Top New Villas in Los Cabos

In Los Cabos, villa rentals are the way to go. And while many of the five-star hotels have built their own villas, a step up – and less expensive are luxury home rentals.

Of course, the key is matching the high touch service you get at the best resorts. Elegant Mexico pairs homes that range from 4,000 to 15,000 square feet with attentive staff, including on-site concierge services,  personal chefs, maid service and your own butler.

What’s more, with their long time local relationships, they’ve curated private experiences from swimming with the whale sharks to desert safaris.

We’ve spotlighted five of our favorite Elegant Mexico villas, all in a luxury gated community, in this week’s issue, so read on!

1. Villa Encanto
2. Terraza 369
3. Villa 471
4. Villa 498
5. Villa 51

1. Villa Encanto

6 Bedrooms; 6.5 Baths; 14 Guests

Villa Encanto meanders lengthwise against a wide horizon, assuring that every room has a view of the Sea of Cortez. The privacy offered in the interior and exterior footprint, as well the arrangements of each bedroom, makes Villa Encanto perfect not only for large family get-togethers, but also for celebrations with friends. 

You’ll find a stream of alcoves, living rooms, family rooms, cocktail bars and outdoor pavilions. Framing the property against its winding layout is an infinity pool measuring more than 100 feet with waterfalls that pour into it and leading to a sunken spa in the middle. 

Beyond these waters are the calm currents of the Sea of Cortez where clear skies always seem to meet the sea in dazzling hues of blue. From here, it is just a quick jaunt through a private gate and the white sand beach – one of the few very swimmable beaches in Los Cabos and one of the few without the crowds. 

Life at Villa Encanto is one of living large. There are multiple kitchens, multiple bars, a cacophony of gathering spots by the pool – from fire pits, to backyard putting greens, to opium beds, to classic loungers, to grand living rooms and dining spots with outdoor shading. Walls disappear into a spill of indoor/outdoor sensibilities. There is always a breeze and a freshness, and always space for whatever the mood requires. 

Bedrooms come in a variety of shapes and sizes with two master bedrooms that will create some awe. Each bedroom is its own world and meant to stand apart. Terraces off the bedrooms provide enough awe in their own right with wall-to-wall open windows that bring in the panorama and offer comely sitting, lounging and reading spaces. King beds face these vistas for some assured rest and mesmerizing views. 

Off the patio find a gourmet cave containing a snack refrigerator as well as a large grill and pizza oven. The open plan leads to an informal bar where guests can come in from the pool to enjoy a cocktail and watch a game. The primary kitchen, done in travertine and oak, is a formal chef’s kitchen with double ranges and ovens, a wine cooler, designer appliances and a handsome marble island in the middle for added surface area. 

Outside the kitchen is a formal dining area with a table that sits ten leading to a classic living room where large, sink-into seating assembles around a family-sized fireplace and adjacent wide television screen. 

2. Terraza 369

4 Bedrooms; 5.5 Bathrooms; Sleeps 9

Terraza 369 offers 5,000 square feet of sweeping views of the ocean through a menagerie of windows. As you walk in further, the living room is offset by an ornate bar area on one side and exhibition kitchen and breakfast room on the other. You can watch films or sports from the bar counter or the couch, or even the kitchen. 

But you will want to take your moment outside to a second living area just beyond along the patio and overlooking the pool. That is where you will spend most of your time, shaded but bathed in the honey of warm rays, comfortably relaxed amid cushiony furnishings and sun-drenched chaises by the infinity pool, eyes forever cast on the horizon.  

The cooling pool flanks the length of the patio, punctuated by a Jacuzzi, all of it optimizing the mesmerizing vistas. 

From the foyer you can head upstairs to one of two master bedrooms. Each opens right up to a private veranda that you can practically step onto from the bed. Cozy chairs face the sea.

Other bedrooms offer garden views and smaller queen beds. A fifth bedroom can be made of the couch in the media room. 

An open gourmet kitchen brings meals and snacks served on a semi-circular wood table fit to seat six on plush stools, should it be a casual affair like breakfast or ‘tween treats with tasty what-nots prepared by your private chef. 

The open floor plan sweeps over to the living room in one direction and a windowed dining room in the other, where a more formal fully round wood table seats eight on beautifully upholstered dining chairs beneath a Chihuly-designed chandelier. Walls open to a corner display of vanishing windows for a semi-alfresco experience. 

Outside, comfortable conversation spaces dominate with plush patio furnishings and a true outdoor dining area beyond. Barbeques are a snap with the outside grill and a private butler to serve the meats and vegetables and keep the margaritas flowing. 

3. Villa 471

3 Bedrooms; 3 Baths; Sleeps 8 

Beachfront villas in Los Cabos are few and far between, so you will want to savor the fact that Villa 471 is steps away from the sand, just a few paces beyond the infinity pool. Go for a swim – you might find a friendly dolphin for company – and then take a quick dip in the pool or relax in the hot tub. The lounge chairs – and grand umbrella-shaded opium beds by all the waters — invite dreamy days where it is possible to believe that all is right with the world. 

Three large master bedrooms all open to hypnotic views of the sea, close enough to enjoy the sea breezes and sounds of breaking waves. Master bedrooms are studies in terracotta tile floors, heavy wood furnishings and plush textiles. Color schemes run in desert tones with bright bursts of color as bedrooms yield to spacious travertine-tiled bathrooms that make statements in classic and pre-Colombian design details. Immerse in the rich surroundings for deep soaks in candlelight. 

The two-story manse offers a king bed, a queen bed and two queen beds for bedroom accommodations. The smaller queen bedroom, however, comes with an alluring anteroom with a corner sectional couch and cushy leather ottoman coffee table. 

Head to the sprawling modern kitchen and saddle up to the L-shaped granite island flanked by five chairs for easy-in, easy-out meals. Just beyond is a formal dining table for eight and family room with two deep loveseats and comfortable chairs around a flatscreen television on the wall. 

A second living room outdoors welcomes guests for long, lingering conversations in the shade while gazing at the waters. A second dining area outside keeps the party going with meals and cocktails served by the villa butler. A dedicated chef is on hand for morning and afternoon repasts with options to stay on for evening affairs at a nominal charge. 

4. Villa 498

5 Bedrooms; 5.5 Baths; Sleeps 10

Villa 498 makes the most of indoor, outdoor living in this tropical paradise. Enjoy the infinity swimming pool or a soothing soak in the outdoor hot tub. Lounge about or dine alfresco on the spacious pool terrace and make the most of that fresh sea air.

On chilly nights, you can cozy up by the outdoor fireplace in the delightful pavilion. Indoors at ocean view Villa 498, the interiors evoke a free flowing, modern hacienda feeling. The open plan living, and dining areas lead directly out to the pool terrace and offer a delectable view of the sparkling turquoise waters. 

The fully equipped kitchen includes a center island breakfast bar. 

Five bedrooms accommodate up to 10 guests, each with a TV, DVD player and offer direct access to either the pool terrace or the upper floor balcony. 

5. Villa 51

5 Bedrooms; 7 Baths; Sleeps 8

Five-bedroom, 10,000 square feet Villa 51 is perfect for friends with four grand master suites. Walk through the travertine foyer to living room of cathedral proportions, overlooked by the balustrade along the second story corridors and opening to a full pan of the sea. Bedrooms attach to shaded patios with endless views and an infinity pool brings plenty of places to lounge between dips. 

At night, those cool dips are complemented by warm soaking sessions in the Jacuzzi against the hypnotic blaze of the firepit. But you can watch the stars from any position. 

Interiors are given to a Neo Spanish Colonial design motif. Comfortable contemporary sofas and lounging seats work with the many touches of heavy carved wood appointments and wrought iron fixtures. Greco-Roman columns along with the stone and mosaic floors keep the rooms light and airy with neutral tones throughout. 

Dining is available indoors and out with set-ups for up to a dozen guests. A fully equipped and colorful gourmet kitchen brings a casual dining island, all managed by a dedicated chef and butler. But there are so many places to take libations, whether on the private bedroom terrace, the pool terrace, the villa’s rambling verandah or even in the library and office, should there by some important virtual meetings or school lessons to manage. 

After dinner, media rooms on both floors are available for guests to watch movies or play games, ensuring there is a spot for everyone in the group — perfect for families who may have differing interests in activity choices. 

All five bedrooms offer complete privacy and comfort and come with expansive adjoining bathrooms, double vanities, ample closet space, and satellite television.