Skip to Content

Hotel El Ganzo Review: Oasis of Creative Cool in Cabo

Uh oh… A rainbow-colored splash of paint seemed to be running down one of the hotel walls.

Had someone accidentally spilled paint out of a window at Hotel El Ganzo? That’s what we initially thought the first time we stayed.

But, no, it turned out the paint spill was an intentional piece of art at this unique boutique hotel in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Oooh! Writing this Hotel El Ganzo review is going to be fun!

Fishing boats docked in front of Hotel El Ganzo
Hotel El Ganzo is one of our favorite hotels in Cabo!

A unique and cool boutique hotel

There’s lots to love about El Ganzo, from its arty vibe and free live music to the lovely rooftop pool

There are lots of places to stay in Los Cabos.

But there’s nothing quite like this super-cool, adults-only hotel.

Highlighted in the new Michelin Mexico Guide, Hotel El Ganzo stands out with its trendy design, artistic vibe and strong musical focus, putting it in a class of its own.

The whole hotel – rooms, floors, exterior walls – is a blank canvas,” Mark Rudin, Hotel El Ganzo’s music curator, told us. “Artists can leave their creation anywhere.

Pink painting of a lady on the wall at Hotel El Ganzo
Art creations on the walls and doors of El Ganzo

He explained that artists from around North America are invited to stay for a while and leave behind a contemporary art piece.

Music is a big part of the hotel’s appeal too. We liked watching the dedicated TV channel that streams concerts, recorded in their basement music studio.

Steps lead down through an open trapdoor to El Ganzo's underground recording studio
Walk down these stairs to peek into the underground recording studio

Throughout the week, you can catch free live music in the lobby and restaurant. One night, we caught a mesmerizing flamenco performance during dinner – Flamenco Nights light up Wednesdays.

On alternate Thursdays, local DJs spin their favorite records on Vinyl Night. And Fridays are for live music and jam sessions, specially curated by the hotel’s resident music experts.

Rooms and suites

Master Suite at Hotel El Ganzo, with a four-poster bed and marina views
A corner Master Suite

From rooms with Juliet-style balconies to the sprawling 3,900-square-foot Penthouse Suite (complete with its own gym and ping pong table), Hotel El Ganzo has a variety of rooms to suit every type of traveler.

The Master Suite offers 760 square feet of luxury, including a separate living room with a custom sectional sofa and a wooden dining table.

Most of the rooms, though, are a comfortable 380 square feet, featuring a king bed (or two doubles) and sweeping water views.

We’ve stayed at El Ganzo three times now, in different room categories, including a corner Master Suite with two balconies showcasing gorgeous ocean vistas.

If we were to pick our favorite, we’d go for a Terrace Room on the lower floor. It has a huge private terrace, decked out with rocking chairs and a daybed to enjoy the marina views. If you’re after something extra, Jacuzzi Rooms have outdoor hot tubs on the terrace.

Whichever room you choose, each of the 72 rooms and suites boasts original artwork, poured concrete floors, Rivolta Carmignani Italian sheets, terrycloth robes and large soaking tubs.

Oh, and we always love lathering up with El Ganzo’s organic, rosemary-scented bath products!

Rosemary bath products at Hotel El Ganzo
The rosemary-infused bath amenities are quite divine – and they’re organic!

Hot rooftop pool!

Now, this is a pool with a view!

We can’t talk about Hotel El Ganzo without raving about its rooftop infinity pool.

It’s hot! And not only because the sun blazes in the afternoon (you’ll definitely want to find shade in one of the cabanas or under an umbrella).

We’re talking “hot” as in unforgettable, with jaw-dropping views that will stay with you long after you’ve packed up your swimsuit and returned home.

From the pool – and the glass cube-shaped Jacuzzi – you get fabulous 270-degree views of the Puerto Los Cabos marina below and the endless blue Sea of Cortez beyond. Watch pelicans diving and fishing boats puttering in and out.

You’ll be tempted to order a bottle of Veuve Cliquot and spend the afternoon simply gazing at the action as you sip by the pool!

Beach club

White cushioned daybeds on the sand at El Ganzo Beach Club
It’s a free 5-minute ride on the hotel’s taxi boat to the El Ganzo Beach Club

A complimentary water taxi shuttles guests across the marina from the hotel to their El Ganzo Beach Club. It’s one of the more mellow beach clubs in Los Cabos – no blaring music.

Even better, the beach is swimmable, a rare find in the area!

Once there, you’ll find plenty of lounge chairs, cabanas, fresh beach towels and showers, along with a restaurant and friendly wait staff. The cushioned cabanas are free to use, but any food or drinks you order are, naturally, billed to your room.

Bicycling around the Puerto Los Cabos Marina

Bicycle parked in front of a calm palm-lined estuary
We always enjoy going for a bicycle ride around Puerto Los Cabos and by the estuary

Fat-tire upright bicycles are free for guests to take out.

We’ve hopped on them a few times to pedal on the shared pedestrian-and-bike path around the marina.

Along the way, you’ll pass sleek white mega-yachts and huge stone and metal sculptures that add a bit of artistic flair to the scenic ride. You can make a detour by San Jose del Cabo’s estuary to pop into the beach club too.

Location

Hotel El Ganzo is a 10-minute drive from downtown San Jose del Cabo. If you don’t have a car, getting around is easy with Uber, so it’s no effort to reach the town’s various restaurants.

Hotel details at a glance

  • 72 rooms
  • Two swimming pools
  • Beach club, on a safe swimming beach
  • Two restaurants – one is rooftop (open until 8:00 pm) and the other is a farm-to-table seaside resto (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Hotel El Ganzo review: Bottom line?

We think the 5-star Hotel El Ganzo offers great value (especially since the Cabo resort destination is quite pricey and many other 5-star hotels cost more).

With its chic laid-back vibe and breathtaking rooftop pool, it’s a top choice for couples. And the swimmable beach? That’s the cherry on top.

The hotel is currently being renovated, and we’re eager to see its refreshed look when everything is wrapped up in October, 2024!

Hotel El Ganzo: Check rates and availability here

Hotel El Ganzo review

Photos: 2, 5, 7 to 9, 12, 15, 16, 19 to 21 © Janice and George Mucalov, Cabo Visitor | Remaining photos Hotel El Ganzo

About the authors

Award-winning travel writers Janice and George Mucalov are frequent visitors to Los Cabos. Here on Cabo Visitor, they share their essential tips for discovering the best of Cabo!