If the Hilton, Los Cabos was a pop song, it would be Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger.”
After a class 4 hurricane struck two years ago, the entire Baja area corridor was devastated and the property closed for 10 months for major repairs. While the structure of the hotel remained intact, almost everything around and inside of it was destroyed. After months of rehabilitation, in July of 2015 the 375-room hotel reopened with a brand new look. Contemporary-meets-traditional Mexican design comes in the form of mid-century modern furniture and design accents with ethnic flair.
Rooms are spacious and come in King Double Deluxe, Premier, Junior, Governor and Presidential Suites. An extra-spacious bathroom with a full jacuzzi tub opens up to your bedroom via charming, rustic shutters that can be kept open or closed. (Salvatore Ferragamo “Tuscan Sun” bath and body products are a nice touch.) Front-facing rooms are outfitted with decent sized decks facing the glorious waterfront. Turn down service includes an amusing, new towel zoo animal every night, delicious Mexican chocolates and the opportunity to choose from a customized pillow aromatherapy menu with “joy,” “tranquil,” “vibrant,” and “inspirit” options.
For about $150 extra per night, Vista Club rooms come with many added amenities, including access to a private lounge with refreshments, free dry cleaning of gym clothes, a private beach and pool area.
What’s eminently felt while on property is the spirit, resilience and commradery among the staff, who endured storm Odile, 10 months of relocating customer bookings and the major rehabilitation of the property. The friendly and impeccably trained staffers are utterly committed to making sure you have an incredible experience at Hilton Los Cabos and there’s an activity for any and every mood.
Clearly, the hanging by the stunning seaside or infinity pools could be your only recreational pursuit or past time – but if you’re not a ‘chill by the water’ kind of person, activities onsite and in the area are abound. Obviously one can golf but yoga, aerial yoga, Zumba, cooking and floral arranging classes are all fun options on-property. The hotel’s partner Transcabo, provides and organizes off-site activities and transportation including fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming with dolphins, zip-lining, surfing lessons, camel tours and more.
A boat excursion to view the famous Arch at Land’s End (the famous geographical landmark of Los Cabos) is essential. It’s the tip of the Baja peninsula where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez meet and a fantastic place to snorkel and experience the local sea life. In downtown San Jose del Cabo, you can tour art galleries, shop local artisans (including stunning local crocheted products), do a brewery tour (choose from 80 local brews) or visit one of the many lively restaurants or bars in nearby Cabo San Lucas. One of the most special experiences here is the Hotel’s baby turtle reserve. When they hatch, guests can be part of the release of these adorable little creatures. They typically hatch between September and December, so its a great time to visit!
You might want to diet heavily before your trip as there is no shortage of amazing food on-property. Four restaurants (from the Italian-oriented Vela with homemade pasta to the health-oriented Mio to the al fresco Madero), a deli, lobby bar, and 24-hour room service provide both local specialities and international fare and the hotel has the largest collection of tequila in the area.
At lunch you can hit up two poolside casual dining spots serving up dishes like wood oven pizza or Baja fish tacos, head to La Onda beach bar for snacks or simply grab and go at the deli – that also serves up Starbucks coffee, thank God! For dinner, Vela provides authentic Italian, while El Meson offers traditional Mexican seafood, sea-to-table style. Azul bar, boasting the largest tequila and mezcal collection in the entirety of Los Cabos, is the spot for post-dinner drinks and live music before hitting the sack.
For a major relaxation session, book a treatment at the property’s magnificent Eforea spa. Eforea’s “journeys” incorporate local ingredients and native rituals, combined with traditional menu options. A must-try is the spa’s “Cleopatra” treatment. It starts with a light exfoliation followed by the application of a creamy, white, milky mud with essential oils. After your face, body and hair have absorbed the muddy goodness, an warm infinity tub awaits for you to wash off in. The last step is a soothing, light massage and the whole experience proves to be completely deserving of such a royal name.
For Winter Sun and Christmas holiday planning, this should be on your list of destinations. From devastation to complete restoration, Hilton Los Cabos has made a powerful statement with pride and a brand new beautiful Resort that has been given our Citizen Femme stamp of approval.
Any Questions or Tips to add?