WHERE TO STAY | MY GUIDE TO LOS CABOS
There are a LOT of places to stay in Cabo, but if you’re looking for somewhere that feels luxurious and relaxing without putting you too far from everything happening in Los Cabos, Marquis Los Cabos is such a good option.
I traveled to Cabo with my dad to celebrate his 70th birthday, which made this trip extra special. We were also there for Viva El Gonzo, a multi-day music and arts festival in San José del Cabo, so I wanted a resort where we could have the full Cabo vacation experience — ocean views, great food, pools and plenty of time to relax — while still being close enough to head into town and explore.
Marquis ended up being the perfect home base.
About Marquis Los Cabos
Marquis Los Cabos is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort located along the Tourist Corridor between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.
The resort sits directly on the Sea of Cortez and has that immediate we are officially on vacation feeling when you walk in. The open-air lobby looks straight out toward the ocean, and the entire property is designed around the view.
Marquis has 209 suites plus 25 beachfront casitas, three beachfront pools, Spa Marquis and five dining concepts. It's also a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
One of my favorite things about staying here was that it actually felt relaxing. Cabo can definitely be a party destination, but Marquis gives you a quieter, more elevated place to come back to after spending the day exploring — or, in our case, after a night of live music.
The Location: The Best of Both Cabos
Location is one of the biggest reasons I'd recommend Marquis Los Cabos.
Instead of being directly in Cabo San Lucas, the resort is located along the Tourist Corridor, roughly 15 minutes from downtown San José del Cabo and 20 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas.
That puts you in a really convenient middle ground.
You can spend an afternoon wandering the galleries and restaurants of San José del Cabo, head into Cabo San Lucas for the marina and nightlife, and then return to a resort that feels completely removed from all of it.
For our trip, being close to San José del Cabo was especially important because that's where Viva El Gonzo was happening.
Viva El Gonzo
One of the main reasons we planned this trip — besides celebrating my dad turning 70! — was to attend Viva El Gonzo.
The festival takes place in San José del Cabo at the El Gonzo Sculpture Garden near Marina Puerto Los Cabos, surrounded by the desert landscape, estuary and Sea of Cortez. It's much more of a destination experience than your typical music festival.
We could spend the day hanging out at the resort, grab food and drinks, relax by the infinity pool and then get ready to head into San José for the festival. That balance was probably my favorite part of the trip!
You don't necessarily want to spend every waking hour running around Cabo, especially when you're attending a multi-day event. Having somewhere genuinely beautiful to relax between festival days made a huge difference. And getting to experience a music festival in Mexico with my dad while celebrating his 70th birthday? Definitely one of those trips I'll always remember.
The Pools + Ocean Views
If you're coming to Cabo to sit beside a pool with a drink in your hand and stare at the ocean, Marquis absolutely delivers.
There are three beachfront pools, including infinity pools overlooking the Sea of Cortez.
The ocean is basically the backdrop to the entire resort, and the suites are designed to take advantage of it too.
One important thing to know: the beach directly in front of Marquis isn't considered swimmable because of the strong waves. There is, however, a swimmable beach approximately a seven-minute walk from the resort. Personally, I don't think this is a dealbreaker if you're primarily looking for a beautiful resort and pool situation, but it's definitely something I'd want to know before booking.
What’s Included
Because Marquis is all-inclusive, this is also an easy resort if you don't want to think about every meal, cocktail or coffee you order.
The all-inclusive plan includes dining options, premium liquor, 24/7 suite service, a minibar refreshed daily, Nespresso coffee, Wi-Fi, fitness facilities, tennis and resort entertainment.
I especially like an all-inclusive setup on trips where you already have other plans. On festival days, we didn't have to figure out where to go for breakfast or lunch before leaving the resort. We could just enjoy the property and then head out when we were ready.
Don't Skip San José del Cabo
Even if you're staying at an all-inclusive, leave the resort at least once.
San José del Cabo has a completely different feel from Cabo San Lucas. It's more laid-back, artsy and walkable, with galleries, restaurants, bars and colorful streets surrounding the historic center.
If your trip falls between November and June, try to be there on a Thursday for the San José del Cabo Art Walk. Galleries stay open later, the streets fill with artists and live music, and it's one of the best ways to experience a little more of the local culture beyond the resorts.
Marquis is close enough that you can easily head into town for dinner, drinks or an evening walking around and still retreat back to the resort afterward.
What Else Can You Do Nearby?
Even if you aren't visiting for a festival, there's plenty to build into a Cabo itinerary.
Spend a day exploring San José del Cabo. Book a fishing trip or get out on the water. Play one of the area's golf courses. Go whale watching if you're visiting during whale season. Head to Cabo San Lucas for the marina and iconic El Arco. Or do absolutely nothing and claim a lounge chair at Marquis for the day.
The resort itself can also help arrange experiences ranging from golf and sportfishing to whale watching and excursions.
I'd recommend leaving at least one completely unscheduled resort day. It's tempting to fill every day when you're somewhere like Cabo, but this is the kind of property you'll actually want time to enjoy.
Who I Think Marquis Los Cabos Is Best For
I'd recommend Marquis if you're planning a couples trip, birthday trip, girls' getaway, anniversary, festival weekend or adults-only Cabo vacation.
It's especially good for travelers who don't necessarily want to choose between staying in San José del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas. You're positioned between the two, which makes exploring both sides of Los Cabos much easier.
And because it's adults-only, it has a noticeably calmer feel than some of the larger family-oriented resorts in the area.
Is Marquis Los Cabos Worth It?
For our trip, absolutely!
This wasn't just another beach vacation for me. Getting to travel with my dad for his 70th birthday, experience Viva El Gonzo together and have Cabo as the backdrop made it a trip I'll always associate with him.
Marquis gave us the relaxing side of the trip — ocean views, pools, good food and slow mornings — while its location made it easy to experience San José del Cabo and everything happening around the festival.
If you're trying to figure out where to stay in Cabo and want something upscale, adults-only and all-inclusive without feeling completely disconnected from the destination, I'd put Marquis Los Cabos on your list.
QUICK DETAILS
Hotel: Marquis Los Cabos
Area: Tourist Corridor, near San José del Cabo
Style: Luxury, adults-only, all-inclusive
Best for: Couples, birthdays, special occasions, music festival trips and relaxing getaways
Distance to San José del Cabo: Approximately 15 minutes by car
Distance to Cabo San Lucas: Approximately 20 minutes by car
Good to know: The beach directly in front of the resort isn't swimmable, but a swimmable beach is a short walk away.
Planning a Cabo trip? As a travel advisor, I can help you choose the right area and hotel, build your itinerary and plan the details of your trip so you can spend less time researching and more time actually looking forward to it.
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