Hacienda Beach Club & Residences

There aren't too many true luxury properties right in the heart of Cabo San Lucas, but Hacienda Beach Club & Residences makes a convincing case for staying in town, even if late-night parties aren't your thing. This is one of the most peaceful spots to be found directly on Medano Beach, and the stunning views of Land's End alone might be worth the hefty price tag. With a small collection of just over 100 units -- many of which are privately owned -- the vibe here is mature and refined. It feels like a proper, peaceful boutique resort, though the wilder parts of town are within an easy walk.

The style here is summed up in the resort's name -- the look is a refined, contemporary take on Mexican hacienda architecture and design. Expect to see lots of rustic stone, hardwood, polished marble, and sharp neutral hues throughout the property. Common areas aren't abundant, though, as the ethos here is about exclusive privacy, and arriving at the resort literally feels like entering a gated community. The pool and restaurant serve as the social hub, though the vibe is subdued, with guests lazily sipping drinks around the pool or dining with friends on the beachside terrace. About 85 percent of the resort's guests are repeat visitors, with many private home owners passing through as well. Among those here for a vacation, most are couples, though plenty of families and groups of friends pass through as well.

For those looking to balance their tranquil Cabo escape with easy access to nightlife, it's hard to beat this resort's location. Most importantly, the resort sits right on Medano Beach -- one of the few swimmable beaches in Los Cabos. As the property is the only structure fronting the sand in the immediate area, there are no bars or restaurants crowding this stretch of beach, though it is public. Party boats tour the bay throughout the day and plenty of locals and tourists alike spread along the sand all day (outside of the hotel's roped-off area, of course). 

It takes less than five minutes on foot to reach San Lucas' bustling marina, where fishing tours, glass-bottom boats, and party boats all depart throughout the day. The Puerto Paraiso shopping mall is a 10-minute walk along the marina, and all manner of international chains ring the water (including Senor Frog's and Ruths Chris Steak House). It will take 15 minutes to reach the nightclubs along Avenida Lazaro Cardenas, including infamous Squid Roe. Local shops and eateries are packed along Calle Jose Maria Morelos for those wanting to explore a bit farther. While the town is walkable, those wanting to explore the surfer beaches and other towns of the Baja will need a rental car. It's a 30-minute drive to San Jose del Cabo and about 40 minutes to the airport. 

The apartments and villas at this resort are massive, and all of the space translates into bright and breezy interiors. While decor varies from one unit to the next, the property makes sure that the individually owned units live up to various specifications. Most of the units are designed by Ladco, which has handled luxury properties throughout Los Cabos and the U.S. The look is polished and elegant, but casual, with lots of heavy wood, earthy neutral fabrics, handsome marble, and dramatic wall art. Pops of colors come in patterned throws, artfully arranged on the chic contemporary furniture, and rugs. Details like jute seating, hand-blown glass, and wood-beam ceilings give everything a dash of local personality.

Rooms range from One-Bedroom Residences to Beachfront Villas, though all are like private apartments or homes. Each has a full gourmet kitchen, with island for seating and a dining area. Welcome snacks like house-made ceviche are provided, and water, coffee, and tea are free. Units also have a small office area, and separate bedrooms and living rooms. Each bedroom has its own bathroom, and master bedrooms have huge marble bathrooms with separate showers and soaking tubs. Green tea bath products are provided. Other standard features include air-conditioning with individual thermostats, large flat-screen TVs, ceiling fans, safes, washers and dryers, and free Wi-Fi. While the signal is good for the most part, certain corners of the apartments may not get the best reception. Butler and private chefs can be arranged.

Views can be spectacular from many apartments and villas, looking onto the Sea of Cortez and the mountains of Land's End. All rooms have huge spacious balconies with sharp rustic furniture, and most units have multiple balconies. Some include balcony hot tubs, while others have private pools. Everything stays mostly quiet in the rooms, though it's worth noting that noise from party boats in the bay can be heard during the day. 

Though it's relatively small in stature, the Hacienda Beach Club has a fairly extensive number of features to keep guests entertained or blissed out. The beach here is one of the few swimmable stretches of sea in Los Cabos. The water is serene, and mostly clean, but aside from the resort's own roped-off area on the sand, it can get crowded with tourists and locals, many of whom are a bit boozy. Beach gear and chairs can be rented.

The resort's bi-level pool area is a great alternative for getting wet. A pool host escorts guests to heavy iron lounge chairs -- arranged under plenty of coral-color umbrellas -- and waiters provide service from a small bar. The main pool is a zero-entry stunner. It's heated and the infinity edge opens up to views of the sea and mountains. A second, higher level pool is reserved for adults, and there's a powerfully jetted tub as well. The speakers around the pool play soft music throughout the day, though the volume of each speaker is individually adjustable for those that prefer quiet.

The elegant spa has just a handful of treatment rooms, though the space is the epitome of desert-chic, with stone walls, plantings, and bubbling fountains. Treatments include Mexican cleansing rituals, and free yoga, pilates, and TRX classes are offered daily. The gym has a wide selection of modern cardio equipment and weight machines, as well as squat racks and free weights. Towels, headphones, and bottled water are provided, and there's also a healthy spa cafe.

Other features include personal concierges, who communicate with guests well in advance of their arrival to arrange activities, in-room amenities, reservations at the restaurant, and various other services. Villas all come with their own golf cart, and there is plenty of parking underneath each building (though only certain units have assigned parking spaces). Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort. It's worth noting that there are minimum stays required during high season, so check ahead.

Dining is some of the best to be had in Cabo San Lucas, and is more reasonably priced than at other luxury resorts in the area (we're looking at you, Esperanza Resort). The restaurant, Hacienda Cocina y Cantina, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is indoor seating, in lovely rustic-chic dining rooms, or on the terrace over the beach. The menu focuses on upmarket Mexican cuisine, though other international standards are available, especially for breakfast (the coffee is excellent). Dessert is especially well-known in the area, with the churros and tres leches cake pulling in people from across town.