Good friends Jill & Harold Saddler from Zurich, Switzerland just got back from Los Cabos, Mexico and have filled me in with first-hand tips from this easy-going holiday spot. So as summer slowly wanes, I thought I’d give you a little inspiration for where to book when fall & winter set in.
Jill & Harold report:
“At the right resort, Cabo really does have it all: sun, sea, amazing service, great food/spa and plush comfort — but you have to be careful with your timing. That holy list of holiday musts is also a draw for the college crowd, so absolutely avoid ‘Spring Break’ season. Otherwise, it’s warm all year-round (with possible hurricanes June to November) and whales to see from December to March!"
The Saddlers stayed at One&Only Palmilla (San José del Cabo), and are already planning another trip with a group of friends and all the teenage kids for winter 2013. “Spending mornings overlooking the brilliant shimmering sea, with just a breaching grey whale breaking the horizon; we know already we’ll return with our family next year, and the year after...” says Jill.
On the Pacific coast of Mexico, sandwiched between a mountainous desert and a blissful beach, One&Only Palmilla is about as good as Cabo gets: top cuisine, fabulous spa, amazingly large pool and a lively bar scene and tequila tasting in the evenings — which is good as the town of Cabo San Lucas is not that desirable.
Rooms come with views of either the Pacific Ocean or the Sea of Cortez from every ‘casa’. Mexican style reigns throughout; with bright colors, wrought iron and exposed stonework, all given a sophisticated beach twist. Every ‘casa’ has a private balcony or patio for enjoying views — or for your afternoon margarita, delivered via private butler.
Next year when Jill & Harold head back with the kids, they’ll opt for a multiple-bedroom villa fronting one of the swimmable beaches; or if going with your lover, they suggest you look into booking the Ocean Front ‘casa’, with cliff-top views and a personal telescope for whale watching. (Jill’s recommendation.)
Although there are enough restaurants onsite (from Med/Mex fusion to sushi) to feed you, if you like heading further afield, you can find sophisticated Mexican seafood at La Panga Antigua (think Ahi tuna lacquered with honey, rosemary and guajillo pepper over squash blossom and corn kernel rice, www.lapanga.com) or something a little more traditional in a great atmosphere at Mi Casa (www.micasarestaurant.com.mx).
General clothes shopping can all be done at The Shoppes of Palmilla but for something with more local flavour, pick from the Mexican handicrafts and jewelry at Necri (www.necri.com.mx) or bespoke jewelry from the sisters at SAX (www.saxstyle.com) — who can create something bespoke in just 24 hours.