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LOS CABOS

NEIGHBORHOOD & HOTEL GUIDE

Overview

OVERVIEW

When planning a trip to a place like Cabo, the resort you choose can really define the trip. (And, there are a lot of resorts to choose from!) You'll likely be spending a lot of time poolside, so be sure to take that into account. Also, Cabo is more spread out than you might realize, so your choice of resort can also affect how much time you spend in the car driving to dinner or planned activities.

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Trying to decide where to stay? This guide gives an overview of the key neighborhoods in Los Cabos, plus a selection of hotels and restaurants for each. It then provides more detail for select hotels across the region. Scroll down to learn more! 

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NEIGHBORHOODS 

CABO SAN LUCAS | RESORT CORRIDOR | SAN JOSE DEL CABO

 

SELECT HOTELS 

 ZADUN, A RITZ CARLTON RESERVE | JW MARRIOTT | ESPERANZA 

 

MAP

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VISITS: Feb. 2020, Dec. 2018

Neighborhoods

NEIGHBORHOODS

CABO SAN LUCAS

Once a sleepy fishing town, Cabo San Lucas is now a lively, buzzy vacation spot. If you are looking for nightlife, this is the place to be. This is also HQ for many activities on the water or other tour operators, so keep that in mind if you're planning to be very active.

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HOTELS:

  • Esperanza, an Auberge Resort (5-star) - Set atop a cliff above 2 individual beaches, Esperanza is a breathtaking resort offering traditional hotel rooms & suites as well as villas & casitas.

  • The Cape, a Thompson Resort (5-star) - A sleek, modern boutique hotel offering stunning views of El Arco from the rooftop lounge as well as its chic rooms & villas (including some that come with private plunge pools).

  • Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal (5-star) - This cliffside hotel is a Cabo mainstay, which offers 5 pools for guests including a swim-up bar as well as private plunge pools in some rooms.

  • Grand Solmar Land's End Resort (5-star) - This traditional-Mexican styled resort is about as close to El Arco as you can get. Enjoy the views from suite-style accommodations or a variety of pools.

  • ME Cabo (5-star) - This resort is geared towards young adults looking to have a good time with pool parties, nightlife, and as a bonus, a rare swimmable beach.

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RESTAURANTS:

  • Cocina del Mar - We first dined at this restaurant as a replacement for some of the more touristy "sunset spots," and it did not disappoint. The romantic cliffside setting set the stage not only for a great sunset but for tasty, traditional Mexican dishes, including some of the best octopus I've ever had and a great introduction to mezcal. Full disclosure: they've sadly changed the octopus on the menu but this is still a repeat stop for us in Cabo.

  • Manta - Admittedly, we haven't made it to Manta yet, but it consistently gets buzz as a top pick with the foodie crowd. The restaurant serves up Mexican gastronomy, inspired by the location's secluded beach, with a spotlight on seafood in an adventurous 5-course tasting menu with pairings of mezcal, sake, and tequila.

  • The Office - The Office is part-dinner and part-entertainment. Situated on the beach, you can enjoy good views, traditional Mexican fare, and live music - perfect for a fun night out (or a start to one!) Also - check out their sister restaurant, Edith's.

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RESORT CORRIDOR

The resort corridor quite literally bridges the two other regions of Los Cabos. Here you'll find a string of beautiful resorts lining the coast with easy access to everything the region has to offer from outdoor activities to bars & restaurants.

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HOTELS:

  • Montage (5-star) - This contemporary, ultra-luxury hotel offers rooms, suites, and casas perched on an expansive beach and sheltered cove with some of the premier swimming and snorkeling in Cabo.

  • Chileno Bay, an Auberge Resort (5-star) - The second Auberge property in Cabo, this resort takes on a more contemporary flair that also offers a combination of rooms and villas with a focus on outdoor living and a tranquil, swimmable strip of sea.

  • Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort (5-star) - This high-end resort offers some truly outstanding pool features including multiple swim-up bars, Cabo's first lazy river, private villa pools, and even pool butlers.  

  • Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort (5-star) - This relative newcomer serves up striking architecture and an extensive list of culinary concepts & amenities for the whole family

  • Marquis (5-star) - All-inclusive, amenity-rich, and adults-only - you won't have to stray far from your suite or casita to escape for a relaxing getaway. 

  • The Westin (5-star) - This distinct circular resort is a perfect set up for families to take advantage of villa-style accommodations, a large beach, kids' club, and more.

  • Paradisus by Melia (5-star) - Swim in one of the resort pools right from your suite at this all-inclusive resort offering both kids' amenities and adults-only areas (including pools, a lounge, and a restaurant).  

  • Grand Velas (5-star) - Want to stay active during your stay? Pick a 2-story wellness suite, one of the all ocean-view options at this all-inclusive hotel, which includes in-room fitness equipment, a daily in-room training session, massage services, and a wellness concierge. 

  • Grand Fiesta Americana (5-star) - Traditional-inspired, all-inclusive resort with beautiful suites and pools.

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RESTAURANTS:

  • Arbol​ - Consistently one of our favorite restaurants in Cabo, this restaurant is as eye-catching as it is mouth-watering. The menu spans several Asian cuisines ranging from sushi to Thai to Tandoori and Wok-style dishes. My personal favorite highlights are the Lobster Bisque and the South Indian Tiger Prawn Curry. 

SAN JOSE DEL CABO & BEYOND

In stark contrast to downtown Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo is a place to get away from the buzz. If you're here to relax and forget about your stresses or maybe play a few rounds of golf, this is the place for you. There's a small town here that feels authentic and quaint.

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HOTELS:

  • One & Only Palmilla (5-star) - Home to what many consider to be the mother of Cabo golf courses, multiple high-end restaurants, a swimmable beach, and top-notch service in a stunning setting, this resort helped put Cabo on the map and is still a mainstay in Cabo luxury. 

  • JW Marriott (5-star) - Cascading pools are the focal point of this contemporary resort tucked away in Puerto Los Cabos. We spent a good portion of our time parked at the adults-only swim-up bar and enjoying their spectacular brunch spread.

  • Zadun, A Ritz Carlton Reserve (5-star) - A newcomer to Cabo, this resort is one of only 4 Ritz Carlton Reserves in the world. The resort is heavily focused on service, assigning you a Tosoani (or personal concierge) for your stay in one of the private casitas, most of which offer plunge pools and outdoor showers. 

  • Viceroy (5-star) - Take in the other-worldly, water-filled landscape of this resort from atop one of its strikingly modern buildings at the rooftop restaurant and pool.

  • Hyatt Ziva (5-star) - Resort pools extend right up to your suite and feature water slides and other fun features for the kids at this all-inclusive resort.

  • Cabo Azul (5-star) - Suite- and villa-style accommodations surround a three-tiered infinity pool at this resort with options for both adults and the whole family.

  • Vidanta (5-star) - This sexy resort is set up to be an adult playground. For an idea of the vibe here, the Hakkasan Group runs several of the on-resort establishments including the Omnia Dayclub (the same Omnia you'll find at Caesar's in Vegas). Rumor has it they are also opening an East Cape location (targeting 2022).

  • Four Seasons Costa Palmas (5-star) - This hotel falls into the "beyond" category, for when you truly want to get away from it all. Take advantage of the secluded 2-mile beach, the 6 onsite pools, and the 5 resort restaurants at this brand new resort located on the calm East Cape. This is the first Four Seasons marina resort, which allows guests to leave directly from the resort to explore the nearby Cabo Pulmo marine reserve.

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RESTAURANTS:

  • Seared​ - I'm a huge fan of a very specific Jean-Georges pork chop that was once on the menu at Dune in the Bahamas, so when I saw that he used a similar sauce on the short rib here at Seared, I knew we had to get a table. The result: stellar presentation, great sauce, just might recommend a different cut of meat if you aren't up for something super-rich. If you are looking for a high-end steakhouse experience, Jean-Georges should always be on your shortlist.

  • Suviche - Also at the One&Only and also by Jean-Georges, Suviche shifts from steak to the sea, offering the chef's signature French-Asian fusion through ceviche, sushi, and other seafood dishes. 

  • Cafe des Artistes - Located at the JW, this french restaurant is consistently one of the most talked-about restaurants in Cabo. Admittedly, we weren't quite so sold after our experience. That said, we happened to dine here on Christmas with a prix-fixe menu, so it might be worth another shot. 

  • Acre - This restaurant feels a world away from the rest of Cabo, with lush jungle greenery that contrasts the area's abundant desert landscapes - not to mention you'll probably feel a little lost on the dirt roads getting there! The restaurant takes an innovative farm-to-table approach, serving locally grown foods that consistently receive high praise. Like Cafe des Artistes, we ate here on a prix fixe menu and we didn't quite feel things lived up to the hype, but it would be worth another try!

Select Hotels

SELECT HOTELS

MY TAKE:​

​THE PROPERTY:

  • This hotel is prime for someone who is looking for privacy and seclusion. For starters, the hotel is just not that big. There are only so many guests that you'll bump into while you're here. This is further enhanced by the style of the rooms. With the casita-style set-up, you'll feel like you have your own space, and the private plunge pools mean you don't have to venture to the main portion of the resort to get your pool day!

  • The rooms are some of the nicest that I have ever stayed in. The little things really put it over the top, not to mention the exciting features like the bathroom and outdoor space.

  • A highlight of the hotel is the pool at the spa. This thing is truly awesome. The organic shape has nooks which each have a different feature - jets, waterfalls, bubbles, ledges, and seats. The downside is that the best pool is at the spa. While it's set up for relaxation and I had the whole thing to myself, making it perfect for the spa, I was sad to leave and go back to the "normal" pool. But, I was also ready for a cocktail - so tradeoffs!

  • Speaking of pools, we really enjoyed the two main pools, but we found the adults-only pool to be a little strange. The location and option to eat at Equis are great, but the pool was mostly a sunbathing ledge and only had a small portion where you could actually stand.

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EVERYTHING ELSE

  • The service is absolutely in line with what you would expect from this resort. We frequently heard, "Here, Senor(a), anything is possible!" whether in response to asking for a menu adjustment or a game of Scrabble by the pool. All of the staff were incredibly friendly and made our stay really great!

  • While there were a lot of highlights to our stay, we also experienced a few bumps. The hotel was still pretty new when we visited and it just felt like some of the kinks hadn't been ironed out yet.

  • Last but not least - the elephant in the room. The points. As one of the top hotel lines in the Bonvoy portfolio, it's absolutely ridiculous that you can neither earn nor spend points during your stay here. Fine, don't let me spend points, but at least let me earn them! This is a pretty frustrating move by Marriott and Bonvoy.

ZADUN, A RITZ CARLTON RESERVE

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         WHERE WE STAYED

 

With only four resorts in the world, the Ritz Carlton Reserve hotels set out to be truly top of the class. If you are booking a stay here, expect everything in every category to be superior. Where the Ritz Carlton, and particularly its Reserve line, truly sets itself apart from other luxury hotels is the attention to top-notch service, and Zadun was no exception.

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Unfortunately, I found their website to be one of the less informative hotel websites I've come across, so I'll try to provide extra color here!

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KEY FEATURES:
​POOLS AND MORE

  • Two main pools are adjacent to El Barrio, the casual eatery at the center of the resort, and form the main gathering place for guests by day. The suspended, infinity-edge pool straddles a ravine, creating a beautiful view both at and of the pool.

  • A third ledge-style pool is situated by Equis, the ceviche bar at the hotel, offering a calm, adults-only spot.

  • All pools offer private cabanas with sheltered lounge chairs and a hammock swing chair.

  • We were greeted on a daily basis at the pool with typical towel service, but also a personal cooler stocked with water and a button to call for service when needed.

  • If you're more of a beach person, hammocks and lounges are available at the beach with the same full-service as the pool.

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GUEST ROOMS & SERVICES

  • Duplex or casita-style guest rooms with large outdoor spaces and an added sense of privacy. Most include a private plunge pool, which is heated to be more like a hot tub.

  • High-quality finishings throughout the rooms. Ours had a gorgeous bathroom with a large shower and standalone tub plus a bonus outdoor shower - in case you didn't have enough options inside!

  • Guests are assigned a Tosoani on arrival. This translates to "dream watcher of dreams," and they can help you achieve "dreams" ranging from itinerary planning, reservations, and more.

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DINING & SPA FACILITIES

  • Candil, a tequila- and mezcal-focused bar, is situated in the illuminated tower and is perfect for happy hour or after-dinner drinks. 

  • Humo is the resort's flagship restaurant, serving Latin American food with a focus on the fire and firewood of the grill.

  • The Alkemia Spa offers a stunning pool, alfresco treatments, a variety of massage options, and unique locally-inspired couples treatments like Mexican chocolate scrub or clay body painting in an outdoor lounge.

JW MARRIOTT

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         WHERE WE STAYED

 

We stayed here on our Christmas trip in 2018 and had a fantastic time! The resort strikes a great balance between fun and relaxation and the staff were great in making the most of our holiday!

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KEY FEATURES:

  • The resort features a series of cascading pools, giving you plenty of options for where to spend your day in the sun. Many of the pools have a specialty of sorts, ranging from the children's / infant pools at the top of the stack to the adults-only pool and swim-up bar at the bottom.

  • If you'd like to get your toes in the sand, chairs at the beach give you an alternative spot to spend your day.

  • Like a hotel within a hotel, the Griffin Club is an option for those looking for more of a boutique experience with expanded amenities including a separate pool and upgraded room options.

  • Our room featured clean, elegant furnishings, a large balcony overlooking the pools, and an oversized walk-in shower perfect for relaxing between the pool and dinner.

  • There were four of us, so we also booked a suite, which came with a great seating area perfect for a movie night after a long day or swapping presents for the holiday.

  • The on-site spa offers a variety of services ranging from scrubs to massages and amenities including a steam room, plunge pool with jets, or sweat lodge to relax in.

  • Cafe Des Artistes is the headliner French restaurant on the property, but the resort offers several other venues for more casual fare as well as room service if you wish to stay in for the night.

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  • The highlight for us, hands-down, was the option to make what you wanted of the resort's pools. We parked ourselves at the adults-only pool and took advantage of the swim-up bar and hot tub as well as the proximity to the beach. It was nice to be set away from the family action, though we were tempted to play a game of volleyball in the "game pool."

  • Because of the number of options and the clear functionality of each, it never felt like any of the pools were over-crowded and everyone could find what they wanted. Overall, I felt like this made for a really good balance of family vs. adult.

  • The cherry on top for our stay was the staff. Everyone was so friendly and happily greeted us by name (and with our favorite cocktails) each day! The resort even brought in some special Christmas entertainers to make us really feel the holiday spirit.

MY TAKE:​

ESPERANZA

AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION

 

We haven't stayed here yet, but this is a resort that we've had our eye on. Even just visiting for dinner, we've had a great experience and the grounds are truly stunning. I'm including this hotel here because I think it's a great option for someone looking to be a little closer to Cabo or to have house-style options for a larger group.

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KEY FEATURES:

  • Natural land features blocking access allow the Esperanza to tout being the only private beach resort in Los Cabos.

  • Pool options here are extensive with multiple family-focused pools as well as multiple adults-only pools

  • Want to have a movie night, but not miss out on the opportunity to be outside? Join in on a dive-in movie.

  • Room options here provide plenty of flexibility. Choose from a more traditional suite or opt for a larger standalone villa with a kitchen and private pool for a larger group.

  • The hotel is home to one of my favorite restaurants in Cabo, Cocina del Mar, which offers great cuisine and great views of the rugged coastline and sunset. 

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CLICK HERE to view the property map

Map

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