The easy, breezy, beautiful Marquis Los Cabos, a south-of-the-border beachfront resort, takes romance to a new level of lovey dovey.
Admit it: couples’ getaways don’t always come off without a hitch - or an argument. Sure, the planning stage is always fairy-tale perfect, but during the actual together time, those rose-colored glasses can be a bit dull. Blame long airport lineups, closed quarters, stressful cities, unfriendly locals and jet-lagged journeys. And frankly, sometimes you just plain pick the wrong place. Not so with the Marquis Los Cabos Beach, Golf, Spa & Casitas Resort, a posh yet playful place on the Southernmost tip of the Baja peninsula, where romance rules.
The easy-to-get-to escape (flights are direct from Phoenix and the resort is only 18 miles from the airport) combines everything a couple should want or need on vacation. The 237-suite Marquis certainly lives up to its moniker. Named after the finest cut of a diamond, the seven-year-old property has a fine eye for detail that’s apparent as soon as you step foot on the property. Not your typical front desk, the open-air lobby lies under a dramatic arch that perfectly frames the picturesque Sea of Cortes. After you pinch yourself, you’ll be greeted by the friendly faces of the Marquis staff, who serve up refreshing welcome drinks, chilled towels and smiles. Right away, you know you’re in store for something special.
And then you see your room. Accommodations at the all-suite resort don’t disappoint. Each and every room on the pristine property boasts a beachfront view, and couples can rest assured that there’s plenty of closet room and counter space (for her) and a lounge area (for him), plus plush bath robes and slippers, a full hydro-massage tub, a king bed with imported Frette linens and a terrace overlooking the ocean. To up the love story sentiment, the resort’s luxurious beach casita accommodations are the perfect backdrop for a rendezvous for two. Creating the ambience of a private beach house, handcrafted furniture and original art combined with floor-to-ceiling glass windows make the inside just as gorgeous as the outside. There’s also a large living area, a wet bar for entertaining, private butler service and the pièce de résistance—a private plunge pool and terrace. For even more oh-la-la, there’s the one-of-a-kind Marquis del Mar Presidential Suite, a 2,604-sq.-ft., two-bedroom abode with unprecedented views and your very own private butler.
While it’s tempting not to leave the room (and there is plenty of reason not to), what better place to start than the 15,000-sq.-ft. Marquis Spa, the only Cabo-based spa that is a member of Leading Hotels of the World. As well as a delectable menu of services that use indigenous ingredients like cactus oil, sea salt and agave, the Marquis Spa offers an all-marble steam room, six open-air hot tubs, a private lounge deck and a Jacuzzi, not to mention an adjoining fitness center. Of the 10 treatment rooms, there are three double rooms so couples can indulge in a holistic massage for two.
Between the desert and sea, the natural surroundings will also beckon you beyond your bed. The quaint beachside getaway sits where the Sea of Cortes meets the Pacific Ocean, meaning fun in the sun, sand or mountains. As well as the alluring infinity pools and lounge chair-clad patios on the property, Cabo is a prime site for whale-watching (January through March), Marlin fishing (September through November) and year-round scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding and, of course, golf. The Marquis sits between two world-class links: the famed Robert Trent Jones-designed Cabo Real and the challenging Cabo del Sol created by Jack Nicklaus. Couples activities don’t stop there. The Marquis also offers photo tours, astronomy lessons and a turtle release program, or tour the nearby town of Cabo San Lucas or the historic San Jose Del Cabo.
To truly take in Cabo, you need to do it by sea. Schedule a boating excursion to see the famous Arch of Los Cabos and Lover’s Beach, or up the ante by booking the Marquis yacht, an 80-foot Turkish schooner with six guest cabins, two dining rooms and a kitchen, available to hotel guests for snorkel and sunset tours and unforgettable overnight excursions (psst: it’s a great place to renew your vows). For more icing-on-the-cake extras, the engagement concierge will help you with all your romance planning, from candlelight turndowns to private dinners for two on the beach or on your casita rooftop.
When not dining behind closed doors (each morning, complimentary sweet breads, fresh fruit and coffee are delivered to your room) or behind the scenes, the restaurants at Marquis serve up everything from ceviche and margaritas to fancy gourmet fare. For the crème de la crème, the five-star 20-seat Canto del Mar offers a six-course prix-fix menu with wine pairings personally prepared by Master French Chef Thierry Dufour. Finish off the evening with a cocktail at the open-air El Suspiro bar and toast your time together. Here’s to the two of you!
For more information visit www.marquisloscabos.com.
