Just Back From: Montage Los Cabos

In this Just Back From, I interviewed a guest who recently spent four nights at the Montage Los Cabos with her husband and another couple. She has been to Mexico several times before and to Cabo twice, staying at Las Ventanas on her last trip in 2017. This was her first time at the resort. We’ve vacationed together before, and I have found that she is just as particular as me when it comes to travel! 

How was your arrival into Cabo? 

Arriving in Cabo was not the most pleasant process. We first went through passport control, which had an incredibly long line (in reality, it probably ended up being only 15-20 minutes). We then went through customs, where they screened bags, and mine was flagged. That whole process was a hassle. To get to the hotel, we arranged a complimentary airport transfer. That part was easy.

Mindy’s Tip— The Cabo airport offers VIP options. I recommend looking into them if you are traveling during the holiday season.

Why did you decide to stay at the Montage? 

We picked it because we wanted a swimmable ocean and golf on the property.

How was the welcome?

The welcome was excellent. The staff greeted us with delicious margaritas and cold towels. The room was ready early, and inside was a set-up with make-your-own guacamole and margaritas.

What kind of room did you book?

We had booked an Ocean View Room, and they upgraded us to a Deluxe Ocean View Room. It was pretty, a mix of modern and traditional, and next to the pool, which I liked. The upstairs rooms had better views, but I preferred being able to walk right out into the pool area. We had a nice outdoor space with a table, chairs, and a shower.

A few typical ‘beachside’ rooms were available; they were off to the side of the property. I think they were technically ‘Ocean View’ as well. 

What did you think of the hotel? How was the service?

I was very happy because it was very relaxing. I just wanted to wake up, go to the beach, and read my book. The Montage had over a hundred rooms, but it still felt small. While we were there, a conference and a wedding took place, both beautifully done. 

The service was good. The staff knew the guests’ names, which I liked. We also had a text chain with an excellent and responsive concierge. 

How was the gym? 

It was nice, with an indoor and outdoor area. One morning, it was empty; the next, it was packed.

Did you do any hiking?

We had wanted to go on a walk, but there was only one path on the property, which wasn’t even a mile long. We asked to walk outside the Montage property – still on Twin Dolphin Club property – and it wasn’t allowed. That was likely a safety issue. So the only walking activity you could do was their mile loop or walk down the beach. It wasn’t great, as I like to be able to walk. Third-party companies offer hikes in the area, but the hotel didn’t provide or recommend any of those. 

What was the beach like? 

The beach setup was great. We had chairs and umbrellas with the perfect amount of shade, and the staff was attentive and helpful. They brought great snacks like crudites and popsicles. But the truth is, I didn’t really go swimming there. The beach was covered in rocks, and the air and water were not warm. I didn’t want to go in the ocean. 

The major thing a prospective guest needs to be aware of is the construction going on next door. Some sort of residences were being built. The noise began bothering us while we were on the beach, trying to relax.

@montageloscabos

Were any water sports offered? 

The hotel offered paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling. We chose the hotel because of its location within a cove, so the wind and waves are calmer. Because of that, though, many boats come to dock in the cove and let passengers snorkel and swim in the area.

Can you describe the pool? 

There was more than one pool, and they were located on two different layers. The pools were great for little kids, as several were the kind that you walk right into. 

How was the golf? 

The golf experience was excellent. My husband played and rented equipment, and he was pleased with it. 

Montage is part of the Twin Dolphin Club, which has a beautiful course. On two holes of the course, they have ‘comfort stations,’ which had food, an open bar, and sit-down dining. We ate lunch there one day, and it was delicious. My husband described it as a Discovery Land property on steroids. It was amazing, fabulous if you are a golfer. Golf is a big deal in Cabo because the weather is perfect for it. The fees were $650, which included the comfort stations and one sit-down meal. The food was light, such as ceviche or enchiladas. 

@twindolphinloscabos

Were there any other activities offered on the property? 

They had tennis and pickleball courts, too. 

Turning to dining, what did you think of the food? What restaurants were on the property?

The food was delicious, but it wasn’t the typical Mexican cuisine I had expected. I kept looking for some more casual, classic items on the menu, but I didn't see any.

The hotel had three restaurants: Mezcal, Marea by Day, and Talay, a Thai restaurant and a sushi bar.

What were the options for breakfast? Was it included in the room rate? 

Mezcal and Marea served breakfast, as did Paletas, a little coffee shop on the property. Paletas would also serve ice cream and snacks during the day. 

The hotel gave us a $70 credit for breakfast, so $35 per person. The credit, in comparison to the actual prices, didn’t make any sense. One morning, I ordered coffee and water for my room, and it was $47 total. A $35 breakfast credit wasn’t practical.  

What about lunch and dinner? 

We ate lunch once at the golf club; the rest of the time we ate at Marea. They also served lunch at the pool and beach. Mezcal and Marea both offered dinner, and we ate off-property twice. 

How were the restaurants outside of the hotel?

We went to dinner at Rosa Negra one night. It was really fun with incredible entertainment—fire throwers, a DJ, a club-like environment—and delicious food. I didn't really like El Farallon, the other restaurant we went to. It was beautiful but a complete tourist trap, with a price-fix menu and not my kind of food.

Would you stay at Montage Los Cabos again? 

While I would recommend it to others, I do not think I would go back. For me, it comes down to whether or not I can enjoy swimming in the ocean on a beach vacation. I want that feeling of a refreshing swim after sitting out in the hot sun. You don’t get that here in February. Yes, the beach is swimmable, but the air and water temperatures aren’t warm like in the Caribbean, where you can truly enjoy swimming in the ocean. But that might just be very particular to me.