Need to know
Rooms
In total, 174, including 33 suites.
Check–Out
Noon, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 1pm.
More details
Rates include daily breakfast for two at Agua or Breeze, butler service, movement classes and non-motorised watersports.
Also
The resort has had more than a sprinkling of celebrity stardust over the years. The original 1950s hotel played host to Ernest Hemingway, John Wayne and President Eisenhower. Since the refurb and relaunch in 2004, Tom Cruise has been here to befriend the local whales, and John Travolta has thrown his one and only 50th birthday bash within. Book in for a tequila-tasting session and get to know your añejo from your reposado. Some tequilas are sippers rather than shooters, would you believe?
At the hotel
Four restaurants, two bars, two swimming pools, private beach, spa and gym, golf course, tennis courts, free WiFi throughout, laundry service, butler service, valet parking. In rooms: private terrace with a daybed, TV and DVD player, minibar, free bottled water, tea- and coffee-making facilities, air-conditioning, Lady Primrose bath products. Suites and villas include daily fresh fruit and snacks, and a welcome tequila on arrival.
Our favourite rooms
For a secluded swim, go for an Ocean Front Junior Suite with Plunge Pool, and dry off (and doze off) on the ocean-facing terrace day-bed. Or supersize that, with a Pool Casita Suite: your private infinity pool has a panorama over Turtle Beach and the breakers beyond, and you get a private butler thrown in (to the deal, not the pool).
Poolside
‘Agua’ is an elegantly sculpted infinity pool looking over the azure blue sea; there’s a children’s splash pool to one side of the main family zone. ‘Vista’ is a tranquil oasis for grown-ups only, and there’s a swim-up bar for good measures.
Spa
Private spa villas are nestled into secluded tropical gardens, along with a sauna, steam room and gym. The tantalising treatment menu runs the gamut from shaman-led ancient healing rituals to Bastien Gonzales pedicures and Barber and Blade grooming treatments for men. The outdoor relaxation areas include a tranquil yoga garden; personal training and a range of fitness classes are also available.
Packing tips
A waterproof video camera, for capturing surfing thrills and skills.
Also
Unfortunately the resort is not well-suited to wheelchair users.
Pet‐friendly
Any pets under 18kg (40lbs) are very welcome; there’s a charge of $50 a night and beds, bowls and toys can be provided. Pet-sitting and dog-walking can be arranged by your butler; toys, life-vests and cabanas are available on request. See more pet-friendly hotels in Los Cabos.
Children
All ages are welcome, and extra beds and cots (both free for under-12s, $75 a night for those 12-and-over) can be added to all rooms.
Best for
Up to tweens, but there’s stacks to do for all ages.
Recommended rooms
The Grand and Premier suites can be buddied up with others to make a large, interconnected family base. For the ultimate in space and seclusion, go for Villa Cortez, a four-bedroom retreat behind a private gate.
Activities
Kids club HQ is the mock treehouse and playground, but many of the activity sessions take place in the pool. 4-11 year olds can enlist in KidsOnly; there’s a separate programme for 12-16 year olds. Aside from the main pool, there’s a paddling pool for even littler’uns, generous lawns for garden games, and indoor play rooms with art materials, toys and Xbox video games.
Swimming pool
The main pool ‘Agua’ has an integrated waterfall and river separating the children’s pool from the one with all the pesky adults.
Meals
All the restaurants give children a warm welcome, and a hot dinner if they ask nicely; there are separate children’s menus at each, and highchairs, boosters and bibs can be borrowed if required.
Babysitting
Vetted babysitters are $25 an hour; in peak holiday season the rate is $40 an hour for one child and $50 an hour for two children. Book with at least a day’s notice if possible.
No need to pack
The potty, beach bags, books, or soft toys (except their favourite ones, of course). Pushchairs are available to wheel princes and princesses around the grounds, and toddler backpacks if it’s about time they carried their fair share, godammit.
Also
There’s a lifeguard to keep an eye on Pelican Beach.