Casa Natalia

Colourful boutique hotel and gourmet restaurant in the charming Spanish colonial town of San José del Cabo

One of Mexico's most popular getaways is Los Cabos, a 32-mile corridor on the southern tip of Baja California, renowned for world-class scuba diving, sport-fishing, golf, luxury hotels and glitzy timeshares. The noise and crowds in party town Cabo San Lucas can steal the charm from your holiday; our advice is head for Casa Natalia, a colour-filled boutique hotel in the more authentic Spanish colonial town of San José del Cabo.

On arrival, you're welcomed with a chilled hand-towel and a refreshing drink flavoured with hibiscus flowers. European-born owners Nathalie and Loïc Tenoux are dedicated to treating you as their houseguest. The 14 rooms and 2 suites overlook a contemporary courtyard of cascading patios lined with rustling palms, bougainvillea and waterfalls. Start your day with breakfast on your private terrace, then relax by the pool. Or ask the concierge to arrange a snorkelling, fishing, or jeep excursion. End your day dining under the stars at Loïc’s gourmet restaurant, Mi Cocina.

Highs

• This is a stylish, secluded enclave in San José's charming old town, steps away from interesting shops, art galleries, cafés and a leafy plaza
• The rooms are decorated with indigenous art and crafts depicting different cultural themes
• There's a staff-to-guest ratio of one-to-one; the owners live on the premises
• The restaurant serves excellent Euro-Mexican cuisine
• Many unique details and personal services (including in-room spa treatments) are provided

Lows

• There's no direct beach access - the nearest stretch of sand is a 15-minute walk, though the hotel offers a shuttle service for an additional charge
• For exploring, it’s most economical to rent a car; but driving the Los Cabos corridor can be hair-raising. Beware devil-may-care Mexican drivers and vacationing “gringos” confused by the less-than-straightforward traffic configuration (exit right to turn left)
• Street traffic is sometimes audible, even over the waterfalls
• San José rolls up its sidewalks by 9 or 10pm; head to San Lucas to party