Near the heart of sunny Cabo San Lucas is the Bahia Hotel & Beach House, a spacious 89-room hotel offering the grandeur of a seaside resort, yet with the intimacy and personalized experience of a boutique hotel.

At Bahia Hotel & Beach House, every moment feels personal and celebrated. From founding partner and gracious host Lee Vosburgh chauffeuring newlyweds to their beachside reception, to the warm “Welcome Home” greeting that awaits each arrival, guests feel less like visitors and more like returning friends. And for over 35 years, Bahia has thrived through challenges—from weathering the 2008 financial meltdown to creating safe spaces for remote workers and travelers during the pandemic—thanks to a dedicated team committed to anticipating needs and creating shared moments that resonate for a lifetime.

A Love Letter to Cabo’s Coastal Elegance

Every inch of the open-air hotel radiates authenticity and warmth, from the pebbled mosaic entrance to the stretch of terracotta tiles lining the lobby. Once inside, dark wood beams and planters filled with vibrant greenery stand out against the white stucco walls, illuminated by the sunlight seeping in, creating a harmonious mix of natural elements that invites relaxed lounging or intimate gatherings. White curtains hang in the halls and archways, adding a modern bohemian touch throughout the hotel’s decor, ensuring that every detail—from the stitching, woodgrain, and tile to the intricate Moroccan-inspired light fixtures—is purposeful, reflecting Cabo’s distinctive coastal charm.

While an air of restful reprieve permeates throughout Bahia, the hotel still evokes an adventurous spirit. Throughout the hotel, a collection of stunning black-and-white photographs by photographer Ben Horton showcases Bahia Hotel’s underlying surf culture, and famed Cabo landmarks are displayed in the halls and staircases, inviting the wanderer in us all to explore Cabo’s natural beauty.

Intimacy Throughout Every Detail

Each room at Bahia echoes the hotel’s defining characteristics. My studio suite overlooking the pool was naturally well lit, creating golden-hour moments. The light driftwood tones paired well with natural textures of woven textiles and white stucco walls, while teal tiles popped with character by the private balcony, ensuring that nothing here is ever too subtle or minimal.

A winding staircase leads to the top floor of the suite, which features a curtain that can be drawn for quieter and darker moments, creating a more romantic atmosphere. Other room options include two-bedroom layouts, garden views, private jacuzzies, and wrap-around terraces.

Bar Esquina: A Mix of Mexican and Mediterranean Flair

The Bar Esquina culinary experience begins with coffee-kick-started mornings, when the aroma of craft-brew roasting entices all guests and passing street patrons, and ends with forward-thinking gastronomy by firelight, serenaded by live, local talent.

For early risers, a selection of artisanal baked goods awaits those seeking peaceful morning moments. I spent each morning during my stay with an Americano or freshly pressed juice in hand, listening to the subtle sounds of morning traffic and the early start of commerce. I savored it with a Nutella and a Mexican vanilla concha, an inventive pan dulce not often seen throughout the States, and basked in the shade of garden walls providing reprieve from the bright sun. While it’s expected for Cabo to buzz with excitement throughout the day, it’s mornings like this, amid a gentle, soothing morning warmth, that Bahia uniquely captures.

Dinners at Bar Esquina are a feast for the eyes and palate. After a full day of beach adventures provided through SUP, Bahia Hotel’s water adventure concierge—more on this later—Bar Esquina is the ideal nightcap for a day full of activities. Led by the renowned Executive Chef Mariano Takinami and Head Chef Emilio, Bar Esquina creates an alluring atmosphere with lively fire pits, ambient music, and shimmering moonlight dinners, an intimate nod to Spanish Moroccan-inspired vibes. With the chef-driven tasting menu, Bahia celebrates Cabo’s local cuisine with global influences from Mediterranean and Japanese techniques.

Starters for the chef experience include a spongy rye sourdough and a focaccia with savory truffle butter. Followed by a first course of a mix of pickled peppers and a chorizo for a light kick, the course starts to excite those with an adventurous palate. The oyster follows, providing a liveliness of cucumber, ginger, and coriander foam. One of my absolute favorites was the lobster toast that followed, a lobster confit on a slice of brioche, lightly dressed in hollandaise and adorned with edible flowers. As directed by Sommelier Nizuniro Altamirano, I paired it with a buttery South African Chardonnay to enhance the flavor.

SUR Beach House: Love Bound by the Waves

Just a short sun-kissed walk from the hotel is SUR, Bahia Hotel’s off-site beach club located on Médano Beach. Here, SUR elegantly accommodates guests with front row seats to Cabo’s most swimmable shoreline, where the pleasantly warm water is gentle and clear.

Complete with a stunning view, creative cocktails, locally sourced fare, and electric energy, SUR offers a bespoke experience for any beach enthusiast. The music pulses with excitement on weekends, while remaining calm and soothing for those morning mimosa moments.

For anyone wanting to indulge in elevated beach fare, the food at SUR reflects Bar Esquina’s standards and vision. For beachside options that are light and satisfying without heaviness, choose the Baja Oysters with a verjus mignonette and ponzu sauce. I don’t think you can go wrong with anything from the ceviche bar, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Macho Ceviche with avocado, cucumber, red onion, kimchi, tiger milk, and macha chili oil.

For drinks, the Pura Vida, a rich mix of Mezcal Joven, hibiscus, guava nectar, cardamom, agave, and a burning twig of sage, captivates all the senses in a spirited refreshment. I ordered more than one.

Dinners at SUR provide an intimate indulgence of soft-lit tables and soothing waves beneath a blanket of night sky. The Red Snapper is a showstopper delicacy, while the locally sourced Grilled Octopus with charred purslane, tahini sauce, and salsa Macha is a tender, meaty option that fills without regret.

For sweet finishers, the crème brûlée with tapioca pearls and Japanese cheesecake with mango sorbet offer a fruity liveliness to these savory entrees.

Cabo SUP: Ocean Adventures for Hearts Afloat

Before visiting Bahia, I enjoyed ocean experiences from afar, sipping a cocktail or two (or three) with toes firmly dug into the sand. But with a mountainous ridgeline in the background and a calm ocean that steadily crept closer, it was like the beach at Cabo was calling, enticing me to jump in and explore.

Thankfully, Bahia extends its one-of-a-kind service by offering a premier ocean concierge through Cabo SUP. This water-sports activity kiosk offers stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and guided ocean adventures, right at the beach entrance of SUR Beach House so you don’t have to deal with the haggle or hassle of boardwalk vendors.

I experienced a boat excursion with Lee to see the famed Arch, a defining Cabo landmark, and fed tortillas to silvery and yellow fish who aren’t too shy to eat directly from my hand. For anyone learning for the first time, Bahia’s staff is more than qualified to ease you into the ocean. Lee was a great teacher, genuinely happy to share his love for Cabo’s magnificence and ocean adventures.

Wine Tasting: A Worldly Experience In Cabo

Of course, Bahia offers tequila and mezcal tastings. Sommelier Nizuniro Altamirano, or Nizu, shares his extensive knowledge of Mexico’s prized spirits through a guided tasting and a margarita-making session.

However, Bahia continues to push the boundaries of service and cuisine by offering a wine list of over 250 bottles curated by Nizuniro himself. At Bar Esquina, or SUR Beach House, guests can join a guided session with Nizu as he presents a selection of wines from Italy, France, Mexico, and beyond, explaining geographic details from soil composition to how climate influences the wines. These engaging and high-quality experiences have earned Bar Esquina a spot on Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards List for three consecutive years, setting the stage for ongoing success. Additionally, Nizu can provide non-alcoholic options, ensuring everyone has a memorable experience. Book your experience during your visit here.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cover photo courtesy Bahia Hotel & Beach House

Martin Ramirez is a brisket-eating, Shiner-loving, road-tripping enthusiast of all things Texas. This Dallas-born writer / adventurer is ready to take his ‘78 El Camino to find the best in food, fun, and fitness throughout the Lone Star State.