Curated Texan
Where can you go for just a few days that can seem like weeks of rest and relaxation? Look no further, because the Capella Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is the destination of the rich, celebrated and, to those who understand the value of understated luxury at its finest, according to our globetrotter Lance Avery Morgan. Photography courtesy of Capella Pedregal
First, we all know there are more luxurious resorts in Cabo than just about anywhere else. It’s the billionaire’s playground and it has also become a popular destination with high-flying Texans. It is close and convenient since Cabo is really Baja California, plus the warm and inviting of Mexican resorts is irresistible. The glam strip of beach land connects the towns of San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.
Opened in 2009 at the very end of the area’s peninsula, Pedregal ascribes to Los Cabos’ luxe point of view. Pedregal, nestled in the hills, is both a romantic rendezvous and family-friendly property with spacious 66 casitas and suites on 24 pristine acres, while some of the private residences are available for stays, too. “The service and the overall ambience, along the people who work here, is what make this resort so special,” says Peter Bowling, the resort’s general manager.
Once you land in Cabo, a 40 minute drive along the area gets you directly to the resort. When I was picked up by the resort, a cold water bottle and finger towel awaited me in the resort’s car service. Those small details set the exemplary six star standard for the rest of the trip.
The Sea of Cortez, on the Pacific side, is the body of water that captures your attention from any vantage point. A long tunnel, dug from the mountain that separates the town of Cabo San Lucas, highlights the journey that lands at the resort. Lighted like a James Bond film location, the 900-foot long cavern ends at the bright daylight of the hotel and then, just beyond that, you take in the full majestic ocean view.
A modern yet traditional perspective of Mexico is the resorts signature vibe. That mix helps to create an authentic ambiance to make every guest feel at home, yet be ready to play. The suites and rooms are environments that make you not want to leave them, or their ubiquitous ocean view. Large couches, chairs, flat screen TV’s and fireplaces are standard. Push button luxury is what it’s all about here, and that carries out to your terraces fire pit and plunge pool, too. Want to live like a billionaire but not spend a king’s ransom? It’s all here; paradise found.
“When guests arrive here, it doesn’t feel like a new and modern hotel,” further explains Bowling. “It has the soul and feel that is loving, caring and welcoming.” Before you arrive, you’ll be contacted by email by your personal assistant (your especially dedicated concierge) at the resort to take care of any advance needs you might have. A majordomo is also available should you require a full time attendant at the property. Service with a smile is putting it lightly with the friendly staff that is always within eyesight for anything you desire from the hotel.
The resort is within a five minute walking distance of the town’s marina where you can take in the flair of Old Mexico with the wares of the local artisans. Nearby, jaunt over to Capella Pedregal’s private yacht club in the heart of the Cabo Marina, where you can board Carina, the resort’s private Viking sport cruiser, as the sun sets over Pedregal Mountain.
Several pools, all with ocean views, await you. A special poolside kiddie area accommodates the family minded, too. You can sun, then take a dip into the pool and swim over to the poolside bar, plus the servers can bring you anything you want, too.
Hungry yet? You won’t be after you choose one of the resort’s three onsite restaurants; Don Miguel’s, El Farallon, or the Beach Club (for lighter poolside fare). I learned to cook authentic Baja cuisine with Per Se -trained Executive Chef Marco Bustamanto, the resort’s resident expert in all things culinary. Don Manuel’s features Mexican contemporary cuisine; light cuisine is served at the poolside Beach Club and then there’s the Ocean Grill Farallon, with seafood specialties in an alfresco setting at the ocean’s cliff. The background roar of the waves and the candlelight makes for a romantic evening.
On the subject of romance, the hotel was recently the weekend-long affair backdrop of a multi-million dollar wedding for the daughter of an industrial tycoon, so consider that when making destination wedding plans. As if that wasn’t swank enough, John Legend and The Roots, along with Joss Stone, performed an intimate concert (poolside on Plexiglas, naturally) that is part of a recurring series to benefit Capella’s foundation.
Want to do more than sun by the pool among your fellow bold and beautiful guests? You can run along the beach’s azure blue water at sunrise like I did. Or, you can go deep sea fishing or snorkeling a boat the resort can arrange for you, too. Call it couture vacation.
When you want to be pampered, just sashay down the sidewalk to the Sylvia Sepielli-designed Auriga spa. You’ll want to arrive at the spa 40 minutes prior to treatment time to experience authentic pre-treatment Baja rituals, and then let the massage, body treatments and facials. begin. After your treatment, cool off in a snow chamber by the Jacuzzi and heated sauna, or dip in the freshwater pool just steps away. Thinking like a billionaire yet? You’ll be feeling like one with the captivating attention to detail when you are set to jet to the new paradise called Capella Pedregal.
For more information, contact Capella Pedregal, +52.624.163.4300 and www.capellahotels.com.
