Los Cabos has long been known for its immaculate beaches, turquoise waters and world-class golf—and Querencia truly stands out among the best Baja has to offer. A gem nestled among the desert landscape, the masterplanned private golf and beach community is a dream destination for those who seek a truly authentic way of life.

The Course at Querencia

A welcome companion and an energizing opponent, the community’s Tom Fazio course is the jewel of the Baja peninsula. At over 300 acres, the scenic 18-hole course is designed to tantalize even the most seasoned golfers. Internationally renowned—and recently named #73 in the world by Golf Digest—the course is marked by flowing transitions, challenging topography and a true home-course ambiance. With consistent updates to holes and hazards and a variety of approaches to choose from, every round presents fresh challenges for Members to delight in. 

For those looking for respite from the course, brand-new comfort stations offer golfers chef-inspired cuisine, grab-and-go options and refreshing beverages.

Living in El Valle

El Valle is one of the latest neighborhoods within the Querencia community—a smaller, more intimate enclave set against the backdrop of the vibrant desert mountains. With easy access to the property’s over 15 miles of hiking and biking trails and pristine coastline, El Valle is a dream destination for those looking to get the absolute most out of life at Querencia. 

Querencia’s collection of stunning single-family homes, spacious condominiums and custom homesites are just a few of the things to love about the community. That’s because Querencia is not just a resort or a neighborhood — it’s a way of life. It’s a true community where family and friends gather to experience the best life has to offer.

The Beach Club

Just minutes from the award-winning Fazio golf course, Querencia’s new Beach Club is a seaside reprieve that offers sweeping views of the Sea of Cortez, a sprawling infinity pool and so much more.

From the Beach Club’s pools, Members look out over the water to see family and friends taking surfing lessons, exploring the Sea of Cortez on stand-up paddleboards or playing on the swimmable beach. Days are spent relaxing in a private cabana and listening to the rhythm of the waves. 

When Members wish to take to the waters, Querencia’s custom 55-ft Fountaine Pajot motorized catamaran is the perfect springboard for adventure at sea. Exclusively for Members, the catamaran is available to charter for everything from all-day family outings to sunset excursions.

The Lifestyle

Querencia’s Members-only amenities span both land and sea. From onsite dining options and expansive amenities to a swimmable and surfable beach, there’s something new and inspiring to discover every day.

Our Clubhouse is located at the heart of our community. Home to dedicated family recreational spaces and all-ages amenities, the Clubhouse is a true gathering space for every member of the family. For teens and tweens, The Qube offers programming, like arcade games, video gaming and movie nights. For our younger Members, the Kid’s Club offers all-age activities such as arts and crafts, yoga, summer camps and much more. And, for adventurous Members, the new Canyon Club will house exciting amenities like a climbing wall, duckpin bowling, pump track, pools and more!

Recently renovated, the Spa at Querencia is a peaceful space for indulging in self-care and rejuvenating the mind and body. And, while the spa provides traditional luxury treatments like massages, Querencia has expanded wellness offerings to include rejuvenating treatments for the spirit. Intuitive services like reiki energy healing, sound healing and more are available at the spa.

All of this barely scratches the surface of what awaits at Querencia. To learn more about curated, all-ages amenities to nourish the mind, body and spirit, visit their website.

Safety and Security

When it comes to family, nothing is more important than keeping them safe. Querencia’s onsite, dedicated physician supplies first-contact medical attention to Members and their guests at the medical office. 

In addition, Querencia provides 24/7 security to ensure Homeowners and their residences are safe and protected. Rest assured that, no matter what situations may arise, Querencia’s trained, bilingual staff is there to help.

Request Your Invitation

Querencia offers a unique vertical membership structure that grants full privileges to Members’ parents, children and grandchildren. Interested homebuyers are invited to visit the Querencia community through their exclusive Querencia Experience program and discover the joy of life along the waters’ edge. Play the Tom Fazio golf course, unwind at the Q Spa, take a surf lesson at Acapulquito Beach and enjoy locally inspired food and drinks at one of the onsite Members-only eateries.

Learn more and request your invitation to explore Querencia today.

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California-based Oakmont Corporation and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts celebrate two major milestones for the new Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol. The prominent oceanfront development along the famed Los Cabos Corridor has secured more than $100 million in reservations from its initial private pre-sale launch of the residences, and just began construction on site. 

“It is an honor to be in partnership with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, an iconic brand we know will bring an unparalleled level of luxury to the Golden Corridor,” says Robert Day, CEO of Oakmont Corporation, the owner of Cabo Del Sol. “Interest from buyers has surpassed our expectations, and we know the unmatched oceanfront location and legacy of the brand are huge draws.”

Located on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol lies on 50 breathtaking beachfront acres and will resemble a low-density seaside village with clusters of two-story buildings when it opens in mid-2023. Built in relaxed harmony with the surroundings alongside the exclusive Cove Club, a 500-acre private club and community within the Cabo Del Sol development, the Four Seasons project sits right on the water and will encompass a 96-room resort and 61 branded residences, each offering direct and expansive ocean views.

“Together with the incredible team at Oakmont, our second property on the Baja Peninsula will continue to define Cabo as a global destination, setting new standards for luxury travel in the Golden Corridor,” says Bart Carnahan, President of Global Business Development and Portfolio Management at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Situated inside the well-known Cabo Del Sol development, the Four Seasons Resort will include 74 guest rooms and casitas, 17 suites, and five villas, in addition to family, adult, and spa pools, a mix of casual and elegant dining options, a signature Four Seasons spa, a cutting-edge fitness facility, a Kid’s Club, and an open-air Mercado offering premium brands alongside the finest local vendors. Guests and residents will have access to the world-class golf at Cabo Del Sol and an array of mountain and ocean Baja experiences. 

Each of the 61 Four Seasons private residences will connect owners to the ocean with large glass windows and expansive terraces offering unobstructed views of the Sea of Cortez. The limited collection of private villas and residences includes two- to five-bedroom layouts up to 5,600 square feet and starting at $4.8 million. All residences tout their own pools and offer spacious covered outdoor terraces of up to 1,800 square feet. Owners may enter their residences into the Four Seasons Private Retreats rental program, and they can purchase membership in Cove Club, the newest exclusive golf and beach club in Los Cabos.

Featuring contemporary, elegant architecture paying homage to the Spanish Missions and seamlessly blending shelter and terrain, the design of the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol includes low-slung, ocean-facing villas with clay barrel tile roofs, white masonry walls, and colonnaded arches. Both hotel rooms and residences will provide an open, airy feel with plush upholstery, clean hues, and patterns throughout, while the landscaping incorporates lush coastal desert plantings such as palm trees, red plumeria, jacaranda, and bougainvillea.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol will launch its formal sales and reservations process later this month with plans for vertical construction on site this summer. For more information, please visit the developer’s site coveclubcabodelsol.com.

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Olarena Hospitality Group, in partnership with Ernesto Coppel, has announced the launch of sales for the first phase of The Residences at The St. Regis Los Cabos.

Marking the arrival of the St. Regis brand to Los Cabos, Mexico, the exclusive property will be located within the luxury resort community of Quivira, named “Development of the Year” by Golf Inc. when it opened in 2015.

The Residences will be located on a 33-acre site at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula that features 1,200 feet along the ocean. Ultimately, the new property will feature a 120-room hotel and 74 St. Regis Residences. The first release includes 7 ocean view condominiums, including the top floor penthouse, starting from $2.8 million, and five direct oceanfront villas, starting from $9 million. 

Waypoint Resort Real Estate is leading the sales and marketing. Construction began on the hotel and residences earlier this year with a projected opening of fall 2022. 

Designed by SB Architects, an award-winning firm with more than 60 years of experience in creating homes and hotels in destinations, along with world-renowned interior design firm, Hirsch Bedner Associates San Francisco (HBA), The Residences are crafted with a luxurious and exquisite aesthetic. The five-bedroom oceanfront villas range in size from 6,845 to 7,276 square-feet. The homes feature walls of glass that extend the living room onto a grand shaded terrace with an outdoor kitchen and an infinity-edge pool that spills into a 60-foot, private stretch of beachfront.

The three- and four- bedroom oceanfront condominiums, ranging in size from 3,326 to 3,893 interior square feet, provide uninterrupted views of the sea set against the Old Lighthouse Hill. Each residence features an extended living room with a large terrace equipped with an outdoor kitchen and a hot tub.

The exclusive, 5,865 square-foot ocean view penthouse residence features four bedrooms and a private rooftop oasis with expansive lounging and dining, along with a swimming pool. All residences feature marble countertops in kitchens and baths, and marble flooring throughout. 

“The Residences at The St. Regis are leading the way for the luxury segment on the Pacific Ocean side of Los Cabos,” said Myles Newell, Principal of Waypoint Resort Real Estate, who is exclusively handling the sales and marketing for the development. “The current property market in Los Cabos is very active with an ever-growing strong demand for luxury properties. Our high-end properties, combined with the superior quality of service and stature that the St. Regis brand represents will benefit from this demand.” 

Purchasers of The Residences will have access to all of the bespoke amenities and services of St. Regis, along with access to the award-winning Jack Nicklaus Golf Course and Quivira Golf Club. Offering the best beachfront location of any other golf course in Los Cabos, the world-class course provides spectacular ocean views from every hole.

Additional amenities include concierge services, seven resort pools, three distinctive dining experiences, the St. Regis Spa, a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center, the Astor ballroom with 30,000 square feet of meeting space, a children’s club, and lush art gardens and landscaped courtyards. Purchasers also have exclusive access to owner-only amenities, including a private pool, game room, fitness center, and parking. 

The St. Regis hotel is only four miles from Cabo San Lucas International Airport (CSL), the only private international airport in Mexico, with full customs and clearance services for private jet passengers. Alternatively, Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), a scenic 29 miles away via the new highway, welcomes private jets and more than 20 international airlines that connect SJD Airport to over 110 different cities in seven different countries.

For more information, visit srresidencesloscabos.com, or email Vice President of Sales, Cameron Kimball, at cameron@wptrealestate.com.

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For the Ritz-Carlton, the West Enclave Reserve Residences in Los Cabos signify a bold step forward in homeownership. With 27 new residences being built, the legendary resort brand is now offering private, standalone homes along a three-mile stretch of beach overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Reserve Residence owners enjoy the benefits of a stylish, oceanfront home complete with a dedicated residential management team. Anticipatory concierge service, in-residence dining, and a long list of Ritz-Carlton luxuries are easily available too.

Architecturally, the homes mark another kind of upgrade. They represent a distinctly contemporary oasis in an ocean of traditional architecture, situated in a unique vacation destination where desert, mountains, and deep blue sea collide.

The Architectural Intent

The homes are designed in a warm hacienda style, with ceilings clad in natural wood. Their courtyards open up via six-panel glass doors onto decks, pools, and the Sea of Cortez.

Clearly, the architect’s intent is all about merging indoor and outdoor living and creating a feeling of being outside all day long. “You go from inside to outside and don’t even notice the transition,” says Fernando de Haro, founder of Abax Arquitectos. “People leave their windows open day and night. There are terraces inside and outside the house, and the ocean breezes deliver cross ventilation throughout most of the rooms.

The desert sun is reflected everywhere inside: in the materials, textures, wall colors, and with the abundance of natural light. “There are sunny days all year long, and the light changes from bright white in the morning to reddish in the afternoon,” de Haro says. “With that change of light, you feel the change in the color of your home—we worked with the light, so there’s a sense of merging with the desert.”

The influence of the Sea of Cortez cannot be denied. It’s a cobalt backdrop for the development, one that creates a sense of place like no other. “You learn what it is to live in the desert near the water. There’s the dark blue of the water and the light from the sun,” de Haro says. “A lot of people who bought these homes have homes on other beaches, but here they feel a great difference. It’s the result of the wide-open ocean and the experience of being in that place.”

The Next Generation

“It was incredible to see how the sea has such a presence, and the sunrise and sunset and hills, too, with their different colors,” says Bertha Figueroa, the architect with Mexico City-based Abax Arquitectos who handled the interiors. “We wanted to achieve that with the basic colors of the houses.”

Inside, she used basic, earthy colors, with hints of greens, yellows, and grays to punctuate the site’s Mexican heritage. Outside, the residences are clad in a native stone called morisca, one that shifts in the sunlight like a chameleon, its colors ranging from beige to orange. At sunset it turns red.

The architectural shift toward modernism is designed to attract a younger generation to Los Cabos. To be sure, the West Enclave maintains Ritz-Carlton’s core values, but with a hip interpretation. “It’s a new concept that’s relaxed and stylish for a new Cabo way of life,” she says. “There’s refinement, but it’s not stiff—it fits the way the new generation lives.”

For Mexico City-based Carlos Rojo, the 47-year-old CEO of Grupo Financiero Interacciones, that refinement means amenities like restaurants, golf courses, a hospital, and a soon-to-be-completed Ritz-Carlton hotel. He bought his second home—a five-bedroom, beachfront affair—at the Reserve Residences six months ago.

He liked its look. “It’s radically different. Most of the things you see around Cabo are a mixture of Mexican and Spanish architecture,” he says. “This is very clean and very peaceful. I fell in love with not only the house but the architect’s design.”

The Big Picture

The community is part of a 2,000-acre development called Puerto Los Cabos, created by Grupo Questro. The West Enclave is the fourth community on the master-planned property and the second for Ritz-Carlton. Grupo Questro began acquiring land 30 years ago, breaking ground in 2005. Its most appealing acquisition is the three-mile stretch of beachfront along the sea.

“You come across the bridge and we’ve got a marina with 200 slips; we can accommodate yachts up to 250 feet,” says Jeff Lawrence, director of sales at Puerto Los Cabos. “People come in from California and around the world—we’ve got a tour coming in from the Mediterranean next week.”

They come to fish at Gordo Banks, with its world-class fishing grounds and the largest billfish tournament on the planet. And they come for San José del Cabo’s arts and culture scene, with galleries, restaurants, and retailers just four minutes back across that bridge.

Still, Puerto Los Cabos is catching up on the arts and entertainment front. “We already have a culture garden in place,” Lawrence says. “We’re planning a museum and a private residential golf course with a club and a hotel.”

The Bottom Line

When the community is built out, four more parcels will likely be filled in with hotels, making it a perfect holiday retreat for family-oriented homeowners like Carlos Rojo. “We have a big family, with four kids, so I’m spending my Christmas holiday with extended family there,” he says. “Plus, when the hotel is built, we can have somebody stay there.”

And his home has proven a positive influence on his bottom line. “It’s a very good investment, because it’s in a growth area,” he says. “I bought it a year ago and now it’s already up 50 percent. I don’t have any interest in selling, but it’s going to continue to grow in value.”

That kind of return on investment—accompanied by modern architecture and site-sensitive design—add up to next-level living on the Baja Peninsula.

For more information, visit theenclaves.mx and puertoloscabos.com

Image Credits: Photography by Francisco Estrada/ courtesy of Grupo Questro.

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Grupo Velas has announced the opening of Velamar Residences by Grand Velas Los Cabos in November. The exclusive residential development features 40 smart home-condos all with water views of the Sea of Cortez. The units, ranging in size from 2,324 square feet to 3,840 square feet, offer three bedrooms and three bathrooms, high ceilings, marble floors, and spacious terraces. Amenities include gated entry, covered parking, three infinity pools, spa and wellness programs, and kids’ and teens’ club. Pre-sale pricing starts at $410,000. velamarloscabos.com

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Caye Chapel, Belize
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts recently announced plans for the development of Caye Chapel, a private island in Belize. Scheduled to open in 2021, the project is in partnership with Thor Urbana, Inmobilia Desarrollos, and GFA Grupo Inmobiliario. The development will include approximately 35 Four Seasons Private Residences and 50 Four Seasons Private Estates. Each lot will have private beach and golf course access. The resort will feature 100 guest rooms and suites designed by Studio Caban, including a collection of overwater bungalows. cayechapel.com

Timbers Kiawah Ocean Club & Residences
Timbers Kiawah Ocean Club & Residences, a new oceanfront residential development on the private island of Kiawah, is slated to open in October. It is the only private residence club with fractional ownership on Kiawah and the newest oceanfront offering in over 30 years. When open, Timbers Kiawah will offer 21 residences, including three penthouses, across three oceanfront buildings. The beachfront residences start at $475,000 for one-ninth fractional interest; penthouses start at $1,285,000 for one-sixth fractional interest.
timberskiawah.com

SLS Harbour Beach Residences
The Related Group, in partnership with global lifestyle hospitality company sbe and local developers U-Calli and Inmobilia, has launched sales on a new luxury beachfront condominium in Cancun, Mexico. Located within the exclusive Puerto Cancún gated community, the 121-unit residential tower, SLS Harbour Beach Residences, will feature one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom units ranging from 1,650 to 4,000 square feet with interiors by Italian designer Piero Lissoni. Amenities include private elevator access, spacious terraces, and floor-to-ceiling windows. slsharbourbeach.com/en

Park Grove
Two Miami developers, The Related Group and Terra Group, have united to curate Park Grove, a residential enclave in the Coconut Grove neighborhood. With architecture by OMA/Rem Koolhaas and interiors by Meyer Davis, the project has its first two towers completing this summer, while One Park Grove, the final installment, will finish at the end of 2019. Residences feature kitchens and baths by William Sofield and expansive balconies with views of Coconut Grove and Biscayne Bay. Residents will enjoy a 28-seat private screening room, outdoor amphitheater, and wine tasting room with private wine storage. park-grove.com

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Auberge Resorts Collection, internationally acclaimed owner and operator of boutique luxury hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs, today announced it will manage VieVage Los Cabos, an intimate new beachfront resort currently in development on a treasured stretch of beachfront on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. This will be the second property under Auberge’s new VieVage Hotels and Resorts lifestyle hospitality brand, which was introduced in June 2014. Poised to bring a vibrant, new resort experience to Los Cabos, the development’s Phase 1 will feature a boutique luxury resort with guest suites and contemporary beach villas for a total of 92 accommodations. The resort, nestled within the 1,200-acre Chileno Bay master development, will appeal to sophisticated travelers who appreciate a casual and active lifestyle, connecting with family and friends in an inviting, modern setting. The development is a partnership between SV Capital Partners and Red Group.

“With a collection that already includes the award-wining Esperanza resort, highly regarded as one of the premiere, ultra-luxury resorts on the Cabo coast, we now have the unique opportunity to create an entirely new Baja resort experience that complements Esperanza while also being completely different,” said Craig Reid, Chief Executive Officer, Auberge Resorts Collection. “Our new VieVage brand offers a youthful, casual approach for travelers who seek adventure at home and beyond, with well-designed spaces, impeccable service, exciting local cuisine and world-class amenities.”

The VieVage Los Cabos experience will revolve around the beach that is renowned as the best in Cabo for its calm, swimmable waters, natural reef and family-friendly tide pools. In this idyllic setting where the desert meets the sea, endless opportunities for relaxation and recreation range from water activities including surfing, paddle boarding and snorkeling, to land adventures such as hiking or golf at the new Tom Fazio-designed golf course that is already being hailed as one of his best.

“We are excited to be part of Chileno Bay and VieVage Los Cabos, as this coastal stretch of Los Cabos enjoys a storied history and has the most beautiful beaches in Baja,” said Mark Harmon, Founder and Managing Partner, Auberge Resorts Collection. “We look forward to creating a relaxed and active vacation getaway at this incomparable location.”

Designed by Glazier Le Architecture of Burlingame, Calif., with interior design from BAMO of San Francisco, the contemporary “baja” suites and villas at VieVage Los Cabos effortlessly embody the relaxed, effortless living that is authentic to the region. The elegant modern structures maximize ocean views and indoor-outdoor living, all within a coastal-cool design aesthetic that complements the surrounding landscape. The interior design offers organic modernism with an edge and features fine craftsmanship and bespoke furnishings including wood-slab table tops with live edges, light fixtures crafted from found objects, earthy, natural materials and original art.

Amenities at VieVage Los Cabos will include a 138-meter, centerpiece pool complex with multiple levels, an oceanfront hot tub and fire pits. The main restaurant will offer artisanal cuisine in a relaxed setting under the stars, while a bevy of additional amenities will include a new Tom Fazio-designed golf course, an extensive spa, fitness center and movement studio, kids club, private residents’ lounge, and h2O Cave that serves as the resort’s watersports center.

SOURCE: Auberge Resorts Collection

Image Credits: Photo courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection.

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Secret Retreat

Boutique luxury debuts in Nicaragua

The first luxury boutique hotel in Nicaragua opens in February at Guacalito de la Isla, a 1,670-acre, $250 million low-density private beach community created by Nicaraguan entrepreneur Don Carlos Pellas. Located on a four-mile white sand beach on Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast, Mukul Luxury Resort & Spa features 37 freestanding accommodations, with ocean views, pools, and private staffs.

The Emerald Coast is a 30-mile stretch of Pacific shoreline dotted with jungles, cliffs, fishing villages, and untouched beaches. Mukul Luxury Resort & Spa sits directly on the beach and encompasses more than 1,600 private acres of lush vegetation. Facilities include Spa Mukul, a beach club, a swimming pool, nature trails, and the 18-hole Guacalito Golf Course.

Spa Mukul comprises six spas in one location. Guests can reserve a spa casita for several hours, during which they can enjoy a series of treatments, then relax in its private garden, which features shaded lounging areas and a monsoon shower.

The open-air Mukul Luxury Resort & Spa Beach Club allows guests to enjoy tastings of rare Flor de Caña rums in the split-level lounge, as well as lunch and dinner at the Beach Terrace Grill or Mukul Restaurant. Much of the food will be locally sourced from the resort’s organic farm, daily catches by local fishermen, and grass-fed Nicaraguan cattle. The beach club also features a lounging area, swimming pool, and kids’ area. A casita by the beach provides surfboards, paddleboards, snorkel gear, and kayaks.

The first luxury property in the country, Mukul, the Mayan word for “secret,” is an eco-friendly paradise ready to be discovered. Real estate opportunities are also available at Guacalito de la Isla.

Prestigious Residence

Moravia, South of Fifth arrives in Miami Beach

Miami Beach’s newest residential address, Moravia, South of Fifth, has arrived. Just steps from famed Nikki Beach, the condominium was developed and designed by The Moravia Group and its in-house design team Moravia Lab Monte-Carlo. The development’s 27 residences range from 430 to 1,265 square feet and are divided between two buildings: the South Side, which opened in December, and the North Side, which is available for presales and is projected to have August move-in availability.

Amenities at Moravia, South of Fifth include sweeping ocean views, a rooftop solarium with a pool and spa, 24-hour concierge and valet parking, fitness facilities, and a complimentary membership to Nikki Beach. Many residences also feature private entrances and outdoor spaces.

Pre-sales are well underway, and prices range from $365,500 to $943,500. As the development is located in the Art Deco District of Miami, the developer is keeping its original façade and adding a third floor with a complementary modern design.

Central Charm

Colombia’s Hilton Cartagena gets a glamorous makeover

The 341-room beachfront Hilton Cartagena in Colombia has completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of its main tower and pool complex. Its rooms now have larger living spaces and designs that bring the calming essence of the sea indoors.

The new guest rooms deliver comfortable living areas complete with new bedding, furniture, and a nature-inspired ambiance. The renovation included expanding the indoor area by incorporating the balcony and terrace space in the rooms’ interiors. All guest rooms are also outfitted with the Hilton Serenity Collection of amenities featuring plush bedding, a high-definition flat-screen TV, an alarm clock with MP3 player connection, wireless Internet access, and more.

To complement the extensive room renovations, Hilton Cartagena revitalized the pool complex with a number of upgrades, including a new non-slip marble floor and lush landscaping.

Hilton Cartagena is situated at the tip of El Laguito Peninsula, offering beach access, three pools with waterfalls and slides, Jacuzzis, tennis courts, and an outdoor playground. A spa and gym features a variety of massages and therapies, as well as a sauna and Turkish bath. Dining options inlclude Colombian and other international cuisine at Las Chivas Restaurant.

Adults-Only Appetite 

Live Aqua serves grown guests innovative dishes

Live Aqua Cancun is an all-inclusive dining experience that seeks to delight the taste buds of its adults-only clientele with innovative gourmet menus. With a unique epicurean style cultivated by celebrated chef Eric De Maeyer, Live Aqua Cancun recently unveiled four new dining options: Inlaa´kech Lobster & Grill restaurant, Sea Corner, Sushi Station, and Café Deli Boutique. The tranquil setting and refined ambiance at Inlaa´kech set the stage for a scrumptious meal. Guests can enjoy a superior selection of Mexican house wines and menu items ranging from premium steaks, succulent lobster, colorful kebabs, fresh salads, and seafood, all finished with homemade sauces and marinades that make each dish unique. The beachfront Sea Corner’s culinary experience features accents of fresh tropical fruits and the traditional flavors of the Mexican Caribbean. Featuring subtle dishes with an eclectic variety, the new Sushi Station is a modern eatery offering precise executions of Japanese sushi specialties. Guests who are on-the-go can also enjoy a quick bite at the Café Deli Boutique. With its collection of seven restaurants, the hotel now offers a wider range of culinary experiences and dining atmospheres on the Caribbean shore.

Family Affair 

El Dorado Generations Maroma caters to family in Mexico’s Riviera Maya

El Dorado Generations Maroma opened in Riviera Maya, Mexico in mid-2012. All rooms feature Caribbean décor and a large balcony or terrace, with many overlooking the ocean from Maroma beach. There are seven suite categories available in the 30-room hotel, ranging from a luxury swim-up Jacuzzi suite to a three-bedroom family suite. The resort operates on a gourmet all-inclusive plan with several family-focused amenities available, including a welcome smoothie for children along with complimentary strollers, baby food, baby monitors, bottle warmers, cribs, and even baby bathrobes. Additional amenities include swim-up and rooftop bars, beach butler service, and reciprocal usage of facilities at neighboring El Dorado Maroma.

Past Meets Present

Villa Orsula blends history and high-end living in Croatia

The stunning Croatian coastline is home to the five-star Villa Orsula. Built in 1939 and completely reconstructed, refurbished, and reopened in 2012, Villa Orsula is the newest addition to the Adriatic Luxury Hotels Collection. The 11 guest rooms and two suites have retained their individual personality and character, but have been fully updated with new technology, furnishings, and décor. Adjacent to cascading seafront gardens, the Villa has breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea, Lokrum Island, and the historic white-stoned city of Dubrovnik Old Town.  The destination offers personalized service and an array of modern amenities, including in-room check-in, luxurious toiletries, à la carte breakfast, Internet access, a private beach, indoor and outdoor pools, a wellness center, and fitness facilities.

Los Cabos Luxury

Sandos brings all-inclusive luxury living to Los Cabos

Sandos Finisterra Los Cabos Resort opens its doors this March. This is the first Sandos resort in Los Cabos and the fourth in Mexico, operating under the brand’s “blue” (beach) category. As part of the transition into a Sandos resort, the property has been transformed into an all-inclusive boutique retreat. The transformation resulted in several new restaurants, including the new “Bagel Beach” restaurant for breakfast and snacks and “Don Diego” fine dining restaurant, along with a major expansion and renovation of the existing spa facilities to create a new full-service spa experience. Additionally, the top floor suite was converted into a “whale viewing bar” for all guests to enjoy premier views of whale migration. The resort, which features 288 rooms and suites overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is located near the local marina and Finisterra Beach.

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Moving beyond its traditional Baja-Mediterranean cuisine, Las Ven-tanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort, in Los Cabos, recently unveiled a new menu rooted in authenticity and all things local.

Under the helm of Executive Chef Fabrice Guisset and Executive Sous Chef Victor Palma, the new menu at The Restaurant reflects a sense of respect and admiration for Mexico’s culinary traditions, with ingredients and techniques that reflect the country’s history and customs. However, as Guisset and Palma point out, the entire culinary team was instrumental in the formation of the new menu, as their family recipes and culinary secrets were transported into the kitchen of Las Ventanas.

Another aspect that is evident on the menu is a list of ingredients sourced from within the region. Guisset forages from the area’s top farms, like Miraflores Farms, as well as from his own organic herb and produce garden at the resort. Based on the principle of locally sourced, nationally inspired cuisine, the menu reflects the seasonality of its produce and changes accordingly.

Signature dishes include Ensenada mussels in molcajete—cooked in dark beer, chipotle, tomatillo, and acuyo; grilled codfish fillet with cantina-style lentils in a green tomatillo and cilantro sauce; braised beef ribs in pascalito sauce, roasted pumpkin seeds, and pico de gallo; and Hunucma-style suckling pig, a modern interpretation of a Mayan classic. Making the new menu even more enjoyable, a tequilero, or tequila sommelier, is available to pair the regional dishes with a variety of Mexico’s premier tequilas and mezcals.

“We wanted the culinary experience to be a natural extension of that authentic Mexican tableau, which the new regionally inspired menu at The Restaurant will help achieve,” says Guisset. lasventanas.com. 

RECIPE

Hunucma-Style Suckling Pig – Serves 4

4½ lbs. whole suckling pig, cut in large pieces

1 red onion

2 dried bay leaves

2 limes

50 ml white vinegar

2 tbsp. Guajillo chili

1 tbsp. peeled garlic clove

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. cumin powder

½ bunch fresh thyme

6 tbsp. achiote paste

2 whole plantain leaves

Blend all ingredients together. Toss the meat with the sauce and place in a Dutch oven. Add water until it covers the meat, cover with plantain leaves, and seal with foil. Cook covered for 3 hours at 350 degrees, and then for another hour uncovered. Remove the meat from the oven, separate from the juices, and remove from the bones. Reduce sauce for another hour until thick. Serve suckling pig with sauce on top and Xnipec onion on the side. 

Xnipec Onion

2? lbs. red onion

2? lbs. lime

3½ oz. habanero chili

1 tsp. dry oregano salt

Squeeze limes for fresh juice. Finely slice the red onion. Remove seeds from habanero chili and finely slice. Mix red onion with habanero chili and salt and let rest 15 minutes. Add oregano and lime juice. Marinate for 1 hour and serve. 

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Mexico’s Baja Peninsula offers unabashed luxury in a setting of natural grandeur.

Jutting out into the aquamarine junction of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, the southern capes of the Baja Peninsula, or “Los Cabos,” have long served as the West Coast’s answer to the distant Caribbean and the even more remote Pacific islands. Since tourism began here in the late ‘70s, the scramble for the 20-mile corridor between the towns of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas inevitably spawned gimmicky hotels and tawdry motels. However, it also brought some of the most lavish, show-stopping resorts, aptly fit for their regular Hollywood A-list clientele and the global elite with a desert-meets-the-sea romantic vibe. Indeed, magnificent resorts like the One&Only Palmilla and Las Ventanas al Paraíso rank among the globe’s finest, earning Los Cabos a spot high atop the list of the world’s most luxurious locales.

One&Only Palmilla

Designed as an intimate beachfront hacienda for the mid-20th century’s rising rich and famous, One&Only Palmilla once attracted the likes of John Wayne, Lucille Ball, and Bing Crosby. Over time, improved infrastructure in the Baja Peninsula catalyzed expansions, but the resort’s original ethos—an unapologetic, decadent respite from reality—remains unchanged. Nowadays, the 250-acre One&Only Palmilla redefines the concept of barefoot luxury with sumptuous accommodations and exalted outlets at the tip of the Palmilla master-planned community.

An ambassador of South of the Border luxury, One&Only Palmilla exudes a true sense of place. The contemporary incarnations of the original accommodations take the form of 12 traditional casas boasting a total of 173 rooms and suites that range from large to palatial. All face the ocean, are outfitted with sprawling terraces and patios, and offer the brand’s signature butler service. Lively, eclectic Mexican design abounds, right down to the last detail, while massive wooden doors and room partitions, intricately studded and bursting with character, reflect the Colonial farm style typical of San Miguel de Allende. One-of-a-kind rustic floor tiles complement the understated tapestries, hand-embroidered cloths, and colorful linens.

One&Only Palmilla’s ample acreage separates the more family-centric north from the more adults-driven south. That’s not to say that these regions are mutually exclusive or that any age will forgo frivolity and fun on the hilltop; simply put, One&Only Palmilla champions the best of both worlds.

Vacationing families gravitate toward the resort’s central and northern reaches, where the rocky outcrops give way to placid beaches. Nestled in dense foliage and teeming with towering palm trees, this vast expanse includes half of the resort’s lavish casas, the principal pool and connecting children’s pool, the unique “Mexiterranean” Agua Restaurant & Bar, and an ESPA spa. Lining the southern rim of the property, 16 units with private oceanfront infinity pools and three dozen junior suites cater to couples seeking honeymoon-style romance. At the multi-tiered, adults-only Vista Pool & Bar, complimentary foot massages, ginger margaritas, homemade sorbets, and towel fluffing are all on the menu. Come nightfall, a mesmerizing fire pit illuminates and creates idyllic ambience for good conversation and stargazing. A stone’s throw away, Suviche Lounge buzzes with the sweet sounds of live music and the chatter of margarita-merry patrons, while the neighboring Market restaurant doles out Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s award-winning French-Asian cuisine, peppered with regional Mexican spices and ingredients.

Between January and March, mammoth gray whales arrive at this coastal refuge to give birth and rear their young. They are often visible with the naked eye, though in-room telescopes bring them up close and personal. One&Only Palmilla is a year-round habitat for relaxation and uninterrupted bliss for both the affluent family and the starry-eyed romantic.

Las Ventanas al Paraíso

Oceanview suite at Las Ventanas al Paraíso

There’s no case of getting lost in translation for Las Ventanas al Paraíso. These “windows to paradise” overlook a stunning panorama of desert and sea that embodies our contemporary definition of “paradise.” Comprising 11 whitewashed, low-rise buildings that are enveloped by diverse cacti and framed by the most brilliant blue skies, Las Ventanas imparts an ambience of far-and-away storybook romance.

The resort impresses from the onset, with an expansive alfresco lobby opposite the rising tides, hovering over an enclave of inspirational architecture. The artisan floors are composed of contrasting stones, beautifully arranged along the labyrinthine walkways, while the ceilings are bound by traditional dried latilla sticks. Bare branches from the Baja desert come to life with hand-blown red and pink glass ornaments, complementing the color-splashed desert foliage. Freestanding rectangular stairs intersect reflection ponds, leading toward sea-level amenities and outlets like the resort’s fine-dining restaurant or the more casual Mexican-inspired Sea Grill. Seven distinctive pools offer varying degrees of privacy, and a warm and smiling staff surprise at every turn, eager to deliver stellar service.

Las Ventanas’s 71 suites perfectly balance elements of luxury with regional authenticity. Its understated interiors pay homage to the flavors of Mexico’s 32 diverse states, cast ashore on a seaside desert. Even the recent spa expansion showcases a multi-faceted example of Mexican craftsmanship, with ornamental glasswork from Oaxaca embellishing an outdoor traditional Bajan palapa that serves as the spa’s relaxation area.

Due in part to its extensively manicured grounds, Las Ventanas exudes a constant spa-like placidity. Here, the few interruptions to guests’ R&R usually occur poolside or beachside with hourly offerings of homemade sorbets, water coolers, and other thirst-quenching delights. Perhaps you’ll wake up from a post-massage, sun-kissed snooze to a distant horn signaling the presence of whales in the area. Like One&Only Palmilla, Las Ventanas al Paraíso is a superb spot for witnessing the renowned gray whale migration, one of nature’s most majestic sights.

HIGHLIGHTS LOS CABOS

With all the shameless pampering you’re bound to experience at One&Only and Las Ventanas, heading off site can seem like a ridiculous idea. But if you can manage to break away, here are a few can’t-miss activities in San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.

Art Walk Exposition On Thursday evenings, the wildly popular Art District in San Jose del Cabo comes to life as dozens of galleries offer patrons complimentary wine and insight into their fabulous displays and works by Mexican and international artists and artisans.

Land’s End Think of Los Cabos and a vision of Land’s End quickly comes to mind. This impressive cluster of rock formations, including the famous Arch of Poseidon, appears on nearly every postcard of Los Cabos. During high tide, panga boats (dinghies), from either the Marina or from El Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas, offer rides to the Arch. Better yet, during low tide, intrepid travelers can get there by foot by way of Lover’s Beach.

Whale Watching From January to March, gray whales rule the Cabo coastline. Around 6,000 whales come here annually to birth their young. While it’s exciting to view the whales from the coastline, the full gamut of boat tours—from zodiacs to sail boats—offer an even more exciting way to immerse yourself in their world. *More luxurious images from Luxe Cabos

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