My wife and I (28 and 27, both professionals, well traveled globally, no kids) just returned from a 6 night stay in Cabo at the Pueblo Bonito Rose. Nice hotel located on the beach and just a 10 minute beach walk away from all the action. Spacious and clean hotel rooms (no bath tub) with a small kitchen which was great to keep our beer and groceries cold (there is both a Wal Mart and a Costco about a $10 cab ride each way). We saved considerable money by stocking our fridge and eating pb&j or grilled cheese for lunch, but lunch specials can be found everywhere.

Water is expensive (don't drink the tap water) as are the drinks if you purchase them from the resort. There is a nice convenience store on the grounds which has everything you could need, including a deli and coffee in the morning. 2 for 1 & Happy Hour runs from 10 to 4 and 7 to 7 at the local restaurants! Nice business center w/ internet, fax, etc. Staff was very helpful with an overnight incoming delivery and return.

P.S. If you're a Sprint service user, for $5 a month, you can active your phone for use while you are in Cabo. Great service, fast internet connection. Must dial 00 + 1 + area code and number to dial out. No per minute charge for cell use.

Hotel:

The hotel is six stories and elevators are usually too far out of the way to use; you will get a great calf and leg workout climbing all the stairs! If we had kids, we'd have requested a 1st or 2nd story room. Beautiful lobby and decor. Our room was the standard ocean view room on the sixth floor. Two queens pushed together for one enormous bed, small dining area, but all the amenities one would need. Keep in mind ocean view is not the same as ocean front! The hotel is directly across from the Arch and Lover's Beach. Beautiful and well kept grounds, one large pool (get up around 8 if you want a good lounge chair or shade), great restaurants and a wonderful sushi bar and lounge by the ocean. Service was impeccable during our entire stay! Workout facilities are sufficient and spa is very nice, but we felt overpriced compared to others.

Location:

If you want to be in the middle of the action all the time, I suggest one of the hotels closer to the Marina where most of the restaurants, bars, and nightclubs reside. There are about 6 large hotels on the beach, this being the furthest out; my wife and I both agreed that you wouldn't want any more of a walk. All hotels were fairly empty given that it was summer, but the Casa Dorado (beautiful), ME Cabo (think Miami and trendy), and the Fiesta Americana (no beach but right on the Marina) would be perfect. There are also a few nice hotels on the side of the Marina that is closest to the downtown area. If you are not a big ocean fan, i.e. don't really care about swimming in the ocean, the Hotel Finesttra is nice as well, and what a view.

The undertow was quite strong and the water deep jon the beach that all the resorts share; not young child friendly in my opinion. The sister hotel to the Rose is right next door, very nice, bigger, and generally seemed to be the same. We picked the Rose because it was 40% less expensive. Check Costco travel if you're a member! We paid $1100 for 6 nights, insurance, and round trip transfer. FYI, it's $60 each way from the airport by taxi.

We spent most nights either downtown/mall/casino (casino is located in the mall, but only slots) or in the many small bars along Madeno Beach. Tons of fun and great drink specials all day at the bars; The Office, Mango's, Tabasco, etc.)! This hotel does have a good location so don't worry, but don't stay outside of town if you want to be close to the nightlife. If you stay at the Hilton, Westin, Riu, One & Only, Sheraton, etc., you'll spend a small fortune going back and forth ($20 to $30 each way). If you want a very relaxing vacation and maybe go into town once or twice, these resorts are fine; and very, very nice!

Food:

Make a point to eat authentic! The small, dingy looking places always have the best food and drinks! Don't worry either, the people are very nice and helpful. $30 will go a long way in one of the more of the path places for two, versus $30 a plate at the 'fancy' restaurants. We did eat at Ruth's Chris (in the mall at the Marina) for our anniversary and had a wonderful meal, as always. Sushi is great at Nick San's (not sure the spelling is correct), and a meal to remember can be found at Edith's; albeit expensive. Sushi at the Rose's Sunset Bar was good as well, and offered an incredible view! Very fresh fish everywhere and the lobster is worth it too!

Golf:

All courses in the area are similar, but the course at the One & Only Pamillia was incredible; bring your iron and bunker game! $45 rental fee for Callaway's or NIke's. Norman, Palmer, and Jack are all building courses at the time of this review. High end golf with the prices. Rates were $110 to $240.

Salespeople/Timeshares:

As you've probably read, time share sales folk and activity salespeople will be everywhere. Be careful of the 'welcome gift' upon check in; just skip it. Generally, a quick no thank you does the trick, but they are persistent. Keep in mind American's cannot work for an hourly wage in Mexico, they either have to own a business or work on commission. Street vendors are everywhere, the beach, the streets, etc. All the same crappy trinkets and silver as in other parts of Mexico.

We had one rainy day and did go to one of the presentations. It was about 90 minutes as promised at the Cabo Villas; very nice place by the way and if you can get a room here, go for it but it will be expensive. In exchange for our time we received two massages, horse back riding for two (way overrated), a sunset cruise for two (must have sea legs), free drinks at the resort all day, and a free return trip for 4 nights; not too bad for an hour and a half on an otherwise useless day!

If you are interested in a timeshare/partial ownership, we were offered, after a very direct dialogue, 4 weeks anytime, 8 weeks the first two years, for $14,000. They claim the unit will net you as the owner $2,000 a week it's rented. Be careful of course, and don't make a decision on the spot; Cabo isn't for everyone. This is still a 3rd world country in most ways, not matter what the presented 'demand' for rooms may be.

Overview:

Cabo is getting quite built up so you can find all the American conveniences and shopping if needed, but just a short walk around the marina and you'll be in old Cabo. Great authentic restaurants, wonderful margaritas, and nightclubs can be found wondering the streets. Taxi's are plentiful and generally not more than $6-8 anywhere you want to go. Streets are not well lite, although safe, so taxi's are the preferred method of travel. Water taxi's or small boats, will pick you up at the hotel and take you into the Marina for $4 to $6.

Keep in mind this is still Mexico! No air conditioning in most restaurants, no flushing toilet paper, and plenty of 'salespeople' and street vendors. Great weather, low humidity, and just flat out a ton of fun! Leave your dress clothes at home, grab your bathing suit and drinking shoes, and prepare for a great trip!