Los Cabos – where it's always sunny

Cabo San Lucas has certainly changed--part for the better and part for the worse depending on your views and your pocketbook.   Years ago Cabo San Lucas was a SLEEPY   and small fishing town.   Many who visited this quiet spot years ago remember it as such.    To go fishing and have the local restaurant cook your catch-of-the-day was a piece of heaven on earth.   Everything was affordable and uncrowded for the tourist who didn't particularly care for other tourists getting in their way.   Today, one can find not only a McDonald's, but Costco and Home Depot.   This is just fine for the locals which kicks up the economy, but for the visitor, this sleepy town just does not exist anymore.   And speak about drastic changes---now the local puka shell necklaces, which you buy on the beach from a strolling entrepreneur, costs around $45!   On a brighter and more positive note, however, Los Cabos is now a sophisticated travel destination for honeymooners and those who just want to get away to bask in the sunshine---which is 360 days a year.   The resorts are plush with spectacular swimming pools, gorgeous beaches, spas and fitness centers---and countless gourmet meals.   While staying at one of these splendid resorts, the only decisions to make in a day is what pool to swim in, which restaurant to select, and what sumptuous dish to pick out from the menu. These are the decisions I wanted to make.   The best part---all of this is just two hours away by plane from the Los Angeles area.

      As mentioned in last month's article, I wanted to bask, enjoy and reenergize myself in a sunny and warm climate---free from drafts, rain and moisture.   I wanted six days of uninterrupted sunshine, and that is why I chose to travel to Cabo San Lucas.   It was the city's trademark.         

      The first three days I enjoyed the accommodations at the Westin Resort & Spa which was covered in last month's issue (November 2006).   This resort was close to the town of San Jose del Cabo.

      For the next three days, I traveled further south and stayed at the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Resort & Spa, a magnificent beach front hotel just a 10-15 minute drive down the highway from The Westin.   Whereas the architecture of The Westin is very bold and modern, the Sheraton is quaint and traditional.   With its cobblestone lanes, fountains and exquisite gardens, the Sheraton has the feeling of Old Mexico and is described as “Hacienda-inspired.” And although it may have the feeling of Old Mexico, it still has all the convenience of modern-day luxury.   The resort boasts five restaurants, five bars, four pools, fitness center, spa and 270 guest rooms.   Accommodations range from luxury rooms to three-bedroom suites with ocean or garden views.  

      With muscles still aching from my hiking at the Westin,   I was ready to visit The Cactus Spa and Fitness Center at the Sheraton.   Although it was being renovated during my stay, I was not disappointed with my hot stone massage.   I was almost giddy before receiving my treatment, as this was my first experience with having hot rocks rubbed and placed on my body.   Having a massage is such a luxury, that I'm often afraid to try something beyond the beloved Swedish.   The hot stone massage was so relaxing, I fell asleep.   I now have a new favorite and would encourage everyone to have the rock treatment. The spa renovation is scheduled to be complete by this fall, and I am quite certain that it will be world-class.  

 The restaurants at the Sheraton were all just as wonderful. Los Tomates Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.   The breakfast buffet was complete with an omelet chef, fresh fruit and wonderful tamales.   Instead of champagne served, the buffet offered Bloody Marys and, of course, tequila.   Yes, tequila even at breakfast. The Tequila Bar La Suerte offers more than 100 varieties of tequila--it must be a favorite drink in Mexico, you think?    Dinner at D'Cortez Grill & Restaurant was my favorite meal eaten during my stay.   D' Cortez specializes in grilled meat and seafood; and I especially enjoyed my steak.   After being a vegetarian for almost 10 years, I have just recently started to eat meat again. After an order of grilled steak at D' Cortez, I have no regrets with my choice.

The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Resort & Spa is also surrounded by the Jack Nicklaus signature golf course known as “The Pebble Beach of Baja.”   Five other courses makes this hotel a favorite for golfers.   

      Although the resorts offer every luxury and convenience, a trip to the city of Cabo San Lucas offered a taste of local (and more tourist) life.   As mentioned, the growth of Cabo San Lucas has been tremendous.   Not only has the surrounding area grown with development but the city of Cabo San Lucas itself has developed with more restaurants and shops…even an indoor mall.   It is also a port-of-call for cruise ships, which just brings more people to the party. This city was unrecognizable from the city visited during my college years. The Hotel Finisterra, which was always a standout and a landmark, was now unrecognizable and fazed in with the surrounding hotels and homes.  

      Just a two-hour flight from LAX airport, Los Cabos attracts a lot of people from Southern California.   I met a young couple on their honeymoon, a family of multi-generations gathering for a reunion, and a girl drinking her way through a very rowdy 21st birthday.   And although I didn't meet anyone traveling for business, the resorts are fully equipped to accommodate small to large business travelers.   The Westin has nearly 12,000 square feet of indoor function space, as well as an outdoor event area.   The Sheraton has 18,018 square feet of function space.   In fact, the Sheraton was preparing for a large Porsche conference, in which the entire resort was booked.   Either resort should be considered when planning a business event or personal getaway because with, remember,   only six days of rain, you are nearly guaranteed that you'll have a sunny time and a sunny vacation.  

For reservations, call: The Westin Resort & Spa, Los Cabos:   (800) WESTIN-1 or visit www.westin.com/loscabos

The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Resort & Spa:   (800) 325-3535 or visit www.sheratonloscabos.com