Corporate Retreats

Work if you must, but do it Cabo-style — with a double dose of convenience and leisure

By Sarah Muñoz

Meetings and conventions, regardless of size, are a cinch in Los Cabos. First off, there is a wide range of top hotels in which attendees will feel at home immediately, with meeting space growing by leaps and bounds. English is widely spoken here and hospitality is second nature. Then there's that breathtaking Baja setting, where desert and sea meet to bring the best of nature right to your door. As for diversions… well, that's what Los Cabos is known for, after all.

Meeting and business venues here, however, ensure that business gets done. Hi-tech equipment is at the ready, boardrooms are comfortable and wireless Internet is available far and wide. Furthermore, practically any size group can find an ideal spot in which to have a first-class meeting and still enjoy their stay with a unique combination of work and relaxation.

For instance, The Villa Group brings the best of Cabo to business visitors with a portfolio that includes spacious and elegant villas with views of the Arch, a dedicated staff and every possible convenience in-villa or steps away: Internet connections, a deli and market, championship tennis courts, room service and more. The beauty of developments such as Villa La Estancia and Villa del Palmar is that you can call them home for as long as you wish because you won't want for anything — but should you choose to live the hotel lifestyle, you may. The larger villas are equipped with washer and dryer, for instance, but you don't have to use them — just call the laundry service and they'll take care of it. Meeting facilities are also extensive, with anything from audiovisual equipment to catering needs easy to coordinate.

The Villa Group's newest venture in Los Cabos is Villa del Arco Beach Resort & Desert Spa, whose 231 suites face the swimmer-friendly Médano Beach. Villa del Arco welcomes families, so there's no reason why you can't bring them along — they'll have plenty to do while you conduct business, from enjoying the resort's oversized pools to kayaking along the shoreline. The resort's meeting space holds up to 300 people in a number of seating configurations, including theater and banquet; the sparkling Desert Spa, meanwhile, has 31,000 square feet of space available for pampering from head to toe.

Larger corporate events in Los Cabos are also easy to execute. The Marquis Los Cabos Beach, Golf, Spa & Casitas Resort, for instance, has 9,200 square feet of meeting space — one of the largest in Los Cabos. Its meeting areas (foyer, terrace, four breakout rooms and group service center) are state-of-the-art and provide the flexibility to be configured in any number of ways. The resort's Conference Center also includes a master ballroom that can fit up to 1,000 guests comfortably (or be divided into four meeting rooms), with individual remote light dimmer and air conditioning controls, telephone and computer connections, and automatic projection screens. Furthermore, it features a service ramp and special parking area for quick access; Marquis Los Cabos also has an experienced A/V supplier at hand. Of course, a full-service business center is also available onsite.

Hilton Los Cabos offers a variety of meeting space and amenities: The 7,445-square-foot El Dorado Ballroom has a maximum capacity of 680 attendees when set up theater-style and provides for five breakout rooms; while Las Montañas Junior Ballroom is 3,670 square feet with a set-up capacity of 300 people theater-style, and can be divided into three breakout rooms. Furthermore, Hilton Los Cabos has six spacious outdoor terraces, plus the expansive and invigorating pool and beach areas for private occasions.

The Westin Resort & Spa, Los Cabos has more than 11,900 square feet of interior meeting space spread out in 15 meeting rooms. Some alternatives for events include a banquet for 280, classroom for 270, U-shape for 100 or even a standing reception for as many as 500 executives and guests. Groups may also go for a memorable celebration at the Ballroom Under the Stars, which fits up to 450. Other possibilities at The Westin? A putting challenge or beach party, with all the comforts, luxuries and attention to detail for which this hospitality brand is so recognized.

Pre- or Post-Meeting Fun
Corporate guests need not look far to unwind, and those seeking an incentive for their workforce have at their feet a landscape bursting with possibilities — Los Cabos is world-famous for its golf, fishing and whale-watching, yet it offers much more that many may not be aware of. This is a corporate meeting planner's dream destination, as there's no need to do much head scratching when searching for ways to entertain the troops. Chances are the choice of lodging here will offer a wealth of amenities, but Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are not without their share of outstanding dining, shopping and entertainment options. Companies seeking to leave the planning to professionals who know the area well have at their disposal a number of destination management companies in Los Cabos that are happy to set everything up. For instance, Terramar Destinations ensures that everything from program planning to transportation needs and specialty programs (whether group or individual) is attended to down to the minutest detail. With more than a decade of experience focusing on groups and incentives solely in Los Cabos, Terramar offers a wide array of activities, from dinner cruises and cultural tours to progressive team-building programs.

With 24 years in the business, Tropical Incentives DMC can help prepare special events in areas covering everything from hotel accommodations to professional graphics. With a sound quality management system and specialties in employee recognition and incentive programs, meeting planning, and all types of congresses and conventions, this DMC is an old pro at ground services, tours, turnkey logistics, theme parties, team games and much more.

Here's one "given" for a small group getaway: Angle them toward that big catch. Outfitters such as Pisces Sportfishing can provide both fishing and yacht charters with all possible conveniences for a day of leisurely entertainment on the waters surrounding Baja. Sleek and well-equipped charters are varied and plentiful here — from a 31-footer for trying your hand at catching that elusive marlin to a mammoth 110-foot motor yacht with three staterooms. You can find a Pisces office on the Marina, at the Cabo Maritime Center.

Another outstanding option for executives seeking to let their hair down and loosen their collars is a ride aboard a "hog"; Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Rentals allows guests to rent a motorcycle by the hour or day. With so many routes to explore and scenic sights to enjoy in Los Cabos, a ride on a Harley will allow tired souls to forget about business, live in the moment and conquer the road ahead.

Business and Incentives Quick Reference Chart

To continue learning more about the fine hotels, resorts and condos in Los Cabos, please visit: www.VisitLosCabos.org or click here for a complete quick list of accommodations.

Los Cabos Hotels