We loved the Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach! My husband and I are both in our mid 30's and are both pharmacists. We typically stay at Hilton level hotels, but, the Hilton was booked for this week, and once we visited, we were glad. We stayed at the PBSB from 4/29-5/6/2006. After reading some reviews we were crossing our fingers on the way there, but, were very pleasantly surprised. It was breathtaking, to be sure.

Service and general hotel comments: Wonderful! Everyone there was incredibly nice, helpful and eager to please in our experience. This was not only our experience at this hotel, but, at the sister hotels, and downtown. We were upgraded to a one bedroom suite just by asking upon arrival and it was wonderful. The view was wonderful from our suite, but, all face the ocean, so from our perspective, any would be great. The hotel, as mentioned everywhere else is basically villa type buildings set into a mountainside overlooking a huge, wonderful beach and the ocean. It's very private and secluded, like having your own house on the beach, with benefits.

Pools: Really beautiful. We spent time at the main pool and the pool closest to the lobby building. All have a bar, food service and towel service, and we never had to wait for a drink. The view from the main pool was the best, but, it was also the most crowded, although we never had a problem finding lounges really. The pool at the Rose is very nice as well, it is bigger and all at ground level, and interconnects, we spent some time there. The Blanco pool area was somewhat smaller, we didn't spend time there. The Holistic was, as expected, very relaxing, but, large, beautiful and beachfront. We spent an entire day there.

Golf Carts: We thought this was pretty cool, actually. What could be better than being driven wherever you want to go all week? Take me to the pool, take me to my room, take me to the restaurant. We weren't in a hurry, it was vacation. It does get kind of chilly at night though, so take a jacket/sweater, etc. At the beginning we tipped each time, but, then noticed there was a box up by the lobby, so saved it for the end after that. It is, of course, entirely optional to tip. We were told it is not at all necessary because they make "good money".

Shuttles to sister resorts: We found this to be very easy and manageable. They leave on the hour beginning at 10am until maybe 10pm to the Rose, and return from the Rose on the 1/2 hour. You do have to go to the concierge at the PBSB to get a ticket beforehand, but, when you know this, it's not a problem at all. From the Rose, it's an easy walk to the mall and around town. We spent lots of time exploring around town. There's also a different shuttle to the Holistic, which is kind of right next door, but, not walkable really. If you don't like having to live by the shuttle schedule, there are always cabs there, which cost $12 each way.

Sister resorts: It was a nice addition to our vacation to be able to use and explore the other hotels as well. We liked the Rose, and would consider staying there when returning to be in town for a change, but, it would be hard to give up the SB. All water activities take place from this stretch of beach in front of the Rose and Blanco. The Blanco was a little too old for our tastes, smaller, we wouldn't stay there compared to the SB or Rose. The Holistic seemed to be virtually empty, but was gorgeous definitely quite nice, a little too quiet, we wouldn't stay there for this reason. It really seemed to be more a hotel, whereas the SB was a resort.

Food: We arrived very late the first night and had room service, which was not expensive and was very good, so we did that one other night as well. We ate at La Nao several times by the main pool, the Sunday Brunch was very nice, as was the Mexican night. Very nice views, and the food was good. We also ate at the Blanco at Cilantro's and the view was wonderful (second only to a couple places in Maui we've been, and the restaurant at the Holistic). The food was very good, and there was a show going on a stage by the pool. We ate at the restaurant at the Holistic for dinner, which we found to be expensive (because we had lobster and steak), but, very good, and as mentioned a really breathtaking view. We also ate downtown at the Cabo Wabo, and it was excellent, as well as a place in the marina which was fine as well. The food at the pools was very good, and not overly expensive in our opinion. Drinks can be expensive, but, SB has happy hour from 3-5 every day, where you get 2/1, so, we did all our drinking then. Also, stock up on cokes and water to take back to the room. The room service menu also offers a box lunch for $15 that you have to order a day ahead, but, is easily enough food for 2 people, if you pick up an extra drink (it includes 2 sandwiches, etc). There are also a couple stores on property, the one by the lobby is the largest and least expensive of them.

Timeshare presentation: We were not bothered at all, but, when asked very politely when scheduling activities, we chose to do it as we had talked with many people who had received lots of money/incentives to do this. So, we did. We haven't gone to one of these in 10 years, but, thought we'd like to see how much they were. It took 4 hours, but, at the end we had a two for one spa coupon, so we had a couples massage (the best massage either of us had EVER had!!), 1/2 off all excursions, with one free, and $150 off our food/drink bill. All in all, we figured it saved us about $350, so, it was worth it. The one thing to know is that you need to know what activities you want to book and you have to pay cash for them right after the presentation if you want to take advantage, so, don't go the first day. Figure out what you want to do and take cash with you. We did not buy a timeshare, but, it seemed EVERYONE else did. They will come back again and again until we ended up with an offer for one week every other year for $7000, or one week each year for $9000. A deposit is required up front that day, and you have to decide right at that second for those prices. They're building a Ritz next door, we were told "unofficially", two golf courses, maybe a new marina, and shopping area in the next couple years. It could have been the best deal in the universe, but, we can't make that kind of decision on the spur of the moment like that. However, we loved this place enough to buy one. He did get very abrupt at the end telling us what a bad decision we were making, but, oh well. We did not have any problems getting our incentives or using them.

Spa: Spectacular, Fabulous, amazing.

Activities: We did a snorkeling catamaran trip, 1/2 day that included lunch. It was very nice, but, nothing compared with what we've done in Maui and Aruba, but, it was 1/4 the price of those places as well. We also took a glass bottom boat to Lover's beach the arc, and the sea lions. Be advised if you plan on getting off at lovers beach, they will stop quite a ways from shore and tell you to jump. We weren't prepared for this and chose not to do it. The wind was outrageous and the waves were just crazy, didn't really think abou that. Also took a sunset cruise which was ok.

Comparison with other places: We have been to Cancun, Maui, Oahu, Aruba, St. Thomas, St. Maarten as far as beach locales. The carribean is still my personal favorite, but, this and Maui are neck and neck, it depends which day you ask me. It was hard not to draw comparisons to Cancun, but, the hotel, and service were much better in our opinion, and also more expensive, so...There might be slightly less to do in Cabo if you don't like to fish, and there were much more Americanized places to eat in Cancun, which can be good and bad. We like to eat at local places. Maui is Maui, it's much more tropical and lush, it's hard to compare, they're just different. Remember, Cabo is desertous.

We would go to Cabo again and definitely stay here again in a heartbeat. Do not think twice about booking here or worry at all if you already have. Have a great time!