With luxury hotels and
resorts popping up around the world like Starbucks, it says something that the
lead travel story in the South China Morning Post’s luxury magazine was
recently about a resort on the opposite side of the Pacific Ocean, in this case
the Montage Los Cabos, which opened in May. Conde Nast Traveler already put the
resort on its list of “New Hotels and Spas Worth Traveling For” with the
headline, “You Can Finally Swim in Cabo,” a reference to its location on one of
the destination’s few swimmable beaches.
The above media are not
alone. Forbes wrote, “The location is breathtaking and fronts a tranquil
enclosed Bay featuring the absolute best snorkeling in all of Los Cabos.
Considering the dramatic views, most of the guest rooms are designed with
sliding glass walls overlooking private patios and pools, with many of the
rooms offering outdoor showers to seamlessly blend with the warm environment.”
Meanwhile The Hollywood Reporter predicts privacy, Montage’s service ethos and
the design which “places a premium on indoor-outdoor living” will make it a hit
with celebrities.
In terms of the basics,
Montage is located 27 miles from San Jose del Cabo Airport and is part of the
master planned community of Twin Dolphin, which has been on the map since the
1950s when it was frequented by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Lauren,
and Lucille Ball. Montage features 122 guestrooms, suites and casas along with
52 Montage Residences across 39 acres where desert meets the sea. The resort includes three pools and
Montage’s immersive children’s programming. There are multiple dining
venues and in addition to lots of things to do onsite, there is access to Twin
Dolphin Golf Course. There’s a 40,000 sq. ft. Spa Montage and over 35,000 sq.
ft. of indoor/outdoor event space making it a good venue for both family and
corporate events. It already has several full takeovers booked.
It can often taken new hotels a solid year to get there service delivery down, however, Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO
of Preferred Hotels who recently visited for a girlfriends getaway says, “The fact that it opened in May, I was blown away by
the service levels. They’ve already knocked it out of the park.”
She says the three-tiered pools do a good job of separating families from adults, and believes the resort will be a top venue for full takeovers. “I always ask to see the worst room,” she
says, “And there really isn’t a bad room. Even the standard rooms are oversize, beautifully designed and furnished. It really is a terrific venue for an
incentive because everyone is going to be happy.” Click on the resort map below for an enlarged version.
Early reviews I checked have been
equally impressive. Out of 45 reviews on Tripadvisor, 43 were excellent, one
was very good and the only poor review noted that the beach is public, as are
all beaches in Los Cabos, but even that person was positive about service,
design and noted, “Excellent facilities for large families and children.”
Who shouldn’t go? Stacy Small, CEO of Elite Travel International says, "It’s not necessarily for people who want all-inclusives or busy high-rise hotels. If you want to want to party all night, you can go into Cabo san Lucas. This is more for folks who prefer the artsy, high-end vibe of San Jose, and want to have nice cocktail in a beautiful setting with amazing service. For my clientele, Montage Los Cabos is already becoming a top choice. Everyday I want to go back!"
2. Accommodations
There are a wide variety
of suites and casas, including inventory from the Montage Residences, which
owners are able to then put into the resort’s inventory. Of the overall design of accommodations, “I really like the indoor, outdoor living and the privacy,” says Small. Both Small and Ueberroth say even the standard rooms - at 895 sq. ft. - are a good choice and provide more space than many hotels offer for one-bedroom suites. That said, below is a review of the various residences, casas, suites.
Montage Residences
You’ll find two and three bedroom floor plans with gourmet kitchens and state of the art
appliances, en-suite bathrooms in each bedroom, expansive terraces with views
of Santa Maria Bay, and plunge pools on the ground floor residence. Each of the
bedrooms offers a large patio area with daybeds and lounge seating. The open
concept indoor living and dining room is adjacent to a large patio with an
outdoor grill and dining table. Included are laundry room and private
parking.
Three and Two Bedroom
Montage Residences (52 in total)
The first floor units
are 3,632 sq. ft. total space while the second and third floor units are 3,379
sq. ft., the difference being the plunge pool. All three bedroom units have a
like 3,157 sq. ft. of indoor area. In the case of two bedroom units, you’ll
find each at 2,444 sq. ft. of indoor space, with again ground floor units
having a plunge pool.
Resort Suites and Casas
Casa Santa Maria (1 in
total)
Five-bedroom, 5.5-bath Casa
Santa Maria at 10,870 sq. ft. is better described as a private home with
sprawling courtyards, its own infinity-edge pool and Jacuzzi featuring ocean
and mountain views. Good for a pair of couples, there are two master bedrooms and three
guest bedrooms.
There is a full BBQ, and open kitchen, and Ueberroth says her
group had most of their meals there, prepared by their personal chef who worked
in concert with the restaurant’s executive chef to come up with a variety of
menus based on the group’s varied preferences. Casa Santa Maria sleeps up to
12. You also get daily breakfast, a Mezcal tasting experience, a private BBQ evening,
two 60 minute spa treatments and a private beach bed which normally run from $300 to $500 per day.
Casa Cardon
At 10,870 sq. ft., this five-bedroom,
5.5-bathroom hacienda-style residence offers elegant interiors of classic wood and
stone architecture. The master suite has sweeping views of the Sea of
Cortez. Two of the four guest bedrooms have private entrances making it a good
choice for friends traveling together or if you have adult children who want to come and go as they please. There’s a private garage, infinity-edge
pool and expansive outdoor living spaces including courtyards and a palapa. You
also get daily breakfast, a Mezcal tasting experience, a private BBQ evening,
two 60 minute spa treatments and a private beach bed. Ueberroth, who stayed in Casa Cardon, says the only downside is you really don’t want to leave. “It’s hot and cold running staff, but not intrusive, just amazingly attentive,” she says.
Beach Front Presidential
Suite (1)
If you want to be right
on the beach, the 2,695 sq. ft. Beach Front Presidential Suite features two
master bedrooms, 2.5 baths and expansive living spaces highlighted by a private terrace featuring an outdoor
shower, pool and Jacuzzi.
Small says, “I stay in this suite, and what really sold me is the massive living space with picture postcard ocean views. You have your own private courtyard. It’s great for a family or four or two couples. You get your own dedicated butler. Mine would What’s App me every morning to see when I wanted my coffee delivered. There’s a separate service entrance so he comes in and will set up whatever you want wherever you want.” She says after posting pictures on Instagram she received three bookings from her clients.
Ocean Front 2-Bedroom
Suite (1)
The 2,700 sq. ft. Ocean
Front 2-Bedroom Suite features 2.5-bath and is steps from Santa Maria Bay with
expansive living spaces, and a private terrace with an outdoor shower.
Ocean View Townhouse (1)
The 1-bedroom,
1.5-bathroom 2,560 sq. ft. two-story Ocean View Townhouse features views over
Santa Maria Bay and a private terrace.
Baja Beach Front Suite
(1)
Inspired by its Baja
California Sur locale, and steps from the beach, this 2,460 sq. ft. 1-bedroom,
1.5-bath hideaway offers lots of privacy above the sweeping shores of Santa
Maria Bay with its own terrace.
Deluxe Ocean View Suite
(8)
The Deluxe Ocean View
Suites feature expansive views of the Pacific with one bedroom and 1.5-baths
over 1,645 sq. ft., typically a size you might see for suites with two bedrooms.
Ocean View Suite (10)
Set between desert and
sea with partial views of the Pacific, the 1,645 sq. ft. 1-bedroom, 1.5 bath
Ocean View Suites can sleep up to four with two rollaway beds.
3. Dining and Bars
Of dining at Montage Los Cabos, Small says, "I was super impressed. They’ve put a lot of attention into having great food, not too fancy, just fresh, tasty, terrific. They are super accommodating with any dietary needs, and really knowledgable, not just the chefs, but the servers."
Mezcal
Mezcal features Chef
Alexis Palacios and his modern Mexican kitchen serving his interpretations of
ancestral culinary traditions. Think Lobster Ceviche with Local Passion Fruit,
Preserved Lemon Puree and Manzano Pepper; Suckling Pig with Baja Farm Pickled
Vegetables and Pineapple Puree or Grilled Spinalis Steak, an American Ribeye
with Spicy Potato Confit, Mole Amarillo and Nopal Cactus Puree.
Marea by Night 
An open air beachfront
restaurant with Instagram worthy views of the Sea of Cortez, Marea by Night features top
cuts of aged meats and freshly caught seafood. Grilled steaks, lobsters and whole
fish as well as homemade pastas and even a Baja Bouillaisse can be found on the
menu.
Marea by Day
From fresh fish tacos to
healthy salads, sandwiches and burgers Marea by Day provides a casual daytime
dining if you want a break from the pool, beach or between a round of golf and
your afternoon spa treatments.
Paletas
A contemporary
marketplace featuring Mexican sweets, sundries and coffees Paletas serves a
wide array of options from freshly baked Mexican pastries to gourmet
sandwiches. You can even get hot chocolate or a traditional homemade paleta.
4. Spa and Fitness
There are a dozen
treatment rooms or schedule a treatment (they run 60 to 180 minutes) in your
suite or residence. At the spa you’ll find luxury changing rooms and relaxing
garden lounges – complete with steam rooms and jetted hot and cold plunge pools
which allow for pre and post
treatment relaxation experiences. There’s also a hair salon and nail studio.
Fitness
In addition to a full
gym with weight and cardio machines, there are fitness classes and training
sessions, including private training and daily yoga classes at 7:30 am and 9:00
am. Pilates instructors will guide you through rings, exercise balls and other
equipment to improve posture, balance and strength.
You can challenge
yourself with a combination of cardio drills, plyometrics, strength training at
the Beach Boot Camp. There are also cycling and aquatic fitness classes.
5. Kids
Paintbox
For guests 5 to12 years
of age Paintbox is an activities-based children’s program with thematically
planned days that tie together arts and crafts, games and creative activities
both indoors and out at the pool, beach, tide pool and events lawns. Paintbox
activities are offered each day of the week in half-day and full-day sessions.
For hourly care of little ones, baby-sitting services are available.
Montage Merits
Young guests at Montage
Los Cabos can collect 12 different Montage Merit Badges for a wide range of
outdoor experiences, from snorkeling in Santa Maria Bay, visiting the famous
Arch to hiking at Twin Dolphin Trail. Upon achievement of all 12 activities,
guests will be awarded with the over-sized ‘Marlin’ pin.
6. Activities
Beach and Pool
There are three pool areas, including one for families and an adult oriented pool with bar area. Small, who spent a day in one of the private cabanas, says, "They were super attentive, but not in an annoying way. They have dedicated staff for poolside cabbanas. The pool is close enough to go back and forth to the beach. It was really comfortable to hang out for a great child day."
Resort Activities
There’s plenty to do
with a swimmable beach with walk-in access to snorkeling and diving, complimentary
use of non-motorized water sports equipment including stand-up paddleboard,
snorkel gears and kayaks, access to the Twin Dolphin Golf Course, mixology and
culinary classes, plus two tennis courts.
The hotel will also
arrange private catamaran cruises, deep sea fishing, horseback riding, desert
camel rides, whale watching, hiking and biking, Jeep and ATV Tours, swimming
with whale sharks and dolphins, wave runners, zip-lines, kayak tours, archery
and more.
7. Meetings and
Gatherings
There is a 3,200 sq. ft.
Grand Ballroom with its own 4,750 sq. ft. event lawn and a 1,600 sq. ft.
Gallery Ballroom with its own 900 sq. ft. event lawn. For outdoor events, the
Ocean Lawn and Santa Maria Beach can seat up to 400 guests while the Arroyo
Lawn can seat groups up to 500 people.
8. VIP Contact
