Marbella Suites En Playa has SO MUCH potential. The structure of the building is beautiful... but the place really needs some fine tuning.

We stayed there because it was one of the few hotels on the beach that wasn't a mega-resort or mega-expensive. It's a boutique-style hotel right in the middle of everything, on a really nice beach.

My frustration with the place was the lack of staff and the lack of attention to small details. With just a little more renovation, this hotel could be amazing.

The people who work there are really lovely and very helpful. But there are so few of them.

The pool/restaurant area is so well designed, but they need better furniture and bettter music. Just a little more ambiance.

The hotel is on one of the best stretches of beach in Cabo. It is just beautiful. It's also nice because it's surrounded by private homes -- so there are not a lot of people on the beach, it's very quiet. At sunrise you can see dolphins just off the shore.
On the down-side, they need more than the four lounge chairs that they supply for the beach. And waitress service would be nice down there too!

When we first checked-in we were given a room on the ground-level in the back. Not good. It was damp and dark, and there was a dead roach in the shower. That really turned me off.

We went back to the front desk and upgraded to one of the rooms closest to the beach, on the upper level. It was really well furnished, really clean and very big.

As I understand it, they are slowly renovating the hotel... so hopefully this will change things for the better.

If you decide to try it, have an open mind and don't expect it to look like Las Ventanas or the One and Only.

I would stay at Marbella Suites again.

PS. I had one of the best massages of my life at Marbella Suites.
What a surprise.

We loved the peace and quiet. The Mexican hacienda-style architecture and price were what attracted us. My husband and I speak Spanish and we wanted a place where we could feel comfortable doing so with the staff. It was a real treat to meet and speak with Edgar and Umberto and the young woman tending bar whose name I forget but who resembles actress Salma Hayek. Perfect for those who don't want crowds, drunken parties, and all-inclusive over-indulgences. We visited in November 2006; unfortunately I see from the hotel's Web site that room rates have gone up significantly for 2007, and that the powers that be are starting up "vacation club" ownership.

Don't believe what you see on the website. It does not look like that at all!!!! First of all the reception staff was rude! That was the best part. We were shown to our room (partial view of the ocean meant mostly the view of the roof below us). The room was stifling hot with no air on at all. They said, "this is Cabo, it's hot". If you look at their website, they say A/C in all units. What they should say is, one window unit in each bedroom. We asked to be moved to a cooler unit. We were moved to the depths of the complex (probably the garden level), back in a dark corner. There were still dirty towels on the bed and I really didn't even want to sit on the bed. The "couch" was a futon with stains on it. There was no microwave. I had three sick family members with me so they needed tthem to rest asap. We only needed this place for one night, so I thought I could manage this. Just as I sat on the bed, a mouse ran across my foot, probably just as frightened as me!
We asked the staff for a phone book to find another hotel. Their "all free telephones" and computer rooms where stalls in a dark bug infested room. The phones didn't work for Mexico numbers.??? We used the phone in the lobby to make reservations for another hotel; then got our refund back. We then proceeded to carry our 8 bags up three flights of stairs without their help. It was the worst 1 hour experience I've ever had anywhere. I would definitely not recommend this hotel unless you don't mind dead bugs, live mice.

If you're looking for a perfect location dead-center in the Resort Corridor (17 km to downtown San Jose Del Cabo AND Cabo San Lucas)...this is it...Mark and his staff have done yeoman's work since the last time I stayed which was in 2005...I visit every January and stay in a 2br/2ba room with sitting area/kitchenette/2 mini balconies...stay on a 4 or 5 level room to get the best views...

The breezes alone are able to keep you cool, but there are 3 AC units (2 in BR, one in LR).

It is NOT a full service resort in the manner of Palmilla or the other high-end places, but is a throwback to simple furnishings, it is clean, tastefully put together and beautifully landscaped...the staff WILL, however, help you with information for any spa or restaurant you'd need to find...Karla is a gem...

There are quite a few stairs, so those with small children or those with bad knees need not bother if climbing up from the beach/pool level to the rooms is a bother...

I can tell you that the staff tries very hard to accommodate - if you are looking for a better bargain on the Sea of Cortez in the Resort Corridor you won't find it...

Transportation: you can take the bus during the day (InterBaja or SuburCabos) for $1 to and from both towns...at night I would suggest a taxi, as buses are not known to run late.

SIDE TRIPS:
in CSL: Mama's (french toast!); Edith's; Shrimp House; DiGiorgio; Puerto Paraiso mall; Las Ventanas spa; lots of clubs include El Squid Roe, Cabo Wabo, and of course, Nowhere Bar or Nick-San for sushi...go fishing, play golf, enjoy yourself, it's CABO!

In SJD: French Pastry shop in San Jose; Baan Thai (THE best Thai I've ever had), any of the beach bars...lots of silver shops...do peek in at Casa Natalia and eat at their restaurant or have a cocktail...it's great!