Friendly Traveling Deathmerchant

Changed plans from Asia (duh), to Italy (surprise!), and now to Cabo. It’s an amazing day when I made a rational decision that Mexico gives us the least chance of getting sick. 🤣

I was able to use an Aspire weekend cert and 120k points for a two-night stay. They placed a $2,000 deposit in my Amex, haven’t checked if that posted or they just keep the card on file. Diamond Desk assured me that it would go away upon checkout, but I wasnt particularly concerned about that aspect. I just wanted to make sure the certificate was attached.

I noticed that in the app, “my stay” shows that there will be a 15% charge (somewhat unspecified - doesn’t say “resort fee” or anything, just that “all stays will be charged 15%). Dunno if that applies to points stays. It’s $900 a night so will be miffed if that 15% is charged on awards!

Well, let me know if anyone needs any data points on the WAPED! I’m looking forward to seeing if the reviews match my treatment (as I roll up in an Uber carrying nothing but a backpack.)

Friendly Traveling Deathmerchant

Ok, just got back and WOW.

A *very* nice stay.

I made (as seen in post above) a last-minute switch to Mexico when c-virus and airline cancellations made it prudent not to go to my first choices. I burned an AMEX Aspire free weekend night cert on Sunday night, and 120k points for the second night. (I actually made a halfhearted attempt on my checkout day to see if they'd take a weekend certificate to extend to Tuesday as well, but that request got fumbled, and assumedly wouldn't have worked anyway.)

I will start the mini-rave review with: I sometimes see people gush over how they were "treated like family" and I usually dismiss this as folks who like to be fawned over by conciereges and such, and have people carry their rolly bag for them so they don't break a sweat. I prefer to just carry my own bag, don't need someone to show me how the lightswitch works/has their tip-hand out when demonstrating how to use curtains or tell me what the pool hours are. I just like to go to my room and do my own exploring. I don't value pampering other than what is in the property's hard product.

THAT SAID: I sincerely felt like everyone was so friendly, and helpful in a non-intrusive way, I was quite taken with the experience!

Diamond check in: I rented a car (taking chances on SJD's rental car mafia) and pulled in the dramatic tunnel entrance. Was greeted as we stepped out of the car by three staffers, margaritas, someone whisked away bags we agreed to let them take, and I kept the bag I wanted on my person without a fuss. Young lady took us to the front desk at the lovely outdoor lobby, squared our checkin away while someone valeted the car. It was clear that they excel in making things smooth, hassle-free, and friendly.

We were given a small upgrade from the "cheap" (Ha! $980 US!) room we booked with 120k points, but all the rooms are amazing. Pretty much everything I saw faced the water in a semi-circle, and all the balconies with their plunge pools are fairly private. They brought up some fresh amazing guac and chips, there's a bottle of local tequila in the room to keep, a stocked mini fridge with plenty of water, juices, and sodas. The bathtub was large and towels/robes/linens were first rate plush. A huge bathroom with an open plan shower room with handheld+ overhead rain shower nozzles. There's a gas fireplace which actually came in handy some nights it was a bit coolish. TV, fine, but the star view was of whales going by the large patio/plunge pool area. Every morning I saw at least a couple, including one that really was putting on a show. Accordingly, this was the only time I actually heard noise from other guests, because some guy a few balconies down was hooting every time the whale took a big jump. I don't blame him, it was a lot of fun, quite decadent to be in that little balcony pool and munch chips, sip complimentary Coronitas, and use the hotel-provided binoculars to watch God's favorite chubby fishes flopping around in the sea! Would have been nice if the little pool could have been heated warmer. It was a little cool, but passable.
Bed was comfortable, plenty of pillows. Closet space good, safe, double sink vanity in bathroom... wood beamed ceilings, geez. The room is freaking nice, that's all I can say. The only WA I've stayed in that is in that league is the Park City WA, but obviously a different theme/snow vs. beach going on there. It's heads and tails better than the GW Maui, which I've stayed at a number of times.

Breakfast was quite impressive - first rate service again, very helpful, I never had a dirty plate or wrapper stay on the table for more than seconds before someone whisked it away and checking to see if we needed anything else. There's a walk-up small buffet with amazing small batch fresh salsas (raw tomatillo! black habanero!), Mexican-themed egg choices, bacon/sausage sides, fruits, yogurts, granola toppers, and an over-the-top juice bar where you select your own fresh pressed fruits and vegetables from a menu and they custom mix it for you. AWESOME. The brioche french toast is straight up amazing but $22 bucks extra. Wish they would have had that and the pancakes (which sounded great) on the normal buffet- for $40 a head (comp for us Diamonds), the bready things seem the cheaper expense than a bunch of bacon? Local recipe beans changed out daily, as did the tamales (beef were spot on, and I'm not usually a tamale fan). Pastries, salmon and a small charcuterie / cheese area looked good as well.

The place seemed a bit empty (awesome!) because this is the lull week prior to Spring Breaks around the country, and that was just fine by me. Most of our strolls through the property resulted in seeing no one but workers who always said buenas dias/holas with a smile. Pool chairs and loungers were open at all times, and very comfortable. They brought around little sampler lagniappe tastes of drinks and appetizers a couple times while we were in the hot tub and infinity pool. I never asked for it, but a bucket of iced bottled water and towels showed up whenever I needed it. They had sunblock, books, and other amenities provided for the taking at all pool areas. Would have liked the hot tub to be hotter.

Because I brought up the Grand Wailea: the difference you're going to be faced with is going to be whether you want to do things around the area, or park it right there at the resort. Of course Hawaii has a ton to do and see *outside* the resort, whereas Cabo is good for a little walk around -- but I feel like you're going to want to stay within the mellow zone of the Pedregal resort beach instead of dipping too deep into the tacky cruiseboat dock activities and fuss. We walked to town the second day (short, easy, safe) and hailed a little boat ride to the Arch and sea lion rocks/Divorce beach, etc... maybe $25 and tip for the two of us to do so.) Walked by the cruise docks, and immediately apparent that is a different world than Pedregal. Kinda the yuck side of tourista land. ("Seńor! Want Rolex? Cubanos? Weed or Blow? Best prices on ATV tour here for you!") We scurried back to Pedregal and found that all we needed that week was on property. The spa is too expensive for my taste (I like a good massage, but I think Bali vacations have spoiled me forever with $20 90 minute spa sessions... ). The gym is excellent with everything from top notch machines to treadmills to crossfit stuff.

Even though I'm cost-conscious, we sprung for a nice dinner at El Farralon, the cliffside restaurant. GOOD DECISION. Two diners, no alcohol, just a $12 bottle of Fiji water :/ = $180 or so, but I had a darn good time. It's a semi-fixed price menu: You order your main, and you get a soup, three appetizer/firsts, your choice of two sides, and bread.
Instead of a paper "menu" they walk you down a rock path to a "fish specialist" who fills you in on what the catch is that day, how it's prepared, any dietary/allegy issues, and you tell him what you want. From there, you scoot to the "sides" area where you chat with someone to select those. Then to the bar where you'd pick a wine or champagne... they then sit you in a view area until table is ready (only moments for us) and then an attentive wait staff seats you and takes care of every need very well. Seating: The far side of seating around the cliff is more private, but also less view and perhaps a bit colder as the wind is unblocked. I'd ask to be seated closer to the grill/entrance. Less private, but warmer and more to see as the town behind you lights up. Get a early table an hour before sunset. When it gets dark, the views go away and it gets a little colder. Our seating was 530p, and it was almost perfect but I'd have gone a little earlier. The cold wind made the food cold too quick. Seats had a little Mexican blanket/poncho - super nice touch that actually came in handy. The amberjack was spot on, better than the tuna. Beef looked good, but I'm ten feet from an ocean, I'm getting fish. I was at first taken by surprise seeing Tatoaba on the menu. It's freaking endangered! The fish expert saw my eyes go wide when he suggested it, and confirmed that it is now farm-raised. Google that and you'll see a description reading it is the "world's rarest marine mammal is on the verge of extinction due to the continuing illegal demand in China..." but that farming is bringing it back. Whew. I didn't want to be responsible for someone's extinction because I was a bit noshy.
The sides were really good - the sweet potato, cerviche, soups served with a flair... charred tomato was undercooked and plain, could have passed on that. Everything else really nice. The experience was worth half of whatever we paid. Tip and some mystery small print charges are included to equal 31% (but why not just say the dinner is X $ vs Y $+mystery fees?). I'm annoyed by resort fees/mystery charges/etc., but still rounded up a bit on tip because the service was so good.

Dessert was amazing, I have a dairy allergy, so they got me something off the vegan menu (which looked gooooood) - a duet of coconut milk pannacotta and caramel apple crumble. Wife had a trio of cheesecake with mango/chocolate cake/berry tart. All amazeballs.


Anyway, I'm probably raving mostly about the food, but that and the view from the plunge pool made it for me this weekend.

The exit process was very nice as well, with some genuinely nice little touches that made the difference. Late checkout, valet had car waiting for us with some cookies for the road, nice send off!


I have been lukewarm on Mexico due to political / crime turmoil (which I've witnessed firsthand during stays at The Fives Curio and Hilton PV) but this was very nice and a redeeming stay! I'll be back any time I can.

frudd38

No 15% charge right?

Friendly Traveling Deathmerchant

Correct. My folio showed the cert night, the points night, $190 or so USD for dinner, and that’s it.

Can’t wait til we can all travel again!

trach500

anyone seeing any Standard awards for next year? So far, I see everything is premium room award for Feb/March/April 2021 over 300K+ points a night.

geoff325

just booked 3 FNA in Feb 21. Anyone know the difference between ocean view room vs pacific view?

Friendly Traveling Deathmerchant

We found ourselves wondering this as we looked at whales from our room: All the rooms point in the same, basic direction. That direction is "towards the water" with only a little east-vs-west angle to the patio views.

Click the Google Maps overhead photo and you can see that there's a split, with one tier of rooms a little more to the west (Pacific) and a little more to the east (ocean). I wouldn't pay more for one or the other. From our patio/pool, we could see in either direction fair enough. I suppose the only exceptions might be the east and west-most buildings that are up against the cliff, only allowing only one direction of view. If you see on the Googlemap, there are also a couple of corner units in the second row that look like their balcony might be a little obstructed / are pretty straight-on to the water without as much panorama, but probably not a big deal. I'd just put in the notes field that you want a high floor, and you should be okay, maybe request the towers closest to the entrance/lobby? Those are high (unlike the ones closer to the beach) and have widest field of view. Of course, there's more traffic by your room, but with a high floor that's not a problem. The patio pools are fairly private, but I'd definitely not want a ground floor, where people can walk by as you're chilling in your tub...


For reference, we were in the 2nd (middle) of the three buildings against the cliff (on the right, if you're facing the exit tunnel). Third floor. We did not hurt for view.


https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wa...4d-109.9121528

PediDocTraveller

Looks like they are doing some refining and limiting the property. Booked an upcoming travel (and was thankful to find some good use of some Hilton points) and was subsequently emailed this:

"Mr. Pedi Doc, we like to take this opportunity to inform our guest traveling from July 01st through September 30th 2020 that the resort will be under a Refining period. Special discounted rates have been provided due to the following inconveniences:

• Project noise will be heard throughout the property.
• Beach access and Beach Club Restaurant and pool area will be closed.
• The Adult Pool will be serving both adults and families.
• All other restaurants and venues will remain open with regular hours.
• Spa available

Currently the policy during this period requires one night deposit plus tax & service fee charge at booking time. Change or cancel until the day before arrival for all bookings made through June 30.

Once again thank you for your preference and understanding, please let us know if we can be of any further assistance."

Subsequently cancelled the stay.

TSTraveler

I say good call.

Tbooth3

I got the same message after booking for the last week in July (debating travel at all depending on the status of pandemic). We are having the same debate but at $325 a night with confirmed upgrade to deluxe ocean view room it sounds worth it just to be in our plunge pool.

Tbooth3

To follow up in case anyone is debating booking during the construction period, see below, we just returned and loved our trip. The property is beautiful with all that you would expect from a Waldorf, including great staff always ready to assist. Breakfast was delicious and free for Diamonds. Both restaurants were fantastic including the pool lunch. Prices were about what you’d expect but did remind us of Maldives at some points. Staff wore masks 100% of the time and they took all precautions/social distancing very serious. They were at about 30% capacity and when we left the room we never felt close to anyone.

The one issue we had is that the welcome email and website did not accurately describe the construction. We expected noise in public areas and with the discounted rate, thought it to be completely fair and not even that noticeable or bothersome in the daytime. They are moving rocks and boulders with big machines in the ocean, including overnight due to the tides. So our first night we could hear the machines and rocks all night from our room! Noise outside during the day is one thing, but when heard from the room at night it is completely different. We spoke with the manager and they arranged for us to get an incredible room away from the direct line of the work. The only noise was the ocean and it was incredible. They were very apologetic and explained that the crews can only work at certain times based on the tides (Not sure how long the rock moving will last). FYI, we had originally been upgraded to the deluxe ocean view and while the room was great, that is the room where we heard the noise.

SanDiego1K

For those interested in using their credit card certs, there is broad availability the first half of December and most of the month of January. That's as far out as I checked.

I was surprised on booking a night with a cert to be told that I would be charged a deposit of $1400 which will be returned after my stay. What experience have others had?

Colin

they didn't collect the deposit in Nov on an award stay

SanDiego1K

November update: I was never charged the deposit.

Friendly Traveling Deathmerchant

In my post above from a stay just a couple months ago:

"I was able to use an Aspire weekend cert and 120k points for a two-night stay. They placed a $2,000 deposit in my Amex, haven’t checked if that posted or they just keep the card on file. Diamond Desk assured me that it would go away upon checkout, but I wasnt particularly concerned about that aspect. I just wanted to make sure the certificate was attached."

However, I don't recall seeing the deposit ever show up on my AMEX app. I may not have checked it during the short two-night stay, but if it DID ever hit the card, I didn't see it.