ellene

Just returned from Esperanza in Cabo San Lucas, and will be happy to answer questions.
This is a world class resort that lives up to its reputation and pricing.

mrwilson75

I'm headed to Cabo in March, and although I'm not staying at Esperanza (staying instead at the new Marquis Los Cabos), I'd be interested to hear your impressions of the area. Cabo generally tends to take it on the chin in this forum, but my sense is that many of the negatives have to do with the main tourist beaches and Cabo San Lucas proper, places I'd mostly prefer to avoid (staying instead on the beach at the Marquis or venturing into San Jose instead).

What, if any activities did you enjoy?Shopping? Golf? Whale-watching? Did you go into San Jose del Cabo as well as Cabo San Lucas, and if so what were your impressions of each?

Which restaurants do you recommend? Would you recommend the restaurant at Esperanza to someone not staying there (and if so, could you give an estimate of what one might expect to pay for a typical lunch/dinner)?

Although I know that Esperanza is roughly ten miles down the Corridor closer to Cabo San lucas than the Marquis and that might affect this decision, would you recommend a rental car, or using taxis? We plan to venture out a little bit for a day or two of shopping, perhaps two rounds of golf, and for dining a couple of evenings.

Thanks in advance for your insights!

ellene

Passed by the Marquis and it looks lovely, make sure you have a room facing the ocean.
Cabo San Lucas is nothing to write home about. I have not been to San Jose or todo santos, but supposed to be good walking around area. Todos Santos is the artists colony about an hour from cabo. I believe it is where the original "hotel california" is.

Golf is a big draw in the area, quarencia, palmilla, cabo del sol are all great courses(so says my husband, I scuba dive) Reserve golf in advance(your concierge can help you).

Whale watching is a big deal in Cabo, we actually could see them from our hotel. There are many companies that run whale watching excursions, again your hotel should be able to provide a good suggestion.

We like Ediths restaurant in Cabo, it is a lovely setting overlooking the beach and the food is great. Dinner for 2 about $150 including drinks. Also like Mi Casa in town great food, about 75 for dinner for two with drinks. The office is a restaurant directly on the beach, big happy hour crowd, kind of a spring break scene, but fun, and a nice change from being secluded at your hotel. Have heard good things about niki-san for Sushi(dont laugh)

The restaurant at esperaza is wonderful Entrees in the $35.00 range. I actually think the dining room at Las Ventanas is little bit bitter, but definitely pricier(I have never had sticker shock at a restaurant the way I did at Ventanas wine list) Entrees at ventanas were in the $40.00 range We rent a car, as the transportation is about $60 each way by van service to the hotels, and if you are going to do day trips, it is easier. We had the hotel arrange the car, as the first year we did itourselves, when we showed up, no car(this was through Avis) All the major companies are represented there.Cabs to town are about $15.00 each way.

The spa at Esperanza is really great. If you enjoy that kind of thing, I would recommend putting it on your agenda.
Cabo is a kick back, relax no worries kind of place. Not alot to do, but the water is beautiful, and topographically one of the nicest beach communities I have ever seen. We are planning our return for next year.

srb162

We are looking for a child-friendly resort, though not necessarily babies as we will have a 9,11 and 13 yr old. Would your recommend the Esperanza? Thanks

ellene

AS much as I love Esepranza I dont know if I would consider it child friendly. There are condos that you can rent, they have a beautiful pool area( children are not allowed at the pool by the hotel) There is not tennis on site, althought they have arrangements with the Fiesta Americana down the road. To get to the beach you need to walk down a flight of steps, as the hotel is built into the side of the hill. I did not spend much time on the condo side, but did speak with people there who were travelling with kids and were very happy. If you are looking for a resort at this level(Esperanza is very expensive) I believe las ventanas has condos as well, and I know a family who just vacationed there with kids and was very happy. They have tennis right there and golf as well.

PSLocal

Good report.

We went for a week in December and a thought for a very 'kid friendly' place is the Melia Los Cabos.

Todos Santos is a great day trip. Much more authentic historic village, better quality and better priced crafts. Los Adobes restaurant was a very good lunch.

Ediths and The Office are both good. We also liked Peacocks and Damiana.

johnbaby

Hi Ellene- I'm planning on going to Esperanza in June for my 10-year anniversary. A couple of questions: Is the top level (palapa-level) rooms worth the extra $ for the view? Don't know what kind of comparison you can make since you probably only stayed in one room type, but any comments you have on that would be appreciated.

Also, is the beach swimmable? Just wondering as Cabo beaches usually tend to be pretty rough.

One final one- you mentioned the excellent food at the restaurant, but once in a while we just like to have something small. Is the onsite store (they describe it like a country store)have a reasonably good variety for breakfast/lunch/snacks?

Any info. you have is appreciated. Thanks!

ellene

I believe the Palapa level has a private pluge pool in it. We stayed one floor below and had unobstructed views of the ocean from our terrace and bed. I do not know if there is any other difference in the rooms. The market has fresh cut fruit, yogurt and housemade pastries available for breakfast. They sell sandwiches, guacamole, and assorted ceviches as well. They had great homemade chocolates too. There are some tables near by overlooking the water you can eat at.
Fresh fruit was provided in our room, and restocked upon request. The restaurant menu had a variety of things for breakfast, as well. This was our second trip to Esperanza, and to be honest, I have never swam in the water at the beach. It does not appear to be as calm as the caribbean.

Have a blast when you go, it really is a teriffic resort.

BCarvalho

Just returned from Cabo Jan 2nd. Weather was wonderful. Beaches so-so, nothing worth traveling there for..being an in the water person, I was dissapointed in the clarity and quality of the ocean water. Very swimmable, on the Sea of Cortez side, but nothing too wonderful. They dump their salt back into the ocean after reverse osmosis, so it is waaaayyy salty. Hundreds and hundreds of boats, and other water craft make the water stinky and polluted and limit where you can safely swim. Cabos is primarily a party haven with dirty, stinky streets and no historical appeal. If you can visit surrounding areas that Fodors recommends, do it. If you can all-inclusive, do it. Beaches up north from Cabo are much cleaner and swimmable on the Sea of Cortez side. Whales are in Cabo now, we saw them, but the watercraft keep them out of the bay. Food at Peacocks and Perto Viejo resturants was very good. I don't recommend Cabo for families at all, unless you go all-inclusive, and that all-inclusive is a huge place. Take your money to a more historical, truly mexcian place....or party hearty and sleep it off.

BC

malnyc

We stayed at Las Ventanas and ate dinner at Esparanza one night. It didn't look like the pool got so much sun w/ all those palm trees-- were they ever an obstruction? Also, we heard Esparanza doesn't allow kids at the hotel, but that they do allow them in the condos. Were there any kids at the hotel pool Christmas week?

btw- we loved Cabo too!

ellene

Esperanza does not allow kids at the chidlren's pool(one of the reasons we go there, as we dont travel with them on this particular vacation). They are allowed by the condos, and there are two pool there. We spoke with several families travelling with their kids(2 who had just fractional ownership there) and they loved it. The Condos are big(we went to see them on a lark, and the pools on that end dont have as many trees.

Re: shading by the pool. If you are on the first tier by the pool, or near the hot tub or on the beach, there is no obstruction. If you are on one of the tier, there is some obstruction. There is also very little obstruction on the terraces on the suites.
Did you enjoy Ventanas?

malnyc

We loved Las Ventanas but there were many families there (quite surprising at those prices!). It is a very beautiful and special place but I think it might be better during a non-vacation week if you are traveling without kids (which is why I was curious about Esparanza). Esparanza seemed much bigger than Ventanas with all the condo developments. Ventanas has condos too but they didn't seem to overwhelm the resort. I hope to try Esparanza soon!

ellene

Your comments about the resort being large are ironic, as I felt Ventanas seemed much bigger than Esperanza. Since we mostly contained ourselves to the hotel area, it did not seem large at all.

malnyc

That's funny. Everything is relative I supppose!

lkalish

Was wondering if you had a choice would you stay at Vantanas or Esperanza. I have stayed at Palmillo, but loved Vantanas. I heard the Esperanza is great, but does it compare?

ellene

We found that ventanas felt large, it is more lower building. It also felt like more of a scene(the pool has lounge chairs litterally in it, it felt like the Delano to me). We were looking for more quiet, and Esperanza fits this bill for us. Although we have not stayed at Ventanas, after dining there, I plan to return to esperanza(although I think the food at ventanas is a little better). There is no tennis at Esperanza, they have a deal with the Fiesta Americana that you can play there.

jgrant8732

Hi Ellene, my wife and I are considering Esperanza in June and had a couple of questions. Can the hotel quests use the Esperanza Club pools next door, the web site seems to suggest that. We are comsidering requesting one of the Palapa rooms in a building nearer the pool away from the reistration building. From your stay, is that the most private location? Thanks.

ellene

Regarding beverage prices; Ventanas had one of the most over priced wine lists I had ever seen in my life(I have not exactly lead a sheltered existence). Drinks at Ventanas were mid teens.

Drinks at Esperanza ran 12 -14 for margaritas. Their tequilas by the glass ranged from 10 - 20. Wine list was a more standard markup for a high end resort. We never felt like we were getting ripped off for drinks there. Advised that all charges(room included ) carry a 15% gratuity. There food and beverage prices are fair as well.
Hope this helps and happy anniversary

TVL

Thank you for your help. We are planning a trip to the Presidente IC Resort in Los Cabos. I have a couple of questions based on what I have read on the web:
Are the beaches located at the resort like the Caribbean beaches (white sand, clear water, etc)? (I have read on some sites you can not swim at the beach)
Is the resort within walking distance of the main area w/ shopping and restaurants?
What is Los Cabos like? I have read very flat reviews of Cabo San Lucas on this site Are the two places alike?
We are considering the all inclusive plan at the resort- how are the restaurants at the resort?
Thank you for any information!!

CaptMike

Sleeze that is what Cabo is sleeze. Hookers , strippers, pimps, strip bars and whore houses all within walking distance.

The stinky streets that is cuz Cabo doesn't have the Sewage treatment to handle the volume, the stinky oozy stuff surfaces up thru the city grates and onto the street. Beware of the dust vermin.

Cops that shake the tourist down for money. Heard they were asking for charity from the Cruise ships lately. Better to stay on board. Beaches with dangerous undertows.

Sleeze and the scum that it attracts. Timeshare rip offs. Land deal rip offs.
Buyer Beware in Mexico.

Watch your drinks, drugs put in in on the sly to the unwary tourist.