When Corazón Cabo Resort and Spa in Cabo San Lucas invited me for a visit earlier this year, scheduling conflicts turned a potential three-night romantic (or bromantic) escape into a solo journey.
Not one who fears traveling alone, I embraced my first trip to the Mexican resort town as a fact-finding mission. Less than three hours from LAX, I was eyeing the potential for a return with either my boyfriend or the boys.
Corazón Cabo (CorazonCabo.com) is built into a bluff overlooking Medano Beach, the city’s only truly swimmable beach. The lobby features an expansive view of the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean, and the resort maximizes that view from everywhere on the property.
Ocean king suiteCOURTESY CORAZÓN CABO
Outside the lobby, wide terraces flow down to the beach, with one of resort’s two infinity pools (and obligatory swim-up bars), a fitness center, and the full-service spa, called Sparitual, along the descent to the restaurant Aleta and the resort’s private stretch of sand. My oversized suite featured polished white stone throughout, a spacious bathroom with a rainfall shower, and a large balcony to savor more of those jaw-dropping views. The stone flooring helps keep the suite cool in the hotter summer months, where temperatures can top triple digits.
Beachfront dining at AletaPHOTO BY DONALD PADGETT
In addition to the small café in the lobby selling quick bites to go, I was able to dine at three other restaurants during my stay. Aleta’s salmon sashimi and featured ceviche became my one-two punch as a guilt-free appetizer at every meal and as a mid-day snack. The beachfront setting had me sending a stream of pics back home. And it was just one of countless Instagrammable spots throughtout the property.
Tuna sashimi at AletaPHOTO BY DONALD PADGETT
Following a tequila tasting at Rooftop 360, the open-air lounge and its cozy infinity pool became my favorite destination for hanging out. While the lower pools were filled with a good mix of couples, revelers, and families with children, the pool at Rooftop 360 had a different vibe, with small groups of gay men chilling in the cool water, craft cocktails in hand. The views from the pool and lounge were the resort’s finest.
Rooftop 360PHOTO BY DONALD PADGETT
The Baja Brewing Company had a more traditional pub ambiance and menu, albeit with a beachy, open-air concept and more stunning views to go with my burger and flight of craft beers. While I did not dine there, the resort also has its own private beach area served by the Corazón Beach Club, featuring a full bar and menu.
Baja Brewing CompanyPHOTO BY DONALD PADGETT
The waters were surprisingly calm on my sunrise kayaking excursion to Arch Rock from Cabolectric (cabolectric.com), rewarding guide Jaramel and me with thousands of colorful fish swimming outside the transparent hull. I regretted my decision to not wear a bathing suit for the journey, still fearing cold waters. However, I learned the waters were quite warm and swimmable. It was a missed opportunity to swim amid swirling colorful fish, with Jaramel on hand to digitally capture the moments for posterity.
A short distance from the famed arch, we next encountered a group of curious and playful sea lions who quickly became the highlight of the excursion. We were able to watch them directly underneath our transparent hull, and several came close enough to almost touch (which we did not).
Best of all, though because we went at sunrise, we had the entire area to ourselves. It is a truly rare event to have such solitude, and I savored every moment of it.
Kayaking by CabolectricPHOTO BY DONALD PADGETT
After watching the sea lions for several minutes, we decided to go ashore. We pulled up onto the empty bay beach and walked a short distance across the sand to the Pacific Ocean beach. The waves crashing against the shore left no doubt why the beach is not swimmable. We lingered and wandered for several minutes, listening to the wind and waves and savoring the solitude once more.
I returned to shore refreshed with plenty of pictures and fond memories of the experience.
Author at sunrise on the PacificPHOTO BY DONALD PADGETT
After spending the morning making use of a lounge chair on the beach, I checked into Sparitual for a decadent two-hour full body massage that left me relaxed and rejuvenated. The spa itself is expansive, with a large jetted tub, steam room, and more.
My final night I spent again dining at Aleta, watching the moonlight dance on the dark waters while trying to decide if I should bring by boyfriend or my old hiking buddy along for my next visit to Corazón Cabo.
Sunset at AletaPHOTO BY DONALD PADGETT
I still haven’t made a decision, so I just might have to make two return trips to Corazón Cabo.
