Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection
"So, what's this place like?Chileno Bay is chic and sophisticated, though it skews younger and hipper than most resorts in Cabo, which are either too fancy, too family-oriented, or too tacky (read: you won't run into too many spring breakers). The architecture, with its sandstone brick and white stucco, blends beautifully into the desert setting: modern, but not at all out of place. Rooms are scattered around two gorgeous infinity pools, and most look out over the Pacific. Who else is there?It's a mix of early 30-something professionals looking for a long weekend away, who want good eats and drinks, and are more eager to relax and hang by the pool during the day than to party it up. You can also expect to see pockets of fashionable parents pooling it up with their well-traveled kids. What kind of room did you stay in? Was it nice and spacious, or small enough to give you cabin fever?My family of four stayed in a three-bedroom oceanfront villa. It was, in a word, insane. Huge, with a real indoor-outdoor set up: a spacious kitchen with top of the line appliances that you can actually cook with, and a living room area that opened onto a large patio with a small private pool overlooking the Pacific. The decor is modern and breezy, with wood-planked ceilings, polished stone floors, a live-edge wood coffee table, and a considered amount of local texture and accent; the bathrooms had wonderful soaking tubs and spacious showers. Everything was considered, and really well done. What about the amenities? Anything you'd want to pocket on the way out? And the Wifi—good, or were you clinging to a single bar?I was in a villa with a proper fridge, so there wasn't really a mini bar situation—but there were lovely fruit plates and homemade snacks (spiced nuts, trail mix) brought to the villa each afternoon. The wifi was strong and free. How was the staff? Any standouts?The bartenders were fabulous, and super-knowledgeable about local, small-batch mezcals and tequilas. They took a lot of pride in what Mexico is offering to craft cocktail culture. Is there anything that makes this place really stand out? A feature or two you really loved?The beach that the hotel is on is probably the only real swimming beach in Cabo—no small thing, since it can be kind of painful to be at a "beach resort" and not be able to take a dip in the ocean (Cabo's waters are notoriously choppy and rough, and not swimmer-friendly). They have a great set-up down there, with snorkeling equipment and paddle boards you can borrow, and there's an excellent, authentic taco bar right on the beach that offers a few different options each day, along with an excellent selection of small-batch mezcal from around Mexico. The restaurant, Comal, does Mexican 2.0—modern takes on traditional dishes, spotlighting organic and local ingredients (think braised short rib with cacao broth). There are also plenty of healthy, on-trend offerings—a green juices and cup of chia pudding will set you right after a night of tacos and tequila. The pools are also great; there's one that's just for adults, and one for the family, though the latter is more of pleasure to hang out at than a punishment. Given your experience, would you recommend the place to friends? For sure, it's the rare high-end option, but it's not at all fusty or precious, like some other Cabo resorts. It also has a cool restaurant with good, modern food; an excellent pool scene; and it's location, on one of the only swimmable beaches in town, can't be beat." - Rebecca Misner
