del Cabo, home to lovely galleries, boutiques, and local restaurants. If you want to go out for an evening, have the hotel book a table next to the garden at acclaimed restaurant Flora Farms, a 20-minute taxi drive away.

For more information about traveling to the Los Cabos area, please take a look at previous articles in the Travelogue filed under MEXICO.

Good to Know: Currency: While the Peso is the currency of Mexico, Dollars are accepted by most businesses, but be prepared to receive change in Pesos. Also, gratuity is included in your final bill.

How to Arrive: Most major airlines fly directly into San Jose del Cabo. Don’t screw around with hiring a taxi or a shuttle from the airport, it’s a huge hassle, and, if you are like me and want to get to the hotel the moment you step off the plane, then arranging for a Montage driver to pick you up is the way to go. However, a rental car is a must if you plan on exploring Baja and Los Cabos, as taxis are not cheap. If you only intend to leave the hotel once or twice, I would forego the hassle of renting a car (it is a hassle) and rely on taxis for transportation.

Whats to Come:

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