In a move as dazzling as a Baja sunset and as meticulously choreographed as a Raffles butler folding your linens just so, Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced its newest address: the windswept, star-strewn shores of Mexico’s East Cape. That’s right, the legendary hotelier, known for its rarified mix of history, romance, and champagne-spritzed mystique, is bringing its first-ever resort in North America to a slice of Los Cabos where time slows, the sea glitters, and the WiFi, thankfully, doesn’t always work.
Slated to open in 2029—so, yes, you’ve got some time to shop for caftans—Raffles Estera East Cape Resort & Residences promises to be more than just another desert-meets-ocean luxury outpost. According to the brand, it’s a “bold expression” of Raffles’ commitment to sustainability, exceptional experiences, and design that whispers, not screams, its opulence. But in an already crowded field of glossy resorts, private villas, and spiritual wellness retreats, one wonders: Can Raffles pull off an enchanted escape that feels both timeless and of its time?
@Raffles Estera East Cape Resort & Residences, located in Mexico’s Los Cabos region, is slated to debut in 2029
Where the Desert Meets the Dream
To their credit, Raffles is not settling for the typical tourist-trodden stretch of Cabo. The East Cape—an hour’s drive from the airport and a world away in spirit—is Baja at its most raw and unspoiled. Think: swimmable beaches (rare for the region), calm turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez, and the surreal backdrop of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains. It’s a setting that whispers barefoot luxury and eco-adventure in the same breath. The kind of place where you might paddleboard at dawn, then sip mezcal under a sky full of stars by night.
Raffles is betting big on this poetic collision of land, sea, and serenity, and it’s backing that bet with some serious design firepower. Architecture will come courtesy of Olson Kundig, the Seattle-based firm known for marrying modernism with nature in a way that feels both grounded and cinematic. Interiors will be helmed by Studio Paolo Ferrari, with Huber Design lending their touch to the residences. If all goes to plan, this won’t be just a hotel—it’ll be a lifestyle sculpture with a soul.
Spa Days, Sea Views & Seven Restaurants (Because Why Not?)
No Raffles debut would be complete without a touch of theatrical indulgence, and Estera East Cape isn’t shy on that front. The plans read like a luxury fever dream: a signature Raffles Spa, multiple infinity-edge pools, a beachside watersports hub, curated retail (please let there be artisanal Baja hats), and not one but seven distinct culinary concepts, including a Writer’s Bar and that beloved global icon—the Long Bar. Add in clubs for kids and teens, ballrooms for “intimate” 300-guest weddings, and private beach and mountain clubs for residence owners, and you start to wonder: Is this a resort or a fully-functioning pleasure republic?
The Glamour—and the Question Marks
Raffles has always excelled at the grand gesture. From Singapore’s colonial charm to the urban opulence of Raffles Boston, the brand trades in fantasy with finesse. But the East Cape project raises a delicate question: Can a global brand known for gilded grandeur adapt to a region that’s prized for its humility and nature-first ethos?
So far, the signs are promising. Raffles and development partner ONE Development Group are emphasizing responsible building, local culture, and authenticity. But let’s be honest—these are the buzzwords of luxury development in 2025, and the real proof will come with execution. Baja’s natural beauty doesn’t need embellishment. The trick will be creating a resort that feels rooted, not imposed.
A Long Lead-Up, but Worth the Wait?
With the doors not opening until 2029, there’s plenty of time for curiosity to simmer (and for the renderings to turn into reality). By then, the luxury landscape will likely have shifted again—toward greater mindfulness, deeper sustainability, and less performative opulence. If Raffles can channel those currents while still delivering its signature glamour (and yes, probably a private butler or two), Estera East Cape might just be the soul-stirring oasis we didn’t know we needed.
Until then, the desert holds its breath—and we start a countdown, preferably with a chilled glass of something sparkling in hand.
