Tag: Mexico

Hotel Review

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal Resort

A Top Luxury Resort Located in the Heart of Cabo San Lucas

MARIA DIEGO

March 30, 2021

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It is a 115-room resort that offers a myriad of room configurations that range in size from 1 bedroom to 4 bedroom suites or homes with kitchen and laundry rooms. The resort is built into the rocky cliffside of Pedregal, yet has a wide sandy beach with beautiful ocean views. The nice thing about this resort is that every single room has an ocean view. 

Perfect For: Large families | Groups of friends | Multiple families wanting their own space but wanting a perfect setting to be together | If you need a kitchen + washer/dryer | Honeymoons and anniversaries

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Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal Location: Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is located within Pedregal. The center of Los Cabos, and a short distance into town to visit bars, restaurants and other things to do. However, you may never want to leave your resort, once you drive through the grand entrance to the resort – the only tunnel in all of Mexico that runs through the rocky cliffside of the mountainous cliffs that make up Pedregal. After an extensive replenishment of its shoreline, Waldorf Astoria Pedregal now has a wide sandy beach to enjoy walking, beach dinners and evening bonfires. Unlike other beaches in Los Cabos, there is a pounding shorebreak making the beach at Pedregal not swimmable most of the time.

Getting There: Cabo Mexico flights are easy and convenient, with many non-stop options from cities in California like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, as well as Chicago and Dallas. From Los Cabos International Airport or SJD, it is about 45 minutes drive, and the resort provides its own private cars for your transfers at an additional cost, which are included when booking some exclusive promotions with Diego Travel.

Vibe: A fellow travel advisor recently described Waldorf Astoria Pedregal as “Scottsdale meets Cabo,” which I thought hit the nail on the head. It has a fun, lively, cocktail scene with lot of day-drinking and chic, nighttime vibes. For those that want to hang with the family can do so, and if you’re adults-only wanting privacy, then you can do that too. However, I saw a lot of couples hanging poolside, cocktails in hand, or chatting during after-dinner hours while enjoying the lively entertainment around the resort.

Accomodations: Waldorf Astoria Pedregal has 115 rooms, including three residences that are located five minutes up the hill by golf cart. Every single accommodation at the resort has ocean views, and a spectacular view at that. There are many categories that range from ocean view rooms, to one bedroom suites, to beachfront suites and villas, to three 3-4 bedroom cliffside residences located just five minutes from the main resort. My favorites were the beachfront one or two-bedroom suites or Presidential suites, just because they are literally on the beach with their own pool and fireplace. How nice would it be with the kids to have that convenience?!

Food & Beverage: One of the best things to do in Cabo, Mexico is eating and drinking of course. Who doesn’t look forward to tacos, guacamole and margaritas on their beach vacation?

While each area in Mexico has its own cuisine, Cabo has some of the best farm to table culinary options as well as fresh fish and seafood from the Pacific Ocean. Don Manuel’s is a great option for breakfast, lunch and dinner – you’ll have breakfast included with your stay when you book with Diego Travel! The Beach Club and Crudo have convenient poolside bites, because let’s face it, lounging poolside and drinking Coronas can really work up an appetite.

Waldorf Astoria Pedregal has arguably the best restaurant in all of Baja California in El Farallon, built into the rocky cliffside and overlooking the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. Service and food were excellent, but the ambience cannot be beat in any location in Cabo. We were invited to have cocktails on a newly opened sandy space, just beneath the restaurant’s location, to enjoy a private party with stellar sunset views. Ask me about renting this space for a special occasion like an anniversary dinner, proposal or pre-wedding cocktail.

As a final note, I am gluten-free and I’m also allergic to shellfish, so I’m always in tune to my clients’ dietary needs. As someone who takes it very seriously, this resort is on it when it comes to dietary restrictions and allergies. Every meal I felt sure that my gluten-free needs were being met, and they had the most amazing gluten-free options for meals and desserts!

Wellness: The spa at Waldorf Astoria Pedregal Los Cabos cannot be missed, and was worthwhile to book at least one treatment during your stay. While I would say the focus is to be on the beach, poolside, or eating at any of its amazing restaurants, the spa offers an indoor retreat from the sun and its own shaded pool, complete with waterfalls and over-the-water treatment rooms. Every treatment begins with a ceremony of cleansing the feet (foot massage included).

Reserve at least half a day for the spa, as it was quite impressive and would make an amazing activity for your girlfriends getaway or a bachelorette weekend. Or, if you’re like me, and traveling without the kids for the first time in awhile, you’ll want to park yourself in this spa and stay there.

Aside from the spa element, the resort offers sunrise yoga classes, and features special weekends with guest speakers or events like shamans and wellness gurus.

Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas: From marine life to mountain trails, golfing, farms and wine tasting, Cabo has something for everyone. Most people go to Cabo to relax in a luxury setting with excellent service and food amidst a beautiful view and gorgeous resorts. But if you’re adventurous enough to get yourself up from the pool or the beach, you should reserve a day out on the water for deep sea fishing or a day to golf, if that’s your thing.

What  Sets  It  Apart: Maybe one of the coolest things about Waldorf Astoria Pedregal Los Cabos, besides the amazing suites with stunning ocean views, were the dual sunrise/sunset views each day. They are worth waking up early in the morning for sunrise yoga and dining in the evening at El Farallon.

How Much Does Waldorf Astoria Pedregal Cost? During September, the hottest month in Cabo, Mexico, the lowest rates begin at $550 for their entry level suite, and go as high as $1800 in high season. All suites have an ocean view, so they really don’t have your typical “entry level.” The large 4-bedroom homes can range from $2,500-$5,000/night plus taxes and fees.

Diego Travel Loves: The color palette of terracotta against the ocean blues, the way every room has a pretty great ocean view (if you reach out, I’ll walk you through which ones may have more obstructed views), the welcome bottle of tequila, and the stunning setting of El Farallon. During a special margarita tasting, we learned they make their own in-house rose-colored hibiscus salt to rim the glasses, which you can request at any time (they even offered to make us some to take home)!

Extras You’ll Get with Diego Travel:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Breakfast buffet daily in Don Manuel’s for two guests per bedroom
• $150 USD equivalent Hotel or Resort credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Complimentary VIP airport Lounge Tickets with all Beach Front Suite Bookings
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Access to exclusive promotions such as:

Stay 7 days or longer and get 30% off your rate

• • Complimentary Champagne and Salt tasting experience at The Champagne Terrace at El Farallon. 
  • Roundtrip luxury airport transfers for San Jose de Cabo Airport (SJD)
  • Complimentary Private Chef One Night Per Week (excludes alcohol)
  • 20% off treatments and purchases at Waldorf Astoria Spa
  • 20% off Food & Beverage
  • Complimentary daily access to the kids’ club for 2 children
  • Complimentary Butler Service
  • Free Clothing pressing
  • Reliable high-speed wi-fi
  • Technical computer support for remote working/learning
  • Designated learning room

Waldorf Astoria Pedregal Insider Tips:

This luxury Cabo resort offers a ton of flexibility with accommodation configurations for large groups or family vacations.  With options to adjoin rooms, and ranging in size from one bedroom to 4-bedroom vacation homes, they are sure to have an accommodation that will work for you and your family.  The ground floor Dos Mares junior suites have hammocks and the upstairs ones have fire pits.  It’s details like these that make having a travel advisor extra crucial, so that I can ensure you get the exact fit for your needs.  Also, there is a favorite for a honeymoon suite and another suite category that was my personal favorite, but you’ll have to reach out to me to find out more!  

LET’S SET UP A CALL!

I was honored to be invited to participate in this familiarization trip (better known as a FAM trip in the travel industry) to Waldorf Astoria Pedregal Los Cabos.  This amazing beach vacation was for three nights, to a destination that I knew little about.  I had been only once before, a few years prior, but did not have a chance to see any of the hotels and resorts I had been dying to see in the area of Los Cabos and Cabo San Lucas.

The entrance to the resort is stunning, as you drive from the Cabo airport to your hotel, you arrive via a welcoming tunnel that is the ultimate way of letting you know you have arrived.  Upon arrival, I immediately went to lunch with a group of fellow luxury travel advisors and travel industry partners.  Over the next three days, we had a complete tour of the resort and saw every imaginable room category, had a margarita tasting with the aforementioned pink hibiscus salt-rimmed glasses, a glowing beach dinner under the twinkling stars with a fireworks display in the distance, and followed by a late evening surrounding a beach bonfire while we roasted marshmallows and made s’mores.  The hotel staff was so accommodating to my gluten allergy, they even brought me special gluten-free graham crackers so that I didn’t have to miss out.

On our second day, we spent the entire day seeing local spots like a blanket weaving factory, a local farmers market (where I bought my husband the most amazing dried mango with chili piquin), and the town of Todos Santos, home to the famous Hotel California.  It was fun shopping and supporting the local artisans who have been so devastated by the global pandemic and hit to the tourism industry.

Our third day was reserved for the spa and relaxing by the pool, getting to know each other better and talk all things travel.  As I’m constantly working on the go, I did spend the better half of the day in my own suite on my terrace overlooking the ocean as I worked from my laptop to plan client trips.

The final night we had cocktails and a fabulous dinner at the popular El Farallon.  If you’re planning a trip to Cabo, even if you don’t plan on staying at the resort, I do recommend booking a dinner here.  They give priority reservations to in-house guests of course, but if you’re able to get a table, it’s a must for a Los Cabos vacation.  

Throughout the weekend, I was able to learn so much about the resort, the travel industry in general, and different ways in which I can make your vacation better for when you do decide to travel to Los Cabos, Mexico.  I am so grateful to my partners at Hidden Doorways and Waldorf Astoria Pedregal for this amazing opportunity to get to know the resort so well, and I’m so excited to work with them to VIP you on your next vacation south of the border!  If you’re planning to go without reaching out to me, I guess my only question would be, “Well, why wouldn’t you?”

Hotel Review

Chable Yucatan Resort

A beautifully modernized historic hacienda

MARIA DIEGO

March 20, 2021

Chable Yucatan is a masterfully restored archeological masterpiece and little-known health, wellness and spa retreat tucked away in the Mayan jungle of Mexico. The team at this luxury resort’s mission is to not only offer a luxury hotel stay, but to elevate your mind, body and soul by creating luxury experiences in a way that you have never experienced. A stay here will unequivocally connect you with nature and balance your being to embrace the spirit of this enchanting property.

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Chable Yucatan Location: Chable Yucatan is located about 30-minutes from Merida airport in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Merida has non-stop flights from Miami.

If you’re flying into Cancun, you can still plan a split-stay visit between Chable Yucatan and Chable Maroma, as they are about a 3-4 hour drive between them, and the hotels can arrange for transfers.

20.7571,-89.8690

Chable Yucatan

Vibe: A beautifully modernized historic Mexican hacienda, Chable Yucatan, has been a pet-project of a renowned architecture and design team who took 15 years to lovingly restore this property to its current splendor. You may find yourself completely disconnected and elatedly riding a bike through the luxury resort’s winding paths to the soundtrack of chirping birds and jungle wildlife.

Accommodations: Chablé Yucatan consists of 40 casitas, family villas, a presidential villa and a royal villa.  All accommodations have their own private pool, with family villas being a two bedroom with adjoining living room.  The presidential and royal villas are both three bedrooms and offer complete privacy.

Food  &  Beverage: One of the highlights of Chablé Yucatan is the food. It is authentic Yucatecan gourmet food prepared in a fresh way than your typical tacos and guacamole that you’ll find elsewhere in the Riviera Maya and Cancun. Each morning, they deliver your preferred choice of coffee or tea with breakfast pastries that you can enjoy at the hour you indicate upon your arrival. Post wake-up coffee, you’ll have a poolside breakfast and/or lunch at Ki’ol, which translates to healthy in Mayan and has an ever-changing menu of fresh selections from the gardens.  

The Wellness Restaurant next to the spa and fitness center is another healthy option offering vegan, gluten-free, and fresh juices and smoothies. At Ixi’im, which means corn in the Mayan language, is an impressive display of 3,475 bottles of tequila that is as jaw-dropping as it seems. Illuminated by fire and candlelight, this restaurant was a highlight of the trip. 

While I don’t drink tequila, I was definitely tempted to at both nights we had dinner here. Sikar is an after-dinner stop to taste the finest selection in whiskey, cognac, brandy and hand-made cigars.  Perhaps my favorite of all the culinary options at ChabléYucatan was the Casita Maya, where you’ll experience an extended course authentically Mayan and Yucatecan meal prepared right in front of you by two women. It was such a special experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who visits!

Wellness: The focus of wellness at Chablé Yucatan surrounds the sacred cenote found on property, and every treatment room has its own private balcony overlooking the water. Prior to your treatment, you’re welcome to make use of the circuit, carefully guided by a personal attendant through a series of Mayan rituals that alternate between heat and cold, from sauna and steam room, to ice plunge pool and showers. Each treatment begins with a shamanic ceremony performed inside a large conch shell-like structure, as your therapist describes the 7 elements and their significance. Following this beautiful ceremony, you’ll be guided to your treatment room where you’ll begin with a foot bath and served a rice drink, meant to nourish the mind, body and soul.

Activities: I was surprised by the number of activities available at Chablé Yucatan, having visited the majority of the haciendas in the Yucatan region before and expecting a similar experience. However, Chablé Yucatan offers a 9-course golf course, pickle ball, tennis, miles of nature paths to either walk, run or ride.  

There is a melipona bee sanctuary, one of very few of its kind, meant to preserve this sacred bee and its honey of healing properties. They have a temezcal, used to perform ancient Mayan ceremonies, which I highly recommend. There’s a main pool, a spa pool for adults only, and the private pools that each villa offers. If you’re looking to just relax, eat and drink, then you might enjoy the cigar bar for a post-dinner treat.

Finally, there a multitude of excursions that you can easily do from Chable Yucatan, from enjoying the charm of the colonial city of Merida, to taking a refreshing dip at a one of the nearby cenotes (underground rivers), to visiting flamingos at nearby Celestún to exploring Uxmal, one of the most important prehispanic Mayan cities. 

Perfect For: Honeymooners, anniversary trips, destination wedding, culture enthusiasts, adult groups, and even family trips. Our kids loved it, but they are used to a more adult-friendly vibe and tend to refuse any kids club.  Small business conferences or incentive trips would be amazing here. The property has a convention center with two meeting rooms, one with a maximum capacity for 50 and the other for 100 people, but they can easily combine to host groups up to 150.  

What Sets It Apart:  The setting of the Mayan jungle is truly spectacular, but the way Chablé Yucatan was designed is truly what sets it apart.  The resort could be at full capacity, but you’ll still feel complete privacy.  We felt safe enough to let the kids wander on their own, and the service by every team member was at another level.

How Much Does Chablé Yucatan Cost? The high season for Chablé Yucatan and Merida in general is November through April. The low season will be hotter with periods of rain, which brings more bugs. Rates will really be season-dependent.

Diego  Travel  Loves: Every aspect of Chablé Yucatan was thoughtfully planned, from the soundtrack of chic background music, to the pristine landscape architecture. And the landscape lighting at night! It creates a whole new magical experience that transforms the property into a magical wonderland of illuminated trees under a vast sky of twinkling stars and fireflies. I cannot think of another resort that pairs current and hip design while still maintaining the integrity of a historic restoration quite like Chablé Yucatan.  

Extras You’ll Get with Diego Travel:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Complimentary Full Breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom, served in restaurant
• $100 USD equivalent Resort/Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Chablé Yucatan Insider Tips:

• Chablé Yucatan lovingly supports local communities by carrying Mexican-made and hand-crafted products in its boutique.  Try to pick up something while you’re there to support Mexico’s artisans, along with a bottle of melapina honey.  
• I also highly recommend the Mayan dining experience at Casa Puebla, where you’ll be treated to 4-5 courses of authentic Mayan dishes by two women who prepare the meal right in front of your eyes.  We weren’t able to finish the last course, but oh my, was it worth it!  
• For a large family or group, rent the Royal Suite, which incorporates ruins found on the property in its own private pool.  You’ll be the only ones able to see these ruins, as the villa is completely private to you.

While visiting Mexico and working remotely for a month, we wanted to do something special for our daughter’s 10th birthday. After the 3+ hour drive from the Riviera Maya, we were greeted with fresh Lima juice, a fragrant blend between lemon and lime, only grown in this region of Merida. There’s no translation in English for this particular fruit, but when you taste it, you’ll know. Upon check-in, we were asked to fill out a form asking our preferences for morning coffee and pastries, preferred activities and dining times, and any dietary restrictions. I’m always curious, as a travel advisor, if this information gets relayed to every staff member, and I can say with certainty that it did.

As they gave us a tour of the property and finally our private villa, the feeling of having arrived overcame us. This is the life! The kids fell instantly in love with the idea of running off on their own to explore by bike, and we felt safe enough to let them do so. On my daughter’s actual birthday, we surprised them with the Ruta Verde tour, which is a guided tour starting at the gardens, where we picked the lettuce, herbs, and vegetables that they would prepare for us at our Mayan lunch. Then we visited the deer, as they foster about 30-40 on property at any given time, before sending them to a deer sanctuary or back into the wild.  After the deer we had a private tour of the bee sanctuary, where we learned about the melipona honeybees and how they were regarded in ancient Mayan times to hold medicinal powers. Our last stop of La Ruta Verde was at an area of trees, where we were each handed a ribbon to tie onto a tree to set an intention. It was such a beautiful and unforgettable experience for all of us.

We planned to stay at Chablé Yucatan for two nights, but shortly after arrival, we extended our stay another night.  As a travel advisor and seeing so many hotels and resorts around the world, I have to admit that I rarely do this. A 2-night stay at any given property is pretty normal, but it just wasn’t enough for this hotel. I fell madly in love and I think you will too. It really is one of my favorite resorts in the world, and when you book your stay with me, you’ll have access to special promotions like 3rd night free plus your Virtuoso amenities mentioned above. So it’s always worth it to reach out to find out how Diego Travel can help elevate your stay. Contact us now to get started planning your next getaway.