Quivira: The Quintessential Cabo Experience

“In a destination renowned for its rarefied mountain-desert-ocean environment, Quivira sits at the tip of the Baja peninsula, at the exact place where the Sea of Cortes meets the Pacific Ocean. For extraordinary ocean views at true Land’s End, no other resort or community in Cabo has what we have,” explained Jose Luis Mogollon, Chief Development Officer for Pueblo Bonito Oceanfront Resorts and Spas and Project Director for Quivira Golf Club. In an interview with Mogollon, we discussed all-things Quivira Los Cabos, their Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, the many resorts of the property, the perfect itinerary to experience the best Quivira has to offer, and much more.

Tell me a little bit about the founding and opening of Quivira Los Cabos, and why golf enthusiasts in particular would truly enjoy all that this property has to offer.
The amenity that put Quivira Los Cabos on the map is its golf course. Opened in December 2014, Quivira Golf Club is an award-winning Jack Nicklaus Signature course that has redefined the Cabo golf experience. This spectacular layout scales the heights at Land’s End, with holes routed through massive sand dunes, along the flanks of a mountain 275 feet above the sea, and through rolling desert foothills. It’s the kind of course that can test the mettle of a world-class Tour pro from the championship tees but that is very fun and playable for average golfers from the forward tees. A spectacular setting, with breathtaking ocean views from all 18 holes, is unrivaled. For drama and challenge, there are few courses anywhere that can match it.

Quivira Golf Club was named the International Course of the Year (2014) by GOLF Magazine and recently was highlighted in Golf Digest as possessing the best seaside hole (#12) in Los Cabos.

On the real estate side, the newest developments within Quivira Los Cabos are Copala, an upscale, full-ownership home and condominium community that opened in June 2015. The project is more than 60% sold out at this point, well ahead of projections. There’s also Coronado, a premier 22-acre community that will feature 64 one-story, Mexican hacienda-style homes that honor the region’s architectural heritage. Both developments are set on a desert ridge high above the Sea of Cortes and offer panoramic ocean and golf course views.

In terms of accommodations, how would you define the range of options available, along with their look and feel?
Pueblo Bonito Oceanfront Resorts and Spas comprise a handful of superb resorts in Los Cabos. Each of the properties offers luxury all-inclusive options and has its own unique design, personality and ambiance, yet all share the same high level of impeccable quality and distinguished atmosphere. In Cabo San Lucas, the adults-only Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort is a favorite of golfers and is also the ideal setting for a romantic getaway. Two new towers totaling 47 rooms are currently under construction at Pacifica. These two Club Level buildings, named Quivira Club, will feature enhanced room amenities and first-class personalized service. Each floor will be staffed with a butler to attend to any and all guest needs. An October 2016 opening is anticipated for Quivira Club.

There’s also Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Golf & Spa Resort, which offers large, ocean-view suites that are perfect for families.

Finally, Montecristo Estates Luxury Villas is an exclusive gated community featuring private, beautifully-appointed three-bedroom villas spaced along a bluff overlooking the Pacific, which thanks to its height and proximity to the water, enjoy some of the most spectacular ocean views anywhere.

With regard to on-site dining, what would you recommend as signature dishes and drinks?

La Frida is our five-star, fine dining restaurant and its signature dish is Mezcal Beef, a pan-seared Kobe beef filet, served with sweet potato puré, caramelized spring onion, garlic confit, and peas, encrusted with panko breadcrumbs and glazed with a veal and Mezcal reduction.

At Siempre in Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, there are two distinctive entrees that are very popular: Grilled shrimp, black risotto corn mushroom and squid ink with tatemada green spicy sauce and the pork entrecote with fresh prune sauce, smoked carrot purée and corn crisps with radish salad. Siempre’s Sunday brunch is fabulous – a favorite of all guests.

I’m also fond of Tazuna, a new restaurant at Sunset Beach (think sushi and sunsets) and Burger Fest at Sunset Beach, which offers an incredible variety of tasty burgers (the Baja Burger with grilled grouper fillet, cole slaw, pico de gallo and chipotle dressing is a personal favorite.

For drinks, a long-time guest favorite, served poolside, is the “Miami Vice”—one-half Strawberry Daiquiri, one-half Pina Colada. We also have Mezcal and tequila tastings throughout the resort that are very popular.

Golfers rave about the “Crunchy David,” named for chef David Vidales, which is served at Oasis, the open-air comfort station where holes 8, 9, 11 and 12 converge. The “Crunchy David” is prepared with three crispy flour tortillas, Arrachera (flank steak), Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, and salad fixings. The key to this delicious creation is properly seasoning the steak and heating the flour tortillas until the cheeses are melted and the tortillas are crunchy. The “Crunchy David” is served with lemon or lime wedges and a spicy salsa for extra flavor. This delicious dish, plus more, and specialty drinks are all part of the green fee at Quivira.

I’m also fond of the fabulous Sunday brunch presented at Siempre, the signature restaurant at Pacifica. For drinks, a long-time guest favorite, served poolside, is the “Miami Vice”—one-half Strawberry Daiquiri, one-half Pina Colada. We also have Mezcal and tequila tastings throughout the resort that are very popular.

What strikes you as the most special or unique aspect of the property?

Two things. One is our location. It is truly outstanding. In a destination renowned for its rarefied mountain-desert-ocean environment, Quivira sits at the southernmost point, the tip, of the Baja peninsula, at the exact place where the Sea of Cortes meets the Pacific Ocean. Although secluded, the Quivira development is only a five-minute drive from downtown Cabo San Lucas. For extraordinary ocean views at true Land’s End, no other resort or community in Cabo has what we have.

The other is our “‘Good Life’ concept. It is a lifestyle club that provides forums and programs for meaningful interaction and education—from wine tasting to organic gardening, painting classes to golf clinics. We are really stressing the fullness and enjoyment of life in this beautiful place that people are choosing to call home, with the goal of creating lifelong memories.”

If you were to advise potential guests planning their visit to Quivira Los Cabos, what would constitute the perfect stay?
A leisurely breakfast, followed by lounging poolside with your i-Pod or a good book. Just taking the time to breathe the air, enjoy the sun and truly relax. Listening to the waves hitting the beach is mesmerizing. On the spur of the moment, guests can join a “boga” (beach yoga) class.

Active-minded vacationers can play golf, hit the gym, walk along the miles of walking paths, or pursue a myriad array of activities within or in the vicinity of Quivira. Cabo is a world-class fishing destination and anglers from throughout the world come here in pursuit of tuna, yellowtail, mahi and marlin. Whale-watching cruises are popular from December through March. The award-winning Armonia Spas at Pacifica and Sunset Beach are tranquil sanctuaries designed for total relaxation and renewal. I also feel that dinner at the award-winning La Frida restaurant at Sunset Beach is a special experience.

Rahim Kanani is the author of critically-acclaimed hotel management book and hospitality management book A Wealth of Insight: The World’s Best Luxury Hoteliers on Leadership, Management and the Future of 5-Star Hospitality.