The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, Opens in Los Cabos

Seamlessly blending the Thompson brand’s signature urban aesthetic with a retro, 1960s Southern California-meets-Baja vibe, The Cape brings a vibrant and fresh approach to Los Cabos luxury. Located near the southernmost tip of the Baja California Sur Peninsula, the resort is situated along one of the country’s most desirable stretches of sand: the world-renowned surfer’s paradise known as Monuments Beach. The all-new resort offers unobstructed views of the region’s most famous landmark, The Arch, from virtually any vantage point on property—an amenity exclusive to The Cape and a result of its precise architectural positioning. Two pools (one featuring a swim-up bar and the other built within a natural rock formation on property); a six-story-high rooftop lounge with unmatched views of the city and sea (the only rooftop lounge in Cabo San Lucas); a spa with two private outdoor cabanas for treatments with an ocean view; a fitness center featuring floor-to-ceiling, panoramic windows overlooking the Sea of Cortez; and a diverse array of regionally inspired, chef-driven food and beverage destinations position The Cape as a vibrant new addition to the Baja scene.

The Look

When architect Javier Sanchez first visited the ocean-side site that would become The Cape, he envisioned a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors, and a juxtaposition of modern and natural elements that would not only draw in the region’s inherent beauty but also introduce an aesthetic not yet found in Los Cabos. In collaboration with interior designer Marisabel Gómez Vázquez, the end result is an arrestingly sleek, modern design, softened by an open-air layout with views of the native environment. Contrasting design elements—such as the lobby’s deep black concrete ceilings suspended above a life-size whale sculpture made from salvaged driftwood—define the duo’s synergistic balance of urban and natural elements. Custom-designed, mid-century modern furnishings mark the public spaces and guestrooms, while hand-painted original tilework from Jose Noé Suro line the floors throughout the resort.

The Arrival

Upon entering the resort, guests pass through wrought-iron gates and descend a private drive, passing by larger-than-life Richard Serra-inspired concrete sculptures, eventually leading to the open-air hotel lobby. Immediately, guests notice a comfortable drop in temperature as the ocean breeze drifts through the space and stunning views of the famous Arch and Sea of Cortez emerge. No detail is overlooked in preserving the view: the spacious lobby bar is sunken so as not to interrupt guests’ line of sight and mirrors dot the Art Deco-inspired bar backdrop.

The Rooms

Every guestroom on property offers unobstructed ocean views as well as outdoor terraces—many boasting hanging daybeds for enjoying the picturesque surroundings. The Cape offers One-, Two-, and Three-bedroom Suites or Villas, including four, two-story Penthouse Suites with private rooftops and plunge pools, and the premier “Surfer Villa”—a two-story luxury suite with a private entrance, ideal for a luxe vacation, private event, or an intimate wedding. This three-bedroom star suite boasts a private pergola with an outdoor grill and adjacent plunge pool; gaming room with pool table; library; sauna; and a fully equipped, state-of-the-art kitchen. All rooms come with binoculars for whale watching, cotton kimono robes, and a custom tequila amenity. The latter amenity, which is exclusive to The Cape, includes a hand-etched crystal bottle engraved with the resort’s logo, fresh orange slices, and Sal de Gusano (or “worm salt,” a traditional accompaniment consisting of a smoky salt made from the gusano worm). Minibars are also stocked with local Baja beers, among other regional specialties.

The Dining

Hailed as a culinary innovator with a deft hand for forward-thinking Mexican cuisine, celebrated chef Enrique Olvera (a 2015 James Beard Foundation Award finalist) oversees the hotel’s 114-seat signature restaurant, Manta, in addition to developing select dishes for The Cape’s other dining and drinking destinations. Olvera’s menu at Manta celebrates Pacific Rim traditions, taking inspiration from his native Mexico, as well as Peru, Japan, and beyond. His approach maintains a distinct and tastefully casual Baja sensibility, as exemplified by Manta’s dedicated tortilla nook—a section of the restaurant where staff trained in traditional technique will hand prepare all tortillas. Relationships with regional seafood purveyors, such as Ezequiel Hernandez, a sustainable fisherman from Ensenada, showcase Olvera’s commitment to local sourcing. Design highlights at Manta include an expansive outdoor terrace, hand-carved wooden doors at its entrance, an exhibition-style kitchen backed by a copper-finished wall, and striking views of the ocean from any seat in the house.

Additional restaurant, lounge, and nightlife venues on property include Look, a stunning and contemporary architectural gem boasting 360-degree views through its all-glass walls—an ideal destination to sample a rare Japanese whisky or a renowned mezcal, or an intimate private space for events. The Roof Top is an open-air lounge, sitting six stories high, and features unprecedented views of both downtown Cabo San Lucas and the sea. The only rooftop lounge in the city, it is open day and night and features a communal seating area and fire pit, a lush vertical garden, water features, two bars, and a menu of Mexican-style tapas and craft Baja beers. A resident DJ will curate the upbeat musical stylings, evolving from day to night, with special events monthly. The Ledge is a casual, beach house-inspired restaurant and patio serving breakfast and lunch, with a menu including traditional American favorites and contemporary Mexican cuisine. A throwback to a bygone era and the classic bars of Mexico’s Pacific Coast, The Lobby Lounge offers sunken communal seating, mid-century modern décor, vibrant hand-woven rugs made in Mexico, and living room-style seating with a gaming area and pool table. Each of the five outlets offers a distinct cocktail list, curated by The Cape Beverage Manager Osvaldo Vazquez, an award-winning mixologist.

The Resort Amenities

The Cape features two pools: a fresh water infinity pool with a swim-up bar, as well as a salt water pool built into a natural rock formation. Located close to the ocean, the salt water pool is often gently refreshed by the crashing waves. The fresh water pool, another visionary design statement with its dark grey pebble floor that contrasts the bright blues of the ocean view beyond, features multiple cabanas for lounging and full cocktail and dining service. For surfing enthusiasts, just steps from the resort is Monuments Beach, an ideal destination for skilled surfers looking for a challenge. For less rigorous outdoor activities, guests may enjoy swimming and snorkeling just up shore. The seven-treatment room spa, Currents, serves as another example of the unique vision of Sanchez and Vázquez; softly lit with dark walls and minimal art, the space removes outside stimuli to allow for pure relaxation, with the ambiance of the ocean as the natural décor. The spa offers a steam room, sauna, hot and cold plunge pools, a couples treatment room with rain showers and a private pool, and two ocean-view cabanas for al fresco treatments. The fitness center features floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows facing the Sea of Cortez with separate rooms for personal training, yoga, and more. Several meeting and banquet room options are available, including The Roof Top’s adjacent venue Glimpse and the first-floor boardroom A-Frame (inspired by the surfing term), among others.

Room rates start at $599 per night, with limited-time, introductory rates starting at $399; reservations can be made now. To reserve, guests may visit thompsonhotels.com/the-cape. The resort is located at Carr. Federal Libre Transpeninsular Km. 5, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico 23455.