Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula  may be awash in mega-size, mega-service, mega-resorts, and many of them are at the top of people’s lists of places to stay before they die. But Casa Natalia  in the neighboring 17th Century town of San Jose del Cabo, offers a more intimate option that’s every bit as chic and indulgent. Owners Nathalie and Loic Tenoux  like to say that the word Casa in the name of their 16 room high design boutique hotel means “home,” not merely “house.” The couple actually lives in a penthouse over the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant (where Loic is Chef) and they’ve worked hard to make you feel at home too.

Long, slender and secluded, the design of the hotel’s grounds which include 39 palm trees and a heated pool create instant serenity thanks to high richly...