Inspirato - Cabo Residence in Esperanza (Mexico)
Jun 13, 2016, 5:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Amex Platinum, Inspirato, UA Spouse of GS,Amanjunkie,Starwood Platinum,Hyatt Diam
Posts: 281
Inspirato - Cabo Residence in Esperanza (Mexico)
We stayed at Casa Ensueno (one of the stand alone villas/houses in the Punta Ballena community that is part of Esperanza Hotel). We went with 2 other couples (6 adults total).
Destination: We hadn’t previously visited Cabo, but it was everything that we had hoped it to be and the only consolation in leaving is that we’re planning to return later this year! The weather was wonderful during our late May stay – low-to-mid 80s and not too humid. While the beautiful landscape and spirit of the place were certainly characteristic of Mexico, in many ways Cabo feels like being in the US. Nearly everyone we met spoke very good English; US dollars are widely accepted; etc, which makes it a very accessible vacation destination. Cabo was hit very badly by Hurricane Odile in 2014, but from an outsider’s perspective, it seems to be fully back up and running with many of the top resorts having added new featurs, villas, etc. In fact, there is a ton of new development underway (we were told 16 new hotels are opening within the next year).
Residence: Casa Ensueno Residence in the Punta Ballena section of the Esperanza Hotel – Los Cabos, Mexico
https://www.inspirato.com/destinatio...s/casa-ensueno
Quick facts on the residence: 3120 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, hot tub, private pool, outdoor grill, free wifi throughout. See additional pictures below
Location: This villa is a 3rd row villa (Casa Piscina is next door). Casa Feliz is a 4th row villa one level above. Costero is a 1st row villa right next to the water with much larger outdoor space/pools. Bonaventura is on the other side, closer to the Beach Club.
Esperenza is in a great location, closer to downtown Cabo San Lucas (about a 10 minute taxi ride). Our Desination Concierge arranged all taxis for us and they were about $40 US (which is somewhat steep for the 10 minute drive), but the going rate for the area. All our taxis were pre-arranged SUVs and the drivers were great. While Esperanze is closer to downtown Cabo San Lucas, it is a bit further from San Jose del Cabo, the other town, but still manageable. There is also a great wine store, Vinoteca, as well as a Costco nearby Esperanza in case you want to make any stops, but we relied on the grocery service for all food and alcohol delivery.
One 6 passenger Golf cart is supplied with the villa and is useful to get around the Esperanza property.
Concierge: Our Inspirato local Destination Concierge Lucas was so helpful and kind. He went out of his way to make sure everything was to our satisfaction and always was checking in. He would always be there when our transportation was scheduled for activities, ensuring we headed out smoothly for the day. He would also text and keep me updated on any requests, etc. Gonzalo is the Inspirato Destination Planner we used prior to visiting who booked all our activities, dinner, etc and he was also perfect and on top of his game. All his emails were very clear and concise, with attention to detail. Both Lucas and Gonzalo are incredible assets to have when planning your vacation.
Cabo Restaurants: Living in NYC, we love going out to eat and like to think that we are discerning critics! We enjoyed the following dining experiences:
Private Chef Dinner at the residence: see below for more information, but highly recommend you do this on your first night.
Cocina del Mar at Esperanza: the signature restaurant at the hotel. Was very good and the setting is fabulous right on the Cliffside overhanging the water. It can get a bit windy at night, but they have heat lamps and will provide blankets/shawls. Food and wine is excellent. Mostly prix fixe, but a la carte is available as well.
Edith’s in downtown Cabo San Lucas: A Cabo classic, Edith’s lived up to the hype. It had a fun, lively atmosphere (covered outdoor dining, with twinkly lights; live music for part of the evening; good crowd). At the beginning of the meal, they walked us through their steak and seafood options, including a 6.5-pound lobster – intense! Food was well-prepared. It was relatively easy to find a taxi back after dinner (we negotiated a rate of $40 for a large van that fit the six of us).
Flora Farms: This dinner was one of the highlights of the trip. A must visit and truly farm-to-table as everything is grown right on the property. About 45 minutes away up a dirt road, but totally worth it. Transportation can be arranged and is $150 roundtrip with waiting time. We did the farm tour at 5:00pm which lasted about 30 minutes. Then made reservations for dinner at 6:00pm. Food is incredible and we tried so many items on the menu. “Walk through the Garden” is a must get appetizer consisting of all fresh vegetables. Pizzas were great as was the “head cheese”. For entrees, the meat is terrific. We also met the chef and he is very friendly and passionate (and trained under Charlie Trotter). The cocktails, especially the Farmarita are all unique and delicious.
Besides the restaurant, there is also a bar, a small market where you can buy the most amazing vegetables, bread, pastries, etc. This was the most crowded restaurant in a good way (lively and energetic) that we visited during our stay. It seems word has gotten out. I would skip the farm tour as you can basically do it on your own with a self-guided tour and perhaps do dinner a bit later. They are also open for lunch, as well as hosting cooking classes.
The Cape: We visited The Cape hotel’s rooftop bar for drinks. This is the new spot in Cabo and worth a visit. Views are fantastic (try to go at sunset) and our server was great as well. Many celebrities go here. There is also a restaurant Manta which is supposed to be great.
Punta Ballena Beach Club: Some members of our group also had lunch one day while enjoying the Beach Club. They tried the shrimp ceviche and shrimp nachos, both of which were tasty and fresh. The frozen mojitos were also a total hit, so much so that they returned to the beach club the next day to buy a pitcher of mojitos to bring back to the rest of our group!
Other restaurants we did not try, but will on our next visit in August:
El Farallon (and their Champagne Terrace)
Sunset de Mona Lisa (and their Champagne Bar)
Manta at The Cape Hotel
Private Chef Dinner: We used the recommended El Itakate catering service for our private chef dinner on the first night. I would highly recommend doing this on your first night as you get settled from the flight/travels, etc and get to enjoy the house. We started with their welcome happy hour around 7:00pm, which consisted of margaritas and various appetizers, as well as chips, guac, etc. We then sat down outside for dinner at 8:30pm and had Tasting Menu #4 which was delicious. Our Chefs Antonio and Moses were terrific, friendly, and have a true passion for what they make. They took care of everything from setting a nice table to all the clean up.
Breakfast cooked by Housekeeper: We had the housekeep cook us breakfast and it was totally worth it. First course was fruits and bacon, along with juice and coffee. Second course we choose huevos rancheros. Everything was great and very reasonable. There is a full menu from which to choose. The other mornings we cooked on our own. One of the reasons I love Inspirato is the daily housekeeping and washing of all the dishes we used (this is so key when on vacation and you don’t get that through vrbo or airbnb).
Yacht Charter: Another highlight of the trip. We chartered a yacht through Land’s End Charters. The 70 foot Beroca yacht (a Sunseeker made vessel) was perfect for our group and very up-to-date and modern. Being particular, I spoke to them extensively on options and the owner was very helpful, detailed and suggested the perfect yacht for our group. We chose to do a 3 hour charter, which included all drinks and also various snacks and appetizers which were very filling. Can also do 4 hours or longer. We cruised around the famous Arch, then out on the water, stopped at two different coves to swim, etc. The other yacht I would recommend is their yacht “Grey” (a 77 foot Aicon vessel). I saw this and it is an incredible vessel. If booking, ask for the owner Greg and tell him that Ritam sent you.
Golf: Four of us played Cabo del Sol’s Ocean Course, which is about 5-10 minutes away from all the residences. A stunning course that is also challenging, yet playable at the same time. At the turn after the 9th hole, there is a snack bar/kitchen where players get complimentary tacos which were delicious.
Amenities:
Outdoor areas: Our group had so much fun at the house, enjoying the pool, hot tub, and loungers. The doors to the house slide fully open, which gives the property a really easy indoor / outdoor flow. There’s a covered patio area, as well as a separate outdoor dining palapa, for those in the group who want to stay out of the sun. The backyard also has a large Viking grill, which we used. In the front courtyard, there’s a fireplace and sitting area. A soundsystem with airplay capability and indoor / outdoor speakers complete the landscape! There are also outdoor speakers in the separate outdoor dining palapa, which is a nice touch. There is also a washer/dryer in the garage.
Kitchen: The kitchen was fairly well-equipped, and we cooked a number of meals (we provided our grocery list to Inspirato in advance so that our food / beverages were all fully stocked upon our arrival). We discovered when we first arrived that our refrigerator was broken, but the Inspirato team took action to correct this and we had a new refrigerator by the next morning. Our only other complaint about the kitchen was that the knives need to be sharpened. Dull knives make it tough to make batches of guacamole!
Punta Ballena Beach Club: Two of our group members enjoyed the pool one day at Punta Ballena Beach Club. Only a few other guests were present during this time, so it was a quiet place to relax, without concern about fighting for seats, service, etc. As mentioned, the food and drinks were very good, and the service was also hospitable (minus a one-off experience with the bartender who gave us some attitude regarding the previously mentioned pitcher of mojitos but the server from the day before promptly stepped in to resolve the situation) To be clear, the beach club does not have access to a swimmable beach, but it does have wonderful water views and a nice pool and hot tub. There is an indoor lounge area, with a TV, magazines, restrooms, etc. The only complaint is that the wifi only works in this lounge area, not out by the pool. The Beach Club was a short drive from the house by golf cart or a ~10-minute walk. We spent more time at the villa’s private pool, but the Beach Club is a good second option as well. If staying at the APRE accommodations or the Residences, you will have access to other pools.
Gym at Punta Ballena Beach club: gym is pretty dated and equipment not well maintained, but is free of charge. You can also usethe Esperanza hotel’s gym (or take their various classes), but there is a charge to use.
Pricing: Aside from the cost of joining and the annual dues, members pay nightly rates for each residence stay. Nightly rates vary depending on peak or non-peak season, size of house, etc. We were able to take advantage of one of the quarterly promotions called “second look”. We paid aroun $850/night for the house, it was a great deal. That includes all the concierge service, daily housekeeping, grocery stocking, and what I love most, the washing of all the dishes!
If anyone has questions on the residence or even on the club, feel free to message me.
Casa Ensueno:
Casa Ensueno Living Room
Private Chef Dinner:
70 foot Beroca Charter
Golf at Cabo del Sol - Ocean Course
Breakfast cooked by Housekeeper
Esperanza Property
Punta Ballena Beach Club
Flora Farms
"Inspirato Float"
Destination: We hadn’t previously visited Cabo, but it was everything that we had hoped it to be and the only consolation in leaving is that we’re planning to return later this year! The weather was wonderful during our late May stay – low-to-mid 80s and not too humid. While the beautiful landscape and spirit of the place were certainly characteristic of Mexico, in many ways Cabo feels like being in the US. Nearly everyone we met spoke very good English; US dollars are widely accepted; etc, which makes it a very accessible vacation destination. Cabo was hit very badly by Hurricane Odile in 2014, but from an outsider’s perspective, it seems to be fully back up and running with many of the top resorts having added new featurs, villas, etc. In fact, there is a ton of new development underway (we were told 16 new hotels are opening within the next year).
Residence: Casa Ensueno Residence in the Punta Ballena section of the Esperanza Hotel – Los Cabos, Mexico
https://www.inspirato.com/destinatio...s/casa-ensueno
Quick facts on the residence: 3120 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, hot tub, private pool, outdoor grill, free wifi throughout. See additional pictures below
Location: This villa is a 3rd row villa (Casa Piscina is next door). Casa Feliz is a 4th row villa one level above. Costero is a 1st row villa right next to the water with much larger outdoor space/pools. Bonaventura is on the other side, closer to the Beach Club.
Esperenza is in a great location, closer to downtown Cabo San Lucas (about a 10 minute taxi ride). Our Desination Concierge arranged all taxis for us and they were about $40 US (which is somewhat steep for the 10 minute drive), but the going rate for the area. All our taxis were pre-arranged SUVs and the drivers were great. While Esperanze is closer to downtown Cabo San Lucas, it is a bit further from San Jose del Cabo, the other town, but still manageable. There is also a great wine store, Vinoteca, as well as a Costco nearby Esperanza in case you want to make any stops, but we relied on the grocery service for all food and alcohol delivery.
One 6 passenger Golf cart is supplied with the villa and is useful to get around the Esperanza property.
Concierge: Our Inspirato local Destination Concierge Lucas was so helpful and kind. He went out of his way to make sure everything was to our satisfaction and always was checking in. He would always be there when our transportation was scheduled for activities, ensuring we headed out smoothly for the day. He would also text and keep me updated on any requests, etc. Gonzalo is the Inspirato Destination Planner we used prior to visiting who booked all our activities, dinner, etc and he was also perfect and on top of his game. All his emails were very clear and concise, with attention to detail. Both Lucas and Gonzalo are incredible assets to have when planning your vacation.
Cabo Restaurants: Living in NYC, we love going out to eat and like to think that we are discerning critics! We enjoyed the following dining experiences:
Private Chef Dinner at the residence: see below for more information, but highly recommend you do this on your first night.
Cocina del Mar at Esperanza: the signature restaurant at the hotel. Was very good and the setting is fabulous right on the Cliffside overhanging the water. It can get a bit windy at night, but they have heat lamps and will provide blankets/shawls. Food and wine is excellent. Mostly prix fixe, but a la carte is available as well.
Edith’s in downtown Cabo San Lucas: A Cabo classic, Edith’s lived up to the hype. It had a fun, lively atmosphere (covered outdoor dining, with twinkly lights; live music for part of the evening; good crowd). At the beginning of the meal, they walked us through their steak and seafood options, including a 6.5-pound lobster – intense! Food was well-prepared. It was relatively easy to find a taxi back after dinner (we negotiated a rate of $40 for a large van that fit the six of us).
Flora Farms: This dinner was one of the highlights of the trip. A must visit and truly farm-to-table as everything is grown right on the property. About 45 minutes away up a dirt road, but totally worth it. Transportation can be arranged and is $150 roundtrip with waiting time. We did the farm tour at 5:00pm which lasted about 30 minutes. Then made reservations for dinner at 6:00pm. Food is incredible and we tried so many items on the menu. “Walk through the Garden” is a must get appetizer consisting of all fresh vegetables. Pizzas were great as was the “head cheese”. For entrees, the meat is terrific. We also met the chef and he is very friendly and passionate (and trained under Charlie Trotter). The cocktails, especially the Farmarita are all unique and delicious.
Besides the restaurant, there is also a bar, a small market where you can buy the most amazing vegetables, bread, pastries, etc. This was the most crowded restaurant in a good way (lively and energetic) that we visited during our stay. It seems word has gotten out. I would skip the farm tour as you can basically do it on your own with a self-guided tour and perhaps do dinner a bit later. They are also open for lunch, as well as hosting cooking classes.
The Cape: We visited The Cape hotel’s rooftop bar for drinks. This is the new spot in Cabo and worth a visit. Views are fantastic (try to go at sunset) and our server was great as well. Many celebrities go here. There is also a restaurant Manta which is supposed to be great.
Punta Ballena Beach Club: Some members of our group also had lunch one day while enjoying the Beach Club. They tried the shrimp ceviche and shrimp nachos, both of which were tasty and fresh. The frozen mojitos were also a total hit, so much so that they returned to the beach club the next day to buy a pitcher of mojitos to bring back to the rest of our group!
Other restaurants we did not try, but will on our next visit in August:
El Farallon (and their Champagne Terrace)
Sunset de Mona Lisa (and their Champagne Bar)
Manta at The Cape Hotel
Private Chef Dinner: We used the recommended El Itakate catering service for our private chef dinner on the first night. I would highly recommend doing this on your first night as you get settled from the flight/travels, etc and get to enjoy the house. We started with their welcome happy hour around 7:00pm, which consisted of margaritas and various appetizers, as well as chips, guac, etc. We then sat down outside for dinner at 8:30pm and had Tasting Menu #4 which was delicious. Our Chefs Antonio and Moses were terrific, friendly, and have a true passion for what they make. They took care of everything from setting a nice table to all the clean up.
Breakfast cooked by Housekeeper: We had the housekeep cook us breakfast and it was totally worth it. First course was fruits and bacon, along with juice and coffee. Second course we choose huevos rancheros. Everything was great and very reasonable. There is a full menu from which to choose. The other mornings we cooked on our own. One of the reasons I love Inspirato is the daily housekeeping and washing of all the dishes we used (this is so key when on vacation and you don’t get that through vrbo or airbnb).
Yacht Charter: Another highlight of the trip. We chartered a yacht through Land’s End Charters. The 70 foot Beroca yacht (a Sunseeker made vessel) was perfect for our group and very up-to-date and modern. Being particular, I spoke to them extensively on options and the owner was very helpful, detailed and suggested the perfect yacht for our group. We chose to do a 3 hour charter, which included all drinks and also various snacks and appetizers which were very filling. Can also do 4 hours or longer. We cruised around the famous Arch, then out on the water, stopped at two different coves to swim, etc. The other yacht I would recommend is their yacht “Grey” (a 77 foot Aicon vessel). I saw this and it is an incredible vessel. If booking, ask for the owner Greg and tell him that Ritam sent you.
Golf: Four of us played Cabo del Sol’s Ocean Course, which is about 5-10 minutes away from all the residences. A stunning course that is also challenging, yet playable at the same time. At the turn after the 9th hole, there is a snack bar/kitchen where players get complimentary tacos which were delicious.
Amenities:
Outdoor areas: Our group had so much fun at the house, enjoying the pool, hot tub, and loungers. The doors to the house slide fully open, which gives the property a really easy indoor / outdoor flow. There’s a covered patio area, as well as a separate outdoor dining palapa, for those in the group who want to stay out of the sun. The backyard also has a large Viking grill, which we used. In the front courtyard, there’s a fireplace and sitting area. A soundsystem with airplay capability and indoor / outdoor speakers complete the landscape! There are also outdoor speakers in the separate outdoor dining palapa, which is a nice touch. There is also a washer/dryer in the garage.
Kitchen: The kitchen was fairly well-equipped, and we cooked a number of meals (we provided our grocery list to Inspirato in advance so that our food / beverages were all fully stocked upon our arrival). We discovered when we first arrived that our refrigerator was broken, but the Inspirato team took action to correct this and we had a new refrigerator by the next morning. Our only other complaint about the kitchen was that the knives need to be sharpened. Dull knives make it tough to make batches of guacamole!
Punta Ballena Beach Club: Two of our group members enjoyed the pool one day at Punta Ballena Beach Club. Only a few other guests were present during this time, so it was a quiet place to relax, without concern about fighting for seats, service, etc. As mentioned, the food and drinks were very good, and the service was also hospitable (minus a one-off experience with the bartender who gave us some attitude regarding the previously mentioned pitcher of mojitos but the server from the day before promptly stepped in to resolve the situation) To be clear, the beach club does not have access to a swimmable beach, but it does have wonderful water views and a nice pool and hot tub. There is an indoor lounge area, with a TV, magazines, restrooms, etc. The only complaint is that the wifi only works in this lounge area, not out by the pool. The Beach Club was a short drive from the house by golf cart or a ~10-minute walk. We spent more time at the villa’s private pool, but the Beach Club is a good second option as well. If staying at the APRE accommodations or the Residences, you will have access to other pools.
Gym at Punta Ballena Beach club: gym is pretty dated and equipment not well maintained, but is free of charge. You can also usethe Esperanza hotel’s gym (or take their various classes), but there is a charge to use.
Pricing: Aside from the cost of joining and the annual dues, members pay nightly rates for each residence stay. Nightly rates vary depending on peak or non-peak season, size of house, etc. We were able to take advantage of one of the quarterly promotions called “second look”. We paid aroun $850/night for the house, it was a great deal. That includes all the concierge service, daily housekeeping, grocery stocking, and what I love most, the washing of all the dishes!
If anyone has questions on the residence or even on the club, feel free to message me.
Casa Ensueno:
Casa Ensueno Living Room
Private Chef Dinner:
70 foot Beroca Charter
Golf at Cabo del Sol - Ocean Course
Breakfast cooked by Housekeeper
Esperanza Property
Punta Ballena Beach Club
Flora Farms
"Inspirato Float"
Jun 15, 2016, 6:39 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Amex Platinum, Inspirato, UA Spouse of GS,Amanjunkie,Starwood Platinum,Hyatt Diam
Posts: 281
Thanks! Yes, we'll be staying at another Inspirato property, the one right next door. There are two larger ones as well, so hopefully will test those out sometime in the future.
Jun 22, 2016, 5:33 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Amex Platinum, Inspirato, UA Spouse of GS,Amanjunkie,Starwood Platinum,Hyatt Diam
Posts: 281
Thanks WanderlustB! I also posted a Telluride report from an Inspirato residence, so take a look if you have not yet seen it. Have you visited any of their residences yet?
Jun 26, 2016, 12:19 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: General Awesome Guy
Posts: 91
Not yet. We had preplanned trips through Jan 2017, so trouble finding the time right now for another "big trip." Looking forward to quick "jaunts" here and there.
Sep 17, 2016, 6:32 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Amex Platinum, Inspirato, UA Spouse of GS,Amanjunkie,Starwood Platinum,Hyatt Diam
Posts: 281
We returned from a 2nd trip to Cabo a few weeks ago and stayed at the Inspirato residence next door (Casa Piscina) to the one I posted about at the beginning of this thread. Very similar layout and an equally great trip as last time. It was my wife's birthday and the Inspirato team did so much to help us celebrate - sent flowers to our home before our trip, had a huge flower arrangement and balloons waiting for us in Cabo at the residence, and got us some wine as well. We requested the same housekeeper and she made sure everything was in order at the house. Some highlights from our stay this time included:
1. Chartered a boat again - this time it was the "Grey" yacht 77 foot Aicon. The crew, the boat, the chef, everything was fantastic. And last time aboard the "Beroca" was a blast, yet this time took it up another notch. Wave runners. We also anchored in front of One&Only Palmilla and swam/tried standup paddleboarding.
2. Pre-dinner cocktails at Sunset da Mona Lisa - Taittinger Champagne Bar
3. We did two chef dinners at the house with the same chef as last time - such talented guys and a fun way to enjoy the outdoor areas.
4. Dinner at Flora Farms again - a must do.
5. Rooftop cocktails at The Cape hotel, followed by dinner downstairs at Manta restaurant
5. Lunch at the One&Only Palmilla - this is a property worth visiting and the service throughout was great. If staying at a hotel, this should be on your list (might like it better than Las Ventanas due to its location on a swimmable beach and the incredible grounds).
6. Checked out some real estate at the Palmilla community as well as the new Chileno Bay development (where a 2nd Auberge hotel will be opening).
7. Relaxed at the Esperanza community where the residences are located
Residence/Private pool:
Birthday surprises:
Esperanza:
Sunset da Mona Lisa - Taittinger Terrace:
Grey:
Palmilla:
Chileno Bay Residences:
Private Chef Dinner:
1. Chartered a boat again - this time it was the "Grey" yacht 77 foot Aicon. The crew, the boat, the chef, everything was fantastic. And last time aboard the "Beroca" was a blast, yet this time took it up another notch. Wave runners. We also anchored in front of One&Only Palmilla and swam/tried standup paddleboarding.
2. Pre-dinner cocktails at Sunset da Mona Lisa - Taittinger Champagne Bar
3. We did two chef dinners at the house with the same chef as last time - such talented guys and a fun way to enjoy the outdoor areas.
4. Dinner at Flora Farms again - a must do.
5. Rooftop cocktails at The Cape hotel, followed by dinner downstairs at Manta restaurant
5. Lunch at the One&Only Palmilla - this is a property worth visiting and the service throughout was great. If staying at a hotel, this should be on your list (might like it better than Las Ventanas due to its location on a swimmable beach and the incredible grounds).
6. Checked out some real estate at the Palmilla community as well as the new Chileno Bay development (where a 2nd Auberge hotel will be opening).
7. Relaxed at the Esperanza community where the residences are located
Residence/Private pool:
Birthday surprises:
Esperanza:
Sunset da Mona Lisa - Taittinger Terrace:
Grey:
Palmilla:
Chileno Bay Residences:
Private Chef Dinner:
