Is This the Dreamiest, Eco Chicest Hideaway South of the Border? Si.

Big news south of the border: The Bunkhouse Group has hit the greater Cabo scene with their first international outpost, Hotel San Cristóbal.

TODOS SANTOS, Mexico — I've been visiting Los Cabos since my parents bought a condo in Cabo San Lucas in the 1980s. Back then, Cabo was a tranquil fishing village with a beautiful golden beach. In the years since, tourism exploded and, in what felt like no time at all, the area I knew as a child became a mecca for tourists. Somehow, Todos Santos, the little village up the Pacific Coast managed to avoid mass development. And although we sold our place in 1999, I return to Baja every year and often end up staying in Todos Santos. So when I heard that a new hotel — with an impressive pedigree — was being built on Punta Lobos Beach in Todos Santos, I had to check it out.

Hotel San Cristóbal is the first international outpost for Bunkhouse Group. Known for such high-design Fathom Favorites as Hotel St. Cecilia in Austin and El Cosmico in Marfa, Bunkhouse (with an assist from Texas architects Lake | Flato) has brought relaxed sophistication to this otherwise deserted stretch of beach.

For a photographer, Hotel San Cristóbal is a dream to capture. Set against the backdrop of an emerald green pool overlooking the deep blue Pacific, the décor features vibrant patterned concrete tiles intermixed with colorful textiles and furniture. Bright pink inflatable rings rest on the surface of the pool, while guests wearing the hotel's signature striped robes lounge in the shade of white umbrellas. Hotel San Cristóbal is my idea of a beachside, desert oasis.

BOOK IT

Rates begin at $285 and vary depending on the season. Click here to book, or contact the Fathom Concierge and we can plan your trip to Mexico.

CHECKING IN

Location
The hotel sits on Punta Lobos, a beautiful, empty beach between Pescadero and Todos Santos on the Pacific Ocean overlooking the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains. It's less than an hour — but psychologically worlds away — from the San Jose del Cabo airport.

Hotel Style
With its high design and jetset location, Hotel San Cristóbal is bound to draw the hipster crowd from L.A. and beyond. However, as rates climb with the season, it will attract discerning travelers who frequent the five-star properties closer to Cabo, but are looking for something a little out of the way. This is not the type of hotel that has music pumping from the speakers into the wee hours. When night falls, twinkling lights are turned on, and the hotel ambiance completely relaxes. This is not Las Vegas, so please don't bring your bachelorette party here.

This Place Is Perfect For
I can't wait to come back with my husband and girlfriends, as this is the perfect place to relax by the pool, sip mezcal, and sleep in. The hotel welcomes children over the age of 12, but this isn't the kind of place you want to bring the kids.

What's on Site
Pool. Beach. Bar. When I come to Baja, I am not interested in doing anything other than sitting by the pool. Swimming at Punta Lobos Beach is possible, though not recommended because of the strong undertow. If you are interested in working out, a run on the beach will have to do, as there is no gym, though there is a yoga platform. Likewise, as part of the hotel's effort to minimize its impact on the natural water supply, there is no spa on the property. However, the hotel staff will happily arrange for a trainer to come to you. And though you should go to town to explore the local handicrafts, the hotel's retail shop is really well curated. 

Food + Drink
In keeping with the low-impact theme, the kitchen sources a substantial amount of food from local producers, including the small fleet of fishermen who launch from the beach in front of the hotel. Benno, the main restaurant, serves a mix of contemporary Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine, with an emphasis on quality, freshness, and simplicity. Before dinner, I liked having a cocktail by the pool bar's wood-burning fire. As the sunset leads to stargazing, it is hard to pull away from this cozy corner of hotel heaven. In addition to a full cocktail menu, the pool bar serves a more casual menu from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m., starting with continental breakfast and moving on to tacos, ceviche, and excellent guacamole and salsas. After dinner, the candlelit library is the perfect place to experiment with a mezcal tasting before retiring to bed. Room service, available at select hours from breakfast to late night, features items from the pool bar menu.

Rooms
There are no bad rooms at Hotel San Cristóbal. Room rates depends on the view you choose: courtyard, pool, or ocean. Each of the 32 rooms is minimally decorated but beautifully designed with furniture made by Guadalejara  artisans.The bathrooms are adorned with colorful Mexican tile, while the bedrooms are accented by bright, hand-woven Mexican bedspreads and unique ceramic pieces. Sleep is easy at Hotel San Cristóbal, not only because of the incredibly private location, but also for the Coco-Mat mattresses (made with coconut, horsehair, cactus, goose down, and seaweed) and Sferra linens. So throw open the patio doors, and fall into a slumber with only the sound of the waves crashing below.

In-Room Amenities
WiFi is fast and free! The water is filtered and free: No bottles were destroyed in the quenching of your thirst. There is no mini-bar or coffee maker in the room, but the hotel will happily send up anything you wish. The bathroom is stocked with Malin + Goetz products and, as mentioned, very cool bathrobes that you'll want to wear everywhere.

Drawbacks
I wish I could have stayed longer.

Standout Detail
The footprint here is purposefully small. As part of Tres Santos, a controversial future development along the Punta Lobos Beach, the hotel has made every effort to minimize its negative impact on the surrounding natural environment. This is why you won't find a coffee maker in your room or plastic water bottles by the pool. Additionally, they strive to have a cooperative relationship with the nearby communities. This ethos is reflected in the community-minded cultural and wellness programming offered to guests, including fishing, surfing, and volunteer activities. The staff at San Cristóbal is new to the hospitality industry and were hired locally and trained on site. So while the hotel may be somewhat controversial because of its association with the Punta Lobos development, it is doing everything in its power to endear itself to the locals.

CHECKING OUT

Neighborhood
At present, there is no neighborhood or community surrounding the hotel, which sits by itself at the end of a long dirt road that winds through the desert and ends at the beach. While Todos Santos is just a five-minute drive away, you won't feel compelled to leave, though it would be a shame to miss a stroll through town. A three-mile bike path from the hotel to town is the best way to get there.

What to Do Nearby
A visit to Todos Santos is a must. For surfing, Cerritos Beach has a friendly break and is a short drive south. If you want to swim with the whale sharks or hike in the mountains with a shaman, just ask, and the hotel concierge will happily make it happen.

Good to Know
Two nights at Hotel San Cristóbal is not enough. Stay for a long weekend, at a minimum.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

How to Get There
Most major airlines fly directly into San Jose del Cabo (SJD), a straightforward hour's drive away on a new toll highway. You'll need to arrange private transportation or rent a car. All major rental car agencies have offices at the airport.

Money Matters
While the peso is the currency of Mexico, dollars are accepted by most businesses. Just be prepared to receive change in pesos. Service is included in most hotel bills, so an additional tip at dinner is only expected if the service is exceptional. Small local restaurants and tourists shops usually operate on a cash basis. While there are banks in Todos Santos, plan accordingly.

Immigration Note
Hold onto the bottom portion of your immigration card after you go through customs: The Mexican government won't let you leave the country without it and will require you to pay a cash fine at the time of departure if you lose it.

KEEP EXPLORING BAJA

You Will Be in My Heart, Todos Santos
The New San Jose del Cabo Is Better Than Ever
Fathom's Guide to Baja + Cabo

This article was originally published in 2017 when the hotel opened and was updated in 2020.