5 Best Hotels in Baja California Norte, Los Cabos and the Baja Peninsula

As the largest hotel in the area, “Heaven” is the closest thing the Valle has to the big resort experience common in Riviera Maya, but without all the traffic or all-inclusive magnitude. In their place are 33, two-story villas (each with two or three rooms) framing two lakes that feed a 74-acre vineyard. Sophisticated rooms are enormous by Valle standards, with rich woods, slate floors, granite bathrooms, and decor in muted grays and beige. The exposed beam ceilings on top-level rooms are a lovely touch. In addition to private balconies, guests have access to a communal villa-terrace where s’mores are served fireside. Ground-level suites have their own Jacuzzi, kitchen, lounge, and fireplace. Unlike many hotels in this area, El Cielo has a shuttle service, wedding chapel, concierge, room service (Thursday–Saturday), and personal butlers to schedule wine tastings, bike tours, spa treatments, and beyond. Be sure to book the "Blend Your Own Wine Experience" that includes a tour and wine-lab workshop where a certified sommelier will teach you how to create your own wine. The pool and gym will help you justify those hearty portions at Latitud 32, the hotel’s restaurant serving Baja-Yucatan cuisine.

Families love this long-standing resort on Ensenada's top beach, especially because of its private location and endless activities like horseback riding, tennis, volleyball, kayaking, and Jet Skiing. Behind the secure grounds are the resort, an RV park, and a retirement community, all with access to a swimming pool, two restaurants, and a children's playground. The best rooms (some with kitchenettes) are by the sand and have sliding glass doors that lead to private patios where you can watch dolphins and seals swimming in the bay. Be sure to check out the outstanding collection of pre-Columbian artifacts in the resort's small museum. Midweek winter rates are a real bargain, and there are other frequent specials on the website.

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.

This intimate hotel north of Ensenada has rooms facing the ocean, but it's the infinity pool spilling into the sea that will take your breath away. Paying tribute to "Las Rosas," the atrium lobby has rose-color walls and mint-green railings leading to rooms on four floors. Those on the top have A-frame ceilings and the best views, but all rooms have queen beds with white duvets, flat-screen TVs, green tiled bathrooms, and small balconies facing the ocean. The pool, bar, spa, tennis court, and restaurant will likely keep you out of your room, many of which have an '80s feel that will take you back to when the hotel was in its prime.

In one of Ensenada’s most beautiful settings, this 27-room hotel has charm and tranquillity to spare with spacious rooms that have balconies facing the ocean. A long driveway leads to a modern glass-walled lobby and three buildings housing rooms with flat-screen TV’s, minibars, and Wi-Fi. Those in building No. 2 are slightly larger and have direct views of the pool and ocean. For outstanding seafood, visit the restaurant where you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail and watch the sunset. Unlike other hotels in the area, this family-owned property is set far back from the main road for the ultimate peace and privacy.