Seaside Serenity: A Dream Stay at Hilton Los Cabos

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View from Beach Hilton Los Cabos
The Hilton Los Cabos is an elegant 375-room oceanfront property located between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Photo credit: Hilton Los Cabos

I always thought of Los Cabos as a wild, party-hearty place I’d probably have enjoyed 20 years ago. My husband and I recently spent four nights at the Hilton Los Cabos and are already planning our return. While it took me a while to cross this Baja California jewel off my travel bucket list, and while 20-years-ago-me would have had a different sort of trip, most likely involving more tequila shots, I’m glad I finally made this trip happen.

I’m a Cabo person; who knew?

I’m convinced my enjoyment had everything to do with where we stayed – location, location, location, as they say. I’m confident that the Hilton Los Cabos had everything to do with my enjoyment of the area. If you fancy a wilder time than we had, it’s close to the party. This quiet, oceanfront resort has so many amenities and things to do that you might be tempted not to leave it. And, if you want to join the party in lively Cabo San Lucas or explore the more chill San José del Cabo, the property is located conveniently between the two.

Beach View Hilton Los Cabos
The ocean is too rough for swimming. There may be a roped off spot that’s safe for swimming. Heed the posted warning flags. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

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Infinity pool adult pool area Hilton Los Cabos
The pool area is the best place to watch for wildlife in the Pacific Ocean/Sea of Cortez. Photo credit: Hilton Los Cabos.

The AltaMar Experience

We stayed in an AltaMar Junior Suite with a balcony overlooking the resort pool and the ocean. I highly recommend the AltaMar experience, which is loaded with amenities.

One of the best perks of the AltaMar experience was the included roundtrip, private airport transportation in an airconditioned luxury SUV. We didn’t have to wait for a shuttle or negotiate cab fare. Everything is set up for you – your driver will be waiting when your flight arrives, and the concierge will arrange your departure with the right amount of time to get you back to the airport, even though you will probably be unhappy to leave.

AltaMar Junior Suite Hilton Los Cabos
The AltaMar Suites at Hilton Los Cabos have high floor ocean views, spacious floorplans and elegant, minimal decor. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

Room Amenities

Our room had a spacious king-sized bed, a living area, and lots of floor space. The decor was beachy and minimal, with lovely details like painted murals throughout the room and consistent themed decor on the lamps and cushions. The little details were very thoughtful, and it’s precisely the kind of room you want to step into when you’ve been looking forward to your vacation.

Bathroom, AltaMar Junior Suite Hilton Los Cabos
The bathroom has a roomy get-ready area, lots of amenities, and a separate tub and shower. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

The bathroom had a separate shower, jetted tub, and plenty of amenities, including two plush bathrobes. In addition to a blow dryer, there was also a flat iron, a perk I have never seen in a hotel room.

Welcome Amenity Hilton Los Cabos
We received a welcome amenitiy of a bottle of wine and a charcuterie board. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

We were also welcomed with a mezcal service that was exquisitely timed with our entrance to our room. This was on top of the welcome margarita we were offered as we checked in.

Second welcome amenity - Mezcal shots!
Second welcome amenity – Mezcal shots! Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

Other AltaMar Amenities

Hilton Los Cabos’ spectacular buffet is included in the price of the room. I’ve heard rumors for years about fantastic Cabo breakfast buffets, and this one lives up to the hype. There’s absolutely everything you could want on a breakfast buffet and more, from an omelet station to fresh fruit to gorgeous pastries made in-house. There’s also a made-to-order breakfast wraps, the smoothie of the day, yogurts, potatoes, and cereal – probably if you’ve had it for breakfast or want to eat it for breakfast, it’s on this buffet, and you have your choice of indoor or ocean view dining.

View from AltaMar Suite Hilton Los Cabos
Loved the ocean and pool view Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

You can see the full breakdown of AltaMar amenities here, but the daily happy hour, including the minibar and the ability to reserve lounge chairs at the pool daily, are high on our list.  The pools are the resort’s hub, and the loungers get snapped up quickly. As AltaMar guests, we visited the concierge every afternoon or evening and picked out our loungers for the following day. We had breakfast at our leisure and our seats were waiting when we were ready.

Turndown service at the Hilton Los Cabos included a light cleaning, refreshing the snacks and bottled water, and aromatherapy on the bed linens of our choice.
Turndown service included a light cleaning, refreshing the snacks and bottled water, and aromatherapy on the bed linens of our choice. Photo: Jill Robbins.

We also received a discount on cabana rentals, and if you’re looking for an experience to splurge on, this would be it. We enjoyed our cabana day immensely. No matter where you sit at the pool, there’s to-your-chair service for food and drinks and the service is impeccable and joyful. I am convinced that the absolute best job on the planet is being a poolside server at Hilton Los Cabos. We made the pool our hangout spot for four days in a row and interacted with a variety of servers and bartenders, and everyone seemed as thrilled to be there as we were.

Turndown menu Hilton Los Cabos
Turndown service included a light cleaning, refreshing the snacks and bottled water, and aromatherapy on the bed linens of our choice. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

Related: Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico for a Funtastic Family Fiesta

Onsite Dining at Hilton Los Cabos

The Frutti De Marre was delicious fresh seafood served at Hilton Los Cabos
The Frutti De Marre was delicious fresh seafood – just look at those scallops! – atop a bed of house-made pasta. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

Vela – Upscale Mediterranean with an emphasis on fresh seafood and house-made pasta. We ate poolside as the sun was setting and enjoyed the live entertainment. I had the Frutti De Marre, a seafood pasta bowl, and my husband enjoyed beef tenderloin. It was an upscale, relaxed meal, and the pace allowed us to savor our food and each other’s company.

Leña – Casual dining for lunch or dinner with ocean views. Want to eat in your swimsuit coverup? No problem. You can also order from the Leña menu at the pool. The lunch menu includes sandwiches, salads, and pizzas, including some unusual flavors, like Al Pastor pizza. Dinner is a little more substantial, with lots of fresh seafood, steaks, and appetizers. Leña has an open grill and watching the chefs prepare the food is a lot of fun.

Mio – Mio serves sushi rolls, bowls, and a variety of raw bar items during lunch. You can order from the Mio menu at the pool, and yes, you can combine Leña and Mio items in the same order. That can be arranged if your stomach tells you to have a pizza and a poke bowl.

Talavera Smoothie Bar Hilton Los Cabos
Breakfast at Talavera is included for AltaMar guests – we loved the daily smoothie bar. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

Talavera – Talavera a is the location of Hilton Los Cabos’ epic breakfast buffet mentioned above. During the evenings, Mexican food represents all areas of Mexico. Talavera has all-you-can-eat tacos on Tuesdays – because, of course – for a fixed price and a buffet on Sundays with beautiful decor, entertainment, and a variety of food stations so you can try a little bit of everything. But pace yourself. It is a lot of food!

Sotol – Indoor outdoor bar with an extensive spirits list and small bites – don’t skip the guacamole. It is some of the best I’ve ever had. As the name suggests, you’ll find a plethora of options for agave spirits – tequilas, mezcals, sotols – but there’s a full bar, and you’ll be able to find just about any libation you like.

Biblioteca Hilton Los Cabos
The agave spirits classes at La Biblioteca are fun and imformative. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

La Biblioteca – The name of this posh space translates into “library” in English. La Biblioteca is a beautiful, glassed-walled space adjacent to Sotol. You can enjoy a variety of agave spirits education here, from a “tequila 101” class to a five-course dinner with tequila and wine pairings. Reservations are required. If you are staying in one of the AltaMar suites, your concierge can assist you with booking. Even if you think you don’t like tequila, the introduction course with food pairings is a fun, informative experience. A proper tequila tasting differs from sipping a margarita or taking shots with salt and lime, and the session teaches you everything you need to know. It just might change your mind about tequila if it’s not one of your favorite spirits.

Oysters South versus Sur served at Hilton Los Cabos
The Hilton Los Cabos has occasional food-focused events – check their calendar of events to see what culinary treats or guest chefs may be happening during your stay. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

Los Arcos Roasting Company – This lobby coffee shop has Starbucks-style coffee drinks, pastries, and sandwiches.

Room service is also available.

Sunday Mexican buffet Talavera Hilton Los Cabos
If you stay over on a Sunday evening, the Mexican feast is a must Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

FAQs:

Who is the Hilton Los Cabos for?

Hilton Los Cabos is for just about anyone. I stayed here with my husband and most of the other guests appeared we saw around the resort were adult couples. That said, it also works for girlfriend or friend group getaways. There were two destination weddings happening during our stay. It would also be a fantastic honeymoon destination. I didn’t think Los Cabos would be an ideal spot for family vacations, however, we saw a handful of young families at the Hilton Los Cabos. There’s even a family-friendly pool with a slide and splash pad.

How much do rooms cost?

This is not a budget property. Looking at online direct bookings, rooms are running between $420 and $1,000 per night. Like any hotel bookings, midweek stays during low or shoulder season cost less than weekend stays during peak season. You may find promotional prices directly through the hotel, Hilton.com, or through third-party booking sites like hotels.com or booking.com. Booking.com has the options to include breakfast in the price you pay and Hotels.com has the option to book now and pay later and add resort credit to your total price- just make sure you read all the fine print. Looking at AltaMar rooms for a midweek stay in January – prime whale-watching season – the rooms start at $700 per night. If you want to stay during whale-watching season, get as far in front of the booking as you can, since lots of other travelers will have the same idea.

Cabo sign Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is fun to explore and the hotel can help arrange excursions or give recommendations, but you just might be happy to hang out at the hotel. Photo Credit: Jill Robbins.

What’s the weather like in Los Cabos?

Highs are in the high 90s during July and August and in the high 70s in December and January. The pools are heated all year round so it’s always pool weather.

What is the dress code at Hilton Los Cabos?

Resort casual. I wore summer dresses and nice sandals to dinner and the rest of the time, I was in a bathing suit and coverup. There’s an overall elevated vibe to the property – zero pretentiousness, but definitely an upscale feel – and I would recommend having a couple of nicer kimonos or dresses to throw on over a bathing suit.

Main Pool at Hilton Los Cabos
Dreamy pool, delicious food, warm hospitality and warm sun. What more could you want? Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

Getting to Hilton Los Cabos

Flying to Los Cabos is easy. All major airlines fly into the airport, SJD, which is modern with several shopping and dining options. We flew United with a connection in Houston, which was easy and seamless for us. For our return trip, we’re looking at flying Delta with a connection in Mexico City, in order to take advantage of using accrued SkyMiles.

Hilton Los Cabos is an easy, 20-minute drive from the airport. Since we booked the AltaMar experience, our driver met us outside the airport, just a few steps from the door.

Do I need to speak or understand Spanish?

While the Hilton Los Cabos is a great place to practice your Spanish, all employees speak both English and Spanish.

Jill Robbins is a freelance writer covering lifestyle, travel, health, and commerce. Her writing has appeared in SheKnows, HuffPost, Tripsavvy, Insider, AARP, and other publications. Jill lives in San Antonio with her husband and two youngest kids, although she’s usually somewhere else. You can find out what Jill is up to by reading her blog, Ripped Jeans and Bifocals.
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