Las Vegas Weekly

March 19, 2009 · 1:58 PM

Heaven on Earth is two hours away at Las Ventanas in Cabo San Lucas

By Robin Leach

Las Ventanas at dusk.

Photo: Las Ventanas

Heaven on Earth does exist after all! It’s the palace of private pleasures where George Maloof of the Palms took pop princess Britney Spears to speed her recovery and return to music. It’s the incredible indulgence where Brad Pitt not only romanced Jennifer Aniston, but also wooed Angelina Jolie. The ultimate celebrity hangout that even has its very own director of romance attracts all our hotel honchos and Strip stars to relieve their stress and rejuvenate their lives. It’s just a little more than a two-hour hop away from Vegas or L.A., and so private there’s not even a sign on the prestigious five-diamond property.

Your limo or taxi driver better know where it’s located on the 20-mile strip of white sand beaches known as The Corridor. And your name better be at the guard gate because guest privacy is fiercely guarded. There isn’t even a check-in desk; it’s that exclusive. You are forbidden to look in the guest book, but I can reliably tell you that it reads better than a Hollywood super agent’s iPhone speed-dial system! Las Ventanas has never revealed its star guests, but many of them have raved about their vacations there.

For 12 years, Las Ventanas -- literally “the windows to paradise” -- has quietly welcomed the world’s most famous showbiz and sports stars, high society’s movers and shakers, captains of industry, hotel heavyweights and fashion designers. Located at the foot of the Baja Peninsula in Cabo San Lucas, everybody from Barbra Streisand, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robin Williams, Charlize Theron, Eva Longoria and Meg Ryan has called Las Ventanas their holiday hideaway.

Simon Cowell told E! Entertainment he loves the place, Jessica Simpson told Rolling Stone that the infinity pool is her favorite anywhere in the world, Jennifer Lopez told Harper’s Bazaar that she loves the open-air massages close to the ocean, and Nip/Tuck’s Kelly Carlson told Elite magazine that its her favorite escape.

There are only 71 lavishly furnished suites, and each one has its own butler and concierge service so that every need is met. They blow a conch shell to alert you when you can spot the whales in their magical migration that’s right at the bottom of your garden. A personal telescope is included in each suite so you get a close-up of the massive mammals. There are separate, secluded one- to three-bedroom suites for superstars or smaller groupings of eight suites to one building. When they’ve unpacked your travel clothes, they prepare a personalized sewing kit to match the colors of your wardrobe!

When I was there on one of my recharge-the-battery weekends, I ran into old friend Ryan Seacrest of American Idol. Venetian hotel President Rob Goldstein says simply, “It’s the best.” Hollywood stars have always been in love with Cabo for the sport fishing since the early 1950s, but it was only in the early ’90s that hotels began opening there. In 1997, the wave of ultimate luxury swept in. It’s now regarded as Mexico’s leading upscale tourist destination. Our Cirque du Soleil Believe magician Criss Angel was there on vacation a week before me, as was American Idol’s Paula Abdul. Crazy Girls producer Norbert Aleman is so in love with Cabo San Lucas, he’s purchased a massive ocean-view home there and is now building an entertainment complex downtown.

It simply doesn’t get any more exclusive or private than this. To soak up the sun and watch the dolphins and whales play in the Sea of Cortez at the beachfront side of the resort is a thoroughly therapeutic and emotional experience. To be pampered with massages using 10 different aromatherapy oils in the spa is unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere on Earth. The sensual sensation of being in the open air at oceanside makes you think at evening time you could reach up and touch the star-filled skies. It truly is a holistic healing! You have got to listen to the playing of the crystal bowls at every sunrise and sunset to realize how heaven sets its clocks!

Las Ventanas even has a spa suite butler available 24 hours to watch over guest diets, exercise and therapies! My favorite, though, is the director of romance! Yes, the resort has one special person dedicated to love. Could anything be more extraordinary than a bath for two after dinner in the beachfront gourmet restaurant where they catch the fresh fish from the ocean that same afternoon and cook it on a wood-burning grill? The romance ruler offers a “Sensual & Romantic” bath and an “Aromatic Indulgence” Jacuzzi, complete with chilled champagne or cigar and cognac waiting in the secluded, private suite lit by candles! The intimate ambience ensures that dreams come true and romantic weekends remain unforgettable.

The romance department goes farther than just planning weddings, honeymoons and anniversaries. They’ll even produce a unique video with your image embedded so as to surprise your partner with anything from a proposal to a renewal of vows. Their array of romantic resources is emotionally endless and even includes a white stallion or a private cinema for two on the beach. A pilot is on call if you want to write a marriage proposal in the sky above. Talk about fantasies being fulfilled! Every sense is stimulated and satisfied.

There’s butlers pool-side to mist you with frosted Evian sprays, clean your sunglasses, refresh you with frozen lemongrass popsicles or set a persona alarm clock so they can turn you in the hammocks after just the right amount of sun and sleep. This truly is heaven! And I can testify that having traveled the world for 14 years shooting Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous episodes, there is nowhere more luxurious for privacy and pampering. The serpentine network of pools has high-tech pebble flooring that changes color to mimic the sky and ocean throughout the day!

I first visited Las Ventanas just over a decade ago. I was wowed then, and, now having returned again, I am even more impressed with its upgrades and innovations. They’ve got convertible Mini Coopers to race around Cabo’s mountains, cactus-studded desert or along the beautiful blue sea.

It goes without saying that the casual food and the more formal meals of Baja Mediterranean cuisine are a gourmand’s dream. There’s a 3,500 wine bottle cave that can be reserved for an intimate dinner or a candlelit table for two on the beach. You don’t even have to leave the pool for a drink, as the friendly staff will serve it right at the swim-up bar complete with underwater stools.

One of the most annoying things at an incredible resort is when a service cart disturbs the peace and tranquility. Not so at Las Ventanas. You never see them. That’s because when the resort first opened in 1997, the owners built underground tunnels for all the service staff to use so guests never even know they are around. Now that is luxury! In fact, there are no walls or fences. Everything there is nature’s barriers created by living vines and flowers.

So here in Vegas, we are the luckiest people in the world. On the Strip, we have the nonstop action and excitement of the world’s best entertainment shows, nightclubs, restaurants and shopping. When we’re burned out from lighting the candle at both ends and we’re torn and troubled by modern-day stress, we can hop an easy flight and be pampered in paradise. Yes, heaven on Earth is just 120 minutes away from the Strip. It’s the best of both worlds today, and the one we trust we have tomorrow.

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