Inside the first Nobu hotel in Latin America

Cabo San Lucas has long been a popular destination for Hollywood A-Listers. Perhaps what’s most curious about the resort town is that it is not a place to getaway altogether—but rather a place to be seen getting away. Maybe that’s not curious after all if you think about it—at least not when considering those who might be trying to build or maintain a public image. Vacationing at a five-star resort in Cabo does mean you have reached a certain status of fame and fortune.

But Nobu Los Cabos has been a mainstay in the area for a long time for a reason, upholding a level of luxury that makes every guest feel like a star, regardless of celebrity status.

The hotel hosts 200 guest rooms and suites as well as ample meeting and event spaces for corporate and private events. (It goes without saying this is a dream destination for weddings with the sparkling sapphire waters of the Pacific and the Gulf of California as a backdrop for a photo shoot nearby.) There is also plenty to do within the resort without ever having to go back out the front gates, including a wellness spa, shopping at the hotel boutiques, and dining at a variety of bars and restaurants—including, of course, a flagship Nobu restaurant right on the beach.

All rooms include Nespresso machines and minibars, butler and nightly-turndown services, 65-inch HDTVs with access to major news and finance channels, soaking tubs, yoga mats, and garment steamers. The hotel is also pet-friendly, and will provide a dog bed, bowls, waste bags, and bottled water for your favorite travel companion upon arrival. Pets are allowed at pool areas as well as restaurants with terraces and open spaces as long as they are leashed, and there is no weight restriction for pets.

The best place to enjoy the view of the Pacific (especially at sunset) is from one of the luxury cabanas, which must be booked in advance. Guests have five pools to choose from, including one with a swim-up bar, another that is adults only, and an infinity pool. All pools offer dining services during peak hours so guests can order food and drinks—including Nobu’s famous Lychee Martini—right to their pool chair.

The resort has a menu of dining options to choose from all on its own, including 24-hour room service. Any of the six hotel bars has an enviable selection of premium tequilas for tasting. And the Ardea Steakhouse (which also has a vegan menu) is a breathtaking restaurant with advanced gastronomic and mixology programs. The menu spans a variety of fire-cooked meats as well as handmade pastas and pizzas cooked in a traditional clay oven—all inspired by the chef’s roots and local ingredients. The property plans to add another onsite restaurant—specializing in Mediterranean cuisines—within the next year.

But you can’t come to Nobu Los Cabos without dining at Nobu itself. Inspired by his classical training in Tokyo and time abroad in Peru, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa continues to bring the latest trends in Japanese-fusion cuisine to life with an extensive menu on inventive dishes and cocktails. Signature dishes include rock shrimp tempura, miso black cod, and yellowtail sashimi with thinly sliced jalapeño peppers. (And there is also the Nobu Café, an all-day-café specialty espresso drinks, cold and hot brew teas, and smoothies as well as a daily selection of freshly baked pastries, salads, and sandwiches.)

Aside from the cabanas and infinity pools, the most relaxing spot on site, without a doubt, is the Esencia Wellness Spa. With a menu of services grounded in Asian-inspired traditions, the 13,691-square foot signature spa has 13 spa treatment rooms and both indoor hydrotherapy areas as well as an outdoor hydrotherapy garden with co-ed lounges, a water circuit, experiential showers, cabana jacuzzis, outdoor showers, steam and sauna areas, and a hydrotherapy pool.

For more active wellness, the 3,723-square foot fitness facility features full-service gym equipment, including for running and spinning, with both indoor and outdoor areas for group classes. Fitness classes on the schedule include yoga, pilates, spinning, tabata, HIIT, and bootcamp.

While the hotel is a destination in and of itself, of course, Los Cabos at the tip of Baja California is one of the most naturally beautiful destinations along the west coast, not just in Mexico but arguably all of North America.

The best way to explore coastline is by boat, and the hotel concierge is available to assist guests with private luxury sailings, which always include light hors d’oeuvres and refreshing cocktails. Expert tour guides take guests up close to all of the scenic hotspots in Cabo San Lucas, including past the famous Arch, Lover’s Beach, Medano Beach, Pelican Rock, and the sea lion colony.

Rates fluctuate throughout the year, and following the summer rush, September is often the slowest month for bookings, making it the most appealing for budget deals. On average, rates start between $415 and $515, including taxes and service fees.