We have traveled to a number of Mexican locations staying at hotels, all-inclusives and even renting private villas. The one thing we know for sure----location is very important if you like to experience the town for shopping and night-life. If you don't wander outside the hotel or all-inlcusive, then it really doesn't matter. We like to get to know the area and spend most evenings at local eateries and bars, so Marina Fiesta was a terrific location!!! Also it's big enough for the important amenities, but also small enough to get around easily----- and get to know some of the other guests sitting around the pool from day to day---at the very least you recognize them. Talking to others that have been to a location before or at least been there a few days longer---can be a great source of information.

When we've stayed at larger resorts it can be a 20 minute walk to the pool---good luck if you forget something. At MF most rooms have a view of the pool/marina and it's a 3 minute trip from your room. We did miss some of the entertainment around the pool that all in-inclusives offer---but that can also get old sometimes

The staff at Marina Fiesta was excellent, and the food very good. We however only ate dinner there once because we tend to wander----but it was an excellent meal at the staeak house. The breakfast buffet is good and you can also order off the menu. We did have lunch at the pool several times, which was good--- and we also stopped and brought lunch back from other places to eat by the pool.

The rooms were a little smaller than I expected, but you spend so little time there it really wasn't an issue. We did have them empty the refrigerator (items are NOT free) and we filled it with our own beverages and snacks---they didn't have an issue with us bringing a small cooler to the pool with beer and soda (we packed a small 6 pack soft sided cooler) and just bought the margarita's!!!!

Be sure to go to the Giggling Marlin, The Elbow Room---world's smallest bar, Cabo Wabo, Rips and The Mango Deck. I have to say we were there at the start of Spring Break so we had the benefit of some fun exntertainment, compliments of the the co-eds----but nothing out of line!

We did the ATV trip through Ranchos---it was EXCELLENT!!!! Worth every penny!

We will definately go back to Cabo---it was beautiful and great fun -----we would also stay at Marina Fiesta again.

The hotel had excellent service. We needed extra towels because my kids made a huge mess in the bathroom and we called room service and they were up within minutes to bring us more. The beach was only 5 minutes walking distance away and there was tons of stuff to do right when you get to the beach, such as kajaks, banaboating, jetski, parasailing, etc.
The pool was nice and the hot tub was hot at night. The staff was outstanding and the prices for food and drink at the poolside/roomservice was great too. Staying at the Marina Fiesta, you are right at the center of the town. All the great stores, restaurants are right next door. Overall, we had the best time ever and will definately return.

Lots and lots of "buts" to offset the good points about this hotel.

The good points (and "buts"): great location on the marina, and near to many good restaurants, shops, and bars. BUT: not on the beach, and the pool area is small and crowded. Chairs fill up early, as usual at such resorts, with towels, books and shoes. People appear much later. Beach is not far away, but it does require a stroll.

The staff are friendly and generally helpful: BUT, the houskeeping is ragged and noisy. The front desk staff, bell staff and concierge were friendly and accessible. Yet the houskeeping staff thought nothing of yelling, laughing and standing around chatting (loudly) early in the morning. Their socializing resounded through the tiled hallways and into the rooms. So much for sleeping in during a vacation!!

And, as others have noted, towels, blankets, and wash cloths sometimes were replaced during daily service, many times not. A call to housekeeping remedied the problems (after thirty minutes), but it was annoying--at a hotel that likes to bill itself as a five-star property (no way!)--to have to invest time in such annoying details.

The rooms were clean and some have decent views of the Marina. BUT--and this is a very big BUT--the hotel is noisy, noisy, noisy. The central air conditioning units are very loud and intrusive. My friend and I had to change rooms three times before we found one that was even moderately quiet. And since the hotel is downtown, street noise can be a problem: trucks roar around at 8 am; also, the adjacent big shopping mall has some elctricity problems and, when we were there, had to resort to a loud generator (you guessed it, right next to a large block of rooms). If you don't like a lot of loud, ambient noise (day or night) be prepared to change rooms--and don't hesitate to ask. Contrary to what you might expect, the rooms that face the main pool are the safest bets--at least if you want a good night's sleep. Although you have to tolerate some "party noise" at the pool bar some evenings, it ends at a reasonable time. (Avoid rooms near the second pool, called the AcuaBar): many overlook those horrid a/c units, and the Acuabar itself becomes active and loud early.

This hotel is a good place for families that don't mind the racket of kids and teenagers rambling through the halls, or golfers or fisher-people who will be away most of the day and aren't necessarily interested in paying for high-end luxury. But if you value tranquility, this isn't the place for you. There are much nicer hotels along the "corridor" between San Jose and Los Cabos that have regular shuttles into either town. That's where we'll stay the next time.

But there are other good points: free Wi-Fi in the lobby, good food on the property and its related restaurants nearby. The spa is nice, but the massages were only so-so. The usual time-share sales pressure is always present, but--as others have noted--once you say "no" they let you alone.

Whatever the hotel's marketing materials claim, this is NOT a five star property as those of us who travel regularly would understand that slippery term. It is a 3+ or 4-, depending on the room you get (could be a 2- if you're unlucky enough to get one near those monster a/c machines!). Published travel ratings list at least two categories above "five star": "Especial" and "Grand Tourismo". So you can see that the "five star" comes closer to "three" or maybe "four" at best. Marina Fiesta is not a low-quality property in terms of appearance or location. But it does not deliver what it promises with its claim to "five star" status.

Best kept secret in Cabo. Great Hotel with friendly staff. Short walk to downtown, right on the harbor, and steps from the beach.