The dazzling colours are what first draw the eye, with the sparkling white facades, the azure blue Sea of Cortez, and the luscious green of the 18-hole golf course combining beautifully with the golden yellow sands of the beaches below. The sound of a conch can suddenly be heard drifting across the warm air, causing guests stretched out around the pool to immediately spring up, grab the telescope from the wrought-iron stand, and look out towards the sea. Barely 200 metres away, huge shapes can be seen moving through the waves. “Grey whales,” says the bell boy, as he slides open the doors onto the veranda. The spectacle is truly magnificent, filling visitors with a sense of joy and wonder – and demonstrating that Las Ventanas al Paraiso (“Windows to Paradise”) is truly deserving of its name.

Boasting 61 suites, the luxury resort nestles in a bay on the long beaches of Baja California, between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. It is Mexico’s most spectacular hotel and counts 40 percent of its guests as repeat visitors, a statistic that makes perfect sense upon discovering its luxurious facilities. The understated hacienda-style buildings feature terraces and pillars, allowing light and air to flow through the complex, while palm trees and enormous cacti add an exotic flourish. Each generouslysized guest room comes complete with a fireplace, a jacuzzi on the veranda and a roof terrace for undisturbed sun bathing, while they are characterised by a variety of charming details, such as objets d’art from local artists, oversized cedarwood doors and chests finished with ornately-detailed metal. Each suite also offers a telescope for watching whales, which come to the warm waters of Baja California in autumn to give birth, and leave with their young in the spring.

Three restaurants ensure all tastes are exceptionally well catered for, and offer spectacular sea views with first-rate cuisine. The Sea Grill specialises in freshly caught seafood and juicy steaks, while The Restaurant serves Mexican food, and modern French cuisine and a well-stocked wine cellar are available at La Cava. Body and soul are also well looked after, with the resort’s spa providing La Stone therapy, Ayurvedic treatments, Balinese spice packs and much more. And because hotels of this class always like to offer their guests unique services, Las Ventanas al Paraiso employs a “Director of Romance”, charged with organising weddings in the hotel and romantic stays for honeymooners. On top of all that, the hotel provides fourlegged companions with specially designed menus, and jetlagged pooches can enjoy stress-reducing neck massages. Who says it’s a dog’s life?

Text: Kiki Baron


Las Ventanas al Paraiso

KM 19.5 Carretera Transpeninsular
San Jose del Cabo
Baja California Sur 23400, Mexico
Tel. +52 62 41 44 28 00, Fax +52 62 41 44 28 01

For further information:  http://www.lasventanas.com/