In a remote stretch of Mexico, find a new design-hotel vision in the desert

Some hotels are designed for indulging in a luxurious lack of plans, with poolside lounging the only to-do. Others, like the new Paradero Todos Santos, which opened earlier this year in a remote stretch of Mexico, are built for squeezing as many one-of-a-kind adventures as possible into a single trip.

Set in the Baja California Sur peninsula, about an hour from the Los Cabos airport, Paradero sprawls across five acres in the Mesa community, an area of preserved family-owned farms. It’s near five distinct ecosystems, including pristine Pacific coast beaches, a desert with 200-year-old Cardon cacti and the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range. The region’s biodiversity has earned a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation, and the hoteliers dedicate their outdoor experiential offerings (one per day is included in your room rate) to exploring all of it.

Guests can take to the beach for surfing lessons, trek out into the mountains on a guided hike or embark into town on a taco tour. (The foodie day trip includes a stop at Barracuda Cantina, a sandy spot that exploded in popularity after being highlighted on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles.)

Tours of the nearby farms are also available, where you can meet with the farmers, taste the produce — like peppers from the chili garden — and take away tips to improve your own green thumb. Baja-style cooking classes and fishing expeditions are also in the works.

There’s more to take in on the property itself. Paradero was designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. A 100,000-square-foot botanical garden sits at the heart of the hotel and houses more than 20,000 plants. The main building was even constructed as a trapezoid to guarantee each room offers a stunning view of the surrounding terrain.

Natural textures and hues, like beige concrete and tornillo timber, create soothing vibes in each of the 35 dreamy suites (from $680). All furnishings, like intricate rattan lamp shades, are custom made and locally sourced from Guadalajara and Oaxaca, Mexico’s design capitals. Ground-floor garden suites include cosy outdoor terraces that feature either a traditional hammock or soaking tub, while rooftop suites have built-in floating “star nets” — prime spots for gazing out into the vast land and reflecting on that day’s adventures.

The Star understands the restrictions on travel during the coronavirus pandemic. But like you, we dream of travelling again, and we’re publishing this story with future trips in mind.