“I refuse to watch the game from the sidelines. I am determined to be a part of it.”
The camaraderie between Felipe Rebelo and Jesús Corral was remarkable. Active listening enriches any interview, and that is precisely what Jesús, a member of the editorial board and author of Tendencia’s quarterly column “Viajando,” brought to the table and allowed us to discover the stories and ideas behind Grupo Bahia’s partner and managing director, Felipe Rebelo. We witnessed a profound life story spanning different countries, in which experience and the strength to overcome challenges have been present at every stage.
When we arrived at Muna, the restaurant inside Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, Felipe mentioned that he usually doesn’t talk about himself. We had noticed this during the pre-production work because there was very little information about him. However, Jesús’ warmth made Felipe feel confident, and the conversation flowed naturally
Felipe, a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, has dedicated his 27-year career to learning about every aspect of the hospitality industry. He studied, lived, and worked in México. After graduating from Les Roches Swiss School of Hotel Management in Marbella, Spain, he underwent intensive training programs at several renowned properties in Europe and Brazil. “Les Roches is an institution that has left a lasting mark on my professional career. I carry Les Roches name with pride and feel privileged.”
Felipe Rebelo has held various executive roles. He served as an Asset Manager and Project Director for Peñasco del Sol and Transwest Properties in Sonora, Arizona. He also held executive roles with Posadas Group, from taking over distressed operations to being part of the opening team in México. He is the managing director and partner of Bahia Hotel & Beach Club, Bar Esquina, Sur Beach House, The Sandbar Club and Billygans Beach Club.
With a multidimensional career path enriched by globalization, he said his heart is in México. “Los Cabos is the home he has made with his wife and two daughters for the past 16 years,” he said
Jesús: Let’s start; what made you decide to study in Spain?
Felipe: “We moved to México when I was about to turn 16. I was born in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil. When I was around four, we moved to Sao Paulo because of my father’s work. I grew up in a vertical cosmopolitan city, and Sao Paulo has always been an incubator of tendencies within Brazil.
I had a great childhood and spent most of my time outdoors, practicing sports, living what was available in the community, and making incredible friends. One day, at a family dinner, my father announced we were moving with the same company he worked for. We thought it would be somewhere in Brazil. But to our surprise, he told us it was México.
The Rebelo family received a positive answer and planned to move to the following year, without knowing what Mexico was all about in the early 90’s. A teenage Felipe arrived to complete his high school studies, graduating at 17.
“At that age, we didn’t know what we wanted to study as a profession, so I had engineering marked by my father, uncles, and people close to me. Still, I was drawn to be a mechanical engineer in robotics, more focused on automotive, which drove more passion at that time. I knew little about it, and it wasn’t so much related to how I wanted to live, but more, what I wanted to learn.”
Felipe’s perspective changed when Himelda Ugalde from Grupo Posadas, who saw potential in him in his early years, introduced him to the world of hospitality. Felipe will always be grateful to her. “May she rest in peace; she identified something in me and exposed me to the fascinating world of hospitality, as opposed to what we knew or understood as tourism.”
Another factor, closer to Felipe’s heart, relates to his home environment. Felipe’s home was a gathering spot where his parents would host friends, family and even clients almost every week. “My parents were known to be incredible hosts, and my mom’s food and hospitality always stood out. My role was to ensure everyone had a fresh drink and music played and attended to whatever my mother needed until the last guest left; I miss those days! These experiences contributed to my understanding of what true hospitality is all about.”
The decision to study hospitality in Spain came with a set of challenges. Felipe’s father, described by Felipe as “a strict executive professional,” doubted the viability and significance of a career in hospitality. However, determined to pursue his passion, Felipe independently researched various universities until he convinced his father. Eventually, they both travelled to Les Roches university in Marbella. His father accompanied him for the orientation and became captivated with his son’s project.
Jesús: Did you think you made the right decision, or did you start facing typical adolescent doubts about doing the right thing?
Felipe: “I never doubted it. From day one, when I landed in Marbella, the drive from Malaga’s airport to Puerto Banus, where the campus was located, I was convinced of the decision I made. To this day, I consider myself a hospitality soldier. A hotel is not just rooms and amenities; it’s a community. We have associates from all walks of life, socioeconomic levels, different levels of education, and cultures. This industry has incredible opportunities to collaborate, learn and contribute.”
Jesús: By evolving your studies and graduating, you can say,” well, now I am a hospitality professional.” I assume you came back to México and started looking for your path.
Felipe: “I wanted to be on the court. My father extended me economic support, which allowed me to focus on learning about day-to-day operations in the real world. The university helped me connect with hotel chains worldwide. I gained experience in various hotel departments, including restaurants, reception, maintenance, sales, housekeeping, and administration. These training courses occurred in different hotels and more than one country. My mission after that was to reach a leadership role while respecting the learning curve.”
Jesús: And then, suddenly, Los Cabos.
Felipe: “A group of North American investors acquired today’s assets known as the Bahia Hotel & Beach Club and the adjacent land. One of the founding partners, Lee Vosburgh, found the opportunity to purchase these highly potential properties in the heart of Médano Beach. Between 2004 and 2007, Los Cabos experienced foreign investment growth. Taking advantage of this, the investors bought a property intending to develop a condo-hotel on the 5,000 M2 lot. They also aimed to acquire surrounding properties to create a community that could be converted into a pedestrian district.”
Jesús: How did you start your operation at the Bahia Hotel & Beach Club?
Felipe: “The New York Investor group invited me in December 2007 to lead the development of the asset, starting with the new 180 key condo hotel. However, in late 2008, we decided to pause the condo hotel development, which was close to breaking ground because of the economic downturn. However, we were privileged, sitting on highly potential assets with no debt.” At that time, the Bahia hotel, with 89 keys, had no operation, amenities, restaurants, or even hot water. However, it had fantastic energy and the vocation of a full-service boutique hotel. We identified where we wanted to start with the transformation of the Bahia Hotel. We began with fewer than 15 employees; today, we have nearly 300. In 2009, my partners and I were committed to a new plan: re-invent the Bahia Hotel, open a full-service restaurant, Bar Esquina, and return to development mode when the time was right. Back then, I had no intention of leaving Cabo; I had just purchased a house in Los Cabos, and my family had just settled and had our second daughter on the way.”
Jesús: Despite facing financial crises, pandemics, and social and political unrest, your group has remained strong. It is well-recognized and has won awards, with satisfied customers attesting to its quality. However, success is achieved with others. The team plays a crucial role in pushing the leadership forward. How do you feel about the team that collaborates with you?
Felipe: “The current work team and all those who have been part of Grupo Bahia are not just employees but individuals who joined a hospitality team with a strong sense of purpose. Every one of their contributions has been essential to our business performance and, more importantly, to Los Cabo’s high hospitality standards. The Hotel Bahia, Sur Beach House, Bar Esquina, The Sandbar, and Billygans are all located in the heart of Playa El Médano, Cabo San Lucas. Medano Beach has the highest daily visitor count of any spot in Baja California Sur. As part of the Business Owners of Médano Beach Association and as ‘stewards of this land’, we are deeply committed to working with our Médano community, local authorities, and all stakeholders to ensure the well-being of our guests, vendors, businesses, and employees. We have close to 400 full-time staff, and it is crucial to maintain everyone’s focus, motivation, and inspiration along the way.”
Jesús: Speaking about El Médano, you have established Bar Esquina as a favorite meeting spot for locals and visitors; how did you discover that place?
Felipe: “That corner, as part of the Bahia Hotel, did not have paved streets in 2008. It was a very dark corner after 6.30 pm. We decided to build a new restaurant and create a sense of place where locals and tourists looking for a local hangout can experience a concept beyond great food. Even during the 2009 downturn, we were committed and, in some way, felt that we would fill a market void as we moved forward with a whole buildup of the restaurant. Bar Esquina’s concept was new to Los Cabos; “we were looking the other way of existing restaurants”, and we wanted our identity to represent what we stand for as part of the community.
From the time when we opened Bar Esquina in 2010, we have remained humble about our achievements, feel privileged to have achieved so many unexpected positive results over the years, and, most importantly, created a place where people connect with themselves and allow us to communicate with them, building long-lasting relationships. Since day one, Bar Esquina has delivered delicious food, a great beverage program, and an energetic and social vibe, playing live music every night. Lastly, Bar Esquina has pivoted us to develop our Sur Beach House and keep an intense experience for the Bahia Hotel guests.”
Jesús: Are you happy today with what you have achieved? Are you satisfied?
Felipe: “I am proud and motivated by what has been achieved, more so by who I have shared important moments on my career path. Throughout these 27 years of my career, I have faced difficult moments with myself and aspects of my surroundings. These challenges have been significant learning experiences, shaping my journey to achievable success. One learns more from failures than from successes. I’m the type of person looking for something other than quick achievement but to create opportunities that will improve others’ lives along with my own. When I feel that I am getting comfortable, I change my shoes to a tighter pair, creating the need to pursue what’s new, what’s better than today.”
