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CASA NATALIA SAN JOSE DEL CABO REVIEW
GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES
In a world where bigger is better, where "super-sized"
applies as much to mega-resorts and hotels as fast food joints,
there are those among of us who miss all things small and more intimate.
In the last decade, Los Cabos has seen "super-sized" mentality
take hold of its ever-growing population of hotels and resorts.
Fortunately, luxury accommodations on a smaller and more personal
scale still live and prosper amongst the giants.
One such hotel is Casa Natalia. Located in the colonial town of
San Jose del Cabo, this boutique hotel blends European hospitality
and style with old-world Mexican charm. Owners Loic and Nathalie
Tenoux first came to Los Cabos in the nineties, Loic in 1994 and
Nathalie in 1996. Loic hails from Bordeaux, France where he was
chef and proprietor of the restaurant La Provence. Switzerland holds
claim to Nathalie, who studied Hotel Management in Lausanne. The
two met in San Jose del Cabo while Nathalie was part of the management
team at the Westin Regina and Loic was perfecting his skills as
chef and businessman.
Call it fortune, call it fate, but whatever the method that brought
the two together, the result was a shared dream of owning their
own hotel and restaurant where size matters and smaller is definitely
better. Tucked off in a corner of the town's plaza, Casa Natalia
blends in with the small shops and restaurants that border the hotel.
Blink and you just might miss it. Once you do find the hotel, a
quick descent down a few steps from the parking area brings you
to an understated building where glass entry doors etched with the
hotel's logo greet you.
Check in takes place just after crossing the threshold and the process
is an indication of the high level of service the staff at Casa
Natalia provides. As opposed to most hotels, check-in is done while
seated. Ice-cold Hibiscus punch and a cold towel are offered to
cool you both inside and out, a welcome treat after the hassle of
airline travel and the heat of the Baja sun. Staff members gather
your luggage and escort you to your room while giving you a brief
yet informative overview of the facilities. With only sixteen rooms
- fourteen standard and two "spa" suites - peace and quiet
is one of many attributes the hotel boasts. The rooms themselves
have unique designs that render them chic, sexy and pleasingly secluded.
Entry into your quarters is made through a typical locked door although
what waits on the other side of the door is anything but typical.
As opposed to entering your room, you enter a patio area adorned
with wicker table and chairs and a hammock for naps in the cool
shade. Bougainvillea, bamboo and flowering plants grace the area
inviting one to simply relax in our own private garden.
On the other side of your private patio lies the room itself. Enter
through sliding glass doors and more surprises await. Hard to miss
is the personal greeting that lies upon the bed. Casa Natalia welcomes
it's guests with a small hand-written scroll and a special "Bienvenidos"
crafted from leaves and flowers that grow on the premises. Rooms
are spacious and lightly colored with spots of brilliant color throughout.
One of the unique features of the hotel is that each and every room
has it's own personality. Rooms are named, not numbered, and the
name is reflected in the selection of decoration and artwork. As
an example, the Otomí room is named for the Otomí,
or Ñah-ñu, people who live in the mountains of the
Sierra Madre Oriental in the central Mexican state of Hidalgo. Craftwork
plays a large role in the Otomí culture and they are well
known for their colorful, decorative embroidered cloths, which range
from bedspreads to small napkins. As such, the Otomí room
features such works - from small table items to large wall-mounted
embroideries. Nathalie is happy to explain the inspiration behind
each room.
Beds are large and comfortable - baths are well designed and spacious
with step-down showers and plenty of room for toiletries. Soft,
terry cloth robes and slippers are provided for guests and are quite
handy for trips down to the pool. A sitting area features couches
and chairs, tables and plenty of space to stretch out. Perhaps the
most amazing feature of the rooms is, although set one next to another,
they are very private whether you are out on the patio/terrace or
within the room - you'll be hard pressed to hear other guests. Another
unique feature are small "windows" on the wall behind
the bed. These windows are really openings in the cinder blocks
used to construct the building and when open, allow the sounds of
birds from the adjacent San Jose Estuary to filter into the room.
Loic and Nathalie have incorporated four elements of nature into
the design of the grounds - Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. Walk the
grounds and you'll quickly see the inferences to these elements
in the form of flowing water falls that cascade into the pool, extensive
and meticulously manicured landscapes, towering palms that bend
and sway with the afternoon breeze and gas torches and braziers
that cast glow and shadow in the evening. The pool is saltwater,
not seawater salty but a mild salinity that leaves the skin feeling
nourished not dry and is easy on the eyes. Comfortable padded chaise
lounges surround the pool and towels are conveniently placed in
wicker chests an arm's length away. Phones are also located poolside
making it hard to resist ordering a refreshing cocktail. The hosts
even keep a few paperback novels at the pool for those who like
to read but forgot a book.
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Towards the front of the hotel you'll find the cocktail lounge.
Set under a palapa covering supported by hand hewn beams and tree
trunks the bar is very inviting. Guest can sit at the bar or across
the back perimeter where sipping a cocktail allows one to gaze at
the grounds and the impressive yet subtle collection of sculptures.
Below the bar is the restaurant Mi Cocina - Loic's gift to San Jose
del Cabo. With outdoor seating amongst palm trees and braziers,
the tables are covered in fine linens and the fare is well done
and presented at a very reasonable price. The menu ranges from fresh,
locally caught seafood to traditional European dishes like Risotto
de Mare. As executive chef and owner, Loic has taken his international
culinary expertise and melded it with local flavors and techniques.
More often than not, many who have visited Casa Natalia discovered
it by way of the restaurant as it has become one the areas most
recommended dining destinations.
The balance of the property includes lounge areas where chessboards
await players and artisan quality furnishings invite you to sit
back and enjoy the many varied pieces of art. Wherever you look,
you're bound to find something new and unique that you missed the
day before. All the while, the staff at Casa Natalia present themselves
whenever a guest appears in need - thoughtful and attentive, the
staff is a reflection of the owners who seem relentless in their
pursuit of fulfilling their guests every need. In fact, the Tenoux's
not only own and operate the hotel and restaurant they also reside
here. Perched on the third floor is their home and having had the
time and the pleasure to speak with Loic and Nathalie, it is obvious
that living on the premises has allowed them to watch over their
beloved guests in a way not often found elsewhere. The entire staff
is trained on site, from kitchen to room attendants to front of
the house personnel, every member of the staff seems to share the
proprietors commitment to excellence.
Venture out of the hotel and you'll find yourself in the center
of historic San Jose del Cabo. Shops line the streets selling anything
from curios to jewelry, silverware to leather goods, furniture to
pottery. In addition, San Jose del Cabo has become a bastion of
art - in fact, weekly walking tours of the art district here have
become one of the most popular tourist activities. Sprinkled in
between shops and galleries are many restaurants and a new addition
to this quaint colonial town - a wine bar. As with most Mexican
towns, there is a church and central plaza where religious festivals
as well as entertainment take place on a near weekly basis. Mariachis,
folk groups and even internationally known musicians perform on
a stage built into a large gazebo in the plaza.
A short walk will also bring you to the San Jose Estuary where myriad
birds and marine creatures come together to create a spectacle not
to be missed. Cranes, ducks, red cardinals and osprey populate the
area and can be seen in a habitat that, although devastated by Hurricane
Marty years ago, still manages to exist. Local naturalists and conservationists
have teamed together with government officials to save this pristine
wetlands though some question what if anything can be done to restore
it to it's pre-hurricane state.
For those that want to spend time on the beach but think that Casa
Natalia is too far away from the water for a walk, Nathalie has
forged a relationship with Casa Del Mar resort. Located on the corridor
between San Jose and Cabo San Lucas, Casa Del Mar allows Casa Natalia
guests use of their beach club, complete with bar and food service.
There, guests of Loic and Nathalie can take advantage of an expansive
beach, pool and amenities at no charge. Casa Natalia provides a
shuttle service to and from the beach club, once again, at no additional
charge.
In short, if you are like many travelers who miss the good old days
when smaller was better and hotel proprietors went above and beyond
to make you feel truly special, Casa Natalia should be on the top
of your list of places to stay in Los Cabos. As a member of the
"Small Boutique Hotels of the World" and a high-rated
and highly regarded establishment by such names as Conde Nast, the
New York Times and Food and Wine magazine, Casa Natalia delivers
big surprises in a small and sexy package.
CONTACT AND RESERVATIONS INFORMATION
Boulevard Mijares No. 4
San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur
23400 · Mexico
Toll Free from the U.S.
1-888-277-3814
Phone
011 52 (624) 142-5100
Fax
011 52 (624) 142-5110
www.casanatalia.com
questions@casanatalia.com
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