Magic, Margaritas & Art at the Hotel California

Recently, Tiffany from our superstar Customer Service team had the opportunity to spend an unforgettable afternoon with friends at the legendary Hotel California, a boutique-style gem in the heart of the incredibly charming town of Todos Santos, just an hour from Cabo San Lucas. Here, she shares some of the highlights:

Overall, how was your experience visiting the Hotel California? Absolutely wonderful! My friends and I were greeted by Pedro Castro, the hotel’s Sales Manager, in the lobby and given a tour and we had a wonderful lunch at the hotel restaurant. Pedro’s passion for the Hotel California was evident as he shared with us the fascinating history of the hotel, the unique art and furniture from around the world, and future plans.

What were some of the most interesting features of the hotel? The huge elephant doors in the Emporio shop that were especially flown in from India were stunning! I also loved all of the local art showcased around the hotel, especially the pieces from local artist Gabo – his work is so interesting. If you like any of his pieces the hotel will put you in contact with the artist to purchase a piece of your own. The décor throughout the entire hotel is eclectic and visually stimulating!

Who would you recommend the hotel for? I’d recommend it for anyone looking for relaxation! The hotel is so charming and each room is uniquely decorated with art and furniture from around the world. There are several different areas where you can relax throughout the hotel. It is also located in such a cute town, Todos Santos, where you can really experience a taste of authentic Mexican culture. This is also a fabulous hotel to rent out for a special event or a company function and have complete privacy.

What were your impressions of the town of Todos Santos? Todos Santos is, as Pedro stated, “a little oasis in the middle of the desert.” It is a charming little town filled with authenticity and history. The Mission Church of Pilar is beautiful and it was fun roaming through the art galleries around town. We also saw a little family of Chihuahuas hanging out in front of a liquor store, they were so cute!

How was the dining? We ate at the hotel restaurant – La Coronela Restaurant & Bar. We enjoyed fabulous margaritas made with their signature Hotel California tequila and even tried a jalapeno margarita! The food was absolutely delicious. We had the chiles rellenos and enchiladas; both dishes were to die for! The chef uses organic locally grown ingredients, which we really appreciated! The entire restaurant staff was friendly and seemed like they really enjoyed working there. while enjoying our lunch on their beautiful patio, a local guitarist entertained us with wonderful melodies.

What did you learn of the history of Hotel California? I was surprised that the hotel was founded by a Chinese immigrant who changed his name to Mr. Tabasco! The hotel opened in 1950 and was the only one in town: it was actually the only hotel between Los Cabos and La Paz at the time. Mr. Tabasco loved baseball, and so did the town residents, so he would “broadcast” highlights from baseball games, standing on the rooftop of the hotel with a speaker as he listened to games over the radio. Mr. Tabasco seemed like such a fun character who did so much for Todos Santos.

What are some cool up and coming events, new features at the hotel? Management is currently talking about new and exciting offerings for large groups, I can’t give out any details yet but they are sure to be fantastic! The hotel is also always evolving and adapting to meet the needs of travelers, but also focusing on ways to ensure the hotel doesn’t lose its charm and authenticity.

More about the Hotel California…