Hotel Review: Vista Encantada Spa Resort & Residences

It would be easy to think you have arrived at an elegant villa in some hilltop village when you pull up to Vista Encantada Spa Resort & Residences.

With its classic architectural lines and elegant decor — not to mention the view of a picturesque chapel perched on a nearby summit — this new hotel is designed to immerse guests in sumptuous, evocative style.

Opened in late 2019, Vista Encantada is the newest, most upscale hotel component at Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residences, a AAA Four Diamond property owned by Mexico Grand Hotels. Soaring arches rise above the large lobby, where traditionally styled furnishings contrast beautifully with touches of modern art, including sculptures by famed Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante. 

A lot of hotels call themselves “all-suite” properties when they really are not. But at Vista Encantada, the terminology actually applies. All accommodations feature a full kitchen, a living and dining area, and the smallest option is the one-bedroom, 1,622-square-foot Vista Suite category. I stayed in a spectacular two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom suite that spanned more than 2,300 square feet and opened onto a large deck with a grill, a small pool and inspiring ocean views. While there, I admired the suite’s colorful original artwork and the comfortably oversize furnishings, and fell in love with the giant master bathroom, which featured frosted glass-paned doors, a contemporary standalone bathtub and a gigantic, two-person shower lined with subway tiles.

As impressed as I was with my expansive suite, I must say my jaw dropped a bit more when I reached the top floor at Vista Encantada. The centerpiece is a large, open-air swimming pool accented by stately columns and a spectacular ocean view. Memorable vistas are also a draw at the large fitness center, which sits on one side of the pool — and Mestizo del Mar —  a stylishly casual restaurant that’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Cuisine, in fact, is a big selling point for the resort. Guests at Vista Encantada have access to all the restaurants across the resort complex, including Fresco, a casual juice and snack bar; and Los Riscos and Las Marias, two seafront restaurants where the sophisticated international cuisine is complemented by photo-worthy ocean sights. La Trajinera is the go-to spot for gourmet Mexican cuisine, while Barolo specializes in well-crafted Italian dishes. 

While Hacienda Encantada is by default a European Plan resort, travelers who want to fully indulge in the culinary experience should consider the All-In Gourmet Indulgence Plan, an all-inclusive option that includes a-la-carte dining and beverage service at all of the bars and restaurants — and not only at Hacienda Encantada and Vista Encantada. 

Guests who sign up for the plan can also dine at any of the six restaurants at sister property Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa, located at the marina in downtown Cabo San Lucas. Guests who choose this option also get free access to shuttle service, which runs every two hours during the day between Hacienda Encantada and Marina Fiesta. It is an especially good value-add option for those who love both sampling diverse cuisine and exploring more of the destination.

There are a variety of new and noteworthy features at Hacienda Encantada, all of which are a quick stroll from the Vista Encantada accommodations. Guests can practice their swing at the new putting green, shop at the new mini market and even attend Sunday mass at the hilltop chapel, which is also available to host wedding ceremonies. Also new and noteworthy is Milagro Wellness Spa, a beautiful facility located inside the Vista Encantada building. The spa has five large treatment rooms, each with an ocean view and uniquely decorated with wall murals depicting a different flower. The spa’s indoor pool is so atmospheric it could be the setting for a movie; its dramatic brick arches exude the ambiance of a centuries-old structure, even though the entire building is new.

Along with the rest of the Hacienda Encantada complex, Vista Encantada follows the company’s Casalimpia COVID-19 hygiene protocol program, which I found to be among the most extensively developed protocols of any that I’ve experienced so far this year. Arriving guests are directed to step through a sanitizing cabin for a mist before having their temperature checked and stepping on a sanitizing doormat. All guests are offered hand sanitizer upon arrival and also receive a kit with masks and sanitizing gel. 

Vista Encantada is an ideal option for vacationers looking for a luxurious, classically elegant hotel experience with modern touches. The new hotel is designed to complement the resort’s existing offerings, which include El Encanto Suites (offering accommodations ranging in size from 430 to 1,600 square feet); Hacienda Suites (with accommodations ranging from 600 to 2,000 square feet); and The Residences, which are spacious villas that range from 2,432 to 5,812 square feet. 

With so many options, Mexico Grand Hotels is now even better positioned to appeal to upscale travelers.

The Details
Vista Encantada Spa Resort & Residences
www.vistaencantadaresort.com