Hotel Review: Chileno Bay

We were fortunate to spend three nights at Chilen Bay Resort and Residences over Spring Break with our two kids (ages 5 and 8). While the resort is spectacular, it didnt make our top choice for family hotels in Cabo. Read on for our full review.

One of three pools at Chileno Bay Resort and Residences

Overall ****** (7 of 10)

Value *** (6 of 10)

Food ****** (9 of 10)

Design ******** (8 of 10)

Service ****** (8 of 10)

Location ******** (7 of 10)

Kid’s Club ******** (8 of 10)

Another pool at Chileno Bay Resort and Residences

Amenities

The resort features a range of swimming pools, including a children's pool designed for safe play, while adults can enjoy the serene infinity pools that overlook the ocean. The beach itself is easily accessible in front of the resort. For those seeking adventure, a range of watersports and guided excursions are available, ensuring there are activities to suit every family member's preferences. There is a beautifully appointed gym overlooking the pools and beach as well, although they could use a few more treadmills as all were filled during our visit. The spa offers loads of treatment options and a wonderful hydrotherapy experience that is offered to all hotel guests by appointment only.

Rooms

The entry-level rooms at Chileno Bay, while well-appointed, leave much to be desired when they lack a view. The interior design is modern and aesthetically pleasing, with comfortable beds and decent amenities. However, without the picturesque vistas that the resort is known for, the experience feels somewhat underwhelming. The lack of natural light and scenery can make the space feel closed off and less inviting. For this price point, guests might expect a bit more. If you're considering a stay, opting for a room with a view may enhance your overall experience significantly.

A room with a view (of mostly palmtrees and rooftops and a tiny sliver of ocean)

Dining

The dining at Chileno Bay Resort was a real highlight of our stay.

Wonderful dining experience at Comal in Chileno Bay

Comal: offers a beautifully designed space overlooking the ocean that serves elevated Mexican cuisine, combining fresh, local ingredients with creative flair. The family-friendly atmosphere ensures that diners of all ages can enjoy a memorable meal, making it a standout choice at the resort.

TNT: A casual beachfront bar/restaurant that offers tacos and other mexican fare.

Yaya: Delicious Mediterranean restaurant overlooking the pools. We particularly enjoyed the pizzas and pita bread made with fresh sourdough.

TNT provided a more relaxed dining experience in a beautiful beachfront setting

Cafe at Chileno Bay

Yaya Restaurant had delicous Mediterranean fare

Service

The service at Chileno Bay was good, but definitely not the level one comes to expect at a hotel at this level. No one went above and beyond in any way, but the staff were all friendly enough. Additionally, it was notable to all of us that the staff seemed to be explicitly told to speak in English. Even salutations of “Hola” or “Coma Estas” were only responded to by the staff in English. We are in Mexico, so it would be nice if the staff would humor us with some Spanish.

Beach at sunset

Kids Club/Activities

As we visited during Spring Break, there were tons of children present at the resort. As such, the hotel did a good job of organizing activities geared towards kids, like a movie night on the beach. The kid’s club activities, however, didn’t appear to be as engaging or thoughtful as some of the other kid’s clubs we’ve visited. Additionally, every activity, including kid’s club, comes at an extra charge.

Value

The lowest score we have for this hotel comes in the form of value. Perhaps it is because we had just stayed at the One and Only Palmilla for the same room rate (where breakfast and kid’s club was included), but it felt as though we were getting nickled and dimed for every little thing. Being based in Aspen, we are no strangers to spending eye-watering amounts on things, but I was surprised they didn’t even provide complimentary coffee at the front desk in the morning—instead there was a cafe where you could purchase one for $7. The kid’s club was also $120 a day per child and breakfast entrees were almost all over $30.

Location

While the location on Chileno beach is beautiful, it is definitely not the nicest beach in the area. The sand here is very coarse and rocky compared with other beaches nearby. The huge plus is that this beach is swimmable and great for kids. There are also lots of water toys provided for kids and adults.

The public beach just outside the door to Chileno Bay Resort