I always make sure to reserve supper at El Farallon, the terraced oceanfront restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, whenever I visit Los Cabos, Mexico, regardless of the hotel I'm staying in.
The atmosphere is authentically that of a night out on the Mexican Riviera, complete with live music, freshly caught fish prepared to order, and a lively crowd celebrating everything from birthdays to anniversaries and even proposals. The restaurant is carved into a cliffside with the surf crashing below and is dreamily lit by candles and lanterns.
But I didn't get the chance to stay at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal until this past April.
But that doesn't mean I haven't stayed at this precise property before.
I remember staying three nights there in 2013, when the hotel was formerly a part of the tiny, Asia-based Capella luxury hotel chain.
2019—shortly before the pandemic—saw its re-branding as a Waldorf Astoria.
One of my favorite resorts in Mexico has remained open for business nearly ten years after my initial visit, and I recently got the chance to return. The trip was every bit as amazing as I had remembered.
Booking
My visit took place during a period that came after Easter and before the summer break.
However, even during this brief travel slowdown, I was only able to book award nights at the 115-key hotel for 120,000 Hiton Honors points each (the base rate) on a select few days in April.
The hotel offers a variety of non-standard accommodation types, as well as a significant number of suites, multi-bedroom villas, and casitas, for which it charges some outrageous costs. For these reasons, base-level points rates might not be readily available (ranges during April and May ran from 364,000 to 1.9 million points per night).
A basic Pacific View - Plunge Pool King Bed Terrace accommodation was reserved for the two nights that suited best for my plans.
Incredibly expensive paid rates for the same nights would have cost $1,625 each plus taxes and fees, making my two-night total $4,355.
Instead, I was able to benefit from a 100% Hilton Honors points purchase bonus and only pay $1,200 for the 240,000 points.
I received a per-point value of 1.8 cents as a result, saving me approximately $3,000 on the hotel stay.
If I had chosen to book a paid rate, I might have done so through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts with The Platinum Card® from American Express since I would have still accrued Hilton Honors points and elite status credit for the stay, plus extras like noon check-in based on availability, a guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, a guaranteed room upgrade at check-in, daily breakfast for two, and a $150 property credit to be used during my stay.
Location
The entire southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, from the Pacific Ocean on its western shore all the way to the Sea of Cortez on its eastern side, is covered in the huge resort community of Los Cabos.
Many of its hotels are centered around the cities of San José del Cabo, which has a picturesque main square and colorful colonial-era structures that now house art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, and Cabo San Lucas, which is more of a party destination and from which many water-based activities like fishing and whale-watching depart.
To get to the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, you must drive past the town's bars and nightclubs. It is located in a 24-acre residential and resort development not far from Cabo San Lucas.
To get to Pedregal, however, one must first travel through a secure tunnel and emerge on the other side on a section of coastline that faces south and is only a short distance to the west of the renowned Los Arcos rock formation at the Cabo San Lucas cape.
Uber costs about $45 for the 45-minute trip from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), which includes the toll and an airport tax. The trip is partially along a toll motorway.
The cost of an Uber ride into Cabo San Lucas should be considerably under $10, and the longer drive, which takes about 30–40 minutes, to San José del Cabo would cost between $25–$35.
Lobby and check-in
Around 12:30 pm, I made my way from the hotel where I was staying to the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos.
When I claimed I was checking in and presented my name at the tunnel gate, my Uber was waved through.
About 30 seconds after we arrived at the hotel's driveway, I was welcomed by name by one of the check-in staff members. A bellman then removed my carry-on bag from the trunk, brought me a cool glass of sweet hibiscus juice, and invited me to have a seat on a terrace with a view of the resort.
The check-in representative took my credit card, passport, and passport information page to an adjacent office, where she made a copy of my passport information page and placed a $500 incidental hold on my account.
She came back and informed me that although my room was not yet ready, the resort's concierge service will text me when it was.
She responded that, regrettably, I had not been upgraded despite having Hilton Honors Gold level.
She afterwards extended a lunch invitation to me at one of the eateries.
When I received a text asking for my whereabouts at around 3 p.m., I went down to Crudo Bar, a poolside bar, where I spent a few hours working on my laptop (Wi-Fi was free and reliable throughout the resort). The text asked for my location so that someone could find me and bring me to my room.
The room
Funny enough, the room I was allocated was in the exact same building as the one I had stayed in on my previous visit; it was appropriately named Vistamar for its sea views.
It can be found on the property's far eastern edge.
The distance between there and other areas of the resort is a little greater, but this gives the area a more private air and allows you to observe the landscaping, which includes some incredibly beautiful succulents placed here and there.
Although some of the structures are positioned higher up into the mountainside, the hotel sprawls down the shore.
Although those accommodations may have more expansive views of the resort and the ocean, I believe I would prefer one of the structures that is closer to the sand because there aren't as many stairs to climb.
Along with the Las Tortuguitas children's club, the building I was in also held the laid-back Beach Club restaurant, which is open for lunch.
My room, number 921, was hidden behind one of the hotel's trademark carved wooden doors on the second floor near the stairs, with a colonial-style metal sconce off to the side.
Just inside the entrance was a small vestibule, and after that was a sort of foyer with a pink table with marble top, two wall sconces, and a mirror.
A hand-painted Clase Azul Reposado tequila decanter and a bowl of apples were among the welcoming amenities I discovered there. However, the liquid content of the decanter was too large to pass through security, so you'll need to drink it or put it in a checked bag.
A complementary platter of chips, guacamole, pico de gallo, and a bucket with two small Coronas would also be delivered by hotel staff members every day between 4 and 5 p.m. I felt this was a lovely touch.
I continued into the main room, which according to the hotel is 865 square feet in size. This is because of the size able bedroom and living area as well as the sizable terrace with its own plunge pool, both of which have glossy limestone floors.
In addition to the stunning vaulted ceilings, this hotel's custom-made décor, which includes hand-carved mesquite furniture, embossed leather headboards with sculpted metal frames, and vibrant totem-like sculptures, is part of what I love about it.
Simple all-white linens embroidered with a WA for Waldorf Astoria served as a simple covering for the pillow-top mattress.
A nightstand with a reading lamp was on either side.
Additionally, guests have access to a set of binoculars for observing wildlife, such as birds and whales.
I simply wish there were more USB ports or outlets so I wouldn't have to look for them along the wall to keep my phone and computer charged.
Two armchairs, a side table, and a standing lamp were situated in front of the bed and all faced the in-wall gas fireplace.
On one side of that was the closet, which had a surface area large enough to accommodate either a full-size suitcase or two carry-ons, as well as drawers, a shelf, and a rack for hanging things.
A huge LCD TV mounted on the wall and a wooden counter with a stone top were on the opposite side of the fireplace.
I discovered a Nespresso coffee maker, wine and water glasses, and an ice bucket on the counter.
There were coffee cups and pods inside the cabinet, along with sugar.
The minifridge was supplied with complimentary Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, and two bottles of juice in addition to bottles of water and soda water in cans.
The room safe was kept in the opposite cabinet.
The bathroom was adjacent to the bed and had a thick, sliding wooden door that could be closed off.
There was a small bathroom off to the side.
The massive vanity had two ceramic sinks that were painted white with blue patterns and a greenish granite top. It also had a giant mirror.
The hotel offers chic amenity packages in case you forget anything at home, and mine came with a comb, a shoeshine mitt, a shower cap, toothpaste, and a toothbrush.
Green tea, mint, and ginger body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash were among the biodegradable bath goods given by the artisanal Mexican business Vervan.
There was a separate alcove for the stand-alone, large soaking tub toward the back of the bathroom, which had lovely yellow-green glazed ceramic tiling.
It had a mirror hanging next to it, a tray with a loofah and a bottle of bath oil, and a menu of in-room bath "soak rituals" you could purchase, with prices ranging from $75 to $100 per person. It was dramatically back lit.
The shower was open, with only a half-height wall separating it from the tub and no door, so you could simply walk in and out.
There was an above shower head as well as a handheld one that was positioned on the wall.
A cushioned, curved bench with space for lounging was located on the other side of the shower wall.
The five switches for the bathroom lights were right there, and I found them perplexing because you had to figure out how to turn each one on and off as opposed to just dimming or brightening it.
Huge sliding glass doors in the bedroom's back led to the outdoor terrace's private space.
I didn't need the air conditioning because there were pleasant sea breezes and no insects, so I mainly left the windows open, save for when I went to bed.
The patio had two low benches with cushions, one of which had a large cushioned stool, and the other had a wooden table that was useful as a desk when I needed to work outside.
Although the infinite edge of the plunge pool was composed of black, iridescent tiles, it was a small rectangle with rounded corners, a no-slip stone bottom, stairs, and an infinity edge.
A little sandy area with miniature succulent plants put there served as a divider between that and one of the resort pools, which was followed by the ocean.
Overall, I adored the accommodation because of its size, lovely accents that nodded to traditional Mexican arts and crafts, and its sizable patio outside, where I spent the majority of my time.
It was cheery, airy, and soothing.
Having said that, I feel like the rooms may use a little updating and possibly a redesign.
The bed, bathroom bench, armchairs, and patio furniture have all begun to appear a touch tattered.
By replacing the chairs and lamp that currently appear to be floating off on their own, I also believe there may be a better approach to arrange the room's lounge area.
Food and drink
The dining and drinking options at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal are a significant appeal for me, as you may have suspected given the fact that I frequent this property every time I'm in Cabo because of one of its restaurants.
Only an hour separates lunch and dinner service in the main restaurant, Don Manuel's, which is just one floor below the reception area.
The restaurant contains an outdoor bar area, an interior dining room with glass doors that are typically left open, and a patio area with tables where the majority of the patrons seemed to eat during my visits. It is located next to the curved adult pool.
I was eligible for a complimentary continental breakfast thanks to my Hilton Honors Gold membership, which was worth $34 otherwise and included coffee or tea, fresh juice, and cold buffet items such pastries, fresh fruit, cereal, and yoghurt.
Just behind the bar, the buffet was situated in a temperature-controlled area, and during the time of my visit, masks were necessary inside.
I was able to receive a replacement when I forgot mine one morning at the hostess stand.
I treated myself to an enormous breakfast burrito one morning while I was there because I could choose an a la carte item for $10 more. It included great organic scrambled eggs, beans, and avocado with guacamole, pico de gallo, and dollops of sour cream on the side.
The staff came by to offer to reheat my dish and pour fresh coffee and another glass of water whenever I needed, which was standard practise given the higher service levels, even though they were clearing the other tables for lunch service. I lingered over it while working on some other things.
During my visit, I also went to Don Manuel's for dinner to try the fusion Baja Californian food.
I ordered a fillet of roasted totoaba (a local fish) with quinoa salad and a smoky chile cream sauce for my main course ($43) after beginning with a flavorful aguachile with bluefin tuna and grilled watermelon ($26).
Additionally, options for vegetarians and vegans were offered.
The famous "Apple & Caramel" dessert, which costs $14 and is made out of caramel mousse, apple compote, chocolate sea salt crumbs, and honey-rosemary ice cream, was recommended to me by my waitress.
I nearly licked the dish clean since it was like eating a dessert version of a Magritte-esque deconstruction of an apple.
I really enjoyed the barrel-aged Manhattan ($18), which was infused with wild cherry bitters, peach peels, plum, and green apple.
As I previously mentioned, Crudo Bar is where I had lunch on my first day there. It resembles the swim-up bars you see at other Mexican resorts with stools in the water, but it also has a dry area that has been sunk into the pool's edge where you can eat at a high table just like at any other beach bar.
It is available for lunch and offers a selection of salads, sandwiches, tacos, and favorites like guacamole and salsa with chips ($15), blue corn quesadillas ($18), however they are also topped with wild mushrooms, squash blossoms, and homemade salsa verde.
Diverse ceviches ($22), oysters ($7), various seafood and fish crudo dishes ($25–$29), and sushi-style rolls ($17–$31) are available for those who enjoy seafood.
It was zesty and light yet filling enough to keep me full until supper. I chose the bluefin tuna tostada with onion compote, avocado, chipotle mayonnaise, and cilantro ($16).
The Beach Club, which is located below my room and down near the eastern end of the property, is the other lunch option at the resort.
Similar to Don Manuel's, there are both indoor and outdoor dining sections, but because the glass doors separating them were usually open, it gave the impression that the entire room was outdoors.
You can eat there, but you can also order from the menu and have your food brought to you by the staff at the family and adult pools.
Tacos, sandwiches, quesadillas, various ceviches, and build-your-own salads are among the menu items.
The shrimp tacos with cheese, poblano peppers, and onions, along with a side salad ($29), were delicious and filling. I ordered from my beach chair at the family pool.
Dinner at El Farallon was the primary draw for me.
You must travel virtually the entire resort property, via one of the buildings housing guestrooms, and then down a unique path to get to the restaurant, which is situated at the very western end of the resort.
I must have chosen a busy time because there was a queue at the hostess station lighted by torches, but the staff quickly moved it along by sitting groups of diners at the cocktail tables in the bar area or escorting them to their seats.
I was in the latter group, but before I could order a drink, I was being shown to my table.
As the surf crashes below you, the restaurant's location on the granite cliff face provides a truly breathtaking scene.
Although I love the tables close near the wooden railings, in what I'd describe a minor "splash zone," they are also excellent for a romantic meal because they are set back on an elevated mezzanine under faintly shining strung lights.
Diners are given a whiteboard with the day's catch and a range of potential preparations, which gives the experience an old-school flavor.
Only your main course and two sides need to be selected; the rest of the meal will be prepared for you.
To examine the specimens in more detail, you can also look in the ice cases by the visible kitchen.
The meal started after I decided on the flounder, which was grilled with sea salt and olive oil.
The appetiser was a creamy broccoli soup with vanilla, julienned peppers, shaved cauliflower, and a crouton.
The following three tapas included grilled amberjack skewers with teriyaki-sesame glaze, michelada-style shrimp ceviche in a beer-Tabasco sauce with lime, and papaya salad with carrots and peanuts in a balsamic vinaigrette.
My main course of sizzling, delicious flounder was served with sides of creamy seafood risotto and a sauce made from melted butter, shallots, and fresh herbs.
I also included the chocolate-dipped churros for dessert.
Dinner for one cost $153 with one cocktail, one glass of wine, and a bottle of water.
So, certainly, this location is for special occasions.
What else, besides the wonderful meal and service, made my night special?
Unexpected fireworks launched by one of the other beachfront resorts...
Then a surprise sighting of Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake as they left El Farallon after their own supper, passing by my table.
I didn't get the chance to visit two places throughout my trip.
The first was Neutral Coffee Lab, which was located next to the resort office on the reception floor.
It offers a variety of pastries and other snacks along with made-to-order espresso drinks and pour-over coffees.
Agave Study at Peacock Alley was the other.
If you're acquainted with the Waldorf Astoria brand, the hotels often feature a lobby area called Peacock Alley that serves tiny menus all day long, but this one was apart from any I had experienced at other outposts.
It was a little room with a view of the resort and a tiny bar with dozens of agave-based alcoholic beverages, including tequilas and mezcals, which you could sample in different tastings and flights with savoury snacks.
You may either enjoy your sampling at the room's large table or at one of the surrounding outside dining spaces.
I opted to treat myself to a glass of Champagne at the resort's beach Champagne bar, Va y Viene, which seems designed specifically for social media influencers, rather than partake in a tequila tasting.
Be careful with that flute of bubbly since this tiny wooden structure, which is surrounded by swing chairs, has been added since my previous visit.
Glasses start at an outrageous $33, but I splurged on a $35 glass of one of my favorite wines, Taittinger, to feel a little more posh.
The price was well worth it because of that and the spontaneous photo shoot that I had with another lovely customer.
Services and amenities
The resort takes use of its location, which is on an uneven strip of land between a rocky mountain face and the ocean.
There is an adult-only pool with an infinity edge that faces the ocean right below the reception area.
It contains a few loungers on a short step in the sea as well as lounge chairs surrounded by umbrella shade.
It was the ideal place for long afternoon naps in the sun and the shade because the atmosphere was consistently calm and sleepy.
The beach club family pool seemed much the same, but with kids occasionally leaping in and out, past the spa and some of the beachfront homes.
Couples appeared to like using the jacuzzi tub that was built inside of it in the late afternoons and evenings.
Since it was near my hotel and most families with kids stayed at the nearby rock pool, a shallow, round pool ideal for splashing around with infants and toddlers, I actually liked this pool.
Unfortunately, unless you're ready to take significant risks, the beach is not truly swimmable here, but that is true of much of Cabo.
However, as the lights at the other hotels along the strand turned up and bands started to serenade diners at their oceanfront restaurants, it was fantastic for shady treks to the back side of the Los Arcos rock formation.
The resort has long been known for its Luna y Mar (Moon and Sea) spa, where the treatments are based on your inner condition, the current moon cycle, the therapeutic properties of the sea, as well as traditional Mexican folk cures. This is true even during the resort's days as a Capella.
The facility is stunning, with a spacious lobby and a private pool that is fed by above fountains and to which numerous treatment rooms have direct access.
I wished I could have gotten a treatment on this trip, but the schedule and the cost were both prohibitive.
Massages cost between $220 and 230 dollars for 50 minutes, while facials, including one that uses rose crystals, start at $250, and body treatments, such a damiana flower and honey body scrub and wrap, may go as high as $780 (though some are priced at $330).
Instead, I went to the gym, which is housed in a set of rooms on the opposite side of the office's door.
The facilities currently look a touch old, but you will still find plenty of Technogym weight and cardio machines in addition to a separate studio for stretching and yoga.
You can find everything from beach necessities to regional arts and crafts in the small store Almarte, which is located on the opposite side of reception. However, if you're looking for the latter, you'd be better off visiting one of San Jose del Cabo's galleries for more affordable and higher-quality items.
If you didn't want to bring your own tests with you, there was also a COVID testing clinic available during my visit that offered results for $30 per person, per test and was available to foreign tourists with results available in 24 hours.
In addition to its stunning amenities, this resort stands out for the calibre of its service.
The service at this hotel in Los Cabos is great, but in my opinion—and even when I've only stopped by for dinner—they genuinely stand out.
Every server took the time to say hello to me, ask if I had any food allergies again, and inquire as to whether I liked to be addressed in English or Spanish.
Everyone was patient in answering my inquiries regarding the ingredients and thoroughly explaining the foods I ordered.
Anytime I showed up, the people at the pools were more than pleased to find me a seat.
They also adjusted the umbrellas, laid up my loungers with towels, and delivered water bottles in ice buckets right away.
The front desk replied immediately to texts from me asking for things like altering a dinner reservation to a later time, confirming a late checkout, and transferring my luggage to the Beach Club so I could use the shower and changing rooms there before my flight home.
In a nutshell, they treated me like a VIP while still making me feel completely at home, which is pretty much the pinnacle of hospitality in my book.
Accessibility
Although I'm not aware with them, Mexico's hotel accessibility laws appear to be far more lenient than those in the United States.
For instance, the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal's website does not contain information about wheelchair-accessible rooms or those for visitors with additional needs, so you will need to call in to inquire for one explicitly and discuss pricing with an agent.
According to a hotel representative I spoke with, some of the rooms have been modified for wheelchair users and feature direct pedestrian access, spacious corridors, and specially designed restrooms.
Despite the fact that the resort has elevators, many of them are fairly small and would not readily accept a wheelchair, thus guests with accessibility requirements should request rooms in particular places that will be simpler to access.
If necessary, the hotel does provide golf cart service for guests, making it easier to navigate the huge property.
However, neither of the big pools—certainly not my own private plunge pool—had any equipment that would have made it simple for wheelchair users to enter since there was only a step around the borders.
I can only advise you to call the hotel before making a reservation if you do have any specific requests to see if it can make accommodations for you.
checking out
I recently traveled to Mexico, and I was able to round off my trip with two days at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal.
The personnel is exactly as friendly as I remember, the restaurants and bars are just as pleasant, and the resort and its pools are just as stunning as ever.
The overnight rates at the hotel are the highest I've ever seen, and prices at the spa and restaurants seem to have increased dramatically recently.
However, a stay here is well beneficial if you can benefit from some clever point redemptions.
Give yourself at least three days to adjust to the relaxed pace of the area, and lay aside some additional money for extras like a meal at El Farallon, a sampling at the Agave Study, or a spa treatment at Luna y Mar.
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