Spring Fling

Take a trip to the tip of the Baja Peninsula, like many Aspenites do, for a much needed post-winter thaw.

No matter how much you love skiing, there comes a time in late spring when wriggling your toes in the sand while gazing at the sea is not just a happy thought but an act of sheer survival. A favorite destination for winter exiles looking for a switch-off, chill-out vacation is Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort, a sybaritic enclave at the tip of the Baja Peninsula. Fans include super realtor Carrie Wells, Laura Kaplan (wife of SkiCo. prez Mike Kaplan) and Lisa Lambert, who take an annual girls' trip every winter; writer Mark Seal and his wife Dr. Laura Blocker (who owns Aspen’s shop Paris Underground); entertainment guru Scott DeGraff and his family; and Shelly and Frieda Friedstein, who like to play golf at the Robert Trent Jones II course adjacent to the resort.
Your first impression of blue-and-white-and- beautiful Las Ventanas is: Is this a dream? Las Ventanas is a haven of 71 whitewashed suites which range from 960 to 3,893 square feet, spread across a desertscape descending down to the shoreline. The architecture is Mexican meets Mediterranean; cabinets, cedar doors, tiles, and wrought iron are handcrafted by local artisans, and original paintings, sculpture, and pottery catch your eye.
Despite being close by the tacky town of Cabo San Lucas, there is a feeling of isolation. Most guests feel disinclined to leave except, perhaps, for a deep-sea fishing expedition. The suites are spacious with lots of hand-carved furniture and doors. Suite 101 and 102 have the best beach access; suite 802 also has great views.
Las Ventanas is laid back and private; I got a glance of Natasha Richardson and Ralph Fiennes, but well trained by Aspen’s celebrity-cool code, I pretended not to notice. Lazy days revolve around the in-suite splash pools, or one of the property's two larger pools, fueling yourself with good books and some of the best margaritas on the planet. At dusk, lights around the water and the grounds create a magical feeling.
Though it is scheduled for an upgrade, the current gym is well equipped with machines and weights. Water and sun worship are punctuated by dallying in tranquil bliss at the spa. Leonardo, an amazing masseuse, was trained in Thailand, and his Thai massage is better than most chiropractic work.
Las Ventanas also offers very good food. Its beachfront Sea Grill is a romantic setting with lots of fish, shellfish, and meats. Its more formal open-air eatery, The Restaurant, boasts a 2,400-bottle wine cellar and La Cava, a wine room for private dinners. At the Tequila & Ceviche Bar, Baja native Oliver Chong told me about the more than 100 top-shelf tequilas. You can even sign up for a tequila class to explore three kinds of tequilas: Blanco (aged up to 60 days); Reposado (aged up to 12 months); and, Añejo (aged a minimum of 13 months).
The beauty of this setting, its food, its spa, and the attention to detail by its well trained, wonderful staff all make you understand why Las Ventanas is a retreat with many repeat guests. And, after all, you have to love a place that has a dedicated Director of Romance.