Traditional Mexican and Japanese design cues strike a minimalist balance at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
It’s hard to think of two design aesthetics that sit further apart than those of Japan and Mexico. But in a marriage of inspirations—the sharp angles and flat planes of Mexican architect Luis Barragán to the neutral tones and cool materials favored by Japanese architect Tadao Ando—architecture firm WATG has created a beautiful bond between the two cultures with Nobu Hotel Los Cabos. It’s the latest offering from the restaurant-turned-hotel brand founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro, and film producer Meir Teper, bringing the total to 13 global properties.
“Chef Matsuhisa’s culinary approach has always been about transforming local flavors and ingredients by way of Japanese cooking techniques,” says Monica Cuervo, WATG’s regional director of the Americas. In a similar fashion, the architecture of the first ground-up hotel for the brand relies on Cabo stone, native Ojinaga marble, and Mexican wood—local versions of materials often associated with Japanese building—to “offer the tranquility, simplicity, and purity of form of Japanese design,” she says.
A water feature marks the entry courtyard as a nod to Japanese gardens
In its landscape design for the resort, WATG makes liberal use of Japanese gardening techniques and elements like water features. A triptych of three large Cabo stones, a nod both to the craggy cliffs that surround the area and Kyoto’s iconic dry gardens, sits in front of the dramatic entrance portal that perfectly frames the ocean beyond. As guests explore further, a series of pool-filled pocket gardens and courtyards unfolds.
Public spaces include an outpost of the casual Malibu Farm restaurant, an Esencia spa, a café, and a swim-up cocktail bar. The signature fine-dining restaurant, Nobu, was designed by Studio PCH of Venice, California, which also handled the resort’s interiors, including the 200 guestrooms.
Filled with wood soaking tubs, tatami mats, table lamps reminiscent of Japanese lanterns, and latticed closets inspired by shōji screens, the rooms mirror the neutral hues and smooth materials found throughout the property. “We were mindful that we were in Mexico, so we introduced richer colors and rougher textures in the rugs, [throw] pillows, and sofa fabrics,” says Studio PCH principal Severine Tatangelo, who opted for geometric patterns in muted rust and slate blue tones.
“We were going for the vibe of each culture,” she adds, noting the key to this successful blend was working closely with WATG. “We had the same pillars for the project—an integrated palette of colors and materials that emphasize the light and views of the surroundings.”
The Playa bar at the Cortez pool lets its surroundings take centerstage
Natural materials and muted tones of rust and slate blue define the guestrooms
Guestroom bathrooms flaunt Japanese-inspired wood soaking tubs
This article originally appeared in HD’s May 2020 issue.
