Il Cielo Resort and the Latitude 32 Restaurant: The Ultimate in Valle de Guadalupe Luxury

Location & Ambiance

Il Cielo Resort is a luxury hotel centrally located in Valle de Guadalupe wine country. The location of this boutique hotel makes it ideally situated to hit a number of wineries in Baja during your stay.

Hotels in Baja vary widely in quality, even those that label themselves as a luxury stay, so we were pleasantly surprised to see that this resort truly does belong in that category. From the tasteful and chic decor to the natural wood elements in the room, the calming neutral colors, and a large floor plan that invites relaxation, everything about this spot says you’re in for a treat when you stay here.

Resort Rooms & Amenities

Looking for a hotel in Valle de Guadalupe with vineyard views? You’re in luck. All 95 suites have generous balconies where you can sip your morning coffee or your evening wine. 

In addition to a slew of room amenities like plush bath robes, Nespresso coffee machines, hair dryers, and air conditioning, the closets are also quite roomy. If you’re a heavy packer who likes to have a lot of outfit options on your travel adventures, you will have plenty of room. 

One of the best things about staying in luxury hotels in Baja is the value. If our hotel room was located in a major city in the US or Europe, it would have been double or triple the price. 

The Restaurant Latitude 32

Mesmerizing views greet you when you arrive at Latitude 32 Restaurant at Il Cielo. The vineyards seem to go on forever until they meet the mountains in the distance. The stone steps out front provide the perfect spot to snap a quick picture against the Baja sunset before you sit down to dinner.

Inside, the dining room is spacious and it feels like you’re enjoying a meal in an upscale home. Delicate hanging plants hang effortlessly above, and a wood beam ceiling adds a touch of comfortable elegance.

A patio awaits those who love outdoor dining. This area is completely shaded, and abundant ceiling fans ensure there is always a nice breeze. There are also heat lamps for when the temperature dips at night.

The Menu at Latitude 32 & What Dishes Enjoyed

The menu at Latitude 32 is crafted around a steakhouse and Baja-Yucatán fusion concept. You can order a la carte, but the restaurant also offers a tasting menu for $140 per person with the wine pairing. We ate at the restaurant a few times during our stay, and on one occasion, we sampled the a la carte menu, and on the other, we enjoyed the tasting menu. 

Some of the highlights from the Latitude 32 tasting menu included a selection of hot and cold appetizers like Ceviche Maya Negro (a mix of fish, octopus, and shrimp), Tuna Tartare served with delicately sliced avocado on top, and the Pork Belly Tacos. A quick word about the Pork Belly Tacos: nearly every review of the restaurant mentions these tacos. They are a must-order menu item.

Borrego Tatemado, a traditional dish from Northern Mexico that features slow-cooked barbeque in a birria broth, is another must-order item. This dish is available via the tasting menu and the stand-alone menu.

We also want to mention the Ensalada del Huerto, a spectacular salad that is made with spring greens, garden tomatoes, baby carrots, cranberries, black olives, sheep cheese, mint, and a beet vinaigrette. It is so light and refreshing and perfect for a warm evening.

A Valle de Guadalupe Hotel with an On-Site Winery

One of our favorite features about Valle de Guadalupe’s Il Cielo Resort is that the property has an on-site winery. If you’re coming to the region to go wine tasting, then this is an incredibly convenient feature. You can easily begin your afternoon sipping experience at the hotel’s winery and then head out to other neighboring estates, or end your day there and conclude with dinner at Latitude 32.

The tasting room has a nice airy feel to it. The dark wood throughout reminds us a bit of the tasting room at JUSTIN Winery & Restaurant in Paso Robles.

What we loved about our stay

• Every room has breathtaking vineyard views 
• The central location in Valle de Guadalupe makes getting around easy
• Modern rooms and amenities
• Great service and professional staff
• The resort is within a safe and secure compound
• Tourists receive excellent value for the experience 
• Two restaurant options – Polaris for breakfast and Latitude 32 for dinner

Travel tips to keep in mind before you go 

• The pool is very small and serves the entire resort. To give you a sense of the size, this pool is about what you would find in a home. In fact, it is next to what used to be the owner’s residence and was their private pool before it became the resort pool.
• Latitude 32 is about half a mile from the resort. While the restaurant is technically on-site, most guests choose to drive.
• If staying in a hotel with modern gym facilities is important to you, be aware that the gym could use updating. 

Final Thoughts

When booking your trip to this up-and-coming wine region, remember that Il Cielo is one of the best places to stay in Valle de Guadalupe! With two on-site restaurants, an on-site winery, endless vineyard views, and excellent service, you can’t go wrong.