The Hotelito

Rooms

The four cottages are nestled within an immaculately raked gravel courtyard of tropical palms, jasmine and bougainvilleas. Thanks to a clever layout, all feel secluded, with their own private seating areas, hammocks and colourful loungers.

The colour palette is arresting and yet soothing: exteriors in the eponymous colour and, inside, a feature wall on the same theme. Casa Rosa, where we stayed, was predominantly pink with splashes of deep sea green, turquoise and violet.

The two smaller cottages, Casa Azul and Casa Verde, are nearer the dining terrace, have queensize beds and face west. The Garden Cottages, Casa Rosa and Casa Violeta, have kingsize beds and additional garden space.

All beds are draped with muslin netting, plump pillows and blissful mattresses. Rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, a mini-fridge, a Mexican ceramic filtered water dispenser, blinds, beach towels, fresh flowers and a very useful information pack about the hotel and vicinity. High ceilings help keep rooms cool although ceiling fans and air-con are in situ.

The stylish shower bathrooms have lava stone sinks, bathrobes, shaving mirror and hairdryer, as well as plenty of towels.

The villa, Casa de Chilicote, has three ensuite bedrooms: two light-filled rooms decked out in sunshine yellow and pastel pink with kingsize beds and balconies, and one smaller one off the terrace. Its large open-plan living room comes with fireplace, big sofas, and TV and DVD player. As in the cottages, you'll find vintage collectibles that Jenny has collected through her career, as well as artworks from modern pieces on the living room walls to black and white photographs of Mexico in the bathroom.

Desert gardens and terraces wrap around the building, which is next to the horse paddock; you also get a laundry room.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Minibar/fridge
• WiFi

Eating

A light continental breakfast (8.30-10.30am) is the only meal served daily at The Hotelito and is served on a tray to your room each morning. Your room has tea and coffee making facilities, fresh drinking water, and a mini-fridge; there's also a small guest kitchen for guest use.

For lunch, head to the supermarket in town to buy provisions, then grab the cooler box and beach towels (provided) for a sizzling picnic on the beach. Or stroll 10 minutes up the road to La Esquina for hearty Mexican fare. For evening drinks, an honesty bar is in place - mix yourself a drink and write it in the book.

Otherwise it's a short walk into town for evening meals. Choose from taco stands and cafes on the main street such as Caffe Todos Santos on Calle Centenario for Mexican dishes plus great pastries and coffee, or Il Giardino on Calle Degollado for oven-fired pizzas and other Italian fare. The best restaurant is commonly considered to be the Cafe Santa Fe also on Calle Centenario, which has a lovely shrouded dining terrace and specialises in Italian dishes, or Michaels' which serves Asian fusion cuisine.

If you're staying at Casa de Chilicote you get a fully equipped galley-style kitchen, complete with fridge freezer, microwave, stove and dishwasher. You dine al fresco at a large table on the terrace just outside the kitchen door; there's also a dining table tucked to the side in the large living room, and a barbecue outside. A welcome breakfast basket includes marmalade, bread, fruit, tea and coffee. Olive oil and vinegar and other basics are in the house.

Features include:

• Minibar/fridge
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Explore delightful Todos Santos, a Pueblo Magico, for its galleries, artisanal crafts, cultural events and laid back vibe
  
• Beautiful La Cachora beach, at the end of the road, is often deserted save for Brown Pelicans and seagulls; ideal for strolling, sunbathing and magnificent sunsets, but not recommended for swimming
  
• Drive 5km south of Todos Santos to discover La Palma beach and eponymous palm grove, which is also deserted but safe for swimming
  
• Grey whales migrate November-March: whale-watching tours can be arranged, and you can also glimpse dolphins
  
• Jenny is a keen equestrian: there are stables on the premises and an exercise paddock adjacent. Lessons in dressage are available or you can take the horses out for a canter along the beach
  
• Todos Santos is a renowned surfing destination, seasoned practitioner Mario runs the local surf school; Los Cerritos, San Pedrito and La Pastora – all legendary surfing sites – are nearby
  
• Stroll along La Cachora to Poza lagoon for excellent birding: herons, frigatebirds, hummingbirds and orioles. We thrilled to watch the nighthawks' spectacular aerial displays at dusk
  
• Go kayaking, there's a local operator who can kit you out
  
• Day long boat trips can be arranged to Espiritu Santo island in the Sea of Cortez, for picnics on deserted beaches and swimming with sea lions
  
• Take a tour into the mountains with experienced guides and botanists
  
• Witness the amazingly moving spectacle of newly-hatched Leatherback Turtles being helped back to the ocean; various rescue programmes are in operation locally
  
• Indulge in a massage
  
• Enjoy yoga and Pilates in a yoga centre, 5 minutes walk away
  
• Chill out on loungers by the very stylishly snazzy saltwater swimming pool

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Fishing
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Sailing
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Surfing
• Wildlife
• Windsurfing
• Yoga

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome subject to reservation. Older kids will love the beach, the horses and the dogs, the chance to meet Colette the pig from their farm animal rescue initiative, as well as the pool. But the hotel is not really set up for younger ones.

Family friendly accommodation:

Families with teenage kids should take Casa de Chilicote which has three bedrooms and can also take another two extra beds.

Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Hotelito is located outside the small town of Todos Santos, on the Pacific side of the Baja peninsula, about 60km north of Los Cabos; the town lies directly on the Tropic of Cancer (the northern edge of the tropics) in the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains.

By Air
Baja's capital, La Paz (100km away), has limited flights. You'll find more choice at Los Cabos airport (140km away). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

By Car
La Paz is 1 hour's drive away and Los Cabos nearly 2 hours. Taxis are available at both airports, but the majority of guests hire a car, for greater flexibility once in Todos Santos. See our car rental recommendations. Parking is available under a shade structure on the gated property.

By Bus
If you don't want to rent a car there are regular bus services from La Paz, San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas to Todos Santos. The Fridasa and Las Aguilas bus lines run north and south almost every hour. You can take a shuttle or a taxi from the airports to the bus depots.

Detailed directions will be provided with confirmed booking.

More on getting to Mexico and getting around