On a recent trip to Los Cabos, Mexico, I spent an afternoon playing golf at the beautiful Rancho San Lucas Golf Club. As a single player, I was teamed with three men from Ohio. They happened to be visiting Cabo for the 12th time, so they certainly knew the area. At one point, they asked me where I was staying, and when I told them Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, they looked at me suspiciously.
“Wow, I’ve always wanted to stay there,” one guy said. “Are you somebody?”
I assured them I wasn’t “somebody,” but over the course of my stay — and even when I got back home to Los Angeles — I got a similar reaction when people heard the name Nobu. Thanks to its roots with James Beard Foundation Award-winning celebrity chef Nobu Matushisa and movie icon Robert De Niro, the brand has become synonymous with glamour and luxury. In fact, after a few days as a guest of Nobu — enjoying the amazing service and upscale offerings — I started to feel like maybe I was somebody after all.
While it’s only minutes away from the hubbub of Cabo San Lucas by car, guests at the resort feel like they have their own quiet stretch of paradise.
Quiet Luxury in Rooms and Suites
Located at the south end of the Baja California Peninsula, in the Diamante area, Nobu Hotel Los Cabos is situated on a long, empty beach where the Pacific Ocean feeds into the Sea of Cortez. While it’s only minutes away from the hubbub of Cabo San Lucas by car, guests at the resort feel like they have their own quiet stretch of paradise, which is the perfect setting for a property that blends modern Japanese minimalism with warm Mexican touches.
The hotel’s simple sophistication is perfectly executed in the resort’s 200 rooms and suites. My Zen Suite managed to be both luxurious and minimal at the same time — using wood and stone details to give the room a peaceful vibe. The suite featured a separate living area and bedroom, a full dining area, a large walk-in closet, an enormous bathroom and two sets of sliding doors that opened onto a large terrace with loungers, chairs, a table and ample ocean views. I especially appreciated the resort’s exclusive Japanese-style beds, with extremely comfortable high-thread-count linens.
Hand-crafted rock walls and deep wooden soaking tubs are highlights of suite bathrooms.
Credit: 2022 Nobu Hotel Los CabosThe highlight of the room, however, was the bathroom’s polished pebble wall — with every stone placed individually by hand — and the deep, wooden soaking tub. The effect of the room is so calming that I couldn’t wait to get into a hot bath and meditate on how lucky I was to be there.
Many of the suites also come with a “personal local ambassador” who is available throughout the stay to help with anything guests require. My personal ambassador, Perla, was very helpful when it came to dinner reservations, planning local activities and more. She was not intrusive at all, and had a knack for anticipating my questions and coming up with a solution.
Restaurants, Pools and the Spa
The public spaces at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos are also designed to inspire a feeling of calm. There are four pools on property (and some of the suites have their own private plunge pools): the Pacific Pool, the Cortez Pool, a pool with a swim-up bar and large Jacuzzi, and an adults-only Sunset Pool with an infinity edge. Even with the hotel’s high occupancy rate, the pools never felt busy or chaotic. In particular, the Pacific Pool provided quiet nooks, hidden corners and small Jacuzzis for those guests who just want to Zen out in peace.
The resort also features the Esencia Spa, space for meetings and events and, a favorite of mine, the Umi Terrace — a wonderful place to watch the sunset as the fire and water fountain came to life at night.
Of course, a highlight of a visit to Nobu Hotel Los Cabos is dinner at the resort’s Nobu Restaurant — and it does not disappoint. Much of the resort’s seafood is caught in the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez, so everything is fresh. In fact, during dinner, as I ate shrimp sushi, I had to smile as I watched the lights of a shrimp boat just offshore.
The hotel’s lobby is both minimal and warm at the same time.
Credit: 2022 Nobu Hotel Los CabosAll of Nobu’s offerings can be ordered a la carte, but I recommend the multicourse tasting menu, which offered many of chef Matsuhisa’s signature dishes served family-style. Sitting under the stars, having the servers and chefs take care of me as I enjoyed a world-class meal, felt like true luxury.
In addition to Nobu, the resort offers fine dining at Ardea Steakhouse and casual, classic Mexican dishes at Pacific Restaurant, as well as poolside snacks at Playabar. Another must for guests is breakfast or lunch at Malibu Farm. The popular California chain offers healthy and organic farm-to-table options, and is the perfect homey complement to the hotel’s other offerings.
The resort’s Nobu Restaurant offers terrace dining.
Credit: 2022 Nobu Hotel Los CabosBeyond dining, there are a variety of other special experiences available at the resort, including cooking classes and oceanfront firepits built into the sand for a cozy campfire on the beach. The hotel can also arrange a private car to or from the airport, to activities or to explore the area. During my trip, Transcabo, a local transportation company, took me on a day trip to the quaint town of Todos Santos.
Like everything at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, the staff manages all the details — so guests can simply show up ready to relax, reflect and feel like a true somebody.
