The Resort at Pedregal: did not meet expectations (Cabo San Lucas, Baja California)
Aug 30, 2015, 5:51 pm
#1
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
The Resort at Pedregal: did not meet expectations (Cabo San Lucas, Baja California)
Jim and I are just returned from a six-night sojourn at The Resort at Pedregal.
[Why a new thread? Much of Cabo, including Pedregal, was seriously damaged by Hurricane Odile in the fall of 2014. Pedregal came back online in February 2015. In addition, there was a major management change in November 2014 when Capella was tossed out and new leadership took over with pretty much the same service staff. So, it's a substantially different venue from its Capella days.]
We were pleased with our Estrella suite (144); indeed, I venture to guess we would not opt for anything smaller. Estrella features a small foyer, one-king bedded bedroom, a small living room with sofa and two arm chairs (no hassock which is a shame) with gas fireplace (in Cabo!). A small dining room contiguous with the living room; small round table, three dining chairs, desk, desk chair, mini-fridge with complimentary water, mineral water, coke, diet coke, juices, and a keureg with supplies. The lighting everywhere is perfect and easily operated as is the A/C.
Large bathroom with tub and separate shower, twin wash basins, closeted toilet, and a semi- circular upholstered bench with pillows, utterly unnecessary but pretty in green. Lots of marble everywhere. Generous closets and drawer space. The foyer also features another semi-circular prettily upholstered bench handy for placing items one doesn't want to forget on the way out the door.
A large and shaded outdoor terrace off the bedroom with another dining table and chairs, sofa and arm chairs. Large balcony off the living room with plunge pool, gas fire pit (pretty at night) and two nice sun loungers.
About that plunge pool: it's small and surfaced in a pebbly material that can abrade skin (so, you know, NO cavorting). It's also over warm. We were told it was "easy" to adjust the temperature; all we had to do was call the front desk and they would send someone over. Well, that's hardly easy! Especially if you'd like it cooler during the day (and you surely would) then a bit warmer at night. No flexibility. The plunge pool terrace is entirely unshaded and this was an issue for us. We did not use it until late in the day, around 4:30pm onward. Yes, one can slather one's self in high SPF lotion which is annoying and sticky and, yes, we've tried all the spray and "dry" options.
Bed and bedding lovely and comfy; towels soft. Bath amenities quite good including a "honey dipper" jar of bubbling bath potion with which I almost absconded.
Overall we quite liked the suite and would not opt for lesser accommodation. View from both terraces is spectacular.
All the Rest: do opt for the Pedregal transport from and to SJD; it's special, especially on the return. Welcome margarita on arrival as one is met by personal concierge. Followed by nice little intro to resort (perhaps a bit too sketchy) and escort to suite with an overview of what's where and how to make it work. Luggage transferred to room seamlessly. We ordered flowers and the two arrangements were beautiful AND lasted the week.
Cuisine: there are several dining options, we availed ourselves of two -- Don Manuel and El Farallon, oh, and room service as well. Room service menu is very good with abundant choices. Don Manuel is good but not excellent. One evening there was an upsell bit of a lecture about reposado tequila at $35 a pour (U.S.). The tres leches cake is divine. El Farallon is a bit of a production which many will appreciate but we thought it a bit much -- dinner as experiential theatre. The menu focused on seafood, is very good. The adjacent champagne bar sports wonderful seating but the champagne itself is grossly overpriced at an average of $35 and up for a three- to four-ounce pour. Order a cocktail instead. The margaritas are superb and the rum punch too. El Farallon's setting atop rocks at ocean side is spectacular. Every sunset is a birthday party for earth and sea. Breakfast at Don Manuel is the best! The highlight of our stay. We practically trotted to breakfast each morning. Also and importantly so, do not fail to order the hot chocolate -- it is beyond divinity and stratospherically fabulous.
Service is splendid and kindly. Housekeeping is on a par with Twin Farms and that is explicit high praise.
Salient Drawbacks:
-- There simply aren't enough well shaded public areas and that's a show-stopper for us. No matter how wonderful the room, I want to hang out beach/ocean side under a palapa offering fairly deep shade.
-- The adult poor area, however gorgeous, devolves into a raucous environment created by brash and loud carousers enjoying the swim-up bar to excess. Unpleasant, very. Sufficiently so we avoided it. The other option is the family pool. Sigh.
-- Never go in August (nothing Pedregal can do about this but offer seductively lower rates). The heat and humidity is intense. Yes, I know, Cabo.
Would we return? I think not. We prefer Esperanza and, someday, will try on Las Ventanas.
Depending on where one lives, this is not a six or more night place. We fly nonstop from SFO, an easy 2-hour and forty minutes flight. Five nights max.
[Why a new thread? Much of Cabo, including Pedregal, was seriously damaged by Hurricane Odile in the fall of 2014. Pedregal came back online in February 2015. In addition, there was a major management change in November 2014 when Capella was tossed out and new leadership took over with pretty much the same service staff. So, it's a substantially different venue from its Capella days.]
We were pleased with our Estrella suite (144); indeed, I venture to guess we would not opt for anything smaller. Estrella features a small foyer, one-king bedded bedroom, a small living room with sofa and two arm chairs (no hassock which is a shame) with gas fireplace (in Cabo!). A small dining room contiguous with the living room; small round table, three dining chairs, desk, desk chair, mini-fridge with complimentary water, mineral water, coke, diet coke, juices, and a keureg with supplies. The lighting everywhere is perfect and easily operated as is the A/C.
Large bathroom with tub and separate shower, twin wash basins, closeted toilet, and a semi- circular upholstered bench with pillows, utterly unnecessary but pretty in green. Lots of marble everywhere. Generous closets and drawer space. The foyer also features another semi-circular prettily upholstered bench handy for placing items one doesn't want to forget on the way out the door.
A large and shaded outdoor terrace off the bedroom with another dining table and chairs, sofa and arm chairs. Large balcony off the living room with plunge pool, gas fire pit (pretty at night) and two nice sun loungers.
About that plunge pool: it's small and surfaced in a pebbly material that can abrade skin (so, you know, NO cavorting). It's also over warm. We were told it was "easy" to adjust the temperature; all we had to do was call the front desk and they would send someone over. Well, that's hardly easy! Especially if you'd like it cooler during the day (and you surely would) then a bit warmer at night. No flexibility. The plunge pool terrace is entirely unshaded and this was an issue for us. We did not use it until late in the day, around 4:30pm onward. Yes, one can slather one's self in high SPF lotion which is annoying and sticky and, yes, we've tried all the spray and "dry" options.
Bed and bedding lovely and comfy; towels soft. Bath amenities quite good including a "honey dipper" jar of bubbling bath potion with which I almost absconded.
Overall we quite liked the suite and would not opt for lesser accommodation. View from both terraces is spectacular.
All the Rest: do opt for the Pedregal transport from and to SJD; it's special, especially on the return. Welcome margarita on arrival as one is met by personal concierge. Followed by nice little intro to resort (perhaps a bit too sketchy) and escort to suite with an overview of what's where and how to make it work. Luggage transferred to room seamlessly. We ordered flowers and the two arrangements were beautiful AND lasted the week.
Cuisine: there are several dining options, we availed ourselves of two -- Don Manuel and El Farallon, oh, and room service as well. Room service menu is very good with abundant choices. Don Manuel is good but not excellent. One evening there was an upsell bit of a lecture about reposado tequila at $35 a pour (U.S.). The tres leches cake is divine. El Farallon is a bit of a production which many will appreciate but we thought it a bit much -- dinner as experiential theatre. The menu focused on seafood, is very good. The adjacent champagne bar sports wonderful seating but the champagne itself is grossly overpriced at an average of $35 and up for a three- to four-ounce pour. Order a cocktail instead. The margaritas are superb and the rum punch too. El Farallon's setting atop rocks at ocean side is spectacular. Every sunset is a birthday party for earth and sea. Breakfast at Don Manuel is the best! The highlight of our stay. We practically trotted to breakfast each morning. Also and importantly so, do not fail to order the hot chocolate -- it is beyond divinity and stratospherically fabulous.
Service is splendid and kindly. Housekeeping is on a par with Twin Farms and that is explicit high praise.
Salient Drawbacks:
-- There simply aren't enough well shaded public areas and that's a show-stopper for us. No matter how wonderful the room, I want to hang out beach/ocean side under a palapa offering fairly deep shade.
-- The adult poor area, however gorgeous, devolves into a raucous environment created by brash and loud carousers enjoying the swim-up bar to excess. Unpleasant, very. Sufficiently so we avoided it. The other option is the family pool. Sigh.
-- Never go in August (nothing Pedregal can do about this but offer seductively lower rates). The heat and humidity is intense. Yes, I know, Cabo.
Would we return? I think not. We prefer Esperanza and, someday, will try on Las Ventanas.
Depending on where one lives, this is not a six or more night place. We fly nonstop from SFO, an easy 2-hour and forty minutes flight. Five nights max.
Last edited by KatW; Aug 30, 2015 at 7:13 pm
Aug 31, 2015, 3:58 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,431
I'm sorry you didn't have a great stay, but I'm glad you liked the Estrella Suite and the views from El Farralon as much as we did. We spent most of our time at the residence pool (in front of the condos). I wonder if they are now calling that the kids pool.
Sep 3, 2015, 8:41 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 489
Hey KatW,
I just got back from Cabo also, We were there from the 28th to the 31st so we mighta passed each other
Yes the humidity was insane but we've been to the resort before (was called Capella), January seems to be the best time to go.
We stayed in the Estralla suite also (Room 244). There are 2 terraces, one with shade.
While we were there we ate at the Concia Del Mar at Esperenaa and loved it, found it to be similar to the cliff-side dining at El Farallon. I would say El Farallon is one on the top of my favs.
I'm surprised you didn't enjoy it. we certainly did. We find the service to be impeccable.
Our only drawback was on the day of depature my wife found a gecko sitting on the bathroom floor. Freaked her out and she left until the staff removed it. Coming from the midwest we don't get those types of creatures unless you goto Petco.
I just got back from Cabo also, We were there from the 28th to the 31st so we mighta passed each other
Yes the humidity was insane but we've been to the resort before (was called Capella), January seems to be the best time to go.
We stayed in the Estralla suite also (Room 244). There are 2 terraces, one with shade.
While we were there we ate at the Concia Del Mar at Esperenaa and loved it, found it to be similar to the cliff-side dining at El Farallon. I would say El Farallon is one on the top of my favs.
I'm surprised you didn't enjoy it. we certainly did. We find the service to be impeccable.
Our only drawback was on the day of depature my wife found a gecko sitting on the bathroom floor. Freaked her out and she left until the staff removed it. Coming from the midwest we don't get those types of creatures unless you goto Petco.
Sep 3, 2015, 10:40 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,289
We had a reservation there for earlier this month, but ended up going to our usual FSPM instead. The lack of shade at the pool and in the suite terraces -- as seemed evident from the photos -- was one of the reasons we were hesitant to go there. Plus, we love FSPM.
Sep 5, 2015, 5:06 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 489
I can tell you at the pools the only shade would be at the adult pool where they have the pool bar, and of course the umbrellas surrounding the pool area.
At the rooms, I have been there twice and all rooms terraces are shaded. The top floor rooms might be an exception but the top floor Estralla suite has 2 terraces one is fully shaded the other is open.
Sep 8, 2015, 2:45 pm
#8
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Location: San Francisco
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Posts: 3,289
Sep 8, 2015, 7:43 pm
#9
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
Having shade is essential to me for medical reasons and I am not about to give up my love of beaches and oceans.
Casa que Canta (Zihuatanejo), Las Alamandas (Costa Alegre, about an hour's drive south of Puerto Vallarta), and Esperanza in Cabo all offer deeply shaded areas under palapas that are ideal for enjoying beach and ocean whilst avoiding the worst of the sun.
I'm putting FSPM on my list.
My other requirement for Mexican beach respites is nonstop flights from SF, not all that easy outside of Cabo and Cancun.
Nov 16, 2015, 1:42 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Hawai'i
Posts: 124
Interesting thing about FSPM is that they have no umbrellas by the pool that overlooks the ocean. When I asked, I was told umbrellas would impede the sight line of those behind me?! A little crazy in my opinion and an excuse not to deal with the issue (breeze, etc.).
In lieu of of umbrellas you can choose to sit at the very back of the pool area beneath an arbor-like structure with a lesser view. I guess that's your answer.
When I visited in late May my choice was to spend most time in a cabana near the ocean (for that all important view, lol) and then head to the pool to swim, towels left under cover of that arbor.
In lieu of of umbrellas you can choose to sit at the very back of the pool area beneath an arbor-like structure with a lesser view. I guess that's your answer.
When I visited in late May my choice was to spend most time in a cabana near the ocean (for that all important view, lol) and then head to the pool to swim, towels left under cover of that arbor.
Nov 17, 2015, 3:43 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,289
There is a shaded area right in front of the pool, also (a few steps down). Why not use those chairs if you wanted shade and a view by the pool?
Nov 18, 2015, 7:27 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2010
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