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The indoor/outdoor living space of a 4,000-squarefoot villa at Esperanza |
Since opening in 2002, Cabo San Lucas’ Esperanza Resort has been a popular sell for affluent couples traveling to Mexico. But now you can sell the property to families as well.
Last month, Travel Agent sat down with representatives of Esperanza, a member of Auberge Resorts , and learned of its plans to open eight new villas.
These luxury three- and four-room villas will include 3,000 to 4,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor living space with pocket doors that open to private terraces, gourmet kitchens and bathrooms built for two. An additional 24 villas will be added to the resort sometime next year, says CEO Mark Harmon. The hotel section of Esperanza is still adults-only, but the villas will cater to families, broadening the property’s market. The residences, known all together as Auberge Private Residences at Esperanza, are available for rent with a commission for agents.
All rooms at the residences are the same except for the location. Ask the hotel about the two top-floor villas, which provide better views of the water.
Guest amenities include use of a private Owner’s Club exclusively for the Auberge Private Residences at Esperanza, several pools with poolside service from Esperanza and a private golf cart per villa. Guests can also avail themselves of exclusive privileges at the Punta Ballena Beach Club, which has private cabanas, beach access, a restaurant and an oceanside pool. Other privileges are priority reservations at Esperanza’s spa and signature restaurant, El Restaurante, and exclusive 24-hour concierge service.
In addition to the 60 Residence Club Villas, Esperanza encompasses a 57-room resort, a full-service spa and a signature restaurant, all on 17 acres of land overlooking two private coves at Punta Ballena near Cabo San Lucas.
The rooms are a mix of casitas and suites, ranging from 925 to 4,000 square feet. All rooms come with large private terraces with infinity-edge hot tubs and bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and showers for two.
The best room in the adults-only portion of Esperanza is the 1,300-square-foot Penthouse Suite, #73. It has over 700 square feet of additional outdoor space. The room comes with a hot tub, an outside day bed and is at the highest point of the property, providing the best views of the Sea of Cortez.
The Spa at Esperanza has 14 treatment rooms, including a couples’ suite, a large soaking pool, an outdoor shower and a private sunbathing area. It boasts a variety of pampering, restorative and wellness treatments and fitness conditioning.
Dining and Relaxing
El Restaurante is perhaps the resort’s best restaurant. It is carved into the bluffs overlooking the Sea of Cortez and serves Mediterranean-influenced cuisine. Dishes are complemented by an extensive wine list and a selection of more than 100 tequilas. El Restaurante serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Right across from the restaurant is El Bar, a relaxing spot serving appetizers, lunch and dinner daily. Various forms of entertainment complement the tequila, wine and cigar menu.
At the residence club, the private La Palapa grill’s casual menu goes well with the impressive views, an exhibition kitchen and a swim-up bar. La Terraza Americana serves American favorites.
In addition, culinary tourists can enjoy weekly events hosted by the hotel. Mexicanisimo is an ocean- side evening of Mexican music, food, drinks and handicrafts. A mariachi band entertains and the evening culminates in a barrage of fireworks. Guests can enjoy this event every Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Carnavalisimo is an authentic Mexican beach barbecue with live music and salsa dancing held every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The hotel has two separate retail boutiques that carry unique items from local artisans as well as a collection of resort apparel and Esperanza’s own unique labels. The spa sells fitness products and accessories. An art gallery also displays contemporary works by Mexican artists for purchase.
Hitting the Links
Los Cabos currently has four championship-level courses nearby that are accessible for guests. Tee times can be arranged through the resort’s concierge staff. Greens fees range from $175 to $250 for 18 holes.
Two of the courses are designed by Jack Nicklaus: Cabo Del Sol, an 18-hole desert course and Palmilla, a 27-hole course. The others are Cabo Real, an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones-designed course and Cabo San Lucas Country Club, a Roy Dye-designed, 18-hole course.
Who to Book For
Auberge Private Residences at Esperanza is ideal for families or multi- generational travel. This is the first area of the hotel that welcomes children, so target clients who have perhaps heard of the resort before but weren’t able to stay with their families.
The hotel portion of Esperanza, set along cliffs and bluffs with fantastic views of the sea, is perfect for affluent couples between 25 and 55.
Agents should contact Jerrilyn Walker, director of sales and marketing, at 866-311-2226.
Auberge Resorts CEO Harmon also told us that the company is eyeing Zihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Maya as possible areas of expansion. The plans are still in the brainstorming stages, however, so no further details are available yet, but we’ll keep you posted when we get new information.
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Private Residence guests have exclusive access to the Owner’s Club, which has poolside service from Esperanza |