Cabo Azul Resort Review: Is this luxury resort worth it? (2023 Review)
Do you want to stay at Cabo Azul Resort and can’t decide if it’s worth your time and money? That’s where I’m here to help with your Cabo vacation planning!
I stayed at Cabo Azul Resort for a week-long stay and got to personally experience everything the resort has to offer for a luxury beach getaway.
Since I live in Playa del Carmen, it was a nice treat to get away from the hustle and bustle of Riviera Maya and explore the opposite coast of Mexico.
⌚️ Don’t have time to read the whole review?
I 100% recommend you book your stay at Cabo Azul Resort — I absolutely loved it and think you will too!
And after years of working in luxury hospitality, critiquing hotels is something I get very excited about!
In this post, I’m sharing my honest Cabo Azul Resort review including everything you need to know about the resort’s location, rooms, restaurants, amenities, and more.
Ready to find out if Cabo Azul is right for you? Let’s get started!
Cabo Azul Resort Review: Recap
Let me start by saying that this Cabo Azul review is not sponsored and all opinions are my own.
If you don’t have time to get through the entire review, here’s a quick summary of my Cabo Azul Resort reviews:
- Location Rating: 9/10
- Room Rating: 8/10
- Pool/Beach Rating: 10/10
- Restaurants Rating: 6/10
- Spa Rating: 8/10
- Gym Rating: 9/10
- Resort Activities Rating: 8/10
- Nightlife Rating: 5/10
- Service Rating: 8/10
- Value Rating: 8/10
Cabo Azul Resort: Quick Facts
Here are the quick resort details about the rooms, facilities, and amenities at Cabo Azul Resort by Hilton Vacation Club:
| Number of Rooms | 326 |
| Number of Restaurants | 2 |
| Number of Pools | 4 |
| Beachfront? | Yes |
| Family Friendly? | Yes |
| All Inclusive? | No |
| Price Range | $$$ |
| AAA Rating | 💎💎💎💎 |
| Book Now | Check rates here |
Cabo Azul Resort Pros and Cons
Next let’s take a look at the pros and cons of Cabo Azul resort which I’ll discuss further in this post:
Pros of Cabo Azul
- Impressive pools
- Very relaxing
- Very clean and well maintained
- Excellent staff
- Convenient location
Cons of Cabo Azul
- Beach is not swimmable
- Not all inclusive
- Minimal nightlife
- Food and beverage could be better
Is Cabo Azul Resort all inclusive?
Cabo Azul Resort is not all inclusive. The luxurious resort offers 2 restaurants where you can dine on property, as well as a coffee shop and small grocery store.
Plus, the 1 and 2-Bedroom villas feature full kitchens where you can prepare your own meals.
The resort is also within walking distance to restaurants and coffee shops, or a short drive away from downtown San José del Cabo which is home to a variety of unique and high quality restaurants.
Cabo Azul Resort Review: Location
Location Rating: 9/10
It’s important to know exactly where Cabo Azul Resort Mexico is located.
When most people are first starting their Cabo trip planning, they don’t realize that there are actually two separate towns that make up the Los Cabos region–Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
Cabo Azul Resort is located in the town of San Jose del Cabo, which is known for being smaller, quieter, and more relaxing than Cabo San Lucas.
The resort is located directly on the beachfront, offering a widespread beach with plenty of loungers.
The resort is also located right across the street from a commercial shopping strip with restaurants, clothing stores, and coffee shops.
Grocery stores and additional shopping can be reached by walking or a quick taxi ride.
It’s also located less than 10 minutes from downtown San Jose del Cabo, which will cost just $7 USD for a taxi ride.
Driving times to nearby destinations are as follows:
- Cabo Azul to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD): 25 minutes
- Cabo Azul to Downtown San Jose del Cabo: 10 minutes
- Cabo Azul to Grocery Stores (La Comer): 10 minutes
- Cabo Azul to Cabo San Lucas Downtown: 30 minutes
👍 The location of Cabo Azul Resort in San Jose del Cabo is central and convenient. It was extremely easy to walk across the street to shops and restaurants or grab a quick taxi to reach destinations further away. Plus, the beachfront location is private and widespread.
Cabo Azul Resort Address: Lote 11, P.º Malecon San Jose S/N, Fonatur, 23400 San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur
Cabo Azul Resort Map
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How to Get to Cabo Azul Resort
There are a few different ways to get to Cabo Azul depending on your budget and the size of your group. The driving time from the airport to the resort is only about 25 minutes.
Book a Private Airport Transfer to Cabo Azul
The most hassle free way to get to Cabo Azul from the airport is to book a private airport transfer.
This is personally what I did and usually always recommend so you can get to the resort as quickly as possible–because the beach and margaritas are waiting!
I personally used Cabo Airport Shuttle, which provided amazing service when my flight was delayed over 10 hours in Mexico City.
I didn’t arrive in Cabo until after midnight and they were there waiting with a smile. It was nice not to have to worry about how I was going to get there so late at night!
👉 Book a private airport transfer with Cabo Airport Shuttle by clicking here!
Book a Shared Airport Shuttle to Cabo Azul
If you’re on a budget, a more cost effective way to get to Cabo Azul is to book a shared airport shuttle.
This will be cheaper but will take longer since there will be multiple stops to drop people off along the way.
👉 Book a shared airport shuttle to Cabo Azul by clicking here!
Take a Taxi to Cabo Azul
Another option to get to Cabo Azul is to take a taxi from the airport. The rate should be around $40 USD and official airport taxis can be hired from the taxi line right outside the airport exit.
From my experience, taxis in Cabo felt very safe and typically have set rates so you don’t have to worry about negotiating or being overcharged.
Cabo Azul Resort Review: Rooms
Room Rating: 8/10
Cabo Azul is an all-villa resort offering 4 different room types–each with different views. Pool and ocean view rooms will come at a premium price.
All Cabo Azul Resort rooms feature plush beds, spacious baths with bath robes, private balconies, and flat screen TVs with DVD players.
Brown wood design elements throughout feel a bit heavy at first but are still new and modern and give the suites a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Junior Suite
The Junior Suite at Cabo Azul Resort is a spacious and stylish suite that offers plenty of room for up to four guests.
The suite features a king bed, a queen size sofa sleeper in the separate living room, and a full bath with a walk-in shower and double sinks.
There is also a large private balcony with a seating area. The suite does not have a full kitchen but does have a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker (with complimentary coffee).
This is the room type that I stayed in, which overlooked the Family Pool. With a separate living area, it feels more like a one bedroom unit but without the kitchen.
Overall, I felt the Junior Suite was very spacious, clean, and comfortable, and the perfect size for two people.
Our bathroom had two separate vanities, a walk-in shower, and a private toilet area, which made getting ready a breeze.
But perhaps the best part was the plush mattress–it felt like sleeping on a cloud!
The only thing I disliked about the room are the heavy design elements with dark woods which are not really my taste and perhaps could use a bit more color.
But yet the Cabo Azul rooms still feel new and modern and have everything you need for a comfortable stay.
↳ Check rates and availability for the Junior Suite at Cabo Azul Resort
1 Bedroom Villa
The spacious One-Bedroom Villas at Cabo Azul feature 1,200 square feet of living space, a plush king bed, and a queen size sofa sleeper.
The full kitchen comes complete with stainless steel appliances including four-burner stoves, ovens, and full-sized refrigerators.
Private balconies are perfect for enjoying pool or ocean views. Plus, the full bath is large and spacious with double sinks and jacuzzi tubs or showers.
↳ Check rates and availability for the One Bedroom Villa at Cabo Azul Resort
2 Bedroom Villa
The 2 Bedroom Villa at Cabo Azul Resort is a spacious and comfortable villa that can accommodate up to six guests.
The master bedroom has a king-sized bed, while the guest bedroom has a queen-sized bed.
The living room also has a queen-sized sofa sleeper, making it perfect for families or groups of friends traveling together.
The kitchen is fully equipped with stainless steel appliances, and there is also a dining table.
Guests can enjoy their morning coffee or evening drinks on the private balcony, which has a seating area.
↳ Check rates and availability for the Two Bedroom Villa at Cabo Azul Resort
Ocean View Penthouse
The Ocean View Penthouse at Cabo Azul Resort is a luxurious 3,100 square foot retreat with stunning ocean views.
This top floor penthouse features a spacious outdoor veranda, perfect for enjoying the incredible views.
Inside, you’ll find high-end design elements, hand-crafted furnishings, and natural stone floors throughout.
There are three private bedrooms, each with a king or queen bed, as well as a queen size sofa sleeper in the living room.
The kitchen is fully equipped with stainless steel appliances and there’s also a dining table and entertainment center for movie night. This penthouse sleeps 6 comfortably.
↳ Check rates and availability for the Ocean View Penthouse at Cabo Azul Resort
Cabo Azul Resort Review: Pool and Beach
Pool and Beach Rating: 10/10
Let’s face it, the pool and beach at Cabo Azul are where you are going to be spending the majority of your time!
👍 I was completely WOWED by the pool and beach area at Cabo Azul. It’s hands down the resort’s best feature and the lounge beds are so comfortable you won’t want to leave!
Cabo Azul Pools
The pools at Cabo Azul Resort are so impressive and probably the best part of the entire resort!
The resort offers 4 different pools on property so you won’t have any trouble finding a place to relax:
- Tri-level Infinity Pool (main pool)
- Adults-only Serenity Pool
- Family Pool
- Niño’s Pool (kids pool)
Tri-level Infinity Pool
The tri-level infinity pool is the main pool area with plush lounge chairs, cabanas that are free of charge, and even unique cocoon-shaped lounge beds.
The lounge beds at Cabo Azul are extremely plush and probably some of the most comfortable I’ve ever laid on!
Poolside food and beverage service is available at the main pool where you can order cocktails, beers, and lunch food like nachos, tacos, sandwiches, sushi, and pizza.
Plus, there’s an enticing swim up bar that is a lively place to cool off with a drink.
Travelista Tip: You’ll want to get to the pool early to get the best spots and before the lounge beds fill up. Complimentary towel service is available at the pool.
↳ Check rates and availability at Cabo Azul Resort
Adults Only Serenity Pool
The separate adults-only serenity pool is a smaller rectangular pool located in an interior courtyard. Only open to adults, it’s a quieter retreat and a great place to unwind.
There are lounge beds and cabanas that are more spread out and you won’t hear the hustle and bustle of the main pool.
Family Pool
On the opposite side of the adults-only serenity pool, there is an almost identical pool but this one is open to families and small children.
This is a smaller and more secluded pool where it’s easier to keep an eye on children.
Niño’s Pool
In addition to the Family Pool, the resort also offers a kids pool and small water park known as Niño’s Pool.
This pool is much more kid-friendly with small water slides and splash areas to keep the little ones entertained.
Cabo Azul Resort Beach
The beach area at Cabo Azul resort is lovely with many rows of lounge beds and large cabanas facing the soothing waves of the ocean.
It’s a shame that since the waves are very strong, the beach is not suitable for swimming, which is why most people just stick to the pool.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the main pool, then head to the beach area for a quieter retreat where you can hear the sounds of the ocean.
The area is also roped off from beach vendors so you won’t be bothered but can go out to take a look at their offerings if you wish.
🏐 For those looking for beach activities, the resort also has a beach volleyball net and hosts group volleyball games and tournaments.
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Cabo Azul Resort Review: Restaurants
Restaurants Rating: 6/10
The resort offers 2 restaurants, as well as a coffee shop and in-room dining options.
There is also a small market on site where you can purchase food items, bottled water, and alcohol if you want to prepare your own meals.
👎 Overall, I felt the food and beverage at Cabo Azul was the biggest area for improvement. All of the dishes I tried weren’t terrible, but not something to rave about. Maybe I just had a one-off experience at the Cabo Azul Resort restaurants but the food didn’t leave me wanting more.
Flor de Noche
Flor de Noche is the pool bar and Cabo Azul restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
This is the restaurant where you’ll order food and drinks while lounging at the pool and there is also restaurant seating behind the swim-up bar if you want to dine there.
The food menu at Flor de Noche features standard Mexican and American cuisine like tacos, nachos, quesadillas, sandwiches, and pizza, as well as seafood dishes like ceviche and poke bowls.
You’ll also find a full drink menu with margaritas, cocktails, beers, and wine.
I thought the food and drink at Flor de Noche was just okay but nothing special. The first day at the pool I ordered the chicken tacos and the chicken was very bland with almost no flavor.
We also had the guacamole, quesadillas, nachos, and BLT sandwich which were better, but not exceptional.
The food at Flor de Noche hits the spot when you’re hungry by the pool but could be improved with more flavor and variety.
Javier’s
Open for breakfast and dinner, Javier’s is the fine dining restaurant on the property by chef Javier Sosa.
With seaside dining areas, the onsite restaurant offers ocean views and an upscale ambiance.
The dinner menu features Mexican cuisine, steaks, and seafood. Reservations are recommended.
We dined at Javier’s restaurant for dinner on our last night and had a decent experience but it was not exceptional.
With its oceanfront location, the restaurant offers tables overlooking the beach, and the ambiance is warm and inviting.
I ordered the seafood enchiladas which consisted of a trio of shrimp, crab, and lobster enchiladas.
The enchiladas were good and beautifully presented but came out very quickly and were a little cold.
We also ordered Mexican churros for dessert, which were cold and didn’t taste very fresh.
The wait staff was friendly and accommodating, although for a fine dining restaurant I thought they could have been more attentive or offered recommendations for drinks, appetizers, or desserts.
We probably would have ordered more if suggestions were made but had to flag them down when ready to order.
Overall, I thought Javier’s was a little disappointing for being a fine dining restaurant. We didn’t have a bad experience, but it wasn’t particularly memorable.
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El Cafe
One definite plus is that the resort also offers a coffee bar and internet lounge known as “El Cafe” that serves Starbucks coffee.
This is where you can get grab-and-go food items as well as frappuccinos, lattes, and coffee drinks.
They also offer a variety of pastries, cookies, and gelato to satisfy sugar cravings.
I enjoyed El Cafe but I do wish they had some more healthy food items on the menu–the only non-pastry item was a cup of fresh fruit.
Room Service
In-Room dining is also available from 7:30AM-midnight if you want to order in.
We ordered a pizza from Cabo Azul Room Service one night and it was quick and tasty! It’s a nice treat to have room service and enjoy a movie night in your bathrobe.
Cabo Azul Resort Review: Spa
Spa Rating: 8/10
Known as PAZ Spa (“Peace” in Spanish), the full-service spa facility at Cabo Azul features 7 treatment rooms and 3,000 square feet of beautifully manicured grounds.
The Cabo Azul Resort spa offers a variety of energy balancing massage therapies, including hot stone massages, aromatherapy, and facials. In-villa or beachfront cabana treatments are also available.
👍 Cabo Azul Resort and Spa offers a variety of options if you want to treat yourself to a massage, facial, or unique body treatment. Prices are comparable to luxury spa prices in the United States.
Cabo Azul Resort Review: Gym
Gym Rating: 9/10
If you want to stay in shape while on vacation, Cabo Azul offers a state of the art fitness center.
Whether you are into strength training or cardio, the fitness center has pretty much everything you need to get a good workout.
Exercise equipment includes weights, ellipticals, treadmills, strength training machines, a bench press, pulley system, and a Smith machine.
In addition, there is a fitness studio offering complimentary Yoga and Pilates classes. Towel service is also provided.
👍 I worked out in the fitness center several times during my stay and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the gym and the amount of strength training machines. It’s a great place to work up a sweat and detox from all the margaritas you’ve been drinking!
Cabo Azul Resort Review: Resort Activities
Resort Activities Rating: 8/10
Cabo Azul Resort offers a variety of complimentary activities for guests to enjoy.
Each week an activities schedule is published outlining the week’s activities and meeting locations.
Some examples of the resort activities are:
- Outdoor movie nights
- Yoga classes
- Beach walks
- Water aerobics
- Latin dance lessons
- Spanish lessons
- Ping pong tournaments
- Kids crafts
👍 I didn’t participate in many of the resort activities as many were more geared for children but from what I could see, all of the activities looked very fun and well-organized.
Cabo Azul Resort Review: Nightlife
Nightlife Rating: 5/10
The nightlife at Cabo Azul is pretty non-existent. San Jose del Cabo is known for being a quieter destination meant for relaxing so you won’t find many loud bars or nightclubs nearby.
Other than dining in the restaurants, the resort offered some family movie nights in the evenings or you can relax in the outdoor hot tub.
If you want to party, you’ll want to head to downtown Cabo San Lucas, which is known for its nightlife scene.
👎 Cabo Azul does not have many options for nightlife and is best for those who want to relax and retire early.
Cabo Azul Resort Review: Service
Service Rating: 8/10
From my experience, the service at Cabo Azul was very good, but not superb. All the staff was extremely friendly and helpful during every interaction and pretty much all the front-of-house staff speak English.
All of our requests for the Concierge, Front Desk Staff, Housekeeping, and Valet Team were answered promptly, politely, and with a smile.
However, the pool staff never approached us to offer service. Every day at the pool, we had to flag down a server to order food and drinks.
👍 The level of service at Cabo Azul was very good but could be improved by anticipating guests’ needs.
Cabo Azul Resort Review: Prices
Value Rating: 8/10
Here’s a look at the prices you can expect to pay at Cabo Azul resort and a value comparison:
Cabo Azul Food and Drink Prices
Coming from Playa del Carmen, I was initially surprised at how much higher the prices are in Cabo than in Riviera Maya.
The prices in all of Cabo are much more comparable to California prices especially when it comes to food and drink.
And because the destination caters heavily to Americans, most of the prices will be in USD.
While the prices are higher in Cabo than in other parts of Mexico, I found the prices for food and drink at Cabo Azul to be very comparable to other restaurants in the destination.
So really you won’t have to pay more for the added convenience of not having to leave the resort.
Depending on where you’re coming from, you might need to adjust your price expectations and accept the fact that Cabo is going to be more expensive.
Here’s an example of Cabo Azul Resort food prices:
- Margaritas: $12-$20 USD
- Beer: $5-$7 USD
- Nachos: $16 USD
- Burgers: $20 USD
- Tacos: $13 USD
- Dinner Entree (Javier’s): $20-$70 USD
💳 Cabo Azul Resort is cashless so you can either charge all of your expenses to your room or pay with a credit card.
Cabo Azul Resort Fees
Another important thing to keep in mind is that the resort charges an additional resort fee per day, per unit.
The resort fee varies depending on the type of unit but the average price is around $30 USD per night.
This is common practice for resorts and includes the use of the pool, amenities, and resort activities.
Most of the time these service fees are included as an added charge when you are booking so don’t be surprised if you see a resort fee added to your confirmation.
👍 In my opinion, the resort fee at Cabo Azul is a good value for an incredible pool, extremely comfortable lounge chairs, complimentary cabanas, and plenty of resort activities.
FAQs about Cabo Azul Resort
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Cabo Azul:
Cabo Azul is located about 30 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas.
AAA rates Hilton Vacation Club Cabo Azul Los Cabos as a 4-diamond hotel for its upscale style and amenities with the right touch of service.
Cabo Azul does not have a swimmable beach as the waves are very strong and unsafe for swimmers.
Cabo Azul does not have a shuttle from the airport so you’ll need to arrange airport transportation on your own. I recommend booking a private airport transfer with Cabo Airport Shuttle.
Cabo Azul is located about 25 minutes from the Los Cabos International Airport (SJD).
Hilton Vacation Club Cabo Azul offers free wifi which is available all over the resort including the rooms, pool, fitness center, and beach. There is also a business center and meeting room for remote working.
Uber is available in Los Cabos but it is not technically legal as it has been met with much resistance from taxi drivers and transportation authorities.
You can take an Uber from Cabo Azul but you’ll need to meet them outside of the resort entrance.
Ubers are allowed to drop off at the resort but are not allowed to pick up from there so you’ll need to meet them outside which is a short walk away.
Use caution when using Uber in Mexico since Uber is not well received in the area.
Cabo Azul Resort offers a variety of activities and amenities that are perfect for families with kids of all ages.
I didn’t stay with children but found there to be plenty of fun activities available onsite.
From the Family Pool to Niño’s Pool with water slides and splash areas, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
And, the complimentary resort activities like beach volleyball, ping pong tournaments, family movie nights, and kids crafts are sure to keep the whole family entertained.
Plus, the Camp Tortuga kids club and Creature Club day care services (for an additional fee) make it easy for parents to get some time to themselves while their kids are being well cared for.
🗣️ For adults concerned about noise, the main pool areas at Cabo Azul did not seem loud or overly disruptive with kids.
Tips for Staying at Cabo Azul
Follow these tips to make the most of your experience at Cabo Azul:
- Get to the pool early: Lounge chairs fill up quickly and many people will lay towels on chairs to reserve them. Get to the pool early if you want to get the best spots.
- Upgrade to the Marcos Margarita: Don’t even bother with the house margarita–I made this mistake and it did not taste great! For a couple dollars more, upgrade to the Marcos Margarita for a much tastier margarita made with fresh lime juice.
- Go to the grocery store: If you don’t want to eat out for every meal, head to the nearby grocery stores and stock up on food and beverages for your stay. We walked to the La Comer grocery store and then took a quick taxi ride back to the resort.
- Bring your own drinks to the pool: While at the grocery store, we also bought some alcohol, seltzer, and soft drinks to enjoy at the pool. Bring the ice bucket from your room or you can ask for cups of ice from the pool bar.
- Pack plenty of sunscreen: The sun in Cabo is intense! And that’s coming from someone who lives in Playa del Carmen and is used to the heat. The dry heat in Cabo is next level so you’ll want to pack plenty of sunscreen to avoid a sunburn. Be sure to wear biodegradable sunscreen if you’re going to be swimming in the ocean.
- Bring cash for taxis: Taxis can be arranged very easily with the valet staff. If you plan to leave the resort, bring cash to pay for taxi rides around town. It costs $7 USD each way to go to downtown San Jose del Cabo or nearby grocery stores.
Final Thoughts: Cabo Azul Reviews
So, what do you think? Are you ready to visit Cabo Azul Mexico? I hope these guest reviews of Cabo Azul Resort were helpful in deciding if the resort is worth it for you.
I honestly had an amazing stay at Cabo Azul and wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again. This was my first trip to Los Cabos and I think this beautiful resort was the perfect place for a relaxing and luxurious retreat.
The resort’s best feature is the tri-level infinity pool which is so dreamy and can’t be beat! I stayed for 7 days and never got sick of just lounging at the pool.
The only thing that could be improved upon at Cabo Azul is the food and beverage. But since the resort is not all inclusive, there are plenty of excellent options nearby if the food isn’t to your liking.
If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway with beautiful pools, great service, and incredible amenities, Cabo Azul will be perfect for you.
With minimal nightlife, it’s best for those looking for a place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
So what are you waiting for?! Click here to check rates and book your next vacation at Cabo Azul.