Hotel of the week: Villa del Faro in Baja California, Mexico

With year-round sunshine and pristine beaches, Los Cabos on the southern tip of Baja California (the long, narrow peninsula south of San Diego, which is actually Mexico) has long been a hotspot for the Hollywood A-list. Liz Taylor, Richard Burton and John Wayne holidayed here in the ’50s and today it’s a favourite destination for the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, George Clooney and Cameron Diaz.

No wonder, as it’s only a couple of hours’ flight from LA. For us Brits, it has always been a bit of a schlep to get there via the US, but the good news is that this will change from November when TUI start direct flights from Gatwick.

Over the last few years, a raft of luxury hotels have opened in the area, as well as smart restaurants, bars and nightclubs. However, if you want to escape the glitz of Los Cabos for a quiet and relaxed adventure in the middle of nowhere, the eco-friendly Villa del Faro ticks all the boxes.

Where is it?

From Los Cabos International airport, hire a four-wheel drive (recommended for the dirt roads) and drive north for an hour or so through the hills and desert (the hotel provides a map) towards the East Cape and the Sea of Cortez.

The vibe

All memories of the bumpy journey will fade when you enter the reception area at Villa del Faro. In the late ’80s, a large family of artists and architects from LA bought the land which overlooks miles of deserted beach and set out to create what is now an oasis of eight ‘casitas’, each individually furnished with Mexican furniture, family mementos and artworks. This hotel is completely off the grid – everything is run on solar power and drinking water is brought in by truck from a ranch a few miles away, and cleaned and purified on site. Of course, a holiday with no phone signal (though WiFi works in the main areas) is not for everyone but what you will find here is complete solitude in stunning and sumptuous surroundings – it’s just like being a guest in someone’s fabulous home.

Food & drink

Food is sourced locally and from an organic farm. Breakfast is included; three-course dinner, which changes nightly with no choices, is available on request at $45 per head. They don’t do lunch so you can either walk two miles down the beach to the only local restaurant or stock up on some snacks at the supermarket near the airport on arrival (rooms have small fridges). The bar is well stocked with every spirit under the sun and the wine list is good and reasonably priced. The barman makes the best and biggest, though rather potent, margaritas.

Which room?

Each of the eight rooms is quite different with canopied beds, open fireplaces, hand-carved furniture, rugs, tiled floors, original art and private terraces overlooking the ocean. Casa Alberca is a stunning palapa (a typical Mexican open-sided dwelling) with a full kitchen and living room that opens on to the large swimming pool. At the other end of the scale, and perhaps for the more adventurous, Stone Beach Cottage down the hill on the beach offers absolute solitude with only the sound of the crashing waves.

Best for

Long walks along the beach, hikes into the hills and whale watching (bring binoculars). A little way up the coast, in Cabo Pulmo, go snorkelling or diving with sea lions and brightly colour fish in the national marine park.

What to Instagram

Sunrises over the Sea of Cortez are spectacular as are the miles of golden sands and turquoise waters.

When to go

The best months are December to April, before the temperatures and humidity start to rise. It’s also when the whale-watching is at its best.

Details

Prices available from £123 per room per night based on two sharing a double room on a B&B basis. Book via i-escapeor call 0117 946 7072. For car hire at Los Cabos International Airport, visit Cactu