Cabo Surf Hotel & Spa

We’ve stayed at the surf hotel five times and always loved it, but this visit was different. The staff weren’t very friendly, and we had no hot water the entire time. They said maintenance had come by and it should be working, without apologizing. New bedding would also be a good investment. The location and beach are amazing, and we love how the rooms sit right over the beach.

We spent four nights at Cabo Surf Hotel and Spa, and the stay was well below what we expected. The reviews had been so positive that I wondered if I was missing something, but I still can’t square the price with the quality. We paid nearly $470 a night after taxes and fees and it felt more like a three star property. Our room sometimes had a strong septic smell, was noisy from late restaurant activity, and didn’t have consistent hot water. Staff were polite, but not especially warm or proactive. At the restaurant, meals felt overpriced for their size and quality, so most nights we ate in Palmilla, where the food was better and cost less. The on site surf rental shop had the weakest board selection we’ve seen, with prices much higher than comparable rentals in Mexico or Hawaii. I shared this feedback with the hotel directly. We felt short on options and overcharged. We don’t mind paying premium rates, but expect more for them. For comparison, the next four nights were at the Viceroy in an upgraded suite for about $50 more per night, and that stay exceeded every expectation. I’m sharing this in the hope it helps future guests and gives the hotel constructive feedback. The place has potential, but needs to improve to match its rates and promise.

My girlfriend and I weren’t hotel guests, we’d just come to rent surfboards, but everyone welcomed us as if we were staying there. At the security gate they greeted us and directed us to free parking, where someone from the surf school was waiting to help. Jaime showed us around and explained where to rent the boards. He even suggested we wait on the beach for half an hour until the waves improved, so we’d get more from our two hour rental, and pointed out the best place to catch waves. The whole staff was gracious and welcoming. We’ll definitely come back to rent boards, and maybe stay at the hotel too.

I’ve always bragged about this place, but the service today was terrible. Everyone seemed new, and if Ricardo hadn’t been there, we would’ve walked out. Please train your staff to take care of customers.