Ten years after world-famous sushi chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Hollywood powerhouses Robert De Niro and Meir Teper entered the resort house with the opening of Nobu Resort Las Vegas (a hotel-within-a-hotel concept at Caesars Palace), the Nobu empire has continued at full power.
As we speak, Nobu Lodges has over 30 one-of-a-kind properties around the globe and in growth, from the seashores of Miami to the fashionable Moroccan metropolis of Marrakech to an upcoming property in New York City. However of these, few are as effectively often called the model’s outpost on the tip of the Baja California peninsula: Nobu Resort Los Cabos.
A magnet for the world’s fashionable set, (wannabe) influencers and the food-obsessed, Nobu Hotel Los Cabos has taken social media by storm because it opened in 2019, because of its up to date, Japanese-inspired design reflecting its desert location — and the Nobu restaurant itself.
Having been “influenced,” I went to Cabo to see if the resort really lived as much as the hype and to get a greater understanding of one of many world’s trendiest resort manufacturers.
This is what you have to learn about staying at Nobu Resort Los Cabos.
What’s Nobu Resort Los Cabos?
Nobu Hotel Los Cabos is a gorgeous, large resort in a non-public advanced close to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, about an hour away from the world’s Los Cabos Worldwide Airport (SJD). The resort packs a giant punch, with rooms and residences of all sizes, a number of swimming pools, a spa and a handful of eating places and bars, together with the ultra-popular eponymous restaurant Nobu Los Cabos.
Although the resort feels extra geared towards adults, it’s family-friendly, providing a children membership to entertain youthful friends. Over my two-night keep in July, I encountered folks from all walks of life and folk on honeymoons, bachelorette events and family vacations. The resort can be pet-friendly, so even four-legged friends can benefit from the enjoyable, together with pool areas, except for really getting within the water.
It is also necessary to notice that, like most resorts within the Cabo space, it is unsafe to swim within the ocean right here.
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Easy methods to guide Nobu Resort Los Cabos
Money charges at Nobu Los Cabos fluctuate all year long, with the bottom charges beginning round $350, plus taxes and costs.
People who’ve an American Express credit card and guide by way of The Hotel Collection for 2 or extra nights obtain elitelike perks, together with a room improve (when out there) and a $100 property credit score.
Or, as a member of The Main Lodges of the World, Leaders Membership members can earn or burn factors and get perks like potential upgrades and breakfast for 2 when booked straight by way of this system.
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The property is gorgeous … and complicated
Whereas most Cabo resorts are positioned off the busy essential highway, Nobu Los Cabos is manner off by itself and requires a drive down some roads that had me questioning, “The place am I?” However as soon as I bought previous the winding roads, by way of the primary gate (the place I used to be advised “Welcome residence!”) and to the resort’s gate, I used to be launched to a stunner of a resort.
Throughout the advanced, which accommodates a handful of buildings, I discovered stunning Japanese-inspired artwork and architectural components (like a Zen backyard flanking the doorway and foyer), huge landscaped areas with attractive cactuses and desert vegetation, and seemingly numerous locations to cease for a photograph. This place was clearly designed to cease folks of their tracks — and I definitely discovered myself amazed by the fantastic thing about it.
That stated, I additionally discovered the format very complicated to navigate, particularly on the primary day. The foyer is perched above nearly all of the resort and requires a visit down an elevator or stairs to get to the primary resort areas (just like the pool and plenty of eating places). With out being given a map at check-in, I actually struggled to seek out my manner round and ultimately needed to ask for a map. Over the course of my keep, I continuously needed to ask for instructions (and was requested for instructions by different friends).
Thoughts you, it is a gorgeous place to get misplaced in, however I might think about spending a bit extra time than anticipated getting from level A to level B, simply in case you’re taking a improper flip.
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The brand new residences are excellent for lengthy stays or teams
For my two-night journey, I stayed in Nobu Residences Los Cabos, a brand-new addition to the resort that offers friends extra space and home-inspired facilities, together with kitchens with top-of-the-line home equipment and a washer and a dryer. In contrast to most residences at inns, these lodging usually are not for hire or lease; somewhat, they’re reserved for resort friends who need to unfold out or keep for prolonged durations.
Since I used to be touring with my mother, we had a two-bedroom Ashai residence that got here in at over 2,000 sq. toes — and let me inform you, I very a lot want this condo was the place I really lived. The lounge, pictured above, had a gorgeous design and was tremendous comfy, plus all of the TVs had streaming capabilities and the power to solid straight from my cellphone.
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Regardless that we weren’t there lengthy sufficient to prepare dinner, the kitchen had every thing we may have to make a meal occur, together with retro Smeg home equipment. The room’s private concierge may even have grocery orders delivered to the room forward of time.
The most effective half (for me, at the least) was a high-tech, built-in Smeg espresso maker that rapidly made an ideal Americano that I used to be capable of dilute with water and ice from the freezer for an at-home iced espresso.
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In the primary bed room, there was a balcony overlooking a golf course, a Simmons mattress, a bit desk space with a charging station and computerized curtains managed with a distant management.
There was additionally a walk-in closet with drawers, hangers, terry robes, a high-end steamer and a protected.
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However the star of the present was the lavatory, which featured an onsen teak soaking tub set in opposition to a stone wall, the place I loved among the finest soaks ever — aside from the truth that the automated lights saved turning off, leaving me with a bit extra temper lighting than I hoped for. Proper outdoors the bathtub was a bathe, in addition to twin sinks and a separate room with a elaborate Japanese-style bathroom with an electrical bidet and, my favourite amenity, heated toilet seats.
The second bed room had two king-size beds and, pictured above, a really stunning and glossy picket desk arrange. There was no walk-in closet, however we had loads of storage in the usual sliding-door closet. Although the lavatory was barely smaller, it additionally had an onsen soaking tub to calm down in.
Off the lounge, the primary balcony had a snug seating space and a big grill to prepare dinner on. The views right here appeared onto the golf course, but it surely’s value noting that the course is non-public and solely out there to be used by house owners of properties throughout the non-public group.
Although it was numerous house for simply two folks for 2 nights, the residence was really so comfy and sensible. I could not cease fascinated with how nice one in all these one- to four-bedroom areas might be for an even bigger group sharing an area or a household on an prolonged trip. Common charges for the residences begin round $1,600 per evening.
The one draw back of the expertise was that the residences have been fairly a distance from the swimming pools, which means it was a little bit of a journey to get to the place a lot of the motion was. However hey, if that is an issue, contemplate reserving one of many residences with its personal pool.
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All of the rooms are implausible (and have that unbelievable tub)
Even when you do not want as a lot house because the Residences provide, you possibly can’t go improper with any of the room sorts at Nobu Los Cabos. Entry-level rooms begin at over 500 sq. toes and work their manner as much as suites with varied configurations and facilities, like non-public swimming pools.
Subsequent time I go to, I might love to remain in a swim-up room so I may merely slide open the door and soar proper into the pool seen above.
If you happen to’re as bathtub obsessed as I’m, do not fret: Each room sort has that lovely teak soaking tub.
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The meals and drinks reside as much as the hype
At Nobu Los Cabos, there are an open-air espresso store within the foyer space, six bars (together with a handful of restaurant bars) and eateries starting from an informal spot solely open for breakfast known as the Restaurant to the Ardea steakhouse to the upscale Mexican eatery Pacific to a brand-new Mediterranean restaurant perched above the Residences known as Muna. There’s, in fact, chef Nobu’s namesake restaurant, too, plus a restaurant, bar and pool membership venue known as Nami Restaurant and Seashore Membership, which has a small infinity pool overlooking the ocean, tables and personal cabanas.
For occasions when sleeping in sounds higher than venturing to a restaurant or when the midnight munchies hit actually exhausting, you possibly can make the most of the property’s 24-hour room service. Simply know that when it comes time to signal, a 15% service cost is added to all payments.
This is a fast overview of my eating experiences.
Nobu Los Cabos Restaurant
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Relying on who you ask, Nobu eating places are both the crème de la crème of Japanese eating or just a spot to be seen — and I felt that each of these forms of folks have been eating round me within the stunning indoor-outdoor eating house of Nobu, which has tables going through out to the ocean. (Notice: The restaurant is open to non-guests as effectively, so it’s normal to see individuals who aren’t staying on the resort consuming there.)
I used to be completely pleased with my meal and really a lot loved the Instagram-famous creamy-yet-crispy rock shrimp ($41), a stunning shiitake salad with spicy lemon dressing ($30), just a few items of nigiri (tuna, yellowtail and salmon) and spicy edamame ($13). However my favourite dish was the seared scallops in a creamy sauce with jalapenos ($35) that virtually melted in my mouth and had simply the precise punch of warmth.
If you wish to eat at Nobu, ensure you have your concierge safe a reservation for you — and order a lot to share as a result of the menu has so many choices, you may need a chunk of every thing.
Muna and M Bar
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Earlier than eating at Muna, the latest restaurant on the property, we made a detour to M Bar, the rooftop sister bar hooked up to the restaurant discovered within the Residences (however open to all). The house was stylish and stuffed with texture and patterns, plus it provided attractive views of the shoreline.
Saving our appetites for dinner, we skipped meals and went straight for the drink menu. I opted for the Ficus Indicia, a brightly coloured concoction of Patron Silver, pink prickly pear, coconut water, lemon, sage agave and habanero bitters ($22) that was refreshing with a bit spicy kick that I cherished. My mother selected the Graviola, a transparent drink served in a coupe made with Gray Goose, clarified soursop, lemon juice and easy syrup. Do not forget to snap an image of the latter’s gold foil-topped ice dice — that is the image the folks need.
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At Muna (accessed through an computerized door), dinner didn’t disappoint (and neither did the sunshine, ethereal decor of the institution). Our meal started with a complimentary tray of little breads from varied nations across the Mediterranean, which set the bar exceptionally excessive.
Just about every thing that adopted lived as much as expectations, together with a ricotta and feta dip with beets for $30 (excellent to beat the warmth outdoors), the jumbo shrimp and lobster “arroz meloso” (or creamy rice) and, the star of the meal, seared king scallops with fermented lemon, saffron bearnaise (principally a hollandaise) and Spanish chistorra (a sort of cured sausage from the Basque Nation) for $49.
If you happen to’re a wine connoisseur, Muna has an intensive wine listing.
Playa Bar
I ate so effectively throughout my total keep at Nobu Los Cabos, however I’ve bought to confess that my favourite meal and drinks have been each sudden surprises from Playa Bar.
First, on the swim-up pool bar (the place I made a decision to not take my cellphone as a result of some children taking part in, so sorry for no footage), we made a easy request: a spicy margarita and a pina colada. The bartender took that straightforward request and handled our drink orders (each $20) like artworks. The pina colada was critically the perfect I’ve had in my life, completely candy and creamy and topped with a floater and toasted coconut. In the meantime, the spicy margarita had my lips burning and tears in my eyes, however that is precisely how I needed it.
After ordering a second spherical of drinks (we might’ve stayed for a 3rd, they have been that good), we had an avocado pizza with jalapeno ricotta cheese, agave serrano chili, lime and cilantro ($33) alongside chips, guacamole and salsa ($22) at our pool chairs. It was the proper snack, refreshing and never too heavy, to accompany these scrumptious cocktails.
The 1 eating draw back: The dearth of a communal bar
Whereas the eating scene was distinctive general, my one gripe with Nobu Los Cabos was that there did not appear to be a essential communal foyer bar to get pleasure from. As a substitute, a lot of the bars have been both across the pool or hooked up to a restaurant, leaving unusual blocks of time when the restaurant was closed to vary service or the pool had began to wind down in order that it felt prefer it was time to wrap up somewhat than order a drink.
There are occasions on trip once you need a spot to calm down and luxuriate in a cocktail throughout these in-between moments or after a meal. With such a stunning resort, there must be an equally attractive bar that is straightforward to seek out and open all through the day.
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There are 2 spas
Is a beach vacation full and not using a go to to the spa? For me, no. Fortunately, there are two spas at Nobu Los Cabos: the Esencia Wellness spa, which I visited for a remedy, and the brand-new Esencia Onsen Spa on the Residences, which gives a Japanese onsen expertise, in addition to ceremonies that basically take wellness to the following degree.
I opted for the Japanese Silk Nobu Signature Therapy ($580) on the Esencia Wellness spa. The remedy, which lasted 105 minutes, featured a full-body exfoliation adopted by a soothing bathe within the remedy room, a soothing therapeutic massage with sizzling volcanic stones (I used to be afraid it will be too sizzling, but it surely was simply the precise temperature) and a face masks.
My therapeutic massage was excellent — and I felt probably the most relaxed I had felt in a really very long time. A couple of days earlier than my keep at Nobu, I had been on a really intense deep-sea fishing journey that had left me painfully sore, and the therapeutic massage labored out all that ache. I admittedly did really feel a bit rushed earlier than and after the expertise, however the employees was nonetheless tremendous pleasant, so I feel they have been simply exceptionally busy that day.
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It is not simply stuffed with influencers
I am not joking once I say that this resort is a social media darling. I genuinely was anxious that folks making an attempt to get that excellent shot or TikTok video or gown to outshine everybody else on the resort would make the expertise annoying, if not hilarious. However actually, that wasn’t the case.
Sure, everybody was dressed higher than friends at another resort. Sure, folks (together with myself) have been taking footage and posing with the attractive landscapes. And sure, I did see just a few folks take that to the following degree, but it surely was by no means annoying and everybody appeared genuinely form and pleased to be there.
Typically, issues get consideration on-line for all the precise causes — and I might must say that that is one in all them.
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Testing
After two nights at Nobu Los Cabos I used to be well-fed, relaxed and, effectively, not prepared to depart. Perhaps it was as a result of I visited in late July when Cabo is extraordinarily heat, however I used to be shocked by how laid-back the expertise felt, and I felt in awe of the attractive (and big) property.
Positive, it was stuffed with jet-setter sorts in designer swimwear, but it surely was additionally stuffed with households having enjoyable, of us of all ages and type employees eager to assist everybody out. The rooms and residences are stunners, too, so you possibly can relaxation straightforward understanding that when it is time to head again to the room and say goodnight to every thing the resort has to supply, you may catch loads of z’s.
If you end up there, remember to order a spicy margarita for me.
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