El Angel Azul
La Paz Baja California, Mexico Book from Book from £72 per night
“A serene hotel base just 10 minutes walk from the La Paz seafront with a beautifully designed garden enclosed within a peaceful courtyard”
Scrupulously restored by the current owner, Swiss-born Esther Ammann, it has a tranquil and relaxed atmosphere, with eight rooms facing the cacti-filled courtyard under shaded colonnades. With shrines, sculptures, paintings, even an ensenada (clay ‘day of the dead’ skeleton) dotted about the garden, it feels more like staying in the villa of an arty friend. Esther has turned a shell into a local landmark and is definitely a cool host who know how to stay cool in a hot town.
Highs
- This historical building has been renovated with real care and attention to detail
- Guests in the Suite can watch the sunset over their private terrace and listen to the sounds of trickling water from the courtyard fountain
- Despite being the capital of Baja California Sur, La Paz is a small, easygoing seaside city that's retained a colonial atmosphere. It offers excellent sea-kayaking, diving and fishing excursions in the Sea of Cortez
- Some of Baja's most beautiful beaches are not far from town
Lows
- Heat can rule out much activity between noon and 4pm in La Paz, and there's no pool for cooling off
- There's no restaurant, but Esther has lots of good recommendations and guests are encouraged to make use of the kitchen and gardens
- No children under 12 are allowed, except for babies
Best time to go
Our top tips
And keep an ear out for things that go bump in the night - according to local legend El Angel Azul is haunted, but Esther hasn't seen any ghosts since she renovated it. Maybe they're staying out of the heat...”
- Boutique guesthouse
- 8
- Basic self-catering (+ walk to restaurants)
- Babies and over 12s welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- WiFi
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Beach Nearby
- Off-street Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
El Angel Azul has just eight rooms. All have a radio, remote-control air-conditioning (essential for Mexico) and hot showers. Orthopedic beds are dressed with vivid comforters and quilts; walls are colour-washed in yellow, blue or terracotta; floors are tiled - all are bright.
Seven Double Rooms have queensize or twin beds; the eighth has a kingsize bed.
The Suite is accessed by a winding staircase and has a lovely private terrace overlooking the central courtyard and the bleached rooftops of the surrounding barrio. It also comes with a queensize bed and a small refridgerator. As its terrace is hidden from the rest of the hotel and (most) of the nearby buildings, we would recommend it if you’re in the mood for total privacy - and there’s a sneaky miniature of tequila to get you in the spirit...
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Communal kitchen
- Cots Available
- Internet access
- Radio clock
- WiFi
Eating
There are no meals served at El Angel Azul. Ester wants guests to have independence, and be able to eat as and when they please, so has opened the kitchen to all staying at the hotel (guest each have storage and fridge space). Cook yourself up a feast and sit in the communal gardens with the sound of the fountain babbling in the background and the resident cat, dog and pair of love birds wandering around your feet. There’s a grocery shop on the corner where you can buy most things you’d need, and for the items you can’t, there’s a larger store a 7-minute walk away.
For those who’d rather not fend for themselves, there’s a bakery, Pan d´Les Bakery and numerous coffee shops less than a 5-minute walk away for breakfast, and dozens of restaurants and cafes for other meals. Esther recommends Il Rustico for pizza, Nim for cool design and international cuisine, Bismarcito for exceptional tacos (not to be confused with Bismarck down the road!), and Rancho Viejo for a great range of simple but tasty Mexican food; plus she provides all her guests with a map that features a list of shop and more eateries that she recommends. La Paz’s promenade, the ‘Malecon’, is only a 10-minute walk away and has plenty of tapas grills and bars for the evening repast.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Count the numerous types of cacti in the garden - use the handy guide posted on the wall to identify them - and have a sunset cocktail with your host Esther, mistress of the perfect margarita
- Explore La Paz: in the evening, walk along the main promenade, the 'Malecon'... the recently expanded seafront squares and paths throng with tourists and locals, and the air is filled with mouth-watering smells
- Head to one of the nearby beaches. La Paz has its own beach but you're better off heading out of town: within a 10- to 45-minute drive lie some of the loveliest beaches in Baja, with white sand and clear turquoise water. Tecolote is the largest and most popular beach in the area: after a 30-minute drive from La Paz slide into the cool blue waters of the Sea of Cortez, then sample delicious gulf salmon and garlic for lunch
- Take a boat trip to Isla Espíritu Santo and Los Islotes. You'll see stunning rock formations, remote beaches and the largest sea lion colony in Baja, with stops for snorkelling, swimming and lunch. Numerous travel agencies can arrange these all-day trips
- Go scuba diving: the Sea of Cortez is home to 850 species of fish, best seen from June to September. Local agencies can arrange day trips to include the sea lion colony at Los Islotes, a sunken ship, a 60-foot wall dive, reefs, and hammerhead sharks and manta rays
- Try sea kayaking - it's one of the best ways to explore Baja's often inaccessible shores and calm waters. It's becoming extremely popular and local companies can arrange trips from 1-10 days for beginners and advanced kayakers alike (the main season lasts from October to April)
- Have a go at sport-fishing: La Paz is famous for its marlin, dorado and yellowfin. Hire a panga with a guide and equipment
- Go whale-watching. Between January and March, thousands of gray whales migrate from Alaska's Bering Strait to the Pacific coast of Baja. Several companies arrange whale-watching day tours that originate in La Paz and go to one of the main hotspots, Magdalena Bay, a 2-hour drive away. Prices including breakfast, lunch, transportation and an English-speaking guide
For the above activities see Rates for an idea of cost.
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Private guided tours
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Whale watching
Kids
No children under 12 years are accepted, except for babies. Over 12s are charged as adults. Baby cots can be added to all rooms on request.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available
Baby equipment:
Baby cots are available on request.
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
El Angul Azul is in the heart of La Paz, Baja California, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
By Air:
La Paz (11km away) is the nearest airport. It has links to Mexico City and occasional flights from the US - click on the links below for a list of airlines.
From the Airport
You can take a taxi from the airport to the hotel, or hire a car (see below).
By Car:
There are many day trips on offer from La Paz so you don't need a hire car, but it can be useful if you're planning to explore further afield. See our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Mexico and getting around
Airports:
- La Paz General Manuel Márquez De León International 11.0 km LAP
Other:
- Beach 1.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km