Inside Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, Where Trendsetters Go to Play

Stay Here For

A vacation that’s as fun as it looks on social media.

There’s not a lot of shade to be found at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, but that’s kind of the point. At this beach resort, located about 30 minutes outside Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, the guests are in the sun and on full display, whether lounging by one of the four pools or posing for the perfect social media post in the cactus garden.

That said, it’s not as sceney here as one might expect, especially for a hotel from Nobu Matsuhisa, the celebrity chef behind some of the world’s trendiest restaurants. The resort has a strong Japanese influence, and many areas are, as a result, quite tranquil. Whether you’re after an epic reel or some good old-fashioned R&R, you’ll find a bit of both here—along with Matsuhisa’s famous miso black cod.

There are Japanese design touches throughout the hotel, from teak soaking tubs and shoji closet doors in the guest rooms to lanterns lighting the hallways and a signature tatami-inspired scent (a mix of hay and grass) permeating the entire property. It transports you to the Far East in a delightful and subtle way.

The entire property could be a social media backdrop, but the courtyard off the lobby is especially striking. Inspired by a Zen garden, it features a rectangle of raked gravel bordered by square arches and reflecting pools, with three large stone sculptures at its center. When the light hits the white stone and sparkling water, it’s practically cinematic, and you might see even the most camera-shy guests stage a photo shoot.

Nobu’s Pacific Pool, which is more like a lazy river, is just as dreamy. It has palm-shaded nooks and islands of private cabanas connected by wooden bridges, and it’s also where the hotel’s swim-up rooms are located, giving the whole area a floating village vibe. Get here early to snag a cabana or, if you want more sun, one of the loungers on a shallow ledge in the pool.

No matter how you spend your day, you’ll want to head to the beachfront steps for sunset, just beneath the reflecting pool lined with firepits, to watch the sky cool from orange to purple as the sun dips below the horizon. Nobu is also in the ideal spot for whale sightings, and rather than committing to a full-day tour like you’d do at most other area hotels, guests here can see enormous humpback whales breaching right offshore while enjoying brunch at Nami Champagne Bar. All the better for posting from the property.

The Essentials

The Location

Nobu Hotel Los Cabos sits within the Diamante resort community, about 10 minutes from the entrance. There’s not much around it besides private residences, save for the Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos right next door. Cabo San Lucas is about 30 minutes away; San José del Cabo is a 45-minute drive.

The Room

There are three types of accommodations at Nobu: rooms, suites and residences. You could get a Deluxe King Private Pool or a Zen Suite Ocean View with a full dining area, while the residences are specially designed for longer stays, with most featuring multiple bedrooms, full kitchens and washer-dryers.

No matter the room category, expect the bathroom to be the highlight, thanks to big open showers, double vanities and teak soaking tubs. Other Japanese-inspired elements like shoji closet doors, fan decor and ikebana-style flower arrangements further the Zen feel. Suites may have more square footage, but the Deluxe Swim-Up rooms, which offer direct access to the Pacific Pool, have even more of a wow factor and are, without a doubt, the room to book. If you want to feel like a VIP, reserve a residence. Not only does it feel like your own apartment, but it comes with access to a special fitness center and spa.

The Bars and Restaurants

Must-try dishes at Nobu Los Cabos restaurant include miso black cod, rock-shrimp tempura and yellowtail sashimi.

Dining is, unsurprisingly, at the heart of the Nobu Hotel Los Cabos experience. You come here for the eponymous restaurant, where the miso black cod, rock-shrimp tempura and yellowfin sashimi should definitely be on your table, but there are also eight other restaurants and bars to try. 

For breakfast, grab a freshly baked pastry and coffee from Nobu Cafe in the lobby, or get a full meal at The Restaurant, a casual outlet serving oatmeal pancakes, made-to-order omelets, smoothies and more. Later in the day, there’s Playabar, a swim-up spot by the Cortez Pool with everything from tacos to sushi to pizza; Nami Champagne Bar, a seafood restaurant with beach club vibes; and Pacific, which offers taco and mezcal pairings alongside other traditional Mexican fare. Come dinner, go for steaks, handmade pasta and pizza cooked in a clay oven at Ardea, or Cabo-meets-Mediterranean cuisine at Muna, where the open-concept dining room means you can eat under the stars. Finish with a nightcap at M Bar, a rooftop cocktail bar dotted with firepits. 

The Standout Feature

You’ll want to spend all your time in your spa-like bathroom, with its traditional onsen teak soaking tub and Toto toilet (with seat warmer). The gray stone and dark wood make the space feel especially serene—a vibe that’s only enhanced by the rainfall shower. High-end amenities like CHI hair dryers don’t hurt, either.

The Time to Go

January and February offer ideal weather and peak whale-watching. Conditions are less favorable at the end of May and beginning of June, when it’s super windy on the Pacific.

The Vibe

Order a round (or two) of lychee martinis from the bar at Nobu Los Cabos restaurant.

The perfect spot for your social media post: In the main courtyard, where the light hits the reflecting pools just right.

What’s everyone drinking? Brightly colored mezcal cocktails with photogenic citrus and flower garnishes.

Are you staying in or going out? You’re here for the first dibs on a table at Nobu Los Cabos restaurant.

What’s on the speakers? Clubby tracks, and a DJ spins at the Cortez Pool every day from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The highly specific reason you’d come here: To relax and party in equal measure—and look good while doing it.

Everything Else

• Number of rooms: 200 rooms, 60 residences
• Number of pools: 4 
• Fitness center? Yes
• Spa and salon? Yes
• Number of bars/restaurants: 5 bars, 7 restaurants
• 24-hour room service? Yes
• Childcare and kids’ club? Yes

The Pacific Pool feels like a lazy river and floating village in one.