The Best Sunsets in Cabo!

Aug 18, 2010

by Bethany_K
posted in Unique Hotels

Rating:

I was recently whisked away for my birthday to one of my favorite Mexican resorts, the Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach. Situated outside of downtown Los Cabos on the western side of the tip of Baja, facing the Pacific ocean, the Pueblo is rated one of the top fifteen resorts in Mexico by Travel and Leisure magazine. It lives up to the acclaim by providing amazing design, incredible views and all the luxuries that come to mind when you want a relaxing, sunshine-filled escape.

Location:

Situated on the side of a mountain, this Sunset Beach hotel has villas sprinkling the mountainside. To combat the steep nature of the mountain, golf carts deliver guests up and down the mountain to your villas and to the variety of pools positioned from the top to the bottom of the hotel. The views are gorgeous and the hotel is aptly named for it’s beautiful sunsets.

Though the Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach is on the Pacific (which means the water is treacherous and you can’t swim in the ocean) and a good 15 minute cab ride from the shops and restaurants of downtown Cabo, the location is actually closer to the downtown area than the other hotels on the strip (the Marquis, Las Ventanas, etc). A free shuttle will take hotel guests to the Pueblo Bonito Rose (5 minutes from downtown) every hour, making it a low cost trip. Honestly, though, I found it easier to hop in a cab, which only costs about $10 one way and would drop you right at the marina, close to the restaurants, shopping and bars.

Accommodations and Price:

I’ve stayed here twice now and both times have been impressed by the high-end rooms for such reasonable prices. Rooms have both King bed or Queen bed options; bathrooms are large and spa-like with double vanity sinks, jacuzzi tubs, and large tiled showers. Each room includes a balcony that overlooks the ocean. On this last trip my room was upgraded to an executive suite which was enormous and included two full bathrooms, a full kitchen and bar, living room and dining area, as well as a double wide balcony. Cost per night was a mere $140!

Amenities:

The main lobby is rich in design with a castle-like ambiance. Imagine rustic chandeliers, swords on the walls, vases of flowers, a cigar bar, and a beautiful ( hello, scenic!) outdoor bar positioned just off the main check-in area. In addition, Sunset Beach includes a high-end (and unfortunately pricey spa), a small chapel, fitness room and deli (perfect for an afternoon sandwich, morning coffee, or late evening dessert to be brought back to your room).

Note: The fitness room costs $15 per person if you're not an owner of a Sunset Beach condo. I found this unreasonably steep and after a bit of complaining was able to get in for free.

The highlight of the hotel is the tiered pools. The main pool is located on the beach, at the bottom of the mountain, and includes an outdoor swim up bar and hot tub. Chairs go fast each morning, so get up early and secure a spot facing the ocean!

If you're not into crowds, or squealing youngin's, I would also recommend the smaller and quieter pool situated just up the hill and to the left of the main pool. This is a great pool for happy hour (4 – 5 pm you get 2 for 1 beverages). Service is faster and there are less people swimming there.

There are three main restaurants at Sunset Beach: The Bistro, La Frida and La Nao. I had an unfortunate experience at the Bistro where the delivery of a pizza and sandwich took over an hour (however, the hotel comped the meal, which made up for the ridiculously long wait). I did not go to The Frida which is more expensive and formal and requires a reservation 24 hours in advance. The La Nao was the best dining option and located right on the main pool. This restaurant has culinary theme nights and is also perfect for breakfast. Sunday I enjoyed a fantastic buffet complete with sushi, eggs, omelets, fish, beef tenderloin, salads, fruit, seafood, a spread of 25+ desserts, plus unlimited mimosas! For around $40 per person this was one of the highlights of the trip and a great deal.

Tips:
-Pre-book a roundtrip airport shuttle. This should cost around $30/per person. I used Grey Line shuttles and found their service to be prompt and professional. Pre-booking a shuttle also reduces confusion upon arrival at the Cabo airport (you’ll be hounded by dozens of cab drivers soliciting your business).

-While waiting for your shuttle to go to the hotel check out the bar just outside the airport. A Corona or Pacifico is a great way to get the trip started!

-Go into downtown Cabo at least once or twice to experience more of the area and culture. The small flea market is fun to walk through and offers a variety of cheap trinkets that make great gifts.

-Also, if you can stand the constant banter of restaurant managers luring you into their eateries near the marina (and are prepared to be harassed!), check out La Galleria for dinner. Though prices are a bit more expensive that your casual Mexican restaurant, their homemade Caesar salad is delicious and worth the price.

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About the reviewer

Bethany (Bethany_K)
Ranked #1

Hello Lunchers! I am a contributing writer foran onlinelife and style website that highlights hot-spots in Minneapolis and Chicago. As such, I frequent many new boutiques, restaurants, … more