Just three hours south of the border, this oceanfront hotel is small enough to feel like a hideaway. Perched above the waves, Las Rosas has stunning views of Ensenada. Many of the rooms have fireplaces, whirlpools, or kitchenettes; all have a terrace with an ocean view. Amenities include a shimmering infinity pool and clifftop hot tub. In the excellent spa, try the abalone-and-kelp body wrap, followed by a massage with pearl-and-coral cream. The hotel restaurant serves steaks, seafood, and Mexican dishes, and the piano lounge is a romantic place to enjoy a nightcap.

Inspired design and attention to detail needn't always mean a hefty price tag. Bougainvillea drapes over iron railings, brick walls support vines shading the small pool, and tiled fountains splash at this endearing budget hotel on a side street in San Lucas. Bright yellow shutters, woven straw headboards on wrought iron beds, and large bathrooms with tiled counters add a Mexican flair to the 12 large rooms. Guests gather with owner Sandra Scandibar around the courtyard table to exchange tips on taco stands and beaches. More solitary types stick to the rooftop terrace beside flowers blooming amid boulders. Film and band crews staying several weeks claim dibs on ground-floor rooms with kitchenettes while famed Cabo regulars hide out in the upstairs suite.

Soaring arches frame the Sea of Cortez view from the open-air lobby at this architectural stunner. Wide-winged bronze angels appear ready to fly from the lobby's edge above waterfalls cascading down three levels to the pool. Architect Jacobo Micha's thoughtful design carries through to the 237-suites as well. Original paintings and sculptures complement the open-air design, mattresses can be flipped from firm to soft, long entryway counters are perfect for holding beach gear, and whirlpool tubs are deep enough for soaking. Beach casitas are equally indulgent with individual pools by the sand to please celebs and privacy seekers. Sunlight streams through latticed wood ceilings above open-air hot tubs in the 1,200-square-foot spa, and the sinuous pool meanders above the beach. The staff can arrange a variety of activities from sailing on a private yacht and touring art galleries to driving Hummers through the desert.

The young and the beautiful stride through the lobby at this newly renovated San Lucas fave at the center of all the nightlife action. Guests lounge on orange beach beds at the Nikki Beach club, dip into the multi-level pool, and nibble sushi with margaritas and beer. At night, local scenesters, DJ groupies, and hotel guests mingle as torches and fire pits blaze in the Passion Club Lounge—beware of rooms above the club unless you're planning on pulling all-nighters. Should you need further stimulation, the restaurants and clubs of San Lucas are a 10-minute walk away. However, with 150 rooms and suites, there's enough space for guests less intent on imbibing. And the rooms themselves are oases: Cream-colored walls; dark-wood furnishings with clean, simple lines; and splashes of orange art make for a sophisticated and relaxing space—though the low-slung couches and chairs aren't all that comfy. Rooms in The Level, the VIP floor, include pre-loaded iPods, espresso machines, and dedicated concierges; poolside suites have lounging beds on their above-it-all terraces.

Hummingbirds zip around plumeria, rose, and jasmine blossoms in gardens surrounding this seven-suite artsy eco-hotel on a roller coaster dirt road in Todos Santos. Guests are greeted with binoculars and CDs of their choice and settle into meticulously arranged living and sleeping areas with orangey plastered walls, fresh flowers, bowls of pistachios, and stocked bookshelves, or on terraces or balconies facing desert gardens, a soothing saltwater pool, a sea-grass framed lagoon, and the booming Pacific waves. Rowboats are available for excursions across the lagoon to a long deserted beach; more than 70 species of birds find refuge here and you can easily spot cormorants, egrets, herons, and pelicans. Delicious Euro-Mexican dinners are served in El Gusto! Restaurant, decorated with paintings by owner-artist Libusche Wiesendanger. She and her husband Juerg bring a Swiss formality and flavor to the service and cuisine. The menu always includes a selection of salads, soups, and hearty entrees with enough variety to keep guests from tackling the road to town (better to dip into the town's many excellent cafes for long lunches). If you're looking for action, stay in Cabo. But if you crave a completely serene getaway with ample pampering, you just might want to stay here forever.