BY FERNANDO RODRIQUEZ
For many years tourists visiting Los Cabos have not just reserved hotel accommodations at five-star hotels with all-inclusive $100-150 dollars a day packages, but instead, they have made reservations at the small, cozy and quaint boutique hotels of Cabo San Lucas. These hotels offer visitors much lower rates, with downtown locations and still a short walk from the ever-popular world-famous Lands’ End Arch or Medano Beach.
One of the better-known boutique hotels is the three-story Siesta Suites, which is nestled right next to the legendary Salvatore's Italian Restaurant, located one block from the Tesoro Hotel along Marina Parkway Avenue. The Siesta Suites, have a long history of popularity amongst the visitors who enjoy their ''feels like I'm at home'' ambience.
A few blocks away is the Los Milagros Hotel, whose equally lower priced rooms possess that ''your very own apartment studio'' feel, with a kitchenette, living room area and one or two bedrooms for USD 97 per night. Known as a little heavenly oasis, Los Milagros is located between Cabo Wabo and El Squid Roe. The hotel has a flowering courtyard with a plunge pool and plenty of spaces for guests to relax. All rooms are air-conditioned and include ceiling fans, cable TV, phones and free WiFi. The 12 rooms at Los Milagros Hotel are always clean, quiet and peaceful.
Casa Bella Boutique Hotel is another fascinating little place to stay, located across the street from Amelia Wilkes Plaza. The Spanish colonial structure and terrace lounge give every guest that sense of historic Mexican culture, with amazing hospitality. It is around the corner from Cabo's fun nightlife and is in the heart of Miguel Hidalgo Street's restaurant row.
The Estancia Real Hotel offers a huge swimming pool at its downtown location, which is one block away from the Puerto Paraiso Mall and Marina. The Estancia has long been an affordable alternative to the luxury hotels along Medano Beach, and its popularity with visitors means it often has no vacancies.
Another unknown but very nice hotel is the Verde Baja, which can be found three blocks up the hill from the Mariscos Mazatlan Restaurant, two blocks from the local fire department and the new downtown Walmart. Casa Verde is a very clean, quiet and spacious hotel with all the basic amenities, without the five-star prices.
In San Jose del Cabo, El Encanto and La Tropicana are two of the most famous, and beautiful boutique hotels, located in the wonderful Spanish colonial downtown area. The yellow-painted El Encanto is a local treasure as is La Tropicana, with its spectacular restaurant and the occasional live music adding to its charm. All these affordably priced hotels offer alternatives to the big hotels along the corridor, in San Jose's hotel zone and the Cabo San Lucas beachfront resorts.
