We Really Didn’t Go Anywhere
It wasn’t until after we returned home that I realized how much of our vacation we’d spent at the resort.
We hardly left.
And nobody complained.
We walked the beach. We spent time in the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez. When we’d had enough of the ocean, there was the pool. When we’d had enough of the pool, we could head back toward the ocean.
Nicholas kept up with his workouts at the fitness center.
We rented a cabana for a day. At roughly $100, it represented good value for us—a comfortable home base with food and beverage service nearby.
We spent time in the adults-only area with its infinity pool, Jacuzzi, cabanas and ocean views.
And sometimes we did absolutely nothing.
That’s allowed on vacation.
The property was family-friendly without feeling chaotic. There were children and teenagers around, but we never encountered the overwhelming party atmosphere that can sometimes change the personality of a resort.
It was comfortable.
And it raised a question I hadn’t really considered while we were there:
Has the resort itself become part of the destination?
The Resort Is No Longer “Base Camp”
My curiosity eventually got the best of me.
After we returned home, we reached out through some of our industry colleagues, which led to a conversation with Antonio, general manager of Hilton Los Cabos.
Antonio brings an interesting perspective to the subject. He previously spent 14 years working in Los Cabos before leaving the area and working in luxury hospitality in Los Angeles. He returned to Los Cabos two years ago.
When I asked how the resort vacation has evolved as Los Cabos itself has evolved, he described a shift that sounded remarkably similar to what our family had just experienced.
“The resort is no longer base camp. It has become part of the destination.”
Years ago, Antonio explained, a resort was often viewed primarily as the place where travelers stayed between excursions. Today, guests are looking for more: dining, wellness, personalized service, meaningful experiences and a sense of place.
He also confirmed that they’re seeing more guests spending time on property.
But he made an important distinction.
“The goal is not to keep people from leaving the resort. It’s to make them feel that they don’t have to leave just to have a memorable day.”
That’s it.
We weren’t avoiding Los Cabos. We simply weren’t waking up every morning wondering where we needed to go. Some days, the answer was nowhere.
And that was perfectly fine.
What Kind of Vacation Do You Want?
Another part of my conversation with Antonio stayed with me.
When people are choosing among the many resorts in Los Cabos, he believes they should begin by asking themselves a simple question:
What kind of vacation do I want?
Look at the location. Look at the beach. Consider the dining choices, service and experiences available on property. Understand what’s included and what isn’t.
But Antonio also suggested understanding something less tangible: the personality of the resort.
A family may be looking for something completely different from a couple. Golfers and fishermen may experience Los Cabos differently than someone whose primary objective is to find a cabana, get into the water and disconnect for four days.
“There are many wonderful resorts in Cabo,” Antonio told me, “but they aren’t interchangeable.”
Our two visits proved his point. Same broader destination. Very different vacations.
A Few Bumps Along the Way
As with most vacations, not everything went exactly as planned not that we really had a plan. We experienced a few minor issues during our stay, but what mattered to us was how they were handled. When something needed attention, the staff responded, listened and worked to make it right. None of those moments defined our experience. What we remember is a comfortable resort, a beautiful setting and a staff that made us feel welcome throughout our stay.
Of Course, We Ate
Food is always part of the way our family travels. We photographed quite a few meals during this trip, although somehow our room-service dinners escaped the camera. Our package included complimentary breakfast for two, despite three of us staying in the room. It’s one of those details that reminds me why travelers should understand exactly what’s included in a vacation package.
For our final evening, we continued one of our family traditions. We splurged on dinner. This time we chose Vela, the resort’s Italian restaurant. Our entrées generally landed in the high-$30 to low-$40 range in U.S. dollars. It wasn’t inexpensive, and the portions weren’t enormous, but the food was good. A piano player added to the atmosphere. And on the final night of a summer vacation, atmosphere counts for something.
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