My wife and I had to cancel on our extended family trip (endurocations, as my family calls them) in May due to some work scheduling, so we decided to try something new, all inclusive. We have stayed at a similar resort in Playa Del Carmen for our honeymoon, but had opted out of some of the all inclusive parts. So we are not total virgins to this type of resort, but it is not our normal type of vacation. Now that you have a bead on where I am coming from, you can read this review more accurately I think.

Bottom line, if you are a demanding, impatient person with a closed mind and hate mexican food, you probably won't like it. If you are at all reasonable, you will like it. Please read the full review.

A large push for this vacation was a livingsocial.com deal that we had seen. For 4 nights/5 day stay at the Hola Grand Faro in San Jose de los Cabos, all inclusive, it was only $699 for two (also two children free, but we left our one son with grandma for the ultimate anniversary getaway). About half the normal price, as I understand it. Plus I had a BOGO for airfare.

The Room-
A great ocean view, room 3519, its a single king bed room with ample space and a nice balcony on the 5th floor. Bed was a little firm, but that is really a subjective thing. Room service was quick and the cleaning staff was very respectful of our personal belongings. They also stock the room with ample bottled water, even one in the bathroom for brushing your teeth. Side note - all the water served at the resort is from a bottle (they just put it in a jug to pour at your table). A/C worked great.

The Resort -
It was not overdone and not shotty either, I thought it was a perfect mix of luxury and the fact that you are no longer in the USA. The pools were a bit chilly, warmed only by the sun which was mostly hidden by clouds during out stay, and very clean. Swim up bar, freshwater pools, saltwater endless pool, spas, etc. It was not lacking. We spent most of the time lounging around in the pool area.

There are Moths at the resort, but they never bothered us, clinging mostly to the walls. And not in our room.

The fitness center was great and never crowded, there were plenty of machines to exercise on and the A/C was cranked for a comfortable workout.

There is tennis, racquetball and some other activities available, but we did not participate in those.

The Beach-
It was oceanfront and the beach was great for lounging or walking. The water was easily in the low 80s and during our trip, the surf was not too big and we were able to enjoy ocean swimming. The resort does have a flag warning system (similar to so cal where I am from) to warn you of the ocean conditions. The beach and water were extremely clean, cleaner than most US beaches I have been to. There is the standard hoard of trinket salesmen standing in white clothes on the beach, just outside the resorts flag boards in the sand, but they were respectful when told "no, gracias." The resort appears to have an agreement with them to stay out of the way.

The Food-
I saw a lot of conflicting reviews on this prior to purchasing the deal, but I was delighted upon arrival. We traveled during the off season (early November). The only place that was not open during our trip was the Sky Bar, because the elevator had recently broke and was under reconstruction.

THE MAJOR COMPLAINT I SAW PRIOR TO ARRIVAL WAS THAT RESTAURANTS WERE NOT OPEN, OR FLIP FLOPPED DAYS. AN EASY WAY TO AVOID CONFUSION IS TO CALL THE RESORT AND JUST ASK, OR ASK WHEN YOU ARRIVE WHICH ONES ARE OPEN AND WHEN.

The mexican restaurant Jicamas was open every night from 6:30-10:30 and had a rotating menu with plenty of options. You don't always need reservations, but its best to. Its very simple, just call the front desk on the day you want to eat. Since the lunch place was open late we decided to eat dinner later, we were one of 4 couples each night. The italian place Glondola was only closed Sunday/Monday night - this was some great food, the best at the resort. The Albatros buffet was open every night, but we only ate there once, its food was average.

The Acuario bar was a big hit after dinner for the people at the resort, they don't serve food, but do have an endless supply of drinks and the hotel staff also runs fun games or events there around 8pm nightly.

Las Olas was a wonderful buffet for breakfast (open 7-10:30am), the food can be a bit cultural, but then again you are in Mexico. But there was still, french toast, omelets, and pancakes, plus about 50 other things to eat.

The lunch buffet at Las Olas (open 1-4:30pm) was pretty much the same every day, but offered good variety, but I would say pretty average as far as taste.

The poolside buffet for lunch was really lacking and more of a kids menu, with burgers, hotdogs, fries, and the like. And the food was maybe on the low side of average for taste, this was probably my biggest complaint, but given the other options, it didn't dent my review too much.

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks were available pool side with pretty attentive staff always roaming the area.

The Staff-
Absolutely no problems with the staff. Attentive and expedient always.

Misc-
We had our pictures taken at the resort by the resort photographer. Pictures were about $15 each. This was the only time anyone approached us on resort property to sell us something. And we actually bought it, he was very respectful.

There were a lot of Moths at night time, always on the walls and never attacking us or flying into us. I thought they were cool to look at. Some were larger than birds, no joke.

Overall-
The lunch portion was a bit lacking, but it was compensated for in other areas. This is an above average resort for the average person. If you are the top 1%, maybe go somewhere else, so your review does not impact average people trying to make a simple destination decision.

This is not a top of the line resort, evident by the standard price of a room. I believe you get what you pay for here, it is above average. Since I had a deal, it was beyond expectation.