Baja Club Hotel

"Why book? Set along a lively esplanade of the beachside town of La Paz, this 32-room boutique hotel is the first-of-its-kind boutique property on the Sea of Cortez. Set the scene: Now the cool kids of Mexico City finally have a place to hang out in the seaside town of La Paz. Set along the area’s lively esplanade, this Spanish colonial-style villa with a sleek-white exterior is like a beacon on an otherwise colorful row of boutiques and bars. The backstory: The hospitality developers Grupo Habita tapped the Mexico City-based architect Max von Werz to lead the renovation of the property—including a ground floor remodel now host to a lobby, cafe, and library. At the center of the property is a cobbled courtyard and restaurant that leads to the new four-story annex, where von Werz designed a Modernist free-form, sculptural staircase that leads to two wings of rooms. The rooms: The 32 guest rooms, split across the two wings and joined together by the spiral staircase, are inspired by La Paz’s maritime history. The rooms—outfitted with furnishings by the Parisian design firm Jaune—all have private outdoor patios with cream-and-coral striped banquets, as well as porthole-shaped windows and curved walls to mimic the curves of a ship. The interiors verge on the traditional with Mexican Talavera ceramic lamps and speckled terrazzo floors. Food and drink: Breakfast is served in the indoor cafe or in the outdoor courtyard. The typical breakfast meals are available: avocado toast, eggs, coffee, and juices. But the evening dining experience is more formal. Chef Panagiotis Vounost helms the property’s Mediterranean-style restaurant, which features classic Greek dishes dressed with locally-sourced ingredients like Baja California olive oil. Within the rooms, Grupo Habita’s classic minibar staple is on the shelf: a house bottle of Mezcal for guests to enjoy. The spa: A spa experience at Baja Club begins near the ground-floor outdoor pool, an area shaded by palms, dotted with cream-and-coral loungers, and surrounded by a towering brick facade. Around the corner are private massage rooms and a steam and sauna room for guests to enjoy after their treatment. The neighborhood/area: The hotel is located on the boardwalk in La Paz, a historic town set on the languid Sea of Cortez. The area is a gateway to exploring the region’s rich biodiversity, with adventures like swimming with whale sharks and boat trips to Espíritu Santo island within easy reach. The service: The service is low-key and boutique in nature. The concierge is happy to book boating, whale watching, and catamaran tours, as well as dinner reservations, but no other outstanding services are offered. Anything left to mention?: The rooftop bar is an extensive area that looks directly to the Sea of Cortez. Guests can order a cocktail and enjoy the sunset from the well-appointed perch." - Michaela Trimble