Situated on
the Pacific Ocean at the Tropic of Cancer between
Cabo San Lucas to the south and La Paz to the
east lays the sleepy town of Todos Santos. It’s
easy to drive right through and barely notice
the place.
Once famed for its sugar cane industry controlled
by the Santana family at the turn of the century,
it became a ghost town once sugar production ceased.
For decades Todos Santos was largely ignored until
it was rediscovered in the 60’s by a few
hippies, some artists seeking solitude and surfers
who braved the treacherous journey down the Baja
to be rewarded with perfect swells and endless
white sand beaches. Dodging the hustle and bustle
of Los Cabos, tourists and investors are beginning
to discover the quiet, healthy lifestyle that
exists here. Bringing upscale tastes with them,
the newcomers are slowly transforming the town,
sculpting the once bohemian Todos Santos into
a serious art colony with quaint boutique hotels
serving up fine international cuisine, much of
which is prepared from locally-grown organic produce.
Just north of the promontory named Punta
Lobos, it is here that water flowing from the mountains
forms a natural fresh water estuary protected behind
the coastal sand dunes. Naming it Posada La Poza, meaning
“house of the spring”, this unique coastal
wetland provides shelter for over 60 species of migratory
seabirds, kingfishers and many rare songbirds. Having
found their oasis, Juerg and Libusche arranged to purchase
the land and plans were drawn to build a small 7-room
boutique hotel. After enduring many setbacks, the restaurant
was completed in August 2001 and the hotel was officially
opened on February 2, 2002.
In 1998, Juerg Wiesendanger, originally from a Swiss
banking background, convinced his wife Libusche to accompany
him on a drive down the Baja peninsula. Libusche never
really thought much of Mexico before this trip but soon
found herself enamored with Baja’s wide-open,
cactus strewn deserts and jagged mountain ranges that
crashed into a blue sea. Both were fascinated with the
richness and variety of the strange looking plants and
the ever changing landscapes that appeared around each
corner. When they reached Todos Santos with its artsy
culture and tropical palm forests cooled by Pacific
breezes, Juerg and Libusche fell in love again.
Tired from years of stress in the banking world and
possessing an abundance of energy and complimentary
skills, Juerg and Libusche set out to explore the possibilities.
Having no children and searching for a lifestyle change,
they were intent on creating an environment free from
stress, TV and bad news. Todos Santos had the right
feeling and was ready for something different. Envisioning
an intimate retreat blending Mexican style and European
accents but run with Swiss efficiency, they soon stumbled
upon a unique piece of land at the south end of town
on the beach.
Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia Libusche finished her
art studies in Switzerland where she met Juerg. Inspired
by Mexican color, Libusche combined her style with the
unabashedly vibrant expression of color dating back
to the Aztecs. Her current work is found in many collections
and can be described as “a feminine motif with
a man’s hand” expressed in Mexicolor. When
asked about what she wants to convey in her work, Libusche
replies that she hopes to translate emotions without
words and offer a key to a fantasy that will unlock
the viewers’ imagination. As more and more guests
began to discover the unique charm and relaxing ambiance
at La Poza, Libusche moved her studio from town into
the hotel where you can enjoy and purchase many of her
original works that are displayed on the brightly colored
walls of the restaurant, bar and the rooms.
Featuring fine dining surrounded by traditional Mexican
décor, the comfortable accommodations are decorated
in vivid hues using hand painted tiles, authentic Mexican
textiles and tasteful wood accents. All rooms have a
private terrace and a view of the gardens, the pool
and the estuary. In the mornings, fresh coffee and pastries
are served in the garden, allowing plenty of time to
wake up slowly to the tranquil rhythms of the oasis
environment. A healthy breakfast of Swiss muesli with
fresh fruits or egg dishes is included in the restaurant.
Lunch and dinner are a real treat as well offering specialties
such as pork fillet served with a prune chipotle sauce
or fresh seared ahi and sumptuous cuts of beef. Using
only the freshest ingredients, Juerg and his young German
Chef André are developing a reputation for serving
some of the finest non-traditional fare in the region,
blending Mexican and European flavors into savory combinations.
The hotel is reached by dirt road just south of the
center of town. Follow the blue and white painted signs
to the beach and if you get lost, just ask the locals
and they can guide you in. It is a trip well worth the
adventure of getting there. Be prepared to stay awhile
and immerse yourself in the warm, tropical ambiance
of La Poza because once you arrive, you’ll find
it most difficult to leave.
Download
a Printable version of article featuring Posada La Poza,
(980K)
You may download Adobe's free Acrobat PDF Reader here.
