Press Release
Condé Nast Traveler | Esperanza, Auberge Collection
The only private beach resort in Los Cabos, Esperanza couldn’t feel further from the freewheeling streets of downtown Cabo San Lucas.
Why book?
Esperanza is a 17-acre cliffside resort that you don’t need to leave: It has beautiful views and pools, delicious and varied restaurants, a stellar spa and kids club, and excellent service from an exceedingly helpful and friendly staff. Esperanza is made for true relaxation—the kind of vacation where you don’t do much. That said, if you do want to be active, there are options for that, and it is well located near San José del Cabo, if that’s appealing.
Set the scene
Flowy caftans and wide-brimmed hats surround the multi-level adults-only pool on the hotel side, where no one is too loud, and the staff float around, checking in often. On the vacation rental side of the resort, which hotel guests also have access to, the large family pool is somewhat more lively, but there are no waterslides or things like that to make it too boisterous.
In the evenings, the bar at Amar is buzzing with designer-clad adults over the age of 30, and the tables at Cocina del Mar, the ocean-view restaurant that juts out over the water on a cliff, are mostly filled with romantic couples and girlfriend groups dressed to the nines, while families might be at the more casual La Palapa. In short, Esperanza does a good job of welcoming both families and adults without children in a seamless way.
The backstory
Esperanza was the second Auberge Collection member, opening in 2002 as a new build and the first outside the US. It last underwent a major renovation in 2015, after Hurricane Odile. Rooms got refreshed in 2025.
The rooms
Called casitas, the standard rooms here are closer in size to suites in other hotels—they’re 925 square feet—and each one comes with airy outdoor terraces or patios populated with comfy daybeds and lounge chairs. Many have infinity-edge hot tubs—and the hotel is in the process of installing those in every casita—and all face the Sea of Cortez. There are actual suites as well, ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 square feet with larger separate living areas. There are just 59 casitas, but there’s a whole swath of the resort dedicated to privately owned villas managed by Auberge of various sizes (one- to four-bedrooms), and there are 30 residences with two to four bedrooms.
Stone, light wood, and neutral tones define the decor, with canopy-style beds featuring drapey white linens hanging overhead, backed by a woven headboard. Accents of horsehair and saddle-toned leather accessories nod to the local tradition of the charro and the escaramuza. Embroidered textiles made by local artisans incorporate floral, geometric, and animal motifs drawn from cultural symbolism and storytelling. Traditional Mexican hand-blown glassware is in each room, as is pottery from Oaxaca.
Bathrooms boast soaking tubs and double shower heads, and closets contain straw beach totes, hats, and a yoga mat for use while on property. Every room comes with a dedicated personal concierge reachable by text. Perhaps best of all, the terrace doors can be opened all the way, and there are no insects or creatures to enter the room (at least in winter, when we were there), so true indoor-outdoor living can be achieved.
Food and drink
There are five drinking and dining establishments sprinkled around the resort, and they each fill a different need. Alma is a coffee shop by day (with select pastries and small breakfast items) and a cocktail bar at night with an incredible selection of artisanal tequilas, mezcals, and sotols. La Palapa, with a swim-up bar, features an open kitchen serving excellent tacos and quesadillas. Las Estrellas and La Terazza Americana offer non-Mexican food (Italian and American, respectively), as well as Baja options.
The crown jewel is Cocina del Mar, set on a dramatic cliff—request a seat on the candle-lit, rocky outcrop jutting out over the ocean. Here, Baja flavors shine, and seafood is the main draw—the only-in-Baja totoaba fish is a must-try. Sleeper hits include the local green bean salad with jicama and cilantro, street corn, and the goat cheese creme brûlée for dessert.
Also worth noting is the excellent room service: dishes arrive hot and fresh, and the menu is very diverse—the huevos rancheros we got for breakfast one morning easily met the offerings at Cocina del Mar every morning. And, there’s even a section for takeaway orders, so if you’ve got a day of exploring or have a long travel day on your departure day, it’s easy to get a to-go box with portable items.
The spa
It’s hard to tell what’s hidden behind the spa entrance, which looks like your basic spa boutique. But once you’re led beyond the side door and cross over a small lagoon, you’ve entered a seemingly endless secret garden full of cozy nooks and relaxation areas tucked behind lush plants and stone walls. There are single-sex outdoor areas with steam rooms, rock hot tubs, and waterfall-fed pools. Refreshments like chlorophyll water, fruit, and nuts are readily available, while a nourishing lunch can be ordered at any time. There are nine treatment rooms, most of which feature indoor and outdoor areas, some including an outdoor shower and others a plunge pool. Treatments are inspired by Mayan culture and the ancient Medicine Wheel—my favorite was the Luminous Rosa and Cacao Wrap. There is also a spa cabana by the beach, for seaside treatments.
There is also a fitness center with a movement studio offering multiple complimentary classes daily, including yoga and spinning, as well as some classes at an extra cost, like reformer pilates and sound baths. Beach boot camp takes place in the sand, and pickleball courts were recently added alongside tennis courts.
The neighborhood/area
Esperanza is inside the Punta Ballena gated community. There are some walking trails, but not much else. It’s about a 15 minute drive to San José del Cabo.
The service
Each casita is assigned a personal concierge who you meet upon arrival and who is reachable via text for your entire stay, and that person is the friendliest, most helpful person you’ll ever meet. In fact, everywhere you go, you’ll encounter the kindest people, at the ready to provide whatever you need, be it a frozen drink by the pool, a ride to town, or aloe vera in your room after a day in the sun. I traveled with a guest who has a severe gluten allergy, and every single person we interacted with—whether at a restaurant or refilling the minibar—was aware of it already and helpful with answering questions and providing myriad options for her to choose from. For her not to have to explain her dietary restrictions over and over again was a true gift of relaxation.
For families
While Esperanza is overall pretty low-energy, families are wholeheartedly welcome. Tortugitas Kids Club is included for children ages 5–11, and teens can hang out at La Cueva, where there’s foosball and video games. While the pool on the casita side is adults only, the multilevel one by the villas and residences reserves the upper area for families, and also has a lawn with some games. The garden pool has a zero-entry area perfect for littles.
Accessibility
Because the resort is built into a cliff, there are a lot of steps around. That said, the main entrance, spa, and some pools are accessible.
Anything left to mention?
It’s humpback whale migration season from December to mid-April. Keep an eye on the ocean (and make use of the binoculars left in your room), and you’re sure to spot some errant fins and tails. For a closer look, ask the concierge to arrange a whale-watching boat ride. You can also swim with whale sharks, kayak, go horseback riding, go off-roading, and more. It’s important to note, though, that Esperanza’s beach, while private, is not swimmable, as is the case with many of Cabo’s beaches.
By: Devoh Lev-Tov
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About Esperanza, Auberge Collection
Esperanza, Auberge Collection is Los Cabos’ most iconic luxury resort located within the private Punta Ballena community. Overlooking two private coves with stunning views of Los Cabos’ Lands End, the resort boasts 53 casita-style guest rooms and 110 villas offering guests barefoot luxury infused with the spirit of Baja. The resort features six restaurants, including the signature oceanfront Cocina del Mar restaurant with intimate open-air terraces perched dramatically above the water’s edge; The Spa at Esperanza; four breathtaking pools, including an adults-only two-tiered infinity pool and a family pool; tennis courts; access to world-class golf courses and an Auberge Adventures menu of only-in-Cabo land and sea experiences.
For more information: beta.auberge.com/esperanza
Follow Esperanza on Facebook and Instagram @EsperanzaAuberge
About Auberge Collection
Auberge Collection is a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts, safaris, residences, and private clubs. While each property is unique, all share a crafted approach to luxury and bring the soul of the locale to life through captivating design, exceptional cuisine, innovative wellbeing, and gracious yet unobtrusive service. With 39 one-of-a-kind hotels, resorts, safaris, and residences, Auberge invites guests to create unforgettable stories in some of the world’s most desirable destinations.
For more information: beta.auberge.com
Connect with Auberge Collection on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn @Auberge and #AlwaysAuberge
About The Friedkin Group
The Friedkin Group is a privately held family of global brands spanning automotive, entertainment, hospitality, investments, and sports.
Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company is led by Chief Executive Dan Friedkin, and united by a mission to build breakthrough brands that redefine the status quo.
The Friedkin Group portfolio includes Gulf States Toyota, 30WEST, Accelerated Solutions Group, AS Roma, Ascent Automotive Group, Auberge Collection, Congaree, Copilot Capital, Diamond Creek, Everton Football Club, GSFSGroup, Imperative Entertainment, Legendary Expeditions, NEON, Northside Lexus, Pursuit Sports, The Friedkin Group International, USAL and Westside Lexus.
For more information, please visit www.friedkin.com.
