Travelers with deep pockets head to the Corridor’s posh resorts to see and be seen. Prices for these resorts begin around US$300–400 for the Sheraton and Hilton, climb to US$500 for the Westin and Marquis, and top out at US$700–1,000 per night or more for the Palmilla, Esperanza, and Las Ventanas.

The lowest rates at each resort typically require full payment at the time of booking, and cancellation fees apply. Travel club memberships such as AAA can yield a discount of US$100 or more per night. The standard rates do not include 12 percent tax and 15 percent service, unless otherwise noted.

Cabo Surf Hotel

When the waves are rolling in at Playa Acapulquito, surfers and surfing spectators fill the 22 rooms, suites, and villas of the Cabo Surf Hotel (Km. 28, Carr. Transp., tel. 624/142-2676, U.S. tel. 858/964-5117, www.cabosurfhotel.com, US$265–625). The hotel is part of a Mexican-owned hotel company. Highlights here include marble floors, satellite TV, and in-room Wi-Fi. The largest villas accommodate up to eight guests.

You can book a lesson through the Mike Doyle surf school, and when you’ve had enough of the action in the water, retreat to the on-site spa to recuperate. Then you can dine under an open-air palapa at the 7 Seas, where choices include blue crab tostadas, fresh Baja clams au gratin, and a sea bass and spinach–stuffed chile pepper.

Sheraton Hacienda del Mar

You won’t have to get up at the crack of dawn to reserve a chaise lounge at the Sheraton (Km. 10.5, Carr. Transp., Cabo del Sol, tel. 624/145-8000, toll-free Mex. tel. 800/903-2500, toll-free U.S. tel. 888/625-5144, www.sheratonhaciendadelmar.com, from US$400); an abundance of patio furniture was part of the resort design. Even better, a poolside concierge helps guests plan the day’s activities without having to leave the pool.

Mediterranean defines the look and feel of this sprawling resort, which has 270 rooms and 31 suites; the latter were renovated in late 2006. The hotel has several options for dining and entertainment. Best known among these is Pitahayas (tel. 624/145-8010, breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, mains US$15–40), which prepares variations on a Pacific Rim theme. You can also dine inside or out at the more casual Tomates (tel. 624/145-8000, breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, mains US$10–15), serving a fusion of Mexican and international dishes. Look for the beautifully landscaped Cabo del Sol exit ramp near Km. 10.

Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa

A favorite among wedding parties, honeymooners, and anniversary celebrants, Dreams Los Cabos (Km. 18.5, Carr. Transp., Cabo Real, tel. 624/145-7600, toll-free U.S. tel. 866/237-3267, www.dreamsresorts.com, from US$600) has 308 large and private luxury suites and all the amenities of a full-service resort. Its honeymoon packages include a champagne breakfast in bed. Book ahead if you have your heart set on a stay at Dreams; this popular resort has one of the highest occupancy rates in Los Cabos.

Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort

Next door, the Hilton (Km. 19.5, Carr. Transp., Cabo Real, tel. 624/145-6500, wwww.hiltonloscabos.com, from US$400) features Mediterranean architecture, a beautiful infinity pool, and a complete list of luxury-style amenities, plus a favorable location near Playa Bledito. Rooms were recently renovated by designer Paul Duesing and have large baths with soaking tubs, separate showers, and L’Occitane products.

Meliá Cabo Real

The Meliá Cabo Real (Km. 19.5, Carr. Transp., Cabo Real, tel. 624/142-2222, toll-free U.S. tel. 888/956-3542, www.solmelia.com, from US$245) is an all-inclusive resort with more than 300 rooms situated near the Cabo Real Golf Course. Most have marble baths, balconies, and ocean views. This is one of few resorts along the Corridor that’s located on a swimmable beach, thanks to a man-made jetty.

Zoëtry Casa del Mar Los Cabos

On a smaller scale, the 32 suites at the hacienda-style Casa del Mar (Km. 19.5, Carr. Transp., tel. 624/145-7700, toll-free U.S. tel. 800/227-9621, www.zoetryresorts.com/casadelmar, US$500 and up), now run by Zoëtry Resorts, come with ocean views, luxury bed linens, teak furniture, marble baths, and Mexican artwork. This is a boutique property with six swimming pools, four lighted tennis courts, and a European-style spa.

Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos

Adjacent to the Cabo del Sol golf course is the family-oriented Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos (Km. 10.3, Carr. Transp., Cabo del Sol, tel. 624/145-6200, toll-free U.S. tel. 800/343-7821, www.fiestaamericana.com, US$450–600), with 250 oceanview guestrooms and suites and a secluded beach. Rooms are spread across six floors and feature private balconies. The resort’s restaurant, Rosato (tel. 624/145-6200, dinner daily, mains US$15–20), serves northern Italian cuisine.

Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos

A dramatic architectural interpretation of the arch at Land’s End stands at the center of the Westin Los Cabos (Km. 22.5, Carr. Transp., tel. 624/142-9000, toll-free U.S. tel. 800/598-1864, www.westinloscabos.com, US$350–700). Mexican architect Javier Sordo Magdaleno designed the hillside resort with bright colors and views from every vantage point.

The chain’s signature Heavenly Beds are reason enough to stay here. Separate tubs and showers in large marble bathrooms add even more of a distinctive touch.

Several restaurants on-site provide a variety of dining experiences; they include eclectic Arrecifes and La Cascada, which serves tapas from around the world.

A European-style spa offers body wraps, mud baths, and massage treatments inside or on the beach. Guests have golf privileges at the Cabo Real Golf Course, about 2.5 kilometers southwest.

Marquis Los Cabos

From the inlaid turquoise stones that accent resort corridors to perfectly filtered light in the spa rooms, meticulous attention to detail and contemporary Mexican decor set the tone for a stay at the Marquis Los Cabos (Km. 21.5, Carr. Transp., tel. 624/144-2000, toll-free U.S. tel. 877/238-9399, www.marquisloscabos.com, US$450–700). Opened in 2003, the Mexican-owned resort was designed to reveal ocean views from every angle. Guests can move from their room to a restaurant, the spa, or the gym without losing sight of the sea. The Marquis’ 237 rooms have soaking tubs and showers, Bulgary bath fixtures, mahogany woodwork, flat-screen TVs, and exquisite linens.

Each morning, hotel staff delivers breakfast to guests through a private pass-through alcove. In addition, rooms and common areas showcase contemporary Mexican paintings and sculpture. And if you fall in love with the eclectic furnishings, as many guests apparently have, you can buy your own from a furniture store on the premises. Twenty-eight casitas have their own swimming pools.

A 929–square meter spa and an award-winning 21-seat French restaurant, Canto del Mar, sets the hotel apart. Close proximity to the highway and small balconies are the only obvious disadvantages at this resort. A service charge of US$35 per day is added to the daily room rate.

Las Ventanas al Paraíso

Romance defines the experience at Las Ventanas (Km. 20, Carr. Transp., tel. 624/144-0300, toll-free U.S. tel. 888/767-3966, www.lasventanas.com, junior suites US$600 and up), which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2007. Accordingly, one of your first choices upon arrival here will be selecting bed linens from the sheet menu. Known for its underground service tunnels, designed to hide some of the infrastructure and busy staff that keeps the place running, the property is run by Rosewood Hotels and Resorts. Colors are earthy and warm for an intimate ambience.

Large guest suites feature inlaid stone-and-tile floors and adobe fireplaces. Computerized telescopes help guests find whales offshore. Three spa suites have space for in-room treatments, as well as rooftop terraces with outdoor hot tubs. Everyone else can book treatments at the on-site spa. A large infinity pool has “high-tech” pebbles that change color according to the color of the sky and sea.

A tequila- and ceviche-tasting bar hosts Friday evening Tequila Nights, open to guests and nonguests. Private movie nights on the beach, complete with wine and gourmet Mexican botanas, are another signature Las Ventanas diversion. Multiday spa and meal packages are available. For guests who want to venture away from the resort, Mini Cooper S convertibles, BMW motorcycles, and off-road Hummers are available for rent.

Esperanza Resort

By many accounts, Esperanza (Km. 7, Carr. Transp., Punta Ballena, tel. 624/145-6400, toll-free U.S. tel. 866/311-2226, www.esperanzaresort.com, US$600–850) leads the pack for outstanding guest service. Located close to Cabo San Lucas, its 50 casitas and six suites feature original Mexican artwork and handcrafted furnishings. A signature spa has indoor steam caves and waterfalls, with treatments that incorporate local fruits and vegetation. The oceanfront Mediterranean restaurant, the Signature Restaurant at Esperanza, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, completes the picture.

Esperanza also has its own art gallery with works by contemporary Mexican painters and sculptors for sale. A four-night minimum stay is required for all weekend bookings January–April except February and March, when a seven-night stay is required.

One&Only Palmilla

The oldest resort in Los Cabos is also one of the destination’s most expensive—and most popular—places to stay. Originally built in 1956 by “Rod” Rodríguez, son of former Mexican president Abelardo Luis Rodríguez, the One&Only Palmilla (Km. 27, Carr. Transp., tel. 624/146-7000, toll-free U.S. tel. 866/829-2977, www.oneandonlyresorts.com, US$600 and up) has a prime location against a cliff on Punta Palmilla near San José. Over the years, it has grown from one hotel to encompass an entire resort community.

Like Esperanza, this is a place for travelers who want to be pampered and are willing to pay for the personal service—which includes everything from loaner iPods and sunglasses cleaning at the pool to golf cart shuttles to get you to and from your room. The result is a private and relaxing five-star vacation. Activities include yoga, spa treatments, and golf. You can dine at Charlie Trotter’s Restaurant C or the Mediterranean Agua Restaurant.