Hotel Baja Club, in La Paz
The mexican design is having its moment of glory and the new hotels that power it are springing up in interesting locations, giving us even more reason to explore the inexhaustible supply of beautiful locations in such a diverse country. Which brings us to the Baja California peninsula, specifically the coast, close to the relatively new highways that lead from Cape to Todos Santos and direct to Peace.
We are in the Hotel low club , the new 32-room hotel in the Malecon of La Paz , right next to what Jacques Cousteau once called the “world aquarium”. The eastern coastline of the Gulf of California ("the Sea of Cortez") is scruffy. Like a raw and wild version of the generally more developed southern part of the cape, which makes the opening of Baja Club even more attractive, located in a 20th century palace and as part of the portfolio of the visionary Habita hotel group, which has set out to shape Mexican avant-garde design.
After a two-hour overnight car ride through the dark, we are greeted by a white facade framed by fuchsia flowers and green palm trees, a shock that reminds us that we are no longer… wherever we were. The magnificent entrance is just a preamble to what is hidden behind: a reception and a patio mediterranean style , poking out with blue and white striped folding chairs and a illuminated pergola that flirts with the leaves that decorate it. Thus, suddenly, we feel as if we have landed in a sublime forest fantasy of green tiles.
hotel facade
the input of High ceilings it's flanked by a formal lounge, and once you pass the lobby into the restaurant, the exposed beams contrast with the white walls, while light finds its way through the arched windows onto the red-tiled floors.
There is a feeling of belonging in a place like this, a centennial palace which now houses the common areas and the kitchen. Behind restaurant and passing the bar , the hotel is revealed accompanied by a soundtrack that resembles that of a French café with bossa nova.
Living room
Today we stay in the Terrace Suite , located on the second floor. Here, the rooms make perfect use of space, lined with wooden doors and hiding behind the cabinets, the toilet, a minibar, a shower and the sink. When closed, the room is a japanese minka which is in accordance with the style of a typical mexican shack . The bed, large and comfortable, is in a recess and the views reach to the island of Holy Spirit , a protected nature reserve. The terrace it extends beyond one side, shaded by the beam of the upper terrace and furnished with a table and chairs, as well as a variety of plants and rattan.
The result is a oasis of calm away from the sandy shoreline. One could easily stay inside the suite without leaving if it weren't for the common zones they are so attractive. Where the two sections of the newly built hotel meet at a 90-degree angle, a four-story open spiral that scales the height of the building from the courtyard to the terrace bar. At its base, there is a sublime swimming pool wrapped in a red and orange brick wall, occasionally punctuated by the bright green of an iguana.
Before sunset, the most modern of La Paz gather on the rooftop of the Baja Club to enjoy (almost dressed up) the panoramic views of the area.
Room
Everything that happens in La Paz is centered on the nature and natural beauty , with a peninsula that extends to the northeast with lagoons and the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. What owl , a grand opening of white sand flanked by restaurants and loungers, as well as lively venues. The sand is fine and the views towards Espiritu Santo are uninterrupted, despite the occasional obstruction by local artisans and the bimini tops of some boats.
The jewel of La Paz (and all of Mexico) is Balandra Beach . A protected cove that only accepts 120 visitors a day and on a beach with Hard access . Everyone will recommend that you arrive at 5 am to be able to enter, but that during a disconnection vacation does not sound like the best plan. The alternative is to arrive at 9 am, for example, and risk everything to ask the guards if they let you in at that time. In our case, we were lucky.
The restaurant
Sloop is magical. It is within two hills and behind, the beach is pure white sand , with shades of blue ranging from sapphire to royal blue and turquoise, fading to lighter than cyan. you can walk the islet without the water covering you beyond your waist and, thanks to the few visitors you have a day, the visit becomes heavenly.
And beyond, the sea...
You can also go on a seven-hour diving odyssey in the Holy Spirit Island , a protected natural sanctuary and home to a colony of sea lions and empty beaches tailor-made for Wilson or Gilligan. The water is completely translucent and the biodiversity is wide, while sea lions They make noises that can make you smile. After a tasty ceviche and a little rest without people around, we decided to head back to La Paz.
We arrived at dinner time and found that the menu at Baja Club is made up of a proposal of aegean cuisine , which is not surprising with so many settings in the surrounding area that it resembles Greece. The food is light and very much in keeping with the climate, with dishes such as the mezzes like hummus, tzatziki and ktipiti.
The chicken souvlaki It's memorable and the Baja Club burger does its thing with every bite. For dessert, the baklava is the choice. Although if by chance you want to leave the hotel for dinner, there are places like Origen. There the chef Hector Palacios prepare dishes like some lamb tacos , shrimp and chistorra croquettes, a shaken octopus or a pressed lamb with popcorn that is a revelation. Or Hambrusia, next to the hotel that stands out for giving a twist to the tacos traditional and with a selection of mezcal.
Then head to La Miserable, a block from the Malecon, for a beer or mezcal on the patio.
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