Cabo San Lucas and The Resort at Pedregal via Alaska (VX) First
Aug 4, 2019, 9:10 am
#1
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Cabo San Lucas and The Resort at Pedregal via Alaska (VX) First
Mrs. SFO777 and I are off today for a quick two day trip to Cabo San Lucas. Summer is certainly not the most pleasant time of the year to visit Cabo, but it's one of our good friend's 60th birthday and we're on our way to join the party and celebration. Fortunately, Alaska has a five days a week Orange County to Cabo nonstop. Even better since they are operating a Virgin America configured A319.
Orange County SNA to San Jose del Cabo SJD
Alaska AS 1224
A319
9:50am-1:15pm
July 31, 2019
First Class
Seats 2AC
This plane had the first generation VX seats, but still very comfortable especially on a short two hour flight.
Excellent service today including pre-departure open bar service. And after take-off, a breakfast smoothie and my first of two Bloody Marys.
Breakfast today was a choice of yogurt and granola, or breakfast sandwich. There was only one breakfast sandwich left by the time our flight attendant got to our seats, so we were stuck with one of each. Unfortunately, the yogurt was disgusting and inedible.
The breakfast sandwich looked much better...
... and was very tasty. My half as we split it.
The BOB Economy Cheese Platter from Economy was still available... for $8.50...
... and unlike the yogurt was edible and refreshing.
I guess this sounded cool 10 years ago.
And then there was endless parade of Economy pax to the First Class lav. IME, Virgin America crews were pretty good about restricting lav access. Alaska? Not so much. Indeed the VX cabin divider rope was still there, hanging useless as Alaska continues to not care about who uses the F lav.
On descent to SJD.
We pulled into the gate ontime at 1:15pm MST.
The deceiving deserted walk to customs.
Looking good.
But whoa Nellie. At the bottom of the escalator, the customs arrival hall... with 1,000 or so of our closest friends from 4 or 5 flights that beat us to the terminal. Nary a single person in the Mexican, pregnant and handicapped passport line but a mass of humanity in the Foreign passport line. No idea what they were, but there were a bunch of kiosks on the other side of the rope against the left wall with no signage as to purpose. I asked a security person whether Global Entry members could use them and was told no. OK, not sure about that as all sorts of people started using them, eventually resulting in an even slower line on the left side of the hall. In the end, It took 50 minutes to get to one of 6 manned booths out of 20 or so.
As if 50 minutes for customs wasn't bad enough, we then had to queue for random incoming bag check. Not surprisingly, we got a red light and wasted another few minutes before exiting customs and entering time share central.
Outside, to tent position #4 and our pre-arranged ride.
Orange County SNA to San Jose del Cabo SJD
Alaska AS 1224
A319
9:50am-1:15pm
July 31, 2019
First Class
Seats 2AC
This plane had the first generation VX seats, but still very comfortable especially on a short two hour flight.
Excellent service today including pre-departure open bar service. And after take-off, a breakfast smoothie and my first of two Bloody Marys.
Breakfast today was a choice of yogurt and granola, or breakfast sandwich. There was only one breakfast sandwich left by the time our flight attendant got to our seats, so we were stuck with one of each. Unfortunately, the yogurt was disgusting and inedible.
The breakfast sandwich looked much better...
... and was very tasty. My half as we split it.
The BOB Economy Cheese Platter from Economy was still available... for $8.50...
... and unlike the yogurt was edible and refreshing.
I guess this sounded cool 10 years ago.
And then there was endless parade of Economy pax to the First Class lav. IME, Virgin America crews were pretty good about restricting lav access. Alaska? Not so much. Indeed the VX cabin divider rope was still there, hanging useless as Alaska continues to not care about who uses the F lav.
On descent to SJD.
We pulled into the gate ontime at 1:15pm MST.
The deceiving deserted walk to customs.
Looking good.
But whoa Nellie. At the bottom of the escalator, the customs arrival hall... with 1,000 or so of our closest friends from 4 or 5 flights that beat us to the terminal. Nary a single person in the Mexican, pregnant and handicapped passport line but a mass of humanity in the Foreign passport line. No idea what they were, but there were a bunch of kiosks on the other side of the rope against the left wall with no signage as to purpose. I asked a security person whether Global Entry members could use them and was told no. OK, not sure about that as all sorts of people started using them, eventually resulting in an even slower line on the left side of the hall. In the end, It took 50 minutes to get to one of 6 manned booths out of 20 or so.
As if 50 minutes for customs wasn't bad enough, we then had to queue for random incoming bag check. Not surprisingly, we got a red light and wasted another few minutes before exiting customs and entering time share central.
Outside, to tent position #4 and our pre-arranged ride.
Aug 4, 2019, 9:12 am
#2
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Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,600
The Resort at Pedregal
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is a roughly 45 minute drive from the airport. The Resort is just on the other side of downtown party town Cabo. Pretty cool entrance thru an impressive chandelier lit tunnel under a mountain.
The Resort at Pedegral is simply a wonderful resort in a glorious setting. But the most memorable aspect was the service... friendly and wonderful staff with amazing attention to detail. Easy to understand why The Resort at Pedregal was recently voted the #1 Resort Hotel in Mexico.
Although I had booked a basic Ocean View King, our Virtuoso booking got us an upgrade to a Ocean View Deluxe King, complimentary breakfast and $150 credit. Very nice room although a little dated and showing its age.
With a great terrace...
... including plunge pool.
At 4pm, our daily afternoon snack tray. Despite the 95 degree temps, a cooling ocean breeze made it quite pleasant in the late afternoon.
Just after 7pm, we headed out for the 15 minute drive to a gated community adjacent to Esperanza.
And a special birthday fireworks.
After a fun evening of partying, we arrived back at our hotel well after midnight.
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is a roughly 45 minute drive from the airport. The Resort is just on the other side of downtown party town Cabo. Pretty cool entrance thru an impressive chandelier lit tunnel under a mountain.
The Resort at Pedegral is simply a wonderful resort in a glorious setting. But the most memorable aspect was the service... friendly and wonderful staff with amazing attention to detail. Easy to understand why The Resort at Pedregal was recently voted the #1 Resort Hotel in Mexico.
Although I had booked a basic Ocean View King, our Virtuoso booking got us an upgrade to a Ocean View Deluxe King, complimentary breakfast and $150 credit. Very nice room although a little dated and showing its age.
With a great terrace...
... including plunge pool.
At 4pm, our daily afternoon snack tray. Despite the 95 degree temps, a cooling ocean breeze made it quite pleasant in the late afternoon.
Just after 7pm, we headed out for the 15 minute drive to a gated community adjacent to Esperanza.
And a special birthday fireworks.
After a fun evening of partying, we arrived back at our hotel well after midnight.
Last edited by SFO777; Aug 6, 2019 at 9:13 am
Aug 4, 2019, 11:35 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: OTP
Programs: AF/KL platinum, Turkish gold, QR gold
Posts: 1,572
That resort looks stunning - ditto the food! Craving some good ceviche and octopus right now just looking at the pictures.
I can easily see myself spending a few days there just drinking a corona and admiring the views from the plunge pool. Thanks for posting, as always!
I can easily see myself spending a few days there just drinking a corona and admiring the views from the plunge pool. Thanks for posting, as always!
Aug 4, 2019, 2:37 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 836
We go to Cabo at least once a year. It’s our favorite place and we are going in October.
Each time we go, our last dinner is at El Farallon at Pedregal. It’s simply breathtaking and this time is no different; we have reservations on Oct 9th.
We are also trying the restaurant at Esparanza this time as well.
The airport machine where you tap the button is unique and decidedly kind of funny. The first two times we went, I got the red light and had bags checked. Since then, my wife hits the button and has been green every time.
Of course, we have nothing to hide, but it has become a fun little game we play now.
Hope you enjoyed.
Each time we go, our last dinner is at El Farallon at Pedregal. It’s simply breathtaking and this time is no different; we have reservations on Oct 9th.
We are also trying the restaurant at Esparanza this time as well.
The airport machine where you tap the button is unique and decidedly kind of funny. The first two times we went, I got the red light and had bags checked. Since then, my wife hits the button and has been green every time.
Of course, we have nothing to hide, but it has become a fun little game we play now.
Hope you enjoyed.
Aug 4, 2019, 5:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: St. Paul, MN
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion, IHG Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 448
Great to see this new report from you, SFO777! Looks like you had a fun trip ... the dinner at your resort hotel made me super hungry! Also did the guacamole and corona pictures! 
I am amazed sometimes when airlines don't enforce the F class lav policy more. In my opinion I think it's fine if people use it if they are in the very front of the cabin (like the bulkhead of Y), but to have an endless stream seems to be a bit much especially when there are always comments of "remaining in your ticketed cabin."
As always, thank you for sharing your travels with us!
Best - Matthew
I am amazed sometimes when airlines don't enforce the F class lav policy more. In my opinion I think it's fine if people use it if they are in the very front of the cabin (like the bulkhead of Y), but to have an endless stream seems to be a bit much especially when there are always comments of "remaining in your ticketed cabin." As always, thank you for sharing your travels with us!
Best - Matthew
Aug 4, 2019, 8:16 pm
#10
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Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,600
That resort looks stunning - ditto the food! Craving some good ceviche and octopus right now just looking at the pictures. I can easily see myself spending a few days there just drinking a corona and admiring the views from the plunge pool. Thanks for posting, as always!
We go to Cabo at least once a year. It’s our favorite place and we are going in October. Each time we go, our last dinner is at El Farallon at Pedregal. It’s simply breathtaking and this time is no different; we have reservations on Oct 9th. We are also trying the restaurant at Esparanza this time as well. The airport machine where you tap the button is unique and decidedly kind of funny. The first two times we went, I got the red light and had bags checked. Since then, my wife hits the button and has been green every time. Of course, we have nothing to hide, but it has become a fun little game we play now. Hope you enjoyed.
Great to see this new report from you, SFO777! Looks like you had a fun trip ... the dinner at your resort hotel made me super hungry! Also did the guacamole and corona pictures! I am amazed sometimes when airlines don't enforce the F class lav policy more. In my opinion I think it's fine if people use it if they are in the very front of the cabin (like the bulkhead of Y), but to have an endless stream seems to be a bit much especially when there are always comments of "remaining in your ticketed cabin." As always, thank you for sharing your travels with us! Best - Matthew
I am amazed sometimes when airlines don't enforce the F class lav policy more. In my opinion I think it's fine if people use it if they are in the very front of the cabin (like the bulkhead of Y), but to have an endless stream seems to be a bit much especially when there are always comments of "remaining in your ticketed cabin." As always, thank you for sharing your travels with us! Best - Matthew
Aug 5, 2019, 10:51 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
Programs: Aeroplan 35K, Alaska MVP, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4,609
I took my first trip down there with Alaska First mainline (737) earlier this year. It was pretty disorganized as you accurately describe, but otherwise an interesting destination. I'm not sure if it actually compares with Hawaii but it made for a nice change of pace than our usual island holiday.
Aug 6, 2019, 7:12 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: MEL/YMML
Programs: A3 Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Amex Platinum
Posts: 287
Excellent report as usual, SFO777. Based on your photo and reviews, Cabo definitely looks like a great destination outside summer, and the resort must added a lot of extra memories to your trip. Getting there from Australia is a real problem though (I'm talking about flying at least 8,000 miles and two transits to get there)
Stay tuned for my upcoming Jakarta and Bali trip in September (spoiler: flying Y only, I'm poor on miles now
)
Stay tuned for my upcoming Jakarta and Bali trip in September (spoiler: flying Y only, I'm poor on miles now
)