Montage vs Las Ventanas Cabo
Aug 9, 2018, 4:03 pm
#16
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
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Aug 9, 2018, 9:53 pm
#17
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
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There yet is another option I recommend in Cabo. Whilst this boutique, SLH-associated venue is not luxury per se, it comes close. Plus it is smack on the old town (San Jose del Cabo) Zocalo and much more Mexican typical than any of the high end resorts. Service is kindly and professional. The small pool is a delight. At night, there are torches and pot fires flickering. It is a special, exquisite place.
We have stayed here many times. No beach, of course, since it is in town but there is a shuttle to ferry you to a beach with food and drink service.
You will want to book one of the two spa suites.
Casa Natalia
https://www.casanatalia.com/
We have stayed here many times. No beach, of course, since it is in town but there is a shuttle to ferry you to a beach with food and drink service.
You will want to book one of the two spa suites.
Casa Natalia
https://www.casanatalia.com/
Last edited by KatW; Aug 9, 2018 at 10:00 pm
Aug 13, 2018, 12:23 pm
#18
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I suspect Pedregal's ambience and guest population depends on the time of year/season. My husband went without me for our niece's wedding nearby right before the Capella switchover--and really loved it. He said the food/beverage was better than Las Ventanas and he liked the plunge pool in his otherwise standard but very spacious room. For the price, their accommodations tend to be on the more spacious side, too. He found the service to be very good, though he'd still give the edge to Las Ventanas. He also said nothing beats the Las Ventanas spa. But overall, he was very pleased and would gladly return.
Mar 31, 2019, 11:57 am
#19
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,361
We just stayed at Las Ventanas for 3 nights, but went to Pedregal for dinner and dropped by Montage, Chileno and One&Only Palmilla for a show around.
For the Montage, I'm in agreement with welch. The Montage is obviously the new kid on the block, so that always gets attention, and there are definitely positives to be found, but the property has no charm and could be anywhere. It doesn't have the elegance, space and privacy that you'll get in Las Ventanas, particularly with the resort focused around their pools by the beach, which felt nothing but low-end. With only the beach restaurant open during lunch time, I imagine it's even more unpleasant. Not only that, but another residence is on the same, small beach, so you're all vying for space. Even though there were a lot of families there, it still had the feel of a resort aiming for a younger crowd. In a weird way, some of the design reminded me a bit of Amangiri, which isn't a massive compliment when the beautiful surroundings aren't present.
Whilst you cannot really judge until you've stayed, were I to return I'd put them in this order:
For the Montage, I'm in agreement with welch. The Montage is obviously the new kid on the block, so that always gets attention, and there are definitely positives to be found, but the property has no charm and could be anywhere. It doesn't have the elegance, space and privacy that you'll get in Las Ventanas, particularly with the resort focused around their pools by the beach, which felt nothing but low-end. With only the beach restaurant open during lunch time, I imagine it's even more unpleasant. Not only that, but another residence is on the same, small beach, so you're all vying for space. Even though there were a lot of families there, it still had the feel of a resort aiming for a younger crowd. In a weird way, some of the design reminded me a bit of Amangiri, which isn't a massive compliment when the beautiful surroundings aren't present.
Whilst you cannot really judge until you've stayed, were I to return I'd put them in this order:
- Las Ventanas al Paraiso
- The Resort at Pedregal
- One&Only Palmila
- Chileno Bay
- Montage Los Cabos
Mar 31, 2019, 12:10 pm
#20
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@MacMyDay how was the food/beverage for LVP and any of the other properties you sampled? We had a very nice LVP stay many years ago but were a bit let down by the F/B.
Also, I’m most curious what you thought of the LVP spa. My hubby says it’s the best spa he’s ever enjoyed.
Also, I’m most curious what you thought of the LVP spa. My hubby says it’s the best spa he’s ever enjoyed.
Mar 31, 2019, 3:46 pm
#21
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,361
The lowest point of the entire stay was receiving an invite to a cocktail event. Mayakoba held a similar one, where all guests were invited and staff would come and mingle. We were told management would be present, so we went along. Instead there were 4 sales guys from the residences team, show casing one of the residences in case someone wanted to buy it. It was the tackiest thing I've ever seen in a luxury resort, even more so by the blatant subterfuge of getting people there.
Overall, LVP is far superior to Mayakoba. It feels more classy, elegant, private and all other adjectives that sound good. Yet I still am very unlikely to return, as they did nothing to truly impress me. Yet I really do love their facilities, especially their relatively new Oasis pool, and thought it fared better than their competition in offering a sense of place and enough space that it didn't ever feel crowded. I'll wait for Four Seasons and Aman before returning to the area.
Mar 31, 2019, 11:17 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
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That Rosewood resort looks rather conventional . . .
Last edited by Pausanias; Apr 1, 2019 at 12:52 am
Apr 1, 2019, 6:45 am
#23
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I largely must agree with @MacMyDay’s overview of LVP. While we had a nice Thanksgiving stay many years ago, we’ve never quite felt the need to return. The average F/B were part of it for us; the ridiculous prices and exorbitant taxes on top of those really were the biggest factor. Overall, we too felt the cost/benefit was far too high for what was delivered compared to other wonderful properties in other desirable locations. We talk about returning to Zihuatanejo and La Casa Que Canta far more often than anything in Cabo.
@Pausanias, that’s quite harsh on Mexican food, I think! I have had tremendous Mexican food in Mexico City, at the StR Punta Mita, and in select restaurants here in the USA (Californios in SF and Taco Maria in OC chief among them). Most of the Mexican food served to American audiences almost anywhere tends to be more Tex Mex style or some other form of Americanized/sanitized hybrid of Mexican food rather than truly authentic Mexican cuisine IMO.
@Pausanias, that’s quite harsh on Mexican food, I think! I have had tremendous Mexican food in Mexico City, at the StR Punta Mita, and in select restaurants here in the USA (Californios in SF and Taco Maria in OC chief among them). Most of the Mexican food served to American audiences almost anywhere tends to be more Tex Mex style or some other form of Americanized/sanitized hybrid of Mexican food rather than truly authentic Mexican cuisine IMO.
Apr 1, 2019, 7:49 am
#24
Join Date: Jul 2010
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Las Ventanas is beautiful, but I agree 100% on the food and beverage. It is average and wildly overpriced. We have been to dinner at their flagship Mexican restaurant several times in the last few years and it seems to get ever more expensive and mediocre each time we visit.
I kind of have the same impression about the Montage as Macmyday.. It just seemed a little sterile to me. We have a couple of nice meals at their beach restaurant. The problem is that all of the beaches in Mexico are public so you cant do much about the beach atmosphere unless it is secluded like the FS Punta Mita.
You should have visited Esperanza which is still my favorite.
I kind of have the same impression about the Montage as Macmyday.. It just seemed a little sterile to me. We have a couple of nice meals at their beach restaurant. The problem is that all of the beaches in Mexico are public so you cant do much about the beach atmosphere unless it is secluded like the FS Punta Mita.
You should have visited Esperanza which is still my favorite.
Apr 2, 2019, 10:34 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2015
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