An Oasis in San José: An Interview with Nathalie Tenoux of Casa Natalia

Casa Natalia is not the typical Los Cabos getaway that springs to mind for many vacationers—there’s no glitzy beach club, it’s located in the heart of San José del Cabo’s historic district, and the hotel has only 14 rooms and 2 suites. But what it lacks in big-scale oomph it more than makes up for in romance. Steps to the art galleries and inviting restaurants of charming San José, Casa Natalia is a true oasis of old-world hospitality. Step into the quiet lobby from the town’s bustling plaza, and you’re greeted by the sight of a serene private courtyard, with swaying palms, vibrant flowers and chirping birds. We chatted with Nathalie Tenoux, owner of Casa Natalia, to talk about what makes this place so magical.

How long have you been in Los Cabos, what drew you to this destination?
I’m originally from Luxembourg. After studying to work in the hotel industry, I moved to Mexico as a trainee in 1997. I spent time in Acapulco and Mexico City and in 1996 was transferred to Los Cabos. I absolutely fell in love with Cabo—and met my husband! There’s no other place I’d like to call home.

What was the inspiration behind Casa Natalia? My sister and her husband are both architects in Europe—they helped us in coming up with the design. My husband Loïc (who also happens to head up our popular restaurant, Mi Cocina), had the luck of finding the perfect location in 1997 and acquiring the site from a local family. We started with the idea of a restaurant but soon our project grew in scope and we opened up in 1999. We’ve built a great reputation over the years based on our hard work and hand’s-on approach to running the hotel. We’re very involved in the day-to-day operations of Casa Natalia—we have to be: we live on-site! We’re very proud to have received the prestigious Four Diamond Award from AAA and were rated the top hotel in Mexico by Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards in 2008 and 2009.

Running a hotel keeps our schedules very busy but I always set aside quality time to kick back with my husband, two kids and friends.

What makes Casa Natalia so special? The hotel has a very distinctive personality, it’s small, intimate and beautiful, with great service, wonderful food, surprisingly affordable rates and a priceless setting in the historic district. Each of the guestrooms at Casa Natalia has it’s own unique décor matching the room’s name. Sliding glass doors open to individual terraces or patios, where guests can relax in a hammock or just enjoy the beautiful weather. Even though we’re a small hotel, we offer a host of superior amenities, including breakfast served on your private terrace and in-room spa services. We can also arrange a day at the beach for our guests. The fact that we only accommodate children over the age of 13 makes this a great romantic getaway.

Our award-winning restaurant, Mi Cocina, is another highlight, along with its martini bar.

How would you describe Mi Cocina’s cuisine and atmosphere? The restaurant, headed up by my husband Loïc Tenoux, offers innovative Mexican-Euro cuisine, using the freshest local ingredients. The courtyard atmosphere is lovely, surrounded by palm trees, fire braziers and the sound of cascading waterfalls.

What are some of your insider tips for San José del Cabo? I love some of the jewelry shops next to the hotel and Curios Carmela, a souvenir shop a few blocks away. A can’t-miss activity is the Thursday evening art walk during the months of November through May—it’s a great way to enjoy our many wonderful galleries in San José del Cabo. Don’t miss taking a peek at the San José Estuary, which is a surprisingly lush environment in Los Cabos’ otherwise arid desert landscape. For drinks, the new Container Bar at the Puerto Los Cabos Marina is a lot of fun.

More about Casa Natalia…