What It’s Like to Stay at the Estates at East Cape, a Peaceful New Hotel in Baja California Sur

Welcome to Checking In, a new review series in which our editors and contributors rate the best new (and revamped) luxury hotels based on a rigorous—and occasionally tongue-in-cheek—10-point system: Each question answered “yes” gets one point. Will room service bring you caviar? Does your suite have its own butler? Does the bathroom have a bidet? Find out below. 

Describe the hotel in 3 words: Cactus meets coastline. 

What’s the deal?  

In October 2024, Grupo Vidanta, one of Mexico’s largest hotel brands, quietly unveiled its latest gem, tucked away on the East Cape of Baja California Sur. The property, a sprawling 3,000-acre oceanfront retreat, is a roughly 45-minute drive from San José del Cabo airport, so it feels like a peaceful escape from the bustling tourist vibe the area is known for. On top of that, the East Cape has sandier beaches and calmer, actually swimmable waters, thanks to its position along the turquoise Sea of Cortez. 

For those looking for something more exclusive than Vidanta’s Los Cabos resort, the Estates at East Cape only has 20 rooms available, each offering the luxury of a 24/7 butler team. The accommodations are far from cookie-cutter. Think one, two, or four-bedroom suites with a gourmet kitchen, separate dining room, private plunge pool, and a balcony with dramatic views of the region’s tropical desert scenery, including the Sierra de la Laguna mountains. Guests of the property are also privy to its private beach club, two swimming pools, signature restaurants, and driving range. 

The best room: 

The Empire Estates four-bedroom suite is the hotel’s largest and priciest lodging option, coming in at a cool $17,010 per night. Ideal for families or large groups of friends, the unit can hold up to 12 people and features two king-size beds and four doubles. It also comes with four and a half bathrooms, plus three Jacuzzi tubs. Outside on the wraparound terrace, you’ll find a plunge pool, an alfresco dining area, and plenty of sun loungers.  

The Rundown 

Did they greet you by name at check-in? 
Yes, I was greeted by name as soon as I hopped out of the car after a 45-minute drive from the Cabo airport. General manager Erika Patlan met me at the front entrance, as did Jose Angel, one of my assigned butlers for the trip, and the check-in process was completed from my room. 

Welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived? Bonus point if it wasn’t just fruit juice. 
Yes, the hotel has a signature welcome drink called Guanabana Estates which is made with guanabana (or soursop), mineral water, ginger, pineapple juice, and a lemon twist. Angel offered me a glass upon arrival with the option of topping it off with sparkling wine, which I gladly accepted. All the makings for a margarita—tequila, triple sec, salt, and limes—were also waiting for me in my room, along with a cheese and fruit plate.  

Private butler for every room? 
No, not for every room, but rather each floor has a dedicated butler team. During my stay, we kept in touch via WhatsApp, and I texted them when I needed a golf cart ride down to the beach club and to put in a lunch order by the pool, among other things. 

Is the sheet thread count higher than 300? 
Higher. The linen the Estates chose was a 400-thread count and made of 100 percent cotton. 

Is there a heated floor in the bathroom? What about a bidet? 
No heated floors and no bidet. But this is Mexico, after all, not Europe.  

Are the toiletries full sized? 
No, the Fiore Acqua toiletries were not full sized, but both bathrooms were stocked with an abundance of amenities beyond your standard shampoo and shower gel. Think shoe polish, bug spray, and after shave. 

Is there a private pool for the room’s exclusive use? 
Yes, each suite features an outdoor balcony that comes with a plunge pool, complete with picture-perfect views of the Baja peninsula and beyond. The property also has two common watering holes for when you’re feeling social—one of which is set on a rooftop and the other is on the ground floor. 

Are the restaurants worth their salt? 
There were two venues for eating and drinking: the Sky Garden and the Grill. I ate breakfast at the former, which is an alfresco restaurant on the rooftop pool deck serving breakfast and lunch. The food itself was lovely and even leaned a little healthy if you’re into that sort of thing. Think acai bowls, made-to-order egg dishes, cold-pressed juices, and smoothies alongside an impressive spread of fresh fruit, yogurt, teas, coffees, and pastries (with gluten-free options). The Grill, open for dinner, is located on the ground floor next to the other pool. The setting for the outdoor eatery is gorgeous come sunset and the chef is turning out meat- and seafood-heavy plates with at least one of the mains changing daily. The star of the show was a perfectly cooked porterhouse for two, with the succulent albeit deceptively simple grilled shrimp coming in as a close second. The hotel has an indoor dining option, Brezza, in development, but only the Sky Garden and the Grill were open during our stay. It was a bit breezy during our winter visit, but the resort had plenty of heaters going and blankets to drape over your shoulder.  

Is there caviar on the room service menu? If so, what kind? 
There was no caviar on the room service menu that we could see, but the Estates can deliver a selection of Kaviari caviar to you anywhere within the hotel upon request (so it gets the point). Instead, you’ll find classically Mexican dishes on the in-room dining menu including guacamole with crispy corn tostadas, in addition to shrimp ceviche in a coconut sauce that gets topped with spicy Yahualica chili oil. 

Do you want to spend Friday night in the lobby bar? 
Yes, but maybe not the whole night. If you’re in search of a pre-dinner pick-me-up or an elevated night cap—this is the place you’ll want to be. The cocktail to order? A Mexican carajillo, made with espresso and Licor 43, which is both simpler and more delicious than your basic espresso martini.  

Would you buy the hotel if you could? 
For the location alone, yes. But it would require some work. The vision for the Estates at East Cape includes a Greg Norman golf course (coming soon) and the previously mentioned third restaurant dubbed Brezza, in addition to shopping villages (also forthcoming). What there won’t be, however, is further developments that block the epic view. And I’d still have miles of beach all to myself. 

The Verdict 

The Estates at Vidanta East Cape was the first Vidanta property I’ve stayed at, but the Mexican hospitality company is definitely onto something. Despite visiting during the property’s soft opening, everything went smoothly. The butler team was welcoming and helpful, without being overbearing. For now, the hotel gym is up and running, a driving range is open exclusively to guests, and massage cabins are ready for treatment services. One, or a few things, worth writing home about are the VIP amenities, like a private sunset bonfire dinner on the beach and the in-room chef preparing breakfast. While the resort has already crossed the finished line, there’s still plenty more to come. Guess we’ll have to go back and see for ourselves. 

Rates: Starting at $11,340 per night for a one bedroom 

Score: 8 

What Our Score Means: 
1-3: Fire your travel agent if they suggest you stay here. 

4-6: Solid if you’re in a pinch—but only if you’re in a pinch. 

7-8: Very good to great. We’d stay here again and recommend it without qualms. 

9-10: Forget booking a week. When can we move in permanently? 

Credit: robbreport.com