San Jose Del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas in Mexico are my favorite vacation destinations. The scenery is incredibly beautiful with both mountains and the sea. Although they are far from my home in Florida, the plane ticket prices are definitely worth it! Since 2019, we have been to Cabos more than three times, staying at two different hotels. Today, I want to share my experience staying at JW Marriott Los Cabos (Marriott Category 6). How was the stay at this JW Marriott? Let’s continue reading to find out!
Let’s start with a landmark photo of Cabo San Lucas, which is probably one of the famous screensaver images of Windows 10, right? Their official name is The Arch of Cabo San Lucas
Why did I choose to book this hotel?
(Because I didn’t have enough Free Nights to redeem for Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos, haha) At that time, there was an American Express offer of spending $800 and getting $150 back. Coupled with the stackable benefits of the Amex Platinum card, such as a $200 FHR/The Hotel Collection credit, I impulsively decided to book it for three nights! A few days later, when I came to my senses and looked at my bill, as a budget-conscious traveler, I felt a bit of regret, but I didn’t want to change my plans. It was also an opportunity to accumulate Marriott room nights and make progress towards achieving Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status. In the end, the cost per night was around $350. This hotel was also the lowest-priced option I found when searching for Cabos hotels using The Hotel Collection. Other hotels that came up in the search were all above $500 per night.
The benefits of FHR/The Hotel Collection credit included room upgrades, a $100 property credit, a 4 PM late checkout, and complimentary breakfast for two.
Location and Surroundings
This JW Marriott is located in San Jose Del Cabo, approximately a 30-minute drive from the international airport. The transportation is considered convenient, and it is situated in a secluded, quiet, and safe (aka expensive-looking) hotel area. Due to its peaceful location, it is not possible to walk to any tourist attractions outside of the hotel. I relied on Uber for all my transportation needs, which can be requested at the lobby. Sometimes there may be a shortage of cars in the vicinity, but there’s no need to panic! Just wait a few minutes, and a driver will accept the request. Overall, transportation is convenient.
The hotel’s surroundings include the historical downtown area of San Jose Del Cabo, which is about a 10-minute drive away. It is known for its art district, where you can find many unique restaurants with prices that match the tourist area standards, as you may already know.
In the historical downtown area, there is an old Catholic church called The Mission, which is a popular landmark in San Jose Del Cabo. It’s a great place to visit while exploring downtown. If you don’t want to dine at expensive specialty restaurants, there are many local food trucks in the downtown square. They are very popular and accept payment in US dollars. My favorite affordable food item there is the delicious tamale, which is a cornmeal wrapped around a meat filling and steamed in corn husks. It’s incredibly tasty and reasonably priced.
Mexico’s JW Marriott Hotel in Los Cabos: Architecture and Features
After staying for four days and three nights, my partner and I found the overall design style of the JW Marriott and the breakfast buffet to be the most memorable aspects of our stay (I initially wanted to discuss the modern architectural design style, but quickly got distracted by the joy of indulging in delicious food—oops, how did that happen? laughs)
The architectural design of JW Marriott Los Cabos exhibits a distinct style reminiscent of Tadao Ando’s work (I’m lazy, so I didn’t bother to look up the architect’s name). The style emphasizes the use of exposed concrete as the primary building material, with facades characterized by simple and elegant forms. Natural elements such as light, wind, and water are seamlessly integrated into the surrounding environment, creating a serene and Zen-like atmosphere. Stepping into the architectural masterpiece, one experiences not only visual sensations but also a deeper connection with the heart. The straight lines always present in the design perfectly complement the sky and the ocean, collectively outlining breathtaking views. The moment you arrive at JW Marriott Los Cabos, you might even find yourself momentarily thinking you’ve arrived at Setouchi Retreat Aonagi, a tranquil retreat in Matsuyama, Japan. Taking in the panoramic view, the architect’s clear and concise style is still evident: extensive exposed concrete, walls with calm and majestic colors, and linear elements throughout the entire space.
The hotel is nestled against the mountains, offering a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. The visual experience extends seamlessly from the indoor swimming pool to the outdoor pool and stretches all the way to the distant sea, creating a harmonious connection with the water. The views are dynamic, and the line of sight is expansive and relaxing. Natural light floods the interior, and the extensive use of concrete blends with the bright and clean spaces and simple, understated lines—a true embodiment of Tadao Ando’s minimalist aesthetic. By harnessing the power of natural light, air, and plants, each space exudes a subdued yet profound beauty.
In terms of the room, we booked the ocean front deluxe guest room. The space was spacious, and the decor continued the hotel’s theme of sleek lines, a calm and sophisticated atmosphere, and a cool minimalist style. The view was absolutely stunning and flawless
Impressive Breakfast Buffet
The breakfast at JW Marriott was truly remarkable (am I being too critical by saying that, or am I simply revealing my foodie nature?). The restaurant, named Ua Culinary Artisans, offered a Continental breakfast for $17, with an additional $22 for an upgrade to a full buffet. Why was it so amazing? After comparing the quality and variety of the breakfast buffets between JW and the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos, we concluded that JW Marriott came out on top! Why? Because JW’s breakfast buffet went beyond just a regular breakfast. The selection was so extensive that it felt like a complete lunch buffet. In addition to a wide range of breakfast items, they also served tantalizing and juicy prime rib, freshly sliced salmon and tuna, refreshing smoothies, and much more. It was enough to satisfy your cravings for the entire day (seriously, how much can you eat?). In comparison, the breakfast buffet at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos was more limited. JW Marriott definitely scored a win in this department
Service Quality
The hotel staff at JW Marriott were all very friendly and welcoming, always ready to greet guests with a warm smile. Their service attitude was exceptional, earning a perfect score of 100.
Other Restaurants Inside the Hotel
JW Marriott Los Cabos features several other restaurants within its premises, offering a variety of dining options. Here are a few of them:
- Café des Artistes: This restaurant is renowned for its exquisite French cuisine and unique creative menu. Here, you can indulge in delectable French dishes and enjoy an elegant dining experience.
2. Nak Grill & Bar: Nak Grill & Bar is a relaxed outdoor dining venue that serves fresh and delicious seafood and grilled dishes. You can savor the flavors while enjoying the breathtaking outdoor sea view.
The End
One interesting incident worth mentioning is that about a week before my departure, due to some health issues, I decided to email both JW Marriott and Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos to inquire about any assistance they could provide. Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos responded within half an hour, stating that they could offer assistance. On the other hand, JW Marriott remained silent. As the date approached, I made the effort to send emails to four different email addresses associated with JW Marriott, but unfortunately, all of them went unanswered. This left me feeling a bit embarrassed and surprised (so my personal impression is that JW Marriott has excellent hardware but some room for improvement in terms of software).
I apologize that during my stay, I did not have Platinum membership, so I didn’t have access to the lounge. Therefore, I couldn’t provide a review of it for fellow travelers. A significant portion of the western side of JW Marriott is reserved for high-tier members. Although I didn’t inquire about it during check-in, the staff informed me that I didn’t have lounge access and advised me not to go to that area. (Oh well, what can you do, haha!)
That concludes my review. Thank you for reading! If I ever return, it will probably be because I crave their buffet!
If you have any questions or would like to share something, feel free to leave a comment!
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