los cabos, MEXICO: TRIP REVIEW
I recently returned from an eventful trip to Los Cabos, Mexico, where I attended a friend's wedding. This was my second visit to Cabo, and it proved to be a unique experience compared to my previous trip.
Let me begin by explaining why we traveled to Cabo in the first place. Before my partner and I relocated to the East Coast from California, we played matchmakers and set up a couple on a "blind" date. Well, it wasn't entirely blind since they had seen each other's pictures, but they had minimal interaction before their first date. To our surprise, that first date lasted a remarkable 8 hours. By the second week, when we visited them for dinner, it felt like we had stepped into a time machine. Their shared photos adorned the walls, giving the impression that they had been together for years, when in reality, it had only been two weeks. It was clear that their relationship was heading toward something special. Fast forward a year and a half, and we found ourselves at their wedding in Cabo. They asked my partner, Bradley, and me to be a part of their big day, with Bradley officiating the ceremony. And it truly was a special occasion.
Now, let's dive into the fun part of the trip:
We stayed at the Los Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach resort, which was undeniably beautiful, despite some drawbacks. The property was enormous, to the point where guests needed golf carts to get around. This meant having to call the front desk, request a cart, and wait for its arrival. While driving around with other vacationers was generally enjoyable, I personally would have preferred the option to walk and explore more. Nevertheless, the resort's elevated location on top of a hill provided stunning views of the ocean, adding to its appeal.
Upon arrival, our room wasn't ready, and when we finally entered, I encountered difficulty connecting to the Wi-Fi. I contacted the front desk, only to be informed that the room was registered under a different name. It was a strange mix-up, but we brushed it off. However, when Bradley went to take a shower, he discovered that the showerhead was fixed at a height that only reached his shoulders. We called the front desk again, and this time they explained that they didn't have any handicapped-accessible rooms and all their showers were designed that way. After some discussion, they agreed to relocate us to another room. The catch was that they no longer had any rooms with king beds available, so we had to settle for a room with two queens. Not ideal, but we made do. We quickly packed up our belongings and changed rooms, but this unexpected switch ate into our dinner preparation time. For those who know us, an hour is never enough for both of us to get ready! We hurriedly showered and changed when, to our horror, the door swung open. I stood there half-naked while Bradley was in his boxer shorts, and we awkwardly stared at the guests who had walked in with their own key. It felt like the longest minute of my life, and our privacy had been compromised. Bradley promptly called the front desk and expressed our frustration. Unfortunately, the initial response lacked empathy, but eventually, we managed to speak to the hotel manager. She was understanding and kind, offering us a $100 hotel credit. While the compensation was appreciated, it hardly made up for the guests intruding on our privacy, the room mix-up, and the need for a second relocation. Bradley continued negotiating, and we were eventually upgraded to a Presidential Suite. Now that was more like it! However, since we were pressed for time, we decided to postpone moving to the new room until after dinner.
Later that night, after repacking everything once again, we entered the most exquisite room. I'm not exaggerating when I say it felt like a dream. But hold on to your seats, because something extraordinary happened on our last night there. As we were packing up, ready to go to bed, we heard a strange noise coming from the other room. Investigating further, we discovered a waterfall cascading from the ceiling. Water was everywhere! We immediately called maintenance, and as they began breaking open the wall, a torrent of water gushed forth. The hotel explained that a burst pipe caused the leak. They offered to move us to another room once again, but with an early morning departure scheduled, we declined. About an hour later, we heard yet another noise—this time, the living room ceiling was leaking. Maintenance arrived with a bunch of towels to absorb the water. It was utter madness. The next morning, just as we were about to leave, there was a knock on our door. It was the guest staying below us, informing us that their room was now leaking as well. It goes without saying that the hotel rooms were in need of serious maintenance and updates.
Los Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach is an all-inclusive resort, meaning that all food and drinks are included. However, they tried to be sneaky by charging extra for certain items like lobster or other specialty dishes that required out-of-pocket payment. Unfortunately, I found the drinks to be disappointing. The tequila tasted like gasoline, and the palomas had an odd aftertaste. It reached a point where I had to stop drinking altogether because it simply wasn't enjoyable anymore. The food, on the other hand, was decent, although I didn't have the opportunity to try many of the restaurants. We mostly dined by the pool or ordered room service. On two occasions, we ventured out and ate at the on-site establishments, both of which offered excellent experiences. The brunch at La Noe was amazing, boasting a wide range of options, and our sushi dinner at Tazuna was absolutely delicious. The resort's market also had a bar where we spent several nights dancing and enjoying drinks—a fun and lively atmosphere.
The wedding itself was a truly beautiful affair held on the Sunset Lawn. We danced, celebrated, and created wonderful memories to cherish. With multiple weddings taking place at the resort each night, we had to make sure not to accidentally wander into another couple's special day—imagine us unintentionally becoming wedding crashers, just like in the movies! Whoops! Thankfully, we managed to stay on track and enjoy the right celebration.
Despite the resort's few shortcomings, our overall experience was enjoyable. It's important to keep in mind that no place is perfect, and sometimes unexpected hiccups can occur during a trip. However, it's how we adapt and make the most of the situation that truly defines our vacation.
If you're an East Coaster like me, accustomed to destinations like Cancun or Riviera Maya, I wholeheartedly recommend venturing out to Cabo at least once. The western side of Mexico is incredibly picturesque, with stunning mountains and the crystal blue ocean. Personally, any place adorned with palm trees fills me with immense happiness.
Los Cabos is undoubtedly an enchanting destination. Whether you're exploring the breathtaking landscapes or simply enjoying the company of loved ones, positive energy and good vibes will undoubtedly make your vacation an unforgettable experience.
With all the love,
RIRI
