Hotel Spotlight: Montage Los Cabos
“A neutral aesthetic harmoniously blending with the natural surroundings is what captured my attention; a hospitality team that made me feel as though my family were the only guests at the resort is what captured my heart. ”
Before arriving at Montage Los Cabos,
I actually hadn’t planned on writing a full review of the property. While I knew a wonderful stay was ahead of us - with beautiful accommodations, standout amenities, delicious cuisine and days leisurely spent basking in the sun - I wanted to just relax and enjoy our time as a family without the pressure I usually put on myself when planning these posts. I assumed I would share some thoughts and insights on Instagram, but that would be the extent of it. Yet now I’m feeling compelled to write about our time at Montage Los Cabos in more detail, so what changed my mind? Two things... First, I found the seemingly endless resort options in the Los Cabos area overwhelming, and felt if I'm struggling to make a decision on where to stay, others probably are too, so I wanted to shed some light on the Montage. Second, during our time at the resort we encountered some of the best - if not the best - hospitality and guest services that we ever have experienced. A high bar, I must say, that's worth highlighting.
Situated on the shores of Santa Maria Bay, one of the best beach fronts in all of Cabo, lies the Montage. Relatively small compared to many of the mega-resorts lying to its east and west, this boutique-like luxury resort masterfully marries exclusivity with approachability, evident as soon as you step into the open air lobby that houses relaxed yet refined seating areas overlooking the Sea of Cortez. With three restaurants, numerous pools, a swimmable beach, expansive spa and countless recreational experiences, it has everything you need for a dynamic vacation without leaving the property.
Our room was understated
in the best possible way, with pops of color found here and there. Natural materials - including stone, marble and detailed woodwork - were on display throughout the large indoor space and terrace, with a luxe, neutral bathroom and a delightful outdoor shower. As one of only 122 guestrooms, all housed in low-rise buildings positioned towards the sea, our room felt private and quiet. To be honest, I went back and forth debating which Cabo resort to stay at, and one of my main concerns was that I would be disappointed that we didn't choose a resort that had an outdoor space with a plunge pool. While that would have been a great feature, I wasn't disappointed in the slightest! The attention to detail and high quality of every single thing in our room far exceeded my expectations, and again, felt exclusive yet approachable.
Oftentimes at resorts in popular tourist destinations, the local culture and heritage gets washed down to the point you no longer feel or recognize it. This is not the case at Montage Los Cabos, where the Baja California Sur sense of place is evident throughout the property, from the indigienous cacti lined paths to the vibrant marketplace, Paletas, which sells Mexican pastries and traditional home-made popsicles. It can also be seen browsing through the resort's gift shop, Eclectic Array, which "embraces the work of Mexican artisans to create distinctive handmade products, empowering artisans and helping transform their lives across Mexico".
Leisurely lounging by
the pool and popping down to the beach to watch magnificent humpback whales jumping and splashing in their element is how we spent our days. We learned to tell time by the complimentary treats handed out poolside throughout the day, from juice shots to tuna tartare. A fruit paleta meant it was 4pm, signaling our day by the water was coming to an end and dinner was on the horizon. While we opted for a laid-back week, guests had access to everything from golf and tennis to adrenaline pumping ATV tours and sport fishing. You can even arrange immersive expeditions, such as surfing secluded locals-only surf breaks with a pro or spending a night glamping in the desert. ***Whale season in Cabo runs from January through mid-March, and if your schedule is flexible I highly recommend visiting during this window. We saw dozens of whales just by sitting on the beach, so no whale watching excursion was necessary (though it might add to the excitement). It was truly spectacular and a highlight of the trip!
As I mentioned at the top, Los Cabos offers countless resorts in every price range, so why did we choose Montage? Ultimately, it came down to the beach. In my pre-trip research, I found that most beaches in Los Cabos are not actually swimmable due to the strong tide. This being our first trip to Cabo, I was having a hard time wrapping my head around going on a beach vacation yet not being able to swim in the ocean. Knowing the Montage not only sat on one of the few swimmable beaches in the area, but had walk-in access to some of the best snorkeling and swimming stood out to me, especially traveling with our young daughter. This ideal location on storied Santa Maria Bay makes for stunning views, while the natural cove adds to the resort's private nature. Ironically, the water was too cold to swim in and the beach was made of rocks (not sand), resulting in a painful journey anytime you'd venture down to the water. Also worth noting, this is a public beach, which I did not know until we arrived. While the Montage is the only resort with direct access to it, the public is welcome, though during our stay it was predominantly used by hotel guests, and the top half of the beach is lined with chairs and cabanas strictly for Montage guests. Aside from these few unexpected downsides, it is a beautiful beach!
The past few years have
opened our eyes to the complexities of traveling with children, as well as ways to make each experience enjoyable for everyone. For us, the balance is finding a property that not only allows children but welcomes them with open arms, while still feeling elevated and enjoyable if we were traveling alone as a couple. Montage Los Cabos hit the mark. The peaceful environment, the refined materials and furnishings, and the cuisine was everything a couple could ask for, while the expansive family pool area, personalized pillow and toddler toiletries, and children's menu felt tailor made for our two year old. This balance was one of the first things we noticed upon arrival.
As we were checking-in, I glanced over and noticed Sophie had a welcoming committee all her own. The staff had orchestrated a gang of stuffed animals to drive over to her in a remote-controlled go-kart to greet her, and she was able to pick out her favorite as a souvenir. It was adorable, and a taste of the hospitality awaiting us! This brief episode brings me back to my earlier comment; the hospitality of the guest services team was some of the best - if not the best - we've ever experienced, and it began the moment we arrived and continued until the moment we left. From having a car seat installed ready and waiting each time we arrived in the lobby to leave the property, to checking-in with us mid-morning by the pool to see if we had dinner plans arranged, the team was on top of every detail. And not in an overbearing way, but in an effortless way that made you feel as if you were the only guests on property. The moment that truly stood out to us though was after we returned to the hotel one evening after having a magical meal at Flora Farms. We had just left the lobby and stepped foot on the lantern-lit path back to our room when we stumbled upon Rene, our ever-so-helpful point person during our stay. He greeted us with a laid-back approach that gave the illusion we just happened to cross paths, while he had almost certainly been informed we had returned and came to meet us. As he asked how our evening was and we discussed plans for tomorrow, we casually strolled until making our way back to our room, where he escorted us up, opened the door and wished us a good night. It was so subtle and seamless, yet incredibly impactful.
“The taste of tortilla ash salt on the rim of the margarita glass, a peaceful outdoor shower after returning from the beach, the awe-inspiring experience of whales leaping out of the water, the sun setting over the Sea of Cortez, and friendly faces of those like Rene left an impression on us that will not soon be forgotten. When the day comes that we return to Cabo it is going to be very hard to convince us to stay anywhere else. We loved it that much, and think you will too!”
For more information regarding a stay with Montage Los Cabos, as well as a room tour and video footage, be sure to head to my Instagram @bycourtneybrown .
