One of the world's hottest honeymoon destinations sizzles with new resort openings, restaurant launches and revamps of classic favorites.
By: Jimmy ImHotel Renaissance in Los Cabos
Last year, Hurricane Odile wreaked havoc on the tony Los Cabos (twin beach towns Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo), where major resorts closed for several months due to extensive damage. Top properties took advantage of the intermission to amp their amenities, renovate rooms and rebuild grandeur.
One & Only Palmilla
At One & Only Palmilla, all 173 sumptuous rooms (still equipped with personal butlers) were enhanced with luxurious new furnishings and fabrics. The honeymoon haven — known for its secret nooks, cabanas and “floating” beds (yes, they’re actually suspended over the ocean) — now offers a decadent Jean-Georges Vongerichten Steakhouse, Seared, and sushi restaurant Suviche that seduces with a sleek new look starring a back-lit alabaster bar. The 22,000-square-foot spa is even more enticing with 13 new treatment villas set within individual secluded landscaped courtyards, many touting plunge pools, rain showers and swinging daybeds. The robust guest experiences — surf lessons, cooking classes and cruising aboard the resort’s private yacht with overnight excursions — ensure you’ll have loads to brag about on Instagram (room rates start at $455 a night; oneandonlyresorts.com).
Photos courtesy of One & Only Resorts
Esperanza
Guests at the intimate, 57-room boutique Esperanza, an Auberge Resort, feel as though they have the entire property to themselves. The reopening revitalized the rooms and grounds with an entirely new sun-kissed palette inspired by the natural colors of the area’s rocky cliffs and crystal blue ocean. Rooms also boast original art and handcrafted furnishings created by local artisans. The signature Cocina del Mar restaurant now includes a ceviche bar, and the decadent spa features a contemporary outdoor relaxation lounge, exciting new wellness program (up to 35 different yoga and exercise classes are on offer weekly) and a boutique selling housewares, textiles and accessories (room rates start at $675 a night; aubergeresorts.com).
The Resort at Pedregal
Regarded as one of the top beachfront resorts in all of Mexico, The Resort at Pedregal (formerly Capella Pedregal) has a brand new name and identity. The intimate, 66-suite boutique property is positioned on 24 acres, complete with a sprawling beach, gourmet restaurant, personal concierges, a gorgeous infinity pool and some of the best service this side of the famous Arch. Built into the cliff and overlooking the PacifIc Ocean, the new Champagne Terrace at the El Farallon restaurant offers a romantic interlude, as well as memorable sunsets. Fitness junkies will delight in the new wellness program at the luna y Mar Spa, now featuring classes and treatments indigenous to Mexico and the surrounding region (room rates start at $775 a night; theresortatpedregal.com).
Photo courtesy of The Resort at Pedregal
