Desert Design: Baja California’s Best Boutique Hotels
Image: Paradero Todos Santos, Courtesy of Expedia
Baja California Sur, with its wild beaches, traditional Mexican cuisine, and stunning landscapes, is a haven for travelers seeking a lively, sun-drenched holiday. While Baja California might be famous for the large luxury resorts lining the Coast of Los Cabo, the region is also home to a wide variety of charming boutique hotels.
In this article, we’ll highlight a selection of stays that offer a mix of historical colonial architecture, modern haciendas style accommodation, and desert retreats sure to impress even the most discerning denizens.
All hotels featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. We appreciate your support.
Image: Baja Club Hotel, Courtesy of Expedia
Baja Club Hotel
Sitting on the Malecón in La Paz, Baja Club Hotel blends historic architecture with contemporary design to create an undeniably cool atmosphere. The restored colonial villa, complemented by a modern extension, offers 32 exquisitely designed rooms. Guests can unwind at the rooftop bar, indulge in spa treatments, or relax by the central patio pool. The hotel’s commitment to local craftsmanship and sustainability adds unique touches and detail to an impeccably stylish stay.
What we love about it: The understatedly chic interiors and considered design features throughout the property will make you feel like you’ve stepped straight out of an AD editorial.
Image: Paradero Todos Santos, Courtesy of Expedia
Paradero Todos Santos
Paradero Todos Santos is globally renowned as one of the most beautiful brutalist architecture buildings in the world. Located 10 minutes from Todos Santos, and 1 hour from Los Cabo, this boutique hotel features tastefully designed rooms, with accents of wood, rattan, and stone to balance the stark brutalist concrete structure. Upgrade to a sky suite for panoramic desert mountain views and evenings spent watching the stars from your suspended star-net. A range of wellness experiences can be arranged with the hotel, including outdoor fitness classes, nature hikes,traditional temazcal, and sound healing.
What we love about it: The otherworldly design style set amongst the desert backdrop will make you feel as though you’ve escaped to Mars.
Image:Todos Santos Boutique Hotel, Courtesy of Expedia
Todos Santos Boutique Hotel
In the heart of Todos Santos, is an intimate 10 room boutique hotel. Originally built in 1890, the small inner city retreat has been tastefully rennovated, now bursting with character. Each of the ten rooms are uniquely designed, each with their own hand painted murials adorning the walls.
The hotel’s fine dining restaurant 1890 is Led by the brilliant Gaz Herbert as Executive Chef, often hosting an array of Mexico’s best chefs for special guest set menus throughout the year. Their La Copa bar is also renowned, as one of the hottest places for a cocktail in Baja.
The pool area is not to be missed either, with just as enticing drinks and menu items on offer in picture perfect setting.
What we love about it: Everything. The rooms, the mini bar snacks, the sun loungers, the food and drinks. It’s refined, unpretentious, one of those iconic hidden gems that you hope never changes.
Image:Hotel San Cristobal, Courtesy of Expedia
Hotel San Cristobal
Hotel San Cristóbal is poignantly named after Saint Christopher, patron and protector of travelers, surfers, and sailors. Perched on the southwestern edge of the Baja peninsula in Todos Santos, this coastal retreat is the ultimate surfers paradise.
Framed by the Sierra de la Laguna mountains, Punta Lobos, and the Pacific Ocean, Hotel San Cristobal’s playful design aesthetic brings colour the muted tones of the surrounding desert landscapes. The hotel exudes a laid-back, Baja vibe.
The La Playita Beach Club is the heart of the hotel, set on a private section of the beach with daily games like cornhole, cards and badminton. For something slightly more chilled head to the central pool and lounge area where guest can enjoy pool service while listening to vinyls, and soaking up the breathtaking views of the ocean.
Hotel San Cristobal also offers a range of unique local experiences like swimming with whale sharks, horseback riding along sandy beaches, and intimate sunset bonfires complete with s’mores.
What we love about it: The atmosphere is fun, yet relaxing. It’s a place where you can connect with the natural world, meet interesting people, and experience the beauty of Baja California.
Image:El Perdido Desert Dream, Courtesy of Expedia
El Perdido Desert Dream
In the tranquil setting of El Pescadero, sits El Perdido Desert Dream, a bohemian-style desert retreat. With seven private bungalows, inspired by traditional ‘jacales’, come with private terraces, outdoor bathtubs, and fully equipped kitchens with access to freshly grown produce straight from the garden.
The hotel’s renowned for it’s eclectic food-truck style restaurant, and cacti-lined swimming pool. Guests can enjoy a range of adventure and wellness activities including surf lessons, off-roading tours, spiritual sound baths, and beach picnics.
What we love about it: El Peridido is the perfect escape for a couple who want a chilled relaxing vacation, with a hint of adventure.
Image:Hotel El Ganzo, San Jose Del Cabo, Courtesy of Expedia
Hotel El Ganzo
Located in the heart of San José del Cabo, Hotel El Ganzo is one of our top boutique hotels in Cabo San Lucas for holiday-makers looking for a social atmosphere. This adults-only retreat boasts a private beach club, a rooftop bar with panoramic views, and an outdoor pool that offers a refreshing respite from the heat during your hangover.
What sets El Ganzo apart from other boutique stays in the area is it’s array of interesting guests artists, music recording studio, and regular event line-up. From live rooftop sessions by the pool, to sunday vinyls at the beach club, there’s always something entertaining happening at Hotel El Ganzo.
What we love about it: The upbeat atmosphere and solid events line-up make for an unforgettable vacation experience for music lovers and artists, or your next girls weekend.
Image:Kimpton Mas Olas, Todos Santos, Courtesy of Expedia
Kimpton Mas Olas Resort & Spa
Kimpton Mas Olas Resort & Spa, is one of the newest hotels in Todos Santos, opening in the middle of this year. Located on Mexico’s Baja Sur peninsula, the resort welcomes guests with wellness driven hotel concept, and panoramic views of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
Guest rooms are contemporary, styled with organic details like locally made textured wall hangings, handmade tiles, and wooden accents. Rooms feature outdoor showers, large bathrooms, and coffee machines, while each villa includes its own plunge pool and fire pit, with stunning grounds & scenery.
The property has nine interconnected gardens, beach access, and electric carts and bikes for transport. Their onsite restaurants and bars aim to hero local produce, incorporating organic produce from the resort’s on-site gardens.
Guests can immerse themselves in a range of activities, from on-site yoga and pilates studio, and fitness center, to private guided tours of Todos Santos.
What we love about it: The seamless blend of contemporary design with natural elements, the commitment to sustainability, and the high-end fitness and wellness amenities.
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