2 Best Hotels in Ensenada, Los Cabos and the Baja Peninsula

The most upscale hotel in Ensenada has a swanky "Mad Men" vibe, right down to the golden pillars, art deco terrace, and paintings of pin-up girls adorning the lobby and suites. Three restaurants pull out the stops, including Acueducto, which serves a sprawling Sunday brunch. Lucerna is the hotel to see and be seen, especially in the lobby where a tuxedoed pianist tickles the ivories at a blaring level, which is fine since the clientele seems to enjoy it while working their way from the bar to the pool deck. Dapper rooms are spacious and comfy with narrow balconies and soft white bedding. Request an ocean-facing room; although there’s no direct beach access, the views are spectacular. A spa, gym, pool, and business center are just a few of the creature comforts that will have you rethinking your checkout day.

In addition to its own marina and artificial beach, this all-suites resort has indoor-outdoor pools, a spa, tennis courts, a water-sports center, and a sports bar overlooking the bay. The horseshoe-shape layout means that every room has a marina view, but corner suites on either end are by far superior. All guest quarters have refrigerators, coffeemakers, lounge areas, balconies, flat-screens, and either a king-size bed or two full beds. Even the most basic rooms are surprisingly large. Rates drop substantially midweek and between October and March. For those traveling to and from San Diego, the hotel has a shuttle service for $550 for a 10-passenger van. For a sampling of the hotel without the full bill, just $30 will grant you day access to the pools, sauna, and grounds.