Hard Rock Los Cabos: Resort Review

I had been trying to get to Hard Rock Los Cabos since it opened, as my only prior visit to the area was on a VERY brief cruise stop back in 2006. (20 years ago y’all? Where does the time go??). Once my homegirl decided that this would be the location for her birthday trip, we were on our way. I have plenty of thoughts: the good, the great, and the things you need to be aware of before your stay.

Getting There — Plan for the Drive

I’ll say it plainly: Hard Rock Los Cabos is not close to the Los Cabos International Airport. You’re looking at roughly 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic; our arrival transfer decided to take the route through San Jose del Cabo because we had a shared transfer for other hotels. (Do not recommend). Once you get there, you’ll notice that resort sits set back pretty far from the main road, past a bunch of sand dunes. You’re not finding this place by accident, which actually contributes to the feeling of exclusivity once you arrive. However, if you or your guests are flying in from multiple cities with varying arrival times, you definitely need to build that drive into your logistics. Don’t assume a quick ride, because It’s not.

Accommodations: Rock Royalty Ocean Front King

We stayed in a Rock Royalty Ocean Front King, and were REALLY please with the accommodation. Because this is a newer resort (the newest Hard Rock in AIC’s collection), the finishes felt modern and new. Our room had a direct view of the ocean, once you looked past the terrace below. There was a large South Asian wedding while we were there; one of their events was held on the terrace and it was fairly loud.

Rock Royalty also comes with access to the Rock Royalty Lounge, which offers private check-in, upgraded amenities, and a more curated experience overall. We also had a concierge/butler that coordinated reservations for us, which was clutch. If you’re booking Hard Rock Los Cabos and budget allows, I’d strongly encourage going Rock Royalty. It changes the stay.

Dining and Bars

There 7 dining options that align with those of other Hard Rock hotels: We had hibachi at Zen, a buffet breakfast at Ciao (Italian), buffet breakfast and lunch at The Market, a delicious steak dinner at Toro, and grab & go dining from Pizzeto and Caffeto. Because the resort isn’t large, accessing the various dining options was not difficult.

There are also 11 bars throughout the resort, including a swim-up bar, so your next cocktail is never too far away.

The Pools

We found our favorite pool fairly quickly – the Lyric Pool – and spent the most time there. The pool scene here is lively without being chaotic — there’s energy, there’s music, there’s ambiance. We didn’t even realize that there were two other pools that we could’ve and should’ve checked out: Eden and Rhythm, which are closer to the beachfront. Each pool has its own vibe and swim-up bar. If you love a nice pool, you won’t be disappointed.

The Beach is a Showstopper, but there’s a catch…

The beach at Hard Rock Los Cabos is absolutely gorgeous. But here’s what you need to know going in: the ocean is not swimmable. The Pacific side in Los Cabos is known for strong currents and rough surf, and this is no exception. You will not be swimming in that ocean. What the beach is perfect for — and this is important for my couples — is events and ceremonies. The setup for a beach ceremony here is stunning. If your dream is exchanging vows with the ocean as your backdrop and the sound of waves in the background, Hard Rock Los Cabos delivers that completely. Just don’t book it expecting a swim-in-the-ocean type of beach vacation.

Rock Spa Experience

We went to the spa twice during our stay – we booked 60 minute individual massages, but also had a 25 minute couples’ massage included as part of our Rock Royalty package. The facilities are clean and beautiful, the service is attentive, and the overall experience felt genuinely luxurious. You also get access to hydrotherapy, which is always a vibe.

The Next Door Neighbor

This is one of the details that was a pleasant surprise: Nobu Hotel Los Cabos is literally next door. As in, you can walk there. If you know anything about Nobu, you know that it’s not just a restaurant, it’s an experience. We strolled over there one night just to check it out. Keep in mind that Nobu is not all-inclusive, so if you decide to dine other there, you’ll be paying out of pocket.

Beware the timeshares!

Since everything can’t be perfect….Hard Rock Los Cabos — like many resort properties — will approach you about their ownership/membership program, known as “Legendary”. Legendary Members have their own dedicated pool, beach area and amenities. The salespeople are persistent about it; one of them found me in the bathroom while washing my hands and tried to pitch me. We also were approached while awaiting our departure transfer, under the guise of a deeply discounted return stay.

My advice: decide before you arrive whether you want to hear the presentation or not, and hold your ground either way. I’m not a proponent of timeshare/membership programs and advise against them, but I can’t force your hand. If you’re not interested, a polite but firm “no thank you” is your best friend. Don’t let it ruin your trip and don’t let them catch you off guard either.

Excursions

We booked two excursions during our time in Cabo: a sunset cruise to the Arch, and an ATV adventure down the beach. No regrets. Sailing to Cabo’s world-famous arch was a must-do for us, although there was a LOT of boat traffic out there.

The ATV excursion brought out my inner daredevil (once I recognized that I wasn’t going to flip over.

Final Thoughts

Hard Rock Los Cabos has become my favorite Hard Rock property and one of my overall favorite resorts. The property size, rooms, spa, pools, dining, location and bars led to a very pleasant vacation experience and fun celebration for my homegirl. It’s a family friendly property that feels elevated. Whether you’re planning a wedding, celebration or just looking to get away, I have no hesitation about recommending this resort if it’s right for you.

Interested in planning a trip or destination wedding at Hard Rock Los Cabos? Don’t hesitate to reach out.