Ten years after world-famous sushi chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Hollywood powerhouses Robert De Niro and Meir Teper entered the lodge area with the opening of Nobu Resort Las Vegas (a hotel-within-a-hotel idea at Caesars Palace), the Nobu empire has continued at full power.
At the moment, Nobu Lodges has over 30 one-of-a-kind properties all over the world and in growth, from the seashores of Miami to the stylish Moroccan metropolis of Marrakech to an upcoming property in New York Metropolis. However of these, few are as properly referred to as the model’s outpost on the tip of the Baja California peninsula: Nobu Resort Los Cabos.
A magnet for the world’s fashionable set, (wannabe) influencers and the food-obsessed, Nobu Resort Los Cabos has taken social media by storm because it opened in 2019, due to its modern, Japanese-inspired design reflecting its desert location — and the Nobu restaurant itself.
Having been “influenced,” I went to Cabo to see if the resort really lived as much as the hype and to get a greater understanding of one of many world’s trendiest lodge manufacturers.
Here is what it’s essential learn about staying at Nobu Resort Los Cabos.
What’s Nobu Resort Los Cabos?
Nobu Resort Los Cabos is a stupendous, huge resort in a personal complicated close to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, about an hour away from the realm’s Los Cabos Worldwide Airport (SJD). The resort packs a giant punch, with rooms and residences of all sizes, a number of swimming pools, a spa and a handful of eating places and bars, together with the ultra-popular eponymous restaurant Nobu Los Cabos.
Although the resort feels extra geared towards adults, it’s family-friendly, providing a children membership to entertain youthful friends. Over my two-night keep in July, I encountered individuals from all walks of life and folk on honeymoons, bachelorette events and household holidays. The resort can be pet-friendly, so even four-legged friends can benefit from the enjoyable, together with pool areas, aside from really getting within the water.
It is also necessary to notice that, like most resorts within the Cabo space, it is unsafe to swim within the ocean right here.
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How one can ebook Nobu Resort Los Cabos
Money charges at Nobu Los Cabos fluctuate all year long, with the bottom charges beginning round $350, plus taxes and costs.
Or, as a member of The Main Lodges of the World, Leaders Membership members can earn or burn factors and get perks like potential upgrades and breakfast for 2 when booked instantly by way of this system.
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The property is gorgeous … and complicated
Whereas most Cabo resorts are positioned off the busy principal street, Nobu Los Cabos is means off by itself and requires a drive down some roads that had me questioning, “The place am I?” However as soon as I acquired previous the winding roads, by way of the principle gate (the place I used to be informed “Welcome residence!”) and to the lodge’s gate, I used to be launched to a stunner of a resort.
Throughout the complicated, which comprises a handful of buildings, I discovered stunning Japanese-inspired artwork and architectural parts (like a Zen backyard flanking the doorway and foyer), huge landscaped areas with attractive cactuses and desert vegetation, and seemingly numerous locations to cease for a photograph. This place was clearly designed to cease individuals of their tracks — and I actually discovered myself amazed by the fantastic thing about it.
That mentioned, I additionally discovered the format very complicated to navigate, particularly on the primary day. The foyer is perched above nearly all of the resort and requires a visit down an elevator or stairs to get to the principle resort areas (just like the pool and plenty of eating places). With out being given a map at check-in, I actually struggled to seek out my means round and ultimately needed to ask for a map. Over the course of my keep, I regularly needed to ask for instructions (and was requested for instructions by different friends).
Thoughts you, it is a stupendous place to get misplaced in, however I would consider spending a bit extra time than anticipated getting from level A to level B, simply in case you’re taking a unsuitable flip.
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The brand new residences are good for lengthy stays or teams
For my two-night journey, I stayed in Nobu Residences Los Cabos, a brand-new addition to the resort that offers friends extra space and home-inspired facilities, together with kitchens with top-of-the-line home equipment and a washer and a dryer. Not like most residences at inns, these lodging should not for hire or lease; quite, they’re reserved for lodge friends who wish to unfold out or keep for prolonged durations.
Since I used to be touring with my mother, we had a two-bedroom Ashai residence that got here in at over 2,000 sq. ft — and let me inform you, I very a lot want this condo was the place I really lived. The lounge, pictured above, had a stupendous design and was tremendous comfy, plus all of the TVs had streaming capabilities and the power to forged instantly from my telephone.
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Despite the fact that we weren’t there lengthy sufficient to cook dinner, the kitchen had every thing we might have to make a meal occur, together with retro Smeg home equipment. The room’s private concierge may even have grocery orders delivered to the room forward of time.
One of the best half (for me, no less than) was a high-tech, built-in Smeg espresso maker that rapidly made an ideal Americano that I used to be capable of dilute with water and ice from the freezer for an at-home iced espresso.
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In the principle bed room, there was a balcony overlooking a golf course, a Simmons mattress, a bit desk space with a charging station and automated curtains managed with a distant management.
There was additionally a walk-in closet with drawers, hangers, terry robes, a high-end steamer and a protected.
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However the star of the present was the toilet, which featured an onsen teak soaking tub set in opposition to a stone wall, the place I loved top-of-the-line soaks ever — aside from the truth that the automated lights stored turning off, leaving me with a bit extra temper lighting than I hoped for. Proper outdoors the bathtub was a bathe, in addition to twin sinks and a separate room with a flowery Japanese-style rest room with an electrical bidet and, my favourite amenity, heated rest room seats.
The second bed room had two king-size beds and, pictured above, a very stunning and modern wood desk arrange. There was no walk-in closet, however we had loads of storage in the usual sliding-door closet. Although the toilet was barely smaller, it additionally had an onsen soaking tub to chill out in.
Off the lounge, the principle balcony had a comfortable seating space and a big grill to cook dinner on. The views right here regarded onto the golf course, however it’s value noting that the course is personal and solely accessible to be used by house owners of properties inside the personal group.
Although it was a number of area for simply two individuals for 2 nights, the residence was really so comfy and sensible. I could not cease eager about how nice one in all these one- to four-bedroom areas could possibly be for an even bigger group sharing an area or a household on an prolonged trip. Common charges for the residences begin round $1,600 per evening.
The one draw back of the expertise was that the residences have been fairly a distance from the swimming pools, which means it was a little bit of a journey to get to the place many of the motion was. However hey, if that is an issue, contemplate reserving one of many residences with its personal pool.
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All of the rooms are improbable (and have that unbelievable tub)
Even for those who do not want as a lot area because the Residences provide, you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with any of the room sorts at Nobu Los Cabos. Entry-level rooms begin at over 500 sq. ft and work their means as much as suites with numerous configurations and facilities, like personal swimming pools.
Subsequent time I go to, I would love to remain in a swim-up room so I might merely slide open the door and bounce proper into the pool seen above.
For those who’re as bathtub obsessed as I’m, do not fret: Each room kind has that lovely teak soaking tub.
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The meals and drinks reside as much as the hype
At Nobu Los Cabos, there are an open-air espresso store within the foyer space, six bars (together with a handful of restaurant bars) and eateries starting from an off-the-cuff spot solely open for breakfast referred to as the Restaurant to the Ardea steakhouse to the upscale Mexican eatery Pacific to a brand-new Mediterranean restaurant perched above the Residences referred to as Muna. There’s, in fact, chef Nobu’s namesake restaurant, too, plus a restaurant, bar and pool membership venue referred to as Nami Restaurant and Seashore Membership, which has a small infinity pool overlooking the ocean, tables and personal cabanas.
For instances when sleeping in sounds higher than venturing to a restaurant or when the midnight munchies hit actually laborious, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of the property’s 24-hour room service. Simply know that when it comes time to signal, a 15% service cost is added to all payments.
Here is a fast overview of my eating experiences.
Nobu Los Cabos Restaurant
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Relying on who you ask, Nobu eating places are both the crème de la crème of Japanese eating or just a spot to be seen — and I felt that each of these varieties of individuals have been eating round me within the stunning indoor-outdoor eating area of Nobu, which has tables dealing with out to the ocean. (Word: The restaurant is open to non-guests as properly, so it’s normal to see individuals who aren’t staying on the resort consuming there.)
I used to be completely proud of my meal and really a lot loved the Instagram-famous creamy-yet-crispy rock shrimp ($41), a beautiful shiitake salad with spicy lemon dressing ($30), a couple of items of nigiri (tuna, yellowtail and salmon) and spicy edamame ($13). However my favourite dish was the seared scallops in a creamy sauce with jalapenos ($35) that virtually melted in my mouth and had simply the precise punch of warmth.
If you wish to eat at Nobu, be sure to have your concierge safe a reservation for you — and order a lot to share as a result of the menu has so many choices, you may need a chew of every thing.
Muna and M Bar
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Earlier than eating at Muna, the latest restaurant on the property, we made a detour to M Bar, the rooftop sister bar hooked up to the restaurant discovered within the Residences (however open to all). The area was stylish and filled with texture and patterns, plus it provided attractive views of the shoreline.
Saving our appetites for dinner, we skipped meals and went straight for the drink menu. I opted for the Ficus Indicia, a brightly coloured concoction of Patron Silver, pink prickly pear, coconut water, lemon, sage agave and habanero bitters ($22) that was refreshing with a bit spicy kick that I cherished. My mother selected the Graviola, a transparent drink served in a coupe made with Gray Goose, clarified soursop, lemon juice and easy syrup. Do not forget to snap an image of the latter’s gold foil-topped ice dice — that is the image the individuals need.
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At Muna (accessed by way of an automated door), dinner didn’t disappoint (and neither did the sunshine, ethereal decor of the institution). Our meal started with a complimentary tray of little breads from numerous nations across the Mediterranean, which set the bar exceptionally excessive.
Just about every thing that adopted lived as much as expectations, together with a ricotta and feta dip with beets for $30 (good to beat the warmth outdoors), the jumbo shrimp and lobster “arroz meloso” (or creamy rice) and, the star of the meal, seared king scallops with fermented lemon, saffron bearnaise (principally a hollandaise) and Spanish chistorra (a kind of cured sausage from the Basque Nation) for $49.
For those who’re a wine connoisseur, Muna has an intensive wine record.
Playa Bar
I ate so properly throughout my total keep at Nobu Los Cabos, however I’ve acquired to confess that my favourite meal and drinks have been each sudden surprises from Playa Bar.
First, on the swim-up pool bar (the place I made a decision to not take my telephone as a result of some children taking part in, so sorry for no footage), we made a easy request: a spicy margarita and a pina colada. The bartender took that easy request and handled our drink orders (each $20) like artworks. The pina colada was severely the very best I’ve had in my life, completely candy and creamy and topped with a floater and toasted coconut. In the meantime, the spicy margarita had my lips burning and tears in my eyes, however that is precisely how I needed it.
After ordering a second spherical of drinks (we’d’ve stayed for a 3rd, they have been that good), we had an avocado pizza with jalapeno ricotta cheese, agave serrano chili, lime and cilantro ($33) alongside chips, guacamole and salsa ($22) at our pool chairs. It was the proper snack, refreshing and never too heavy, to accompany these scrumptious cocktails.
The 1 eating draw back: The dearth of a communal bar
Whereas the eating scene was distinctive total, my one gripe with Nobu Los Cabos was that there did not appear to be a principal communal foyer bar to take pleasure in. As a substitute, many of the bars have been both across the pool or hooked up to a restaurant, leaving unusual blocks of time when the restaurant was closed to alter service or the pool had began to wind down in order that it felt prefer it was time to wrap up quite than order a drink.
There are occasions on trip while you need a spot to chill out and luxuriate in a cocktail throughout these in-between moments or after a meal. With such a beautiful resort, there needs to be an equally attractive bar that is straightforward to seek out and open all through the day.
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There are 2 spas
I opted for the Japanese Silk Nobu Signature Therapy ($580) on the Esencia Wellness spa. The remedy, which lasted 105 minutes, featured a full-body exfoliation adopted by a calming bathe within the remedy room, a soothing therapeutic massage with sizzling volcanic stones (I used to be afraid it might be too sizzling, however it was simply the precise temperature) and a face masks.
My therapeutic massage was good — and I felt essentially the most relaxed I had felt in a really very long time. A number of days earlier than my keep at Nobu, I had been on a really intense deep-sea fishing journey that had left me painfully sore, and the therapeutic massage labored out all that ache. I admittedly did really feel a bit rushed earlier than and after the expertise, however the workers was nonetheless tremendous pleasant, so I feel they have been simply exceptionally busy that day.
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It isn’t simply filled with influencers
I am not joking after I say that this resort is a social media darling. I genuinely was nervous that folks attempting to get that good shot or TikTok video or gown to outshine everybody else on the resort would make the expertise annoying, if not hilarious. However truthfully, that wasn’t the case.
Sure, everybody was dressed higher than friends at some other resort. Sure, individuals (together with myself) have been taking footage and posing with the gorgeous landscapes. And sure, I did see a couple of individuals take that to the subsequent degree, however it was by no means annoying and everybody appeared genuinely form and blissful to be there.
Generally, issues get consideration on-line for all the precise causes — and I would should say that that is one in all them.
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Testing
After two nights at Nobu Los Cabos I used to be well-fed, relaxed and, properly, not prepared to go away. Possibly it was as a result of I visited in late July when Cabo is extraordinarily heat, however I used to be shocked by how laid-back the expertise felt, and I felt in awe of the attractive (and big) property.
Certain, it was filled with jet-setter sorts in designer swimwear, however it was additionally filled with households having enjoyable, people of all ages and type workers eager to assist everybody out. The rooms and residences are stunners, too, so you’ll be able to relaxation straightforward understanding that when it is time to head again to the room and say goodnight to every thing the resort has to supply, you may catch loads of z’s.
If you end up there, do not forget to order a spicy margarita for me.
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