Originally Posted by
kdw133
Headed to the Hilton Los Cabos for the first time in a couple weeks on points. I always appreciate all the feedback from savvy FT posters. This trip is just wife and I, no kids, so we're really looking forward to it. This property came highly recommended from a few co-workers who have been there multiple times.
My biggest concern is it seems this Hilton may nickel and dime you to death. Restaurant and drink prices are reported to be somewhat high, but I expect that from any resort. It appears room upgrades are hard to come by, but I've found those are unfortunately rare at any Hilton destination property. The La Vista Club seems like a racket and designed to purposefully deny benefits to HH Diamonds. The upcharge for full breakfast is always frustrating. Taken together, if I don't get a room upgrade, am not getting lounge access, and still have to pay for breakfast, what am I really getting for my lifetime Diamond status?
All that being said, we are looking to let all that go and just enjoying our stay. We're renting a car to get from the airport to the hotel and plan to stop at a Walmart on the way to pickup beer, liquor, snacks. We have to drop it off at a nearby hotel, but for not much more than what a shuttle would cost we get a car for 24 hrs and it should pay for itself with the savings on drinks. I got an eStandby upgrade offer to go from the basic partial Oceanview room to full Oceanview for $8 per night. I put in for it since it seems like money well spent, but then I got to thinking about my Diamond upgrade. Since they are both space available upgrades, am I just paying for what I would receive anyway? Or would my upgrade now be from Oceanview to the next level of room? I wrote an email to the hotel a week ago but have not received an answer. Will check in with the Diamond Desk this week to see what they can find.
Does anyone have any preferences for the on property restaurants or others within walking distance? They all seem to be good and I'm sure we'll be fine no matter what we pick. Once we turn in our rental car we're not planning on leaving the area for dinner. Just seems like too much hassle and cost with a $50-$60 roundtrip taxi ride.
Any other tips/tricks from people who have been there before would be appreciated. I've read through all the posts from the last couples years on this thread and reviews on other sites, but always like to go armed with insider info.
The hotel is really nice, that is why it is recommended. A coworker liked it so much that he got married there.
Yes, it is expensive, so be prepared.
I'm not sure about nickel and dime to death, - What do you refer to? A 10% service fee is added on to the entire bill. There is no resort fee, no valet parking, no wifi fee, etc
The free breakfast is sufficient, you do not need to upgrade to the full breakfast. (I upgraded breakfast to eat at 11am since it is so ample it was large enough for a lunch)
The hotel faces ocean, so most people get partial ocean view. Elite upgrades are higher floors, rooms closer to ocean. I have stayed twice and both times received ocean front upgrades for free as Diamond
The suites, are standard rooms, just a bit larger with a sofa.
There is nothing walking distance, no restaurants and Taxis will for sure add up since the hotel only uses private companies.
You have the right idea of renting a car, just make sure it includes the mandatory TPL if not it is an extra $15/day or so. This is Mexican Law, not an upsell, and not the same as CDW that the CSR or Amex Plat provides for free
On the way to the resort stop by La Comer store and buy groceries (formerly known as Mega I think).
Rooms don't have fridge or microwave, I emailed hotel in advance to have one put in my room.
Overall it is nice hotel, great service and expensive.
If you are concerned about costs, book the Hyatt Ziva all inclusive or Holiday Inn All inclusive that is very affordable. The Hyatt Place is just 5,000 points - a bargain, no other fees add on.
Finally, April is peak Mexican tourist season. The week of April 15 is Easter Week and a lot of Mexicans travel during that time.
Overall I hope you enjoy.
I am planning on going later on this year, so let me know your experience