Located on a scenic bluff along Highway 1 between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, the warm and earthy Esperanza Resort reaches right down to Mexico's glittering Sea of Cortez to offer guests an inviting and luxurious escape.

The hotel subtly blends into its natural environment. Beneath thatch roofs and amid lush gardens and landscaped grounds, plenty of open spaces, and dramatic vistas, it's a place that invites you breathe in the sea air and just relax. It's also a resort that epitomizes casual elegance and the laid-back vibe of the Baja region.

The resort's accommodations offer plenty of space to spread out, with modern, regional furnishings; magnificent views of the sea; and luxurious creature comforts. Guests can choose between one of 50 seaside casitas, six suites, or residential villas. All come with flat-screen TVs and DVD players, iPod docking stations, refrigerator, coffeemaker and mini bar, and free wireless Internet. Bathrooms feature

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Located on a scenic bluff along Highway 1 between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, the warm and earthy Esperanza Resort reaches right down to Mexico's glittering Sea of Cortez to offer guests an inviting and luxurious escape.

The hotel subtly blends into its natural environment. Beneath thatch roofs and amid lush gardens and landscaped grounds, plenty of open spaces, and dramatic vistas, it's a place that invites you breathe in the sea air and just relax. It's also a resort that epitomizes casual elegance and the laid-back vibe of the Baja region.

The resort's accommodations offer plenty of space to spread out, with modern, regional furnishings; magnificent views of the sea; and luxurious creature comforts. Guests can choose between one of 50 seaside casitas, six suites, or residential villas. All come with flat-screen TVs and DVD players, iPod docking stations, refrigerator, coffeemaker and mini bar, and free wireless Internet. Bathrooms feature custom-made bath and body products, dual vanities and shower heads, and plush robes.

Among the casitas, you can choose from a 925-square-foot casita with an ocean view or a larger, 1,200-square-foot beachfront option. Each boast private terraces with hammocks (if you can, splurge on a Spa casita, which includes glorious infinity-edge Jacuzzis on the terrace), pleasant furnishings that feel more like a well-appointed home than a hotel, and original artwork on the walls.

If you want more, opt for one- to three-bedroom suites, grander in size (ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet) and décor. Suites also offer additional perks, depending on which one you select. For instance, penthouse and luxury suites come with a 24-hour butler. The latter also have fireplaces, gorgeous deep-blue private pools, and whirlpool spas; the former boast private elevator entries and infinity-edge hot tubs.

Villas, which range from one to four bedrooms, are a great option for larger groups or families who want their own private residence (complete with gourmet kitchen) furnished in the same style. In addition to all the resort amenities, villa guests have access to three pools and a private beach.

On the hotel's expansive grounds, you'll find Latin America's top spa (as rated by Travel + Leisure magazine), fine cocina del sol ("cuisine of the sun") dining at El Restaurante, a fitness and yoga center, an art gallery, and numerous pools. Of course, many guests will walk right past all of this on their way to the beach—two gentle crescents of golden sand divided by a rocky outcropping, punctuated here and there by natural rock formations. Look out for the thatch-roofed beach palapa, where you can recline on a plush chaise and forget about all your cares.

Esperanza also coordinates a host of on-site and nearby activities including championship golf, themed dining events, and excursions over and under the water.

Kim Grant has been writing about the best places to stay in North America since the day after graduating college in 1984. Since then she has written over 35 guidebooks and for countless websites and print publications. She is also the editorial director of a forthcoming website on the best places to stay and the travel acquisitions editor for Countryman Press.

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Set on Punta Ballena (Whale Point) overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, the Esperanza is one of the gems of Los Cabos. From this cliff-top location, you can relax and watch the annual gray-whale migration while sipping premium tequila. A series of pools stair-steps down to the water, with each one offering sweeping ocean views. The adults-only infinity pool is an intimate sanctuary for couples wanting privacy. All rooms have ocean views, a private terrace, and Mexican artwork and hand-crafted furnishings.