 PARADISE FOUND IN LOS CABOS
The mist from waves meeting rocky shoreline lights upon my face and cools me. Palm trees shift and sway in a light salt-air breeze. All I hear is the sound of the ocean as the tide pushes the Sea of Cortez up against the rocky shore. What makes this so special is that I'm not on a secluded, hard to find beach... I'm on the terrace of my suite at Sirena del Mar, the latest offering from Welk Resorts. For travelers who crave serenity and seclusion but still want quick access to the all that Cabo San Lucas has to offer, this is paradise found.
There's two distinct types of people that travel to Cabo San Lucas. Those that want nothing more than to be in the middle of it all - with Cabo's famous nightlife and endless parties right at their doorstep - and those that crave an oasis of relaxation and tranquility. For those in the latter group, I'm happy to report that Sirena del Mar in the Los Cabos corridor is open for business, or should I say open to forget all about business... traffic and stress... crowds and noise.
The resort is laid out in multiple levels making it easy to find just the right spot to soak up the Baja sun while decompressing with a good book.
At first glance, Sirena del Mar might not impress. The hotel does not have a grand facade but a simple, staid fountain and high pitched palapa roofed entry. The lobby design is also less than more when compared to most resorts in Cabo. However, what it is is clean and elegant, calm and peaceful.
As soon as you arrive, you're greeted with cold bottled water and a damp towel to wipe away the residue of airports and airplanes. Check-in is handled by wonderfully pleasant staff members who are genuinely happy to see you. Within minutes we were escorted to our room, our luggage brought in and our altogether too brief a stay began.
Hotel rooms in Cabo range from drab and not too clean to ridiculously elaborate and expensive. Us, we're not so much into over-the-top facades and huge ornately appointed lobbies. What does get us excited is a well-appointed room and an ocean view. Well, Sirena del Mar provided us with that and a whole lot more.
Rooms, actually suites, at Sirena del Mar are much different than the more than 20 resorts we've stayed at in Los Cabos. What stands out and separates them from all the others is a feeling that the designers set out on a mission to create accommodations that provide guests with everything they need to fully enjoy their vacation. In a sense, take all those things that make your home conveniently livable and comfortable, dress them up and move them to Cabo.
Granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances (even a dishwasher!), big screen plasma TV's and lots of space are standard features in a one-bedroom suite at Sirena del Mar. Plus, a first.. a stackable washer and dryer hidden in a closet make packing light the way to go.
As of February 2010, the resort has 36 suites – one bedroom suites and villas, two bedroom lockouts and two bedroom penthouse units - all with sweeping ocean-front views. Those views are enhanced by triple panel sliding glass doors that lead to spacious glass framed terraces, complete with padded rattan couch, chairs and table and a personal favorite - a hammock.
Inside, the luxury continues with travertine floors and dark woods that accent the living space very nicely. Step into the living room and you'll find a 42 inch HD-Plasma television with premium channels, DVD player... even a Bose Acoustic Wave™ stereo system with iPod dock. A dining area sits just off the kitchen. The unit we stayed in was a one bedroom Villa that boasts 886 square feet of living space on the second floor that placed our terrace about 50 feet above the beach – so close it seems you can reach out and touch the crystal-clear water!
King size pillow top beds abut a whirlpool tub for two in Sirena del Mar's remarkably spacious and well-appointed one bedroom villas.
Step into the bedroom and professional relaxers find nirvana. A king size pillow top bed abuts a giant two person whirlpool tub and faces another HD flat screen television... this one a 32 inch. A radio/alarm clock sits bedside... just like at home. The unit is not wanting for closet space either – his and hers closets are found just a few steps from the bed and in the spacious bathroom where a granite topped double vanity gives you all the room you need to get ready for a night out on the town. The tiled shower features multiple shower heads with independent controls for two wall mounted showerheads and a ceiling mounted rainfall all tucked behind a glass door.
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Views of Land's End reveal themselves throughout the property but it's often difficult to pull your eyes away from the beauty of the resort itself.
Perhaps what makes Sirena del Mar our personal favorite new hotel in Los Cabos are the spectacular views afforded from everywhere on the property. If you're not looking out at famous Land's End, you're gazing at the far reaching sea or swimmable beach nestled in a pristine cove. The grounds of the resort are equally a feast for the eyes and the many levels create nooks of serenity where firepits and massage tables offer stress relief and relaxation.
 Multiple levels enhanced by curves and angles create spaces that feel remarkably private.
 A swimmable beach is a few minutes walk across the propery from your suite. Sirena del Mar is one of very few resorts in Los Cabos with a location that affords a calm water cove.
Sirena del Mar is spread out over seven ocean front acres of prime Los Cabos real estate. Just a short distance north you'll find what is perhaps the most exclusive – and most expensive – resort in Baja.... Esperanza. To the south is Cabo Bello – an enclave of privately owned villas and condos. Two infinity-edge pools grace the property with one especially for children - smallish and shallow. The other... first class with views to die for and a swim-up bar.
 Las Palapas Restaurant is currently the sole restaurant but there are plans in place to build another along with a market.
With only one phase of the resort built, there is presently only one restaurant, Las Palapas, but there are plans to add another restaurant and market complex. Dinner isn't yet an option here as Las Palapas opens for breakfast and lunch only. Even the resort bar closes up early, something some might find inconvenient although we found it added to the tranquility. Considering your suite is fully stocked with everything short of the alcohol and mixers to make your favorite cocktail - including a blender – you don't really need a bar. Trust me when I tell you a martini never tasted better than the one's we mixed and enjoyed on our private terrace.
 Private terraces with glass walls leave you with nothing but gorgeous views.
An onsite fitness center with a direct ocean view, a game room and a wide variety of activities are available including: snorkeling, water aerobics, bingo, ping pong tournaments, dance lessons and even a Guitar Hero™ challenge. Outdoor billiards, air hockey and foosball round out the onsite activities but excursions offsite for horseback rides, fishing, personal watercraft and offroad adventures can easily be arranged with the concierge.
Granite topped double vanities in a one bedroom villa.
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A typical sunset as seen from a second story suite private terrace.
The Sea of Cortez reaches out as far as the eye can see.