Cabo is chock-a-block with resorts -- great, small, budget, boutique, the usual brands and, happily, not a few terrific luxury venues.  We spent last week at the new Auberge offering, Chileno Bay Resort, and were captivated entirely by its sterling service and perfect setting atop a small bluff overlooking one of the few swimmable beaches in Cabo. Most beaches, even at the luxe end of the spectrum, e.g., Las Ventanas al Paraiso, are red flagged.

Chileno opened in February 2017.

Check In

Check-in accomplished quickly at reception which included a chilled facecloth and a choice of water, coke, Corona beer. Followed by a quick golfcart tour of the property including two restaurants, enormous gym with trainer and attendant, large spa with nifty amenities, children's activity center, beach gear/activities hub, theater, three-tiered swimming pool, floriferous gardens, hiking trails. 

Then off to our ground-floor villa where the butler prepared mezcal cocktails and the bell guy delivered luggage to our three bedrooms. Brief introduction to thermostat (easy and, yes, goes down to 66 Farenheit) and light switches (also easy which isn't always the case).

Room

Open Plan Living Room / Kitchen

Terrace

Master Bath

Bedrooms 2 and 3 and ensuite baths

Expansive ground-floor, three-bedroom four-bath villa with open plan living room, kitchen, entry foyer. Enormous covered terrace with outdoor kitchen, gas grill, dining table for eight, capacious L-shaped sofa, two easy chairs, beaucoup pillows, coffee table, ceiling fan, candles, lanterns, ceiling light fixtures, private step-in pool, jacuzzi and fire pit.

Decor (millennial-ish) not to my taste but accessible and comfortable and, as the days passed too quickly, I become fonder of it. Gargantuan flat-panel TV in LR, largest I've seen. Marble floor with some carpet. Kitchen furnished with all appliances, dish- and cook-ware. Fridge loaded with coconut water (but of course), diet coke, coke, mineral water, plain water, sprite. No munchies. Ground coffee provided for cuisineart coffee maker. We asked for 1/2 'n 1/2 disdaining the coffeemate on hand.

Master bath just lovely with free-standing deep tub, wonderful huge shower with one head on each end (rainfall and the modern sort) with EASY-TO-USE controls . One side of the shower opens out into a private patio planted with colorful tropical foliage. I love showers. Toilet in cabinet-room yet not claustrophobic although no ledge or shelf which is a pet peeve. Bathsalts and the usual amenities, quite nice. Fluffy, thick, soft bath towels.

Other bathrooms large, dual sinks, large showers, no tub.

Master bedroom delightful, large, king bed with crisp linens, two easy chairs, flat-panel TV, marble floors, ocean-side all-glass wall with sliding glass doors to private terrace with circular day bed, two sun loungers, shade umbrella, step-in pool access. Walk-in closet. Two double queen-bedded guest rooms, ensuite baths (see above), closet, large enough,

No hammock, wish there had been.

Service

Villas do not come with dedicated butler service but this can be added for $100/day which we thought quite reasonable given the caring, expert, inspired service given us by Alex. There were four of us, two of whom were very active so Alex's help was in high demand for arranging tours, expeditions, car service and the like. 

Service throughout the resort was of high quality, competent, personal and kindly. Staff here know their stuff and love to shine in a low-key way.

Dining

Two restaurants, the upscale Comal, and the beachside taco joint, TNT. Included breakfast served at Comal was delicious, varied and abundant. Room-service breakfast was charged at cost, no discount for "included" meal if not taken at Comal. We loved the tacos -- carnitas, al pastor, grilled steak, shrimp, fish, lobster, veggie, etc. Comal dinners were great. Food was overall very good. Beverages were fab. Fabulous hot chocolate! we ate breakfast and dinner, skipped lunch, sometimes a night-time ice cream treat.

Location

Location best of our Cabo stays (including Ventanas, Esperanza), atop a small bluff overlooking a sweet little bay with swimmable ocean, gentle waves, sandy beach, Gorgeous sunsets and sunrises (if you get up early). Great snorkeling right off the beach. We were mezmerized daily by the views, so gorgeous it was difficult to tear my eyes away in order to read.

Views, etc.

Overall

Jim and I love Mexico beach respites for relaxation, peace, warm temps and room service. Chileno delivered big time and we will return. 

Weather in early March was perfection, light breezes, temperately warm but not hot, zip humidity. Ocean temps chilly, however. Too much so for me but, then, there was our orivate heated pool so no worries.

LVP is much more elegant, no question, but half again as expensive. And the setting of Chileno is orders of magnitude better. So, elegance isn't everything, Chileno now is at the top of my Cabo list and we'll be able to enjoy it more often.

What's Missing?

There is a curious lack of printed material in the villa. No directory of services, no TV/entertainment listings or user instructions, no telephone directory, etc. When queried, Alex the Butler explained they were a green resort and kept paper use to a minimum. Harumph. I don't buy it.

Lots of candles but no matches.

No hammock(s).

No munchies, even for a price. No wine/champagne in villa, even for a price. Can be ordered via room service, of course.