New Generation of Hoteliers

By Rick Stedman

East Cape Hideaway
Visitors who seek the laid-back Baja of the 1960s can still find that setting at Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort in East Cape, 45 minutes north of San José del Cabo International Airport. In addition to enjoying the pristine beaches on the Sea of Cortés and a natural hot spring, outdoor enthusiasts will find some of the best sportfishing in the world.

The hotel was originally built as a vacation retreat by Mexican General Agustín Olachea, two-time governor of Baja California Sur. It was eventually purchased in the late 1970s by Jesús "Chuy" Valdez and opened as the Spa Buenavista, with a modest 13 rooms. Over the years, improvements and upgrades have maintained that same understated charm. Today, the hotel features 60 guest rooms, lush landscaped grounds, a swim-up bar and a world-class restaurant.

Because of Chuy's influence, fishing has always been a priority at Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort. The resort currently hosts an experienced fishing fleet that includes 16 boats ranging from 23 to 32 feet in length. And though Chuy has officially retired, his sons are fully involved with running the business.

Tasked with maintaining Mexico's old world charm at the hotel are brothers Esaul, Axel and Felipe Valdez. Each has a specific area of responsibility. Esaul oversees the administrative aspect of the operation; Axel takes care of the sales, marketing and public relations; and Felipe looks after the day-to-day hotel operations.

Several years ago, Esaul moved to San Diego and oversaw marketing of the hotel in the States. He promoted Hotel Buena Vista by attending trade shows and partnering with wholesalers and travel agents. He has since returned to the hotel's East Cape location. An avid fisherman like his father and brothers, Esaul recently caught a 123-pound gulf grouper, which is under consideration for the record books.

For the last several years, Axel has been overseeing the hotel's marketing and promotion efforts. He gained invaluable experience while working for the Hotel Finisterra. During that time, he learned about every department and how to operate a resort hotel. "Even though my brothers and I are now running the Buena Vista hotel, our father still drops by on occasion to check on us," shares Axel affectionately. "We don't think he will ever really retire."

Felipe, the youngest of the Valdez brothers, oversees the daily operation of the resort. With an engineering background, Felipe brings fresh ideas and new perspectives to running the family business.

"Our hotel strongly believes in conserving our natural resources and supports the Worldwide Billfish Foundation and its catch-and-release program," says Axel. However, the hotel restaurant will gladly assist those wishing to dine on their catch of the day. Either way, guests seem to enjoy the laid-back setting of Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort. That's why outdoor enthusiasts have returned again and again, year after year, to enjoy the splendors of this perfect setting — often referred to as the "Jewel of East Cape."

Getting Involved with the Community
Hotel Finisterra has been a Cabo San Lucas landmark for nearly four decades. The venerable hotel, which straddles the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortés, is in good hands with José García serving as its general manager. Born and raised in La Paz, García has worked in Los Cabos for eight years.

His experience in the hotel industry dates to his childhood, when García's father served as general manager (and still does) for the Los Arcos Hotel in La Paz. "Since I was 8 years old, my father took me to the hotel every day during the summer, and I learned everything there was to know about hotels," García explains. "I worked in maintenance, the front desk and reservations, and learned all there was about each department."

After graduating from Tecnológico de Monterrey with a bachelor's degree in business management, García returned to the Los Arcos Hotel and served as project manager. "While overseeing a series of renovations at the hotel, I stayed in that position for the next three-and-a-half years, serving as the maintenance manager," he says. "Then I went back to school to pursue my master's degree."

Sticking with what he knows best, García received his master's in hospitality management from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. As Hotel Finisterra's general manager, García says the entire staff considers itself part of a family-oriented hotel. "Our goal is to make our guests feel as if they never left the comfort of their own homes," he says.

In addition to great customer service, Finisterra features some of the best ocean views in Los Cabos. Perched on a pinnacle of the Pacific, the hotel takes full advantage of the stunning scenery by offering such observation points as the Whale Watcher Bar and the immaculate Whale Watcher Suite. The latter features two master bedrooms, each with a whirlpool, steam bath and sauna, as well as a private terrace and that never-ending view of the Pacific Ocean.

When not managing hotel operations, García loves to spend quality time with his family: wife Marisol and daughters Graciela Sofía, 5, and María Paula, 3. "I love fishing and free diving, and I recently took surfing lessons," says García. Other family activities they enjoy include camping, hanging out at the beach, going to movies and barbecues in the backyard. "Anything that brings us closer as a family," he says.

José García's civic obligations include being a member of the Los Cabos Rotary Club. The group sponsors a variety of projects like Special Education School, Casa Hogar, Casa San Juan Diego and others. "This is a great way to not only get involved with the community, but to give back as well," says García.

As far as the future of Los Cabos is concerned, García has several ideas. "I would like to see Los Cabos maintain its first-class reputation among world tourist destinations," he says. "This can be accomplished with a gentle balance of growth and development within the community. A strong community makes for a strong destination, and keeps that balance in check for years to come."

Tourism Pioneer
Robert Van Wormer Jr. is one of the pioneers of tourism in Mexico. Under his guidance, Van Wormer Resorts operates three East Cape establishments, including Hotel Punta Colorada, Hotel Playa del Sol and Hotel Palmas De Cortez. However, in recent years his offspring, Eddie and Carlos ("Chucky"), have been involved in running various aspects of the business. While Renaissance-man Chucky does a little of everything, Eddie focuses on managing Hotel Punta Colorada. With an emphasis on fishing, Hotel Punta Colorada is known to anglers worldwide as the roosterfish capital of the world. Under Eddie's guidance, the hotel has joined forces with La Jolla Kayak Fishing. This team effort offers the ultimate kayak fishing experience.

One of the Van Wormer Resorts is the gem of the East Cape: Hotel Palmas De Cortez. Along with the Playa del Sol, this resort has provided employment and a steady economic base for many of the area's inhabitants. In addition, the Van Wormer family has developed several other parcels of land that it owns in the area, including the magnificent beachfront resort Villas de Cortez adjacent to the Palmas De Cortez property.

Forging Ahead
Francisco Bulnes learned the hotel business from his father, Señor Don Luis Bulnes. The younger Bulnes, who is currently director of Grupo Solmar, learned the ins and outs of a hotel during his formative years, and loved every minute of it. In fact, the family patriarch would not have forged ahead and relinquished the business if it weren't for his son being there to assume command.

The two properties that make up Grupo Solmar include the Solmar Suites and Playa Grande Resort. The Solmar is one of Los Cabos' great retreats. Though located less than a mile from downtown Cabo, Solmar Suites is completely secluded from the outside world. Its stunning location is its calling card, since the hotel and beach are located where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortés.

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.