Is Waldorf Astoria Cabos Worth It? Full Los Cabos Luxury Resort Review

If you’re considering spending your next holiday at a Cabo San Lucas resort, consider the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal for your stay. It’s touted as one of the best hotels Los Cabos has to offer and even made it onto CNN’s list of the best hotels in the world. This is Luxury Travel. stayed there for six nights. Read our Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal review to find out if The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal really deserves its reputation as one of the most luxurious hotels in the world and a top luxury resort Los Cabos showcases.

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Getting to The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal in Los Cabos

Getting to Los Cabos is relatively easy, as the airport (SJD – Los Cabos International Airport) has direct flights from many places in the US. From the Los Cabos airport, it is a 45-minute drive to The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal. I booked my transfer with Airport Shuttle Los Cabos, and they were terrific. I gave them the wrong flight arrival time and only realized it after I landed. Fortunately, they tracked my flight, and my driver, Ruben, awaited me. I was offered water and even a beer when I got in the car. Unfortunately, it was still too early in the morning for a beer. With Airport Shuttle Cabos, I got a transfer from the airport to the hotel and a tour of Cabos. Ruben took the coastal road, which takes 10 minutes longer than the direct route but is very scenic. He showed me all the new developments in the area and highlighted the various activities available. I recommend this shuttle service! And you can book directly on their website.

Also worth noting is that this 5-star hotel, the Cabo San Lucas resort, recently changed its name from the Resort at Pedregal to the Waldorf Astoria Pedregal.

Check-in Experience at The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal

Check-in at The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal was very smooth, as befits a hotel with its reputation.

After going through the famous private mountain tunnel entrance, the car dropped me off at the lobby. Someone came to take my luggage. I was escorted to the check-in desk, gave them my passport and credit card, and I was in my room within five minutes.

The butler team told me that they would assist me during my stay. Still, I didn’t see them for the rest of the week, so I can’t really comment on the butler service that The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal provides.

Before I arrived, they had sent me a long email asking me plenty of questions, including whether I was celebrating something during my stay. I told them I was celebrating my birthday. Yet, on the big day, no one from the hotel even wished me a happy birthday. It is probably better not to have guests fill in forms if you won’t do anything with the information provided. My advice is, don’t bother with this pre-arrival information.

Room Review: Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Master Suite Experience

There are 96 rooms in the resort, ranging from standard 1-bedroom to 3-bedroom suites.

I stayed in a master suite, but it didn’t really look like a suite. It was more like a standard room to me. There was no separate living room. I have stayed at plenty of hotels with finer rooms, so this was a bit of a disappointment for one of the best hotels Los Cabos offers. Don’t misunderstand me: the room was nice. But it was a far cry from the suites in some of the most luxurious hotels I’ve visited, like Nihi Sumba , the Four Seasons Costa Rica , or the Six Senses Con Dao in Vietnam.

My final complaint is that my room faced the roofs of the villas below, and their air conditioning could be pretty loud.

 

 

The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal master suite has a private pool, but don’t get your hopes up too high. The “pool” is minuscule – a key detail for those searching for a Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos plunge pool. It resembles a Jacuzzi without the bubbles. It’s also worth noting that the pool terrace has no privacy. At least eight other rooms could view my terrace, along with anyone walking on the stairs nearby.

 

 

On the plus side, the king bed was large and comfortable. I slept very well.  A cozy fireplace in the room gives the whole room a sophisticated and relaxing ambiance. The room has a safe to provide maximum security for valuable belongings. You can also choose from a wide range of pillows. The rooms are complemented by dim lights, making the view more attractive and enjoyable. The place offers visitors a local but abstract style, promoting the local culture and vibes. Binoculars are available for a whale sighting from your balcony!

 

 

If you stay at The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal Cabo San Lucas resort, it is probably worth splurging for one of the beachfront villas. Their setting is spectacular, and you get the same great view as from the public pools, but from your private garden.

Tip: ask for a room closer to the water. If you have kids, ask to be on the right (south) side of the resort, close to the kids’ pool. If you don’t have kids, you will be happier on the left side near the adult pool.

 

 

Dining Options at Waldorf Astoria Pedregal & Nearby

There are three main restaurants at The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal. There’s also great food in the town nearby. The famous restaurant El Farallon is dramatically set on the cliffside and is often considered one of the best restaurants in Cabos San Lucas. It offers the most delicious seafood in town. You can also enjoy their champagne terrace before dinner. Next, we have Don Manuel’s, the signature dinner restaurant. All the dishes are exquisite, but Mexican food is their specialty and worth ordering during a stay at this luxury resort Los Cabos .

The food at the resort is delicious, but if you stay for a week, you might want to explore some other restaurants nearby as well. You’ll find more diversity and save a lot of money, as the prices at The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal are on the high side, even for a luxury hotel. Plenty of good restaurants are accessible within a few minutes’ walk from the resort.

Tip: You can ask a golf cart to take you to the gates of the hotel near the marina so that you don’t have to walk through the tunnel.

My favorite restaurant in town was Bajo La Luna. It is a cute local restaurant with simple Mexican food. I had their delicious tacos. Their specialty is the Bajo Luna shrimp or lobster wrapped in bacon and mozzarella—mouthwatering! They also have a good meat selection. They open at 2 p.m., but it is probably more enjoyable to go in the evening as they have live music. It is about a 10-minute walk from The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal.

 

 

Resort Facilities Review: Waldorf Astoria Pedregal

What makes The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal unique is its location near the Sea of Cortés. The hotel is nestled behind a cliff, accessible only via its private tunnel, and it offers a lot of privacy and an exclusive feel. However, it is also very close to downtown Cabo San Lucas and its marina.

The Cabo San Lucas resort offers a world-class experience to its visitors with its dramatic cliff setting. The buildings are nicely landscaped along the cliff so that most rooms and public areas have a beautiful sea view. The resort area is very built up. They have built on almost every square meter of land available, including very close to the beach, so the beach is much narrower than the beach at the hotel next door.

The Swimming Pools

The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal is primarily a beach hotel that invites relaxation. The ocean isn’t suitable for swimming, but the powerful waves create a dramatic effect of waves crashing on the sand. The sound of the waves throughout the whole hotel is extraordinary.

 

 

The two beachfront pools are stunning and could easily be on a list of the best pools in the world. The pool on the north side is adult-only and tends to get very busy. The pools at resorts where most rooms have private pools are usually very empty. This is not the case at The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal. This is due to the public pools being so spectacular, in combination with the fact that the private plunge pools reviewed earlier are disappointing for those seeking a true Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos pool experience.

It was sometimes infuriating to find out that people would reserve their seats by the pool in the morning. By 9 am one morning, the pool was empty, but all the seats were reserved by a series of books, hats, towels, and whatever else you can imagine ( see the picture below) . I could not find a single lounge chair by the adult pool. I retreated to the kids’ pool, thinking that this was not what I was expecting from one of the best hotels Los Cabos claims. My stay was at the end of July, which is the off-season, so I can’t imagine the fight for a lounge chair that must happen during the busy season.

 

 

The public pool was very festive, with a swim-up bar that was busy most of the day. The service by the pool was truly outstanding. The pool towels were luxurious and plush, and pool attendants would replenish complimentary cold water bottles throughout the day.

The Gym and Fitness Classes

This 5-star hotel in Cabo San Lucas offers a great fitness center for fitness freaks who do not compromise their well-being even on vacation. The gym has the best and latest equipment. The resort also offers yoga and Pilates classes. I took a course every morning, and all the teachers were great. The classes ranged in size from 3 to 8 people when I was there.

 

 

TIP: Some yoga classes do get booked up, so it is better to book them as soon as you arrive to avoid disappointment.

 

 

Exploring Marine Life & Activities Near Los Cabos

When staying at The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal, it is easy to get sucked in by the spectacular pool and hang out there all day. However, the Baja Peninsula is a special place teeming with marine life, and you’ll miss out on some amazing experiences if you don’t leave the hotel. While in Los Cabos, we swam with manta rays, sea lions, sharks, and millions of other fish.

Many tours can be done in a half-day, so you can still enjoy some time by the pool. I recommend the following tours.

• Snorkeling and Kayaking by the Arch: This short tour takes you to the most scenic point in Cabo San Lucas. It is an excellent morning exercise, and you can meet sea lions and a variety of fish. Read my review here. This tour departs from the Cabo San Lucas marina, a 5-minute walk from The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal, which is very convenient.
• Diving in Cabo Pulmo: Many locals consider Cabo Pulmo the best diving area in Los Cabos. It is a long day trip. We departed at 6 am and returned at 6 pm, but it is worth it if you are into diving. Read my review here 
• Shark Dive Snorkeling: The Shark dive trip is a half-day trip where you can swim with sharks and other large pelagics. We encountered two sharks and two manta rays, but you may see whales or dolphins if you’re lucky. Read my review here. This tour also departs from the Cabo San Lucas marina.
• Chileno Beach: While the hotel beach isn’t suitable for swimming, you’ll find the best place for swimming in the sea and snorkeling only 20 minutes away. There are showers and bathrooms available on the beach.

Frequently Asked Questions about Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

Where is the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal located?

It is uniquely situated on a cliffside at the southernmost tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, in the Pedregal area of Cabo San Lucas. Access is exclusively through a private tunnel carved through the mountain.

Does the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos have plunge pools?

Yes, all rooms and suites feature a private terrace with a plunge pool. As noted in the review, these are pretty small, more like oversized tubs than swimming pools, which is essential for guests specifically seeking a large Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos plunge pool.

Is the Waldorf Astoria Pedregal considered a luxury resort?

Absolutely. It is consistently ranked among the top luxury resorts Los Cabos and Mexico offer, known for its dramatic setting, high service standards, upscale dining (like El Farallon), and luxurious amenities, fitting the profile of a premier 5-star hotel Cabo San Lucas.

Is the beach swimmable at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos?

No, due to strong currents and waves common on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas, the beach directly in front of the resort is unsafe for swimming. However, the sound and view of the waves are spectacular, and swimmable beaches like Chileno Beach are nearby.

Is the Waldorf resort in Cabos all inclusive?

No, the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is generally not an all-inclusive resort. It operates primarily on a European Plan, where the room rate covers your accommodation, private plunge pool, and standard amenities. Meals, beverages, spa treatments, and specific activities are typically charged separately on an à la carte basis. While they may occasionally offer packages that include breakfast or resort credits which can be used towards dining, it does not offer a traditional all-inclusive plan covering unlimited food and drinks throughout your stay. Guests should budget accordingly for dining at their renowned restaurants like El Farallon and Don Manuel’s, as well as for drinks and other incidentals.

What makes the Waldorf Astoria Pedregal unique?

Its most distinctive features include the dramatic arrival through the private Dos Mares tunnel, its cliffside location offering stunning Pacific Ocean views from every room, the private plunge pools on all terraces, and high-end dining like El Farallon carved into the cliffs.

Conclusion: Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal Review Summary

I had high expectations for this resort, and they were partially met. While there are arguably nicer hotels in the world for a relaxing beach holiday focused solely on room luxury, The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal is a perfect gateway to Los Cabos and the incredible marine life the Baja Peninsula offers. The public pools have a tremendous scenic ocean view and top-class service. It would be an even more delightful resort if it were less built up and offered more lounge chairs to guests, but don’t let that stop you. I had a great vacation at The Waldorf Astoria Pedregal, and I hope this Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal review helps you decide if you will too!

Waldorf Astoria Pedregal: Pros & Cons Summary

• Pros: Stunning cliffside location with ocean views from all rooms, dramatic private tunnel entrance, excellent service (especially poolside), beautiful public pools, world-class dining options (El Farallon, Don Manuel’s), proximity to Cabo San Lucas marina and activities, high-quality gym and fitness classes.
• Cons: The room size/layout (Master Suite) felt more like a standard room than a suite; the plunge pools are tiny; there is a lack of privacy on some terraces; potential noise from A/C units below; intense competition for lounge chairs at public pools.

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Compare this experience with other luxury resorts in Los Cabos we’ve reviewed, such as the Nobu Hotel Los Cabos [Verify URL] or