Viceroy Los Cabos – The Coolest Hotel in the World?

As you approach Viceroy Los Cabos from the street, it actually doesn’t look all that different from any other luxury resort in the area. The glamorous stretch of beach between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo in Baja California Sur is littered with elegant hotels that face the ocean. Viceroy, with its crisp, white facade, is almost on the humbler end of the spectrum in Los Cabos.

But all that changes as you walk through the heavy wooden doors and immediately find yourself in a futuristic open air check-in lounge that overlooks what can only be described as a jaw-droppingly beautiful, and very very different type of hotel. To both your sides, four squared white buildings are slightly skewed so they all face the ocean, looking like exclusive Lego bricks. In the middle, what seems like an endless reflection of water merges with the dramatic ocean in the distance. At the center, what resembles an upside down birds-nest (it’s a restaurant), and a walk-way that snakes its way down towards the water. As you work your way down towards the beach, strolling past two of the pools, you’ll pass about a dozen or so grand villas that mirror the architecture of the main buildings. They seem to float on water. And then, the beach, with another upside down birds-nest (another restaurant), and two pools that quietly mesh with the surrounding landscape. Then you turn around, looking back up towards the resort.

First impression? Breathtaking. Second impression? Breathtaking. Third impression? Breathta… well, you get it.

In fact, it’s hard to take in the stunning architecture of Viceroy Los Cabos. It’s imposing, yes, impressive, yes, beautiful, yes. But it’s not just that. It’s also that the resort seems to change character throughout the day. Going from the stark whites from the buildings clashing with the blue ocean and sky during the daytime and invoking images of the Greek islands, to the golden hue of late afternoons, where the resort lights up like an Egyptian treasure box, shades of yellow dancing between the buildings and the water. Then, at night, the resort dresses in a completely different set of clothes. Neon lights in different colors streaming from the suites, and dark blue taking over the sides of the buildings, with the two birds nests lighting up from within and creating an almost magical scenery. Is this a night-club onboard a spaceship? Or a futuristic Hogwarts? Maybe it’s a little bit of both.

Now, this constant changing of character is going to be bad for your phone memory, just a heads up. There’s really no time at the Viceroy where you don’t feel compelled to take your phone out and snap just one more photo of a wall, some water, an angle, your suite or a restaurant. You’ll take the same photo, over and over again, and you’ll make the argument to yourself that this last photo is probably a little bit better than the exact same one you took a day before. Upon coming back to reality, check your phone photos and you’ll see what I mean. You’ll be able to make a full length stop-motion movie based on all the still photos you’ve taken during your stay at the Viceroy.

VIDEO TOUR – VICEROY LOS CABOS, THE COOLEST HOTEL IN THE WORLD

With such imposing surroundings, Viceroy instantly makes you feel like you are in the coolest spot in the world. That, however, usually comes with a caveat. Bad service. Most “cool” places around the globe are perpetually attached to servers-slash-actors, bellhops-slash-models, and receptionists-slash-influencers that are more interested in what comes after the slash than they are in their guests. At those resorts, saying the words “excuse me” before you place an order for a cocktail often feels like you are actually apologizing for daring to ask.

Not at the Viceroy. Here, the staff is impeccably professional, and keeps the perfect balance between warmth and distance. They know you’re on vacation, but at the same time, they know exactly how to make you feel like you are at home (even if the architecture still makes it very clear you’re not). It’s a fine balance, but the Viceroy staff knows how to walk it – it’s clear that these are people that take pride in their work.

The hotel comes stacked with services and luxury amenities, of course. Design boutique, fitness center, kids club, a wonderful spa and more. But at Honest Cooking Magazine, you know we’re here for the food, and following the initial shock to the system of taking in the striking environment, I won’t blame you for getting a bit hungry. And you’re in luck, because at Viceroy you have five distinctive dining options scattered around the resort.

For a casual lunch, Casero Restaurant is your obvious choice. Located in the main building, and just beneath the reception area – it’s an impressive double-height space with complete access to the outside. Sit down at one of the water-side tables, overlooking the whole resort, and order from the Euro-Mexican inspired menu. A selection of hand-crafted tacos and ceviches accompany European bistro classics like a Salade Niçoise, Cobb Salad, Club Sandwich and, of course, the resort’s signature burger with bacon and caramelized onion.

The food at Casero is intended to cover any craving you may have, so you’ll find everything from soups to pastas as well as larger plates like Mexican pizza and fish and chips on the menu. Everything is prepared with a light touch, intended to keep you from sinking to the bottom of the pool during your post-lunch dip, and even if the menu is very broad – it feels cohesive and with a clear focus. Go for the shrimp ceviche, the tuna tartare or the classic Niçoise salad if you are looking to keep it light – and if you are a little more hungry, don’t sleep on the excellent Viceroy burger.

As the sun sets over the Sea of Cortéz, head up to the incredible Cielomar Rooftop to gawk at the gorgeous views that spread from the mountains all the way to the ocean. A contemporary cocktail-bar-cum-upscale-brasserie with some of the most fabulous views in town. And once you’re done taking in the scenery (which can take a while), you’ll realize that the views are perfectly paired with just as fabulous cocktails and food.

Before dinner, perhaps take a seat at the bar and let the house-mixologists take you on a journey through the wonderful world of tequila, mezcal, sotol and other agave based spirits. But don’t hit it too hard, because you will definitely want to be able to remember the excellent food served up here. You are now in the contemporary brasserie gastronomy domain. Classics from around Latin America are given gentle modern upgrades, and the food is fresh, vibrant and – fun. The menu also includes a couple of European inspired dishes like a gorgeous beef carpaccio, served with capers, Parmiggiano cheese and 12-year aged vinegar.

You can’t really go wrong at Cielomar, but if you want some pointers – start with the aforementioned carpaccio, some fresh local oysters served with chili cascabel mignonette, the Baja grilled blue shrimp served with curry sauce and green leaves, and definitely the Yellow Fin tuna tartare with cumin oil and crispy garlic chips. It’s an explosion of flavors and freshness, and it leaves you wanting more with every bite. And you’re in luck, because there IS more. There is a whole segment on the menu dedicated to wood-fired main courses and pizzas, and there’s really nothing on it that isn’t up to par – but our favorite continues to be the sizzling signature New York Strip that’s served in a cast iron pan and accompanied by a perfectly balanced bearnaise sauce and an incredibly light layered potato gratin.

Can you muster some dessert after such a festival of flavors? Of course you can. Hit up the molten chocolate lava cake served with amarena cherry, fried cacao and yogurt ice cream before you realize you have to head back to the cocktail bar to get another tequila as a post-dinner digestif.

The most recent addition to the hotel is Dalia, an exclusive but inviting outdoor dining experience that has become immensely popular with tourists and locals alike. Dalia is Viceroy’s take on Mediterranean cuisine with a Los Cabos twist. The restaurant is a bright garden experience with wooden hues and a slightly club-like feel. It’s modern, but at the same time looks and feels like it has been there forever.

The menu covers all corners of the Mediterranean, often with a slight nod to Mexican flavors, ranging from Moroccan to Spanish, Italian, French, Greek and Israeli. Fava beans, hummus, mussels, Pernod, squash blossoms, parmesan, feta and pita are some of the ingredients that together make up an eclectic menu that’s focused on simplicity and freshness. To start, try the Mediterranean spreads served with crudités, or perhaps the grilled octopus served with a puree made from fava beans. Then a cold squash blossom soup served with cucumber and mint oil. For mains, maybe the whole table should explore the seafood platter which features everything from lobster to oysters (and a lot in between), or one of the many excellent homemade pastas. A lamb loin served with mint-chard puree, eggplant croquette, tzatziki and cardamom jus is another favorite of ours.

Of course you already know you can’t stay at Viceroy Los Cabos without having dinner at Nido. This is the iconic restaurant that looks like an upside down birds-nest, located in the middle of the resort and surrounded by reflecting mirrors of endless water. Nido is focused on Pan-Asian flavors, and has an exuberant vibe on most evenings. This is your celebratory restaurant, where the cooking happens in the center, and the cocktails are stirred up table-side.

The menu focuses on robatayaki, sushi, sashimi and small dishes with inspiration from across the region (with a bit of local fun thrown in). Pressed pork skin dumplings with tomatillo-nori sauce is a good example of how Nido marries classic Asian dishes with local flavors and ingredients.

At Nido, the sushi and sashimi is always fresh, the robatayaki that finishes on the table is always a fun topic of conversation, and the many shareable small dishes bring vibrant tastes that set off little flavor-fireworks in your mouth. The feeling of dining inside a delicious cocoon is ever-present, and the vibe is exultant, excited and international.

Nido also has a humble but ambitious sister restaurant, where you’ll be spending your beach-lunches. Nidito is a miniature version of the birds-nest, a beach bar and casual restaurant that serves everything from sushi rolls to tacos and fresh salads. And as the mood in the two beachside pools heats up, you’re going to want to order some excellent mezcal-based cocktails to pair with your beach-party spirit.

When the sun sets over the Sea of Cortéz, on your last evening at the Viceroy, you’ll find yourself on your private terrace, overlooking the ocean, with a glittering moon above and a glass of tequila in your hand.

And while you’ll feel a sting of “I don’t want to leave” as you look down on the exuberant energy streaming from Nido, this is also a really good time for you to pat yourself on the back for making the wise decision to spend your vacation at the coolest hotel in the world.

FAQs About Viceroy Los Cabos

1. Where is Viceroy Los Cabos located?
Viceroy Los Cabos is located in San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, right along the Sea of Cortéz in the Los Cabos Hotel Zone.

2. What makes the architecture of Viceroy Los Cabos unique?
The resort features a futuristic, minimalist design, with white cubic buildings, reflecting pools, and the iconic Nido restaurant, which resembles an upside-down bird’s nest.

3. What are the best restaurants at Viceroy Los Cabos?
The resort boasts five unique dining experiences:

• Casero – A casual spot for tacos, ceviche, and Mexican-European classics.
• Cielomar Rooftop – A rooftop bar and brasserie with stunning ocean views.
• Dalia – A Mediterranean garden restaurant with a Baja twist.
• Nido – A Pan-Asian experience inside an architectural masterpiece.
• Nidito – A laid-back beachside restaurant serving sushi, tacos, and mezcal cocktails.

4. Is Viceroy Los Cabos an all-inclusive resort?
No, Viceroy Los Cabos operates as a luxury à la carte resort, meaning guests pay separately for dining, drinks, and activities.

5. What are the top things to do at Viceroy Los Cabos?
Guests can enjoy:

• Relaxing in one of the beachfront pools with stunning ocean views.
• Exploring the spa and wellness center, offering hydrotherapy and personalized treatments.
• Sunset cocktails at Cielomar Rooftop with views stretching to the Sea of Cortéz.
• Dining at the architecturally stunning Nido restaurant.
• Trying authentic Mexican and international flavors at five different restaurants.

6. Is Viceroy Los Cabos family-friendly?
Yes! The resort has a Kids’ Club, family-friendly pools, and a variety of dining options suitable for all ages.

7. Does Viceroy Los Cabos have a private beach?
Yes, the resort has direct beachfront access, but note that ocean swimming is often not recommended due to strong currents.

8. What’s the best time to visit Viceroy Los Cabos?

• November to April: Peak season, perfect weather, whale-watching season.
• May to June: Fewer crowds, warm temperatures.
• July to October: Hottest months, with the possibility of tropical storms.

9. How far is Viceroy Los Cabos from the airport?
The resort is about 20 minutes from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) by car or private transfer.

10. What makes Viceroy Los Cabos special?
Viceroy Los Cabos is known for its stunning futuristic architecture, world-class dining, impeccable service, and vibrant energy that shifts throughout the day, making every moment unique.

Know Before You Go: Viceroy Los Cabos

5 Must-Do Experiences at Viceroy Los Cabos

1. Sunset Drinks at Cielomar Rooftop – Sip mezcal cocktails as the sun sets over the ocean.
2. Dinner at Nido – Experience the legendary bird’s nest restaurant with top-tier Pan-Asian cuisine.
3. Relaxation at the Spa – Try a signature hydrotherapy circuit or ocean-inspired wellness treatments.
4. Beachfront Poolside Lounging – Enjoy sun-soaked days with cocktails from Nidito Beach Bar.
5. Exploring San José del Cabo – Just minutes away, explore the town’s art district, markets, and vibrant nightlife.

The Best Time to Visit Viceroy Los Cabos

• Winter (December – April): Peak season, perfect weather, and whale-watching.
• Spring (May – June): Warm but pleasant, fewer crowds.
• Summer (July – September): Hot and humid, possible tropical storms, best rates.
• Fall (October – November): Shoulder season, good weather with fewer tourists.

Why Viceroy Los Cabos is More Than Just a Luxury Resort

• Architectural Masterpiece: Unlike any other resort in Mexico, with futuristic designs and a layout that changes with the light. It also SMELLS amazing!
• Unparalleled Service: Viceroy’s staff are warm, attentive, and professional.
• Gastronomic Destination: With five diverse restaurants, there’s something for every palate, from Japanese robatayaki at Nido to Mediterranean seafood at Dalia.

Viceroy Los Cabos vs. Other Luxury Resorts in Cabo: What Makes It Stand Out?

• Better than Classic Cabo Resorts? Ultra-modern, sleek design with a more exclusive feel.
• Better than All-Inclusive Resorts? A personalized, high-end experience with fabulous dining and luxury touches.
• Better than Traditional Baja-Style Resorts? A one-of-a-kind aesthetic, blending minimalist architecture with dramatic oceanfront views.

Viceroy Los Cabos
P.º Malecon San Jose Lote 8, Zona Hotelera
23405 San José del Cabo, B.C.S.
Mexico
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