Viceroy Los Cabos

Located in San José del Cabo, the quieter, more upscale cousin of Mexico’s west-coast party capital, Viceroy Los Cabos is remarkable for its architectural distinction: it’s a dramatic statement by Miguel Ángel Aragonés, a Mexican architect celebrated for his boldly unconventional designs. This is one of the most aggressively stylish of the Viceroy hotels: sleek and otherworldly, all clean lines, cantilevers, deep shadows and stark white cubes — “floating boxes,” to borrow the architect’s apt phrase — mirrored in still blue reflecting pools.

Viewed from above, the hotel is an archipelago of modern design. Delicately illuminated pathways lead across the water, winding between the hotel’s various buildings and spaces, from oceanfront pool to art gallery to cocktail bar to spa. The sushi restaurant, Nido, is one of the more innovative indoor-outdoor spaces we’ve seen around these parts. “Nido” is Spanish for “nest,” and that’s exactly what the restaurant’s airy interior is like — if you can picture an elegant nest balanced on sea water in front of the beach. And meanwhile Cielomar, the rooftop bar, is the perfect place for a sundowner (and then a few more).

But back to those floating boxes for a moment. They contain 186 guest rooms: each is a modern retreat, pristine and white, with streamlined décor by the Italian brand Poliform and floor-to-ceiling windows letting in abundant sunshine and views of the sea. As is typical for Viceroy, you’ll find a perfect balance of style and substance — these interiors are photogenic, but equally pleasing to the touch, and contain thoughtful luxuries like Nespresso machines and Polk Audio sound systems.

Activities, naturally, lean toward the life aquatic, though there’s also a cinema with daily screenings and a separate kids’ club with its own pool. Swim, dive, parasail, or just settle into a chaise by the pool or down at the hotel’s private beach club. The big, touristy Cabo is just down the coast, but from here you’d never know it.