Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula  may be awash in mega-size, mega-service, mega-resorts, and many of them are at the top of people’s lists of places to stay before they die. But Casa Natalia  in the neighboring 17th Century town of San Jose del Cabo, offers a more intimate option that’s every bit as chic and indulgent. Owners Nathalie and Loic Tenoux  like to say that the word Casa in the name of their 16 room high design boutique hotel means “home,” not merely “house.” The couple actually lives in a penthouse over the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant (where Loic is Chef) and they’ve worked hard to make you feel at home too.

It's easy to get inspired by the local fashion when we travel, but the results are usually disastrous. Speaking from experience, that means buying too many baggy tunics or thinking that Barbie pink really is a neutral colour. This isn't the case for Michelle Smith, who designs the Milly clothing line sold in Neiman Marcus, Saks and Kitson. When she travelled to Mexico's Punta Mita, she was so inspired by the destination that she designed a Punta Mita cabana wear collection. Bougainvillea flowers, which are everywhere in Punta Mita, are incorporated in her prints, and she was also inspired by a pattern on a pillow in the Four Seasons hotel there. The Milly Punta Mita collection will hit stores this November.  And in case you're thinking of getting some inspiration from the destination (Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin and Beyonce have all vacationed there), in addition to the Four Seasons hotel, a St. Regis will be opening there in 2008.

With snow still piling up and spring nowhere in sight I pointed my trusty Chevy Silverado south and headed to Baja California for an emergency  dose of sunshine. I knew I'd find great lodgings at the southern-most tip of the peninsula at the celebrated likes of Las Ventanas, the all-inclusive One & Only Palmilla,  and Casa Natalia in Cabo (look for my article about Casa Natalia on this site soon). But on the drive down I was thrilled to discover a group of outstanding hotels serving other areas of the 1,000 mile long Baja peninsula.

The newest place to stay- and party- in Cancun is ME Cancun. The hotel is located on an island  between the Nichupté Lagoon to the west and the Caribbean  to the  east,  and the hotel is shaped like a pyramid in a nod to the area's Mayan ruins. The hotel has 448 guest rooms, including 32 Loft Suites, four Level Suites, and four Passion Suites (oh la la!) offering ocean and sunset lagoon views. Each piece of furniture is a one-of-a-kind work and in room goodies include a 32-inch  interactive  plasma TV, an extensive DVD library, iPod adaptors  and docking  stations, 300 thread count sheets and AVEDA beauty products. Nightlife impresario Rande Gerber and his brother Scott have partnered with Maxim magazine to  open  the  first  Maxim  Beach at the resort's pool and beach areas, where guests can chill out to world class DJs. The Gerbers have also created the Rose Bar lobby lounge, and the Infinity  Bar”“ located at the adults-only swimming pool. For dining, there's Salt, a Mediterranean restaurant, and Silk, an Asian bistro.

Break out the Panama suit, and the sunscreen too. The InterContinental Playa Bonita Resort & Spa in Panama opened its doors on December 15. The hotel is located on a secluded private beach on the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by rainforest. Guests can board a daily shuttle to the nearby Gamboa Rainforest Resort at the Panama Canal, Playa Bonita's sister property, where they can experience its signature rainforest aerial tram tour. The resort is opening with a promotional rate of $180 per night Monday through Friday and $195 Saturday and Sunday, plus tax and gratuity. Rates are based on double occupancy and are valid through March 31, 2006. For more information, visit www.playabonitapanama.com.