1. Discovering Cabo’s Hidden Gem
In Cabo, there’s a secret tunnel that takes you to a resort on one of the most coveted stretches of beach in the area.
2. The Agave Study Experience
When I heard Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal had unveiled a bar concept dedicated to rare tequilas and mezcals called Agave Study, I pictured a tucked-away, speakeasy-style den. However, based on the sheer spectacle of this resort—featuring 119 ocean-facing suites on 24 acres skirting the Pacific Ocean—I should have known the brand-new Agave Study would be nothing short of breathtaking.
The alfresco Agave Study is in the very center of the property, gazing down on the resort’s three pools, a pristine stretch of beach, and the Pacific Ocean beyond. Strewn throughout are rare (and I mean capital-R, you-can’t-find-this-anywhere-else Rare) bottles of tequila and mezcal, some organized on hand-carved bar carts, others arranged in a shrine-like display among Agave leaves on the stone floor, and still more populating an impressive, cherry-wood bar about twice my height. The tasting setup is comparable to what you’d find in a Napa Valley winery—with four glasses, detailed tasting notes, and food pairings displayed opposite leather-bound chairs. The major difference? Your seat faces the ocean.
3. Dining at El Farallon
After sampling a limited-edition Clase Azul joven and sipping small-batch raicilla from a crystal goblet as the sunset cast brilliant pink and orange reflections on the resort pools below, my husband and I walked a short distance to the hotel’s most-celebrated restaurant: El Farallon. There, built into a cliff at the very tip of Baja California, we savored Ruinart by the glass and freshly caught spiny lobsters, served grilled with drawn butter, before returning to our plunge-pool suite and falling asleep to the soothing sounds of the ocean.
4. Award-Winning Resort
It is, perhaps, based on this description, wholly unsurprising that Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal was named the No. 1 resort hotel in Mexico in Travel + Leisure’s 2022 World’s Best Awards. Additionally, it came in at No. 31 on this year’s list of best hotels in the world.
5. A Unique Location
Waldorf Astoria Pedregal is located in Cabo San Lucas, which, to be completely honest, is not the area of Cabo I’m typically drawn to. The main drag of Cabo San Lucas does not offer an authentic Baja experience, featuring many tourist-trap restaurants and bars with shot-and-beer deals; there’s even a Señor Frog’s, if that paints a picture for your spring-break-nostalgic heart.
Moreover, while Pedregal is within walking distance from the Cabo San Lucas strip, it feels worlds apart. A massive cliff separates the oceanfront resort from the bustling center of town. After checking in at the gate, guests drive through the 1,000-foot Dos Mares tunnel—thereby emerging into paradise, at a serene, ultra-luxurious hotel set on one of the most sought-after stretches of beach in Cabo.
6. Breathtaking Views
The setting provides Waldorf Astoria Pedregal guests with some of the best views in Cabo, as the resort is situated at the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula—where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. The entire resort is integrated into a cliff, looking out over the ocean; Pedregal, in fact, literally means “where rocks are.”
While El Farallon and the Agave Study are both perched on the bluffs, allowing guests to enjoy ocean views from an elevated perspective, there is another exclusive spot to soak in the gorgeous locale: the Champagne bar located right on the beach. Known as Va y Viene (which translates to “goes and comes”—like the tide, get it?), this charming shack serves only top-tier Champagnes you might not normally find by the glass. There are no chairs, only 12 swings hanging from the thatched roof, where guests can sip $90-a-glass Champagne in their swimsuits.
7. Delightful Amenities
Champagne by the glass is a notable property amenity—as is a daily “Guacamole Happy Hour,” during which complimentary chips, guac, and salsa are delivered to your room. If you happen to miss the Tattinger by the glass at Va y Viene (pro tip: don’t), El Farallon pours glasses of Ruinart, Billecart-Salmon, and Veuve Clicquot, pairing each with complex, flavored salts before dinner.
Consequently, while I was undoubtedly distracted by the jovens and bruts and the nine-course Travesía taco tasting experience at yet another on-site restaurant (Don Manuels), I still found plenty of opportunities to detox at the resort. To balance my poolside Palomas—crafted with a remarkably addictive house-made grapefruit soda—I exercised on the Peloton at the gym every morning and spent an afternoon at the Waldorf Astoria Spa, which offers a range of treatments using various Baja-sourced healing stones. The spa unfolds to yet another pool—this one featuring cascading fountains descending from the resort’s main terrace, creating serene waterfalls in the delightful soaking area.
8. Incredible Suites
Yet, few areas were more relaxing than our one-bedroom suite—with a fire pit, two terraces, and a plunge pool, from which my husband and I spotted four whales during our three-night stay. Notably, every suite at the resort comes equipped with a plunge pool, allowing you to whale watch while enjoying coffee off a floating tray in your private pool.
9. A Unique Perspective
My favorite aspect of the suite, however, was the fourth-floor vantage point, which offered a view not only of the ocean but of the entire resort. I would watch guests as they strolled toward the Champagne beach bar in their pool attire or elegantly made their way to El Farallon. Just outside my front door, I could see the Dos Mares tunnel, watching as guests emerged into the beautiful realization: sometimes, there’s not just a light at the end of a tunnel; instead, there is a sun-drenched resort complete with a Champagne beach bar.
