Valentine’s day is just a little over a week away, and while roses and chocolates are always appreciated, sometimes the way inside your partner’s heart is a romantic getaway. Cabo San Lucas, the sunny, beachside city at the Southern tip of the Baja California peninsula has long been chosen as a convenient place to vacation. Beautiful beaches and a host of outdoor activities, from hiking and snorkeling to horseback riding and swimming has made Cabo an ideal destination for adventurers and romance-seekers alike. If a Mexican vacation is in the forecast this month, take a look below to discover a few of the area’s most romantic villas and plan a much-needed trip for you and your loved one.
Capella Pedregal
Sitting on 24 acres, Capella Pedregal boasts both mountain and ocean vistas as well as a beautiful view of Land’s End, the point where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. The four-bedroom villa is designed as a one-level accommodation complete with a fully equipped kitchen, including Professional Viking appliances, gas range, refrigerator, dishwasher and Kohler Promaster kitchen sinks and hardware. Couples can choose to make an intimate dinner together inside the well-appointed kitchen, or enjoy the variety of dining options Capella Pedregal offers. Have a private meal delivered to enjoy in the privacy of your villa or take in the coastal locale from the cliffside dining venue, El Farallón. The restaurant serves dishes comprised of locally sourced ingredients, delivered daily by farmers and fishermen. Couples who visited the resort said that a meal while watching the sun set over the Pacific was one of the most memorable moments of their trip.
From mid-December until April whales are seen around the area, especially females and their newly born calves, making a boat cruise a fun way to experience Cabo's natural beauty. Guided snorkeling excursions are also available as well as sunset tours. Visitors praised Capella Pedregal not only for its scenic views, but for its privacy and exceptional service.
Villa La Estancia
A Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice 2012 winner, Villa La Estancia has been the repeat destination of many couples looking for a romantic getaway. Centrally located in the Banderas Bay, the resort is situated near seven world-class golf courses, including the renowned Riviera Nayarit green. The resort’s ocean side location ensures visitors a variety of activities, from bay cruises and snorkeling to swimming with dolphins and horseback riding. The outdoor activities provide dynamic opportunities for adventure-seeking lovers to fit in a bit more activity during their vacation. The compact resort is situated on Medano Beach, which provides good places to swim and people watch. While some areas are busy, the beach also has a few quiet spots in which to tuck away for a bit of beach canoodling or an afternoon nap. A favorite place on the beach is Billygan’s Island, a classic beach bar complete with frosty drinks and bustling service. The nearby Lover’s Beach is also a draw for its classic, tropical good looks. However, while not necessarily conjuring feelings of tender romance, visitors recommend the secluded privacy of Divorce Beach instead, citing that it was quieter and more relaxing than its sweeter sounding counterpart.
Guests can choose from two or three-bedroom villa suites whose unique features include private terraces and whirlpool tubs in each of the spa-style bathrooms. The hacienda-style entryway of the residences give way to a spacious living area with lofty, ten-foot ceilings, Travertine marble floors, and large windows with views of the bay. Travelers are warned, however, that rooms do not offer free wifi (it can be accessed inside the lobby and by the resort pool), but this may be a nice chance to unplug and devote your undivided attention to your partner. Couple’s looking to share an intimate meal together may enjoy dining outside on the terrace of the La Casona Restaurant. Landscaped with fountains and garden greenery, diners can look out onto the bay while enjoying a gourmet breakfast or dinner.
Villas at Esperanza Auberge Resort
The Esperanza Auberge Resort was honored last year with a 2012 Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Award for its beautiful property and relaxed sense of luxury. The resort is located right on the Sea of Cortez and features a spa, members beach club, wellness center, sculpture garden, and tennis courts, among many other amenities. Villa residences within Esperanza include one, two, three, and four-bedroom layouts with space enough for couples wishing to vacation alone, or to perhaps make a group trip. King-sized beds, wall-to-wall sliding doors opening to a private Jacuzzi, and well-appointed indoor and outdoor living spaces allow for a laid back sense of privacy. Visitors to Esperanza most enjoy the spa and fitness opportunities, such as yoga on the beach, which sometimes treats yogis to a peek at cresting whales during morning sun salutations.
The spa at Esperanza includes 14 treatment rooms and numerous botanical treatments. Those looking to relax with their loved one may enjoy an offering from the “For The Two of You” massage menu, such as the Pasion de la Noche. Beginning in the Spa Grotto during late evening, couples will warm themselves in the hidden pools of the steam cave, while later enjoying a massage under the stars. Once back in the villa, a platter of “sensual finger foods…your choice of drinks and blended oils will be prepared for the two of you.” Like many of the getaways in Cabo, Esperanza also features a private beach. While the resort's beach access is reported to be both beautiful and intimate, former guests of Esperanza warn that its rocky nature may not make it the top choice for swimming. However, the resort is perfectly located 10 minutes from downtown Cabo and several other nice beaches.
Casa Finisterra
Built by New York-based studio Steven Harris Architects, this beautiful 9,000 square-foot villa is an AIA award-winning property that boasts five bedrooms and seven baths.Unlike its Spanish-style neighbors, Casa Finisterra was designed in a contemporary fashion and sits within a gated resort community in Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas. A private residence that is available for both rent and purchase, rumors have circulated that a number of celebrities have stayed here, including Brad Pitt during the filming of Troy. The luxury residence is built into a rocky cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean with unobstructed views of the sea and surrounding landscape that are best enjoyed from the slim figured infinity pool, which flows on a terrace alongside the villa. The modern living room is flanked by two floor-to-ceiling glass walls, leaving an impression of being hugged by the glistening Pacific coastline while granite walls, inset lighting and contemporary decor lend a clean feeling of urban luxury set amid a tropical location. A covered outside patio, surrounded by courtyard gardens, features an elegant dining table and chairs positioned beneath a beautiful glass chandelier—a pretty setting for an anniversary or Valentine's Day dinner. A baby grand piano sits nearby, waiting to offer a bit of mood music, perhaps at the hand of an especially talented guest.
The theme of the villa is continuity and tranquility, which was integrated with the use of water. Vertical, ceiling-high four inch windows, such as the one found in the powder room, allow the eye to flirt with the watery horizon just outside, a trend which is mirrored throughout the home. In another part of the villa, a portion of glass skylight creates visual intricacies as a fountain flows over it, casting a reflections on the curving form of a statue standing watch below.
Villa Cortez at The One&Only Palmilla Resort
The One&Only Palmilla Los Cabos resort has received numerous awards for its excellence in luxury, including the 2012 Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Award for “Best in the World.” It was ranked #1 in the Top 15 Resorts in Mexico’s Baja Region and ranked #29 in the Conde Nast Traveler Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World. Palmilla’s scenic golf courses also earned the resort a second place spot on the list for Top 20 Foreign Golf Resorts, reported by Conde Nast Traveler’s April edition. The resort has consistently earned top honors from golf, travel, and culinary publications since 2007.
While the retreat has many accommodation options, it is the Villa Cortez that claims the resort’s most coveted spot. The four-bedroom villa is situated on its own private beach and features modern, hacienda-style décor. Airy interior living space opens seamlessly out onto 2,000 square feet of exterior living room, just steps from beach. Villa Cortez features an in-home spa, two full kitchens (one interior, one exterior), an outdoor rain shower and an ocean infinity-edge pool terrace with lounge chairs,. Couples can enjoy an intimate, fire-lit dinner together in the outdoor Palapa and later, cozy up while watching the stars or surfacing whales from the ocean-facing telescope. Also included in the villa is an entertainment space and theatre. While the state-of-the-art screening room can fit up to twelve people, it may be just the place for the two of you to revisit some treasured memories and watch your wedding DVD. Guests will enjoy the comprehensive menu of amenities, some of which include 24-hour butler service, aromatherapy turndown options, as well as daily afternoon canapés and margaritas.
