Waldorf Astoria vs. Chileno Bay Resort: Which is the Best Luxury Hotel in Los Cabos?
When it comes to picking the perfect luxury getaway in Los Cabos, the battle lines are drawn! After all, Los Cabos is spoiled with many of THE most incredible luxury hotels of ANYWHERE in the world, all located within miles from one another. But every one is so different! So how do you ever choose!? I personally love to mix it up and try new hotels in Cabo each trip, because I looooove Cabo, and I constantly have more Cabo luxury resorts on my bucket list. I’ve been to Waldorf Astoria Pedregal four times now, and this year had the opportunity to check out Chileno Bay, an Auberge Resort, which I had heard SO many good things about. So what’s the verdict between two of the most breathtaking resorts in Mexico: Waldorf Astoria Pedregal and Chileno Bay Resort & Residences? If you’ve been dreaming up your Mexican getaway, but are having trouble choosing the right Cabo resort for you, then this post is for you! These two hotels are two of my favorite luxury resorts in Los Cabos. If you’re curious what makes each resort a bucket-list-worthy destination, then check out my side-by-side review below to help you choose the best one for your trip!
Table of Contents
First Impressions
Waldorf Astoria Pedregal Los Cabos greets you with an entrance that’s nothing short of dramatic. Imagine driving through a private tunnel carved out of a mountain, emerging to a view of the Pacific Ocean that’s so spectacular, it feels like you’ve entered another world!! That’s WAP for you – or Waldorf Astoria Pedregal.
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Chileno Bay Resort, on the other hand, has a minimalist and chic ambiance, right from the get-go. The modern, open-air lobby is a breath of fresh air, with beautiful views of the Sea of Cortez. I love how it’s ultra luxe but still has that laid-back charm that sets the tone for that perfect Cabo experience.
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The Rooms
Waldorf Astoria Pedregal Los Cabos offers different types of accommodations, each with a private plunge pool (!!!! I love this), fireplace, and ocean views that make waking up a dream. For our family trip to Cabo, we stayed in one of their 2-bedroom with the most amazing view where you hear the ocean as your morning alarm, and see the most beautiful sunsets, and makes it a top choice as one of the best luxury hotel in Los Cabos.
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Chileno Bay Resort boasts sleek and stylish accommodations, with a focus on bringing the outside in. The rooms and villas are designed with a modern aesthetic. Large windows and outdoor showers ensure that you’re never too far from Cabo’s natural beauty, making relaxation effortless.
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The FOOD!
The dining at Waldorf Astoria Pedregal Los Cabos is SO good. With several restaurants, including the cliffside El Farallon, where people from resorts and villas all over Cabo come for their one ‘special’ meal on their trip. This place is STUNNING!!! It’s tucked up on the majestic cliffs of the Pacific with gorgeous views, and the seafood, wine list, and ocean backdrop steal the show. The resort’s focus on farm-to-table and sea-to-table dining means every bite is as fresh as it is delicious. Other restaurants on property include Don Manuels where you can experience a mix of new and traditional Mexican dishes with live music!
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Chileno Bay Resort shines with its restaurant COMAL, as well, a contemporary Mexican restaurant with an open-air setting that’s all about those sea breezes and views. The innovative dishes and creative cocktails are a testament to the resort’s commitment to elevating your dining experience, making each meal a moment to remember. There’s also a DELICIOUS mediterranean restaurant on property that we loved, too!
The Pools
Waldorf Astoria has not one, but TWO, of the BEST pools of any hotel I’ve ever stayed in. The best part (for me at least, as a mom, traveling with a baby) is that the family-friendly pool is JUST as incredible as the adult pool (rare to find at a luxury resort!).
The Chileno Bay pool is also gorgeous – it’s one loooong stretch of pool, tiered out and separated by family-friendly (tucked at the back) pool to adults only (the beachfront pool at the front).
The Takeaway: Depends who you’re traveling with! But you can’t go wrong with either of these stunning pools.
The Ocean
Waldorf Astoria Pedregal is located on the Pacific side of Cabo, which means, unfortunately, it’s not a swimmable beach. However, the pools more than make up for it, and it’s a GORGEOUS stretch of beach to walk and enjoy, just not swim. Still a top contender as the best luxury hotel in Los Cabos!
Chileno Bay, on the other hand, tends to be a great choice for those who want easy ocean access. The bay is gorgeous – and has GREAT snorkeling right there on property!!!!! but I will say it’s a public beach – so there are lots of locals there, as well, and it gets crowded as the day goes on!
The Takeaway: Swimmable beaches are hard to come by in Cabo, if that’s important to you, go Chileno Bay!
Activities
At Waldorf Astoria Pedregal, you can rest assured you’re going to get the best of the best service. You won’t need to leave property your whole stay if you don’t want to, but its proximity to downtown is a huge plus of the resort as well – you can explore Cabo from here easily!! And why not do a tour like a private yacht charter or a tequila tasting, or just relax at the spa!
Things To Do When Staying at Waldorf Astoria Pedregal Los Cabos
- Tequila tasting (this is sooo well done at the resort!)
- Swim with the whale sharks (seasonal!)
- Snorkeling/whale watching tours
- Enjoy a romantic, exclusive beach dinner
- Sign up for off-site activities at Tortuguitas Kids Club
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On the other hand, Chileno Bay Resort is a haven for those who love to stay active and indulge in wellness. With a fitness center that offers classes with a view, water sports aplenty, and a serene spa that’s all about rejuvenation, there’s no shortage of ways to fill your days with joy and relaxation. The resort’s multi-tiered pool is a centerpiece, perfect for a refreshing dip or lounging with a cocktail in hand.
Things To Do When Staying at Chileno Bay Resort
- Snorkeling or surfing
- Horseback riding
- Hiking and biking natural trails around the resort.
- Private catamaran sailing voyages
- Enjoy different spa services, do yoga
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Family-friendliness: Waldorf Astoria Pedregal vs Chileno Bay
I found both resorts to be family-friendly!!!!! However, there were more older kids at Chileno Bay (they have a great beach and beach volleyball court, a game room, and tons of programs and activities ideal for the older kids), and I saw more young babies at Waldorf Astoria!
So Which is the Best?
Choosing between Waldorf Astoria Pedregal Los Cabos and Chileno Bay Resort is a delightful dilemma. If you’re after exclusivity, with five-star service where your every need is attended to, and you looove a good private pool, or seaside infinity pool, then Waldorf Astoria Pedregal is for you!
If you’re drawn to swimming in the ocean, and picture your mornings spent snorkeling or paddle-boarding right on property, then Chileno Bay Resort awaits. It’s a destination where the beauty of Cabo is your playground, and the resort experience is about creating unforgettable memories in style.
Whichever resort you decide is best for you (and your group), I have great news! By being a JETSET reader, you can score FREE perks at either resort – like a free room upgrade (subject to availability), free breakfast for 2, resort credit and more!!! And the best part? It doesn’t cost you anything. Just book through my team! fill out this contact form and be sure to use the referral code “JETSETCHRISTINA” if you use my referral, my agency partner will reach out with more information and can help book you with all kinds of fun perks (at no extra cost to you, and they don’t charge a fee to book! Just make sure you mention Jetset Christina!)
