Shaped like a barbell, there’s never a shortage of fantastic luxury resorts in Los Cabos. It’s a prime destination spot for opulent travelers and is a popular spot for honeymooners and couples seeking a destination wedding.
Two of these resorts are sister properties belonging to the Auberge Resorts Collection, Chileno Bay, and Esperanza. The former is the newer resort, established in 2016. It’s armed with a 10-room spa, spacious villas with infinity pools, and a wonderful swimmable beach – a rare gem in the heart of Cabo.
On the other hand, Esperanza’s been around since 2002. Despite its age, it’s still a primary pick for those craving privacy and exclusivity. This is also a great fit for anyone who wants an indulgent spa retreat!
Find out which of these properties is right for you in this Chileno Bay Resort & Residences vs. Esperanza comparison.
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Quick Glance: Chileno Bay Resort & Residences vs. Esperanza
| Chileno Bay Resort & Residences | Esperanza | |
| Location | Playa Chileno Bay, México 1 Km. 15, San Jose, 23410 Cabo San Lucas, | Carretera transpeninsular, Mexico 10 km, 7 Punta Ballena, 23410 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico |
| Getting There | A convenient 30-minute ride from SJD or the Los Cabos International Airport. You can reach San Jose del Cabo via a 15-20 minute car ride while Cabo San Lucas takes 20 minutes away by car. | Private transport is available for up to 4 people from SJD airport for $215. It’s 25 minutes from the artsy San Jose del Cabo and swimmable Medano Beach. |
| Room | Currently, Chileno Bay Resort and Residences offer 140 rooms, suites, villas, and private residences. | There are 103 rooms, suites, and private residences at Esperanza. |
| Amenities | Beach Access (swimmable), swimming pool, kid’s club, spa, tennis court, golf course | Swimming pool, beach access, fitness center, kid’s playroom, spa, onsite market |
| Food and Dining | 4 Restaurants & Bars | 4 Restaurants & Bars |
| Staff and Guest Services | Friendly and attentive staff who are ready to make you feel at home during your stay. | Cordial and professional. You get a personal butler that pampers you while here. |
| Price | Room prices start at $1,500 to $2,800 per night with an average of $1, 800. | Between $1,700 to $2,800 per night; an Average of $2,200 |
| Points Redemption | Not available at the moment | Not available at the moment |
The Details: Chileno Bay Resort & Residences vs. Esperanza
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences – Lobby. Image Credit: Chileno Bay Resort & Residences
Known for being a hip and fresh luxury retreat, Chileno Bay Resort & Residences attracts a younger clientele compared to other spots in the area. Don’t fret, the clientele isn’t your typical spring breakers, instead, they’re the mellow crowd who want pure relaxation on their getaway.
Location
First opened in 2016, Chileno Bay Resort & Residences is situated on the Baja Peninsula, just 9 miles from the town of Cabo San Lucas.
Guests coming from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) can arrange private transport with the resort for $215 per way. A single car can seat up to 4 passengers. However, if you need a bigger vehicle, you can contact the resort for options.
Another way to get to the property is via taxi from the airport or using a car rental – it’s available at the resort and the Chileno Bay Resort as well.
Once at the resort, you can explore nearby areas. For instance, the artsy town of San Jose del Cabo is only 15 to 20 minutes by car. Explore the town and check out the beautiful cafes and art galleries around.
The resort has its own swimmable beach where you can swim and snorkel. You can also head to other nearby public beaches if you want to explore further.
Room
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences – Bedroom. Image Credit: Chileno Bay Resort & Residences
Be pampered and cozy inside any of Chileno Bay’s 140 rooms and suites. Take your pick from regular guestrooms, suites, villas, sky villas, or Brisa del Mar – a 6-bedroom master villa for large groups or families.
Standard rooms like the Garden View and Ocean View Rooms measure between 760 to 885 square feet. Constructed to make you feel at home, rooms are furnished with terraces overlooking a garden and leading into an outdoor shower. This seamless transition between indoor and outdoor areas infuses the space with a feeling of airiness.
Inside the room, guests get a lush king bed inside with windows stretching from floor to ceiling, allowing the sunshine to filter through. Brightly dressed sofas with Mexican patterns imbue the space with local tradition while the neutral, beige walls and marble create a balance.
Look up to the ceiling and you’ll see beautiful wood cladding which injects warmth into the room. Walk to the bathroom for a soak in the gigantic bathtub with its striking blue and white tiles.
There’s a trough-style sink with enough room for two as well as high-end fixtures and a huge mirror to furnish the space. A walk-in shower, toilet, and toiletries are all in there too.
Want something extravagant? Go for a suite upgrade. It’s the perfect way to experience Baja living at its best. Garden Suites has 1,300 square feet of space with a dedicated living room, bedroom, and a private outdoor shower.
Take your pick between the regular Garden Suites, Garden View Suite with Plunge Pool, or go all out with the Wellness Suite.
If you’re traveling with a group or prefer a homier space, the Villas are right for you. Choose from one, two, or three, or splurge on the four-bedroom villa. With open-plan rooms, spacious living areas, a gourmet kitchen with state-of-the-art Subzero and Wolf appliances, and a personal chef at your disposal – you can truly indulge during your stay.
Those who want stunning, unrestricted water views can opt for the Sky Villas. These villas have starting spaces at 5,700 square feet for the Three Bedroom Sky Villa and go as large as 9,000 square feet for the Five Bedroom Signature Sky Villa.
However, if you want to pull out all the stops, Brisa Del Mar is a 24,000-square-foot, six-bedroom haven. It’s a luxury escape complete with marvelous ocean views, a personal elevator, individual baths for each bathroom, a private pool, a gourmet kitchen, and much more!
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Amenities
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences – Pool Area. Image Credit: Chileno Bay Resort & Residences
Although you could explore the nearby areas, guests can also stay inside Chileno Bay Resort and still enjoy a fantastic vacation thanks to the various resort amenities available.
Serving as the resort’s crowning jewel is its multi-tiered swimming pool complex. Get ready to be pampered by the staff during your stay as they’ll be on hand ready and waiting to serve you cocktails, get you towels, or anything else you need.
If you want a bigger expanse of water, the pools lead to the Chileno Bay Club. This private beach lets you snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard on the water. Set in a private area, you won’t have to worry about hawkers harassing you and you can relax on the beach without worry.
Kids can spend time at the kid’s club where they can play video games or indulge in other tech items to entertain themselves while here.
If you want a relaxing experience, the spa is the best place to visit. Experience a restorative massage with the Auberge Attunement or go for something different like the Aztec Healing Ritual – an ancient body cleanse used in the prehispanic era.
Other amenities for exploring at the resort are a fitness center, a free parking area with valet, and a cinema including Wi-Fi access.
Food and Dining
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences – Dining. Image Credit: Chileno Bay Resort & Residences
Dining is an experience at this resort. Make sure to drop by the resort’s signature restaurant, COMAL. Satisfying guest cravings with traditional Baja cuisine, the restaurant got its name from a type of clay cooking pan passed down to families for generations.
Dine on the freshest ceviche or try the sumptuous short rib glazed drenched in cacao broth. Matching the delectable cuisine at COMAL is the striking ocean setting.
Open starting at noon up to 4:00 p.m. and then again from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., YAYA is the latest restaurant in the Chileno Bay roster. Great if you want a chill, relaxing atmosphere, the restaurant will satisfy your cravings for European as well as Latin American dishes.
Need a helping of delicious tacos or maybe a refreshing margarita? Park yourself at TnT. This attractive area is by the beach so you can indulge in excellent food while soaking up views of the Sea of Cortez.
Finally, coffee lovers can smell and sip fair trade, organic coffee beans at the El Molino Coffee Shop. Sip on freshly ground coffee starting at 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. They source their coffee beans from Chiapas, known for producing beans with a delicate flavor, slight acidity, and medium body.
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Staff and Guest Services
Professional and highly trained, the staff at Chileno Bay Resort & Residences ensures you’ll feel at home from the moment you arrive. Expect consistent service throughout your stay. The housekeeping is prompt, the service at the pool and beach is always proactive and you’ll find exceptional assistance in every area of the resort.
Price
Standard room prices at Chileno Bay Resort & Residences start from $1,500 to $2,800 per night with an average rate of $1,800 per night.
Points Redemption
There’s no option to redeem points at the moment.
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Who Is It For?
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences is a fantastic place for families traveling together. It’s a place where kids can run around on the beach, snorkel, and even paddleboard. But adults can also find their own piece of paradise here. There’s a gorgeous swimming pool, beautiful lounge areas, and exciting restaurants – making for a delightful place for honeymooners everywhere.
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences Gallery
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences. Image Credit: Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences. Image Credit: Chileno Bay Resort & Residences
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences – Private Villa. Image Credit: Chileno Bay Resort & Residences
Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection
Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection. Image Credit: Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection
Just like the famous Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Esperanza is practically an institution when you mention luxury resorts in the Los Cabos area.
Location
Hidden inside a private vacation development, Esperanza can be a bit tricky to find. To get here, you’ll want to look for Punta Ballena, this is the housing development where you’ll find the resort.
Enter the gated community and go through a slow, winding road with stunning desert landscaping and beautiful homes until you reach the resort.
From SJD or the Los Cabos International Airport, it’s about a 40-minute drive. While there’s no place to explore within walking distance, you can reach the lively town of Cabo San Lucas – a 10-minute drive away. If you want a quieter, artsy town, San Jose del Cabo is in the opposite direction at only 25 minutes away.
There are no swimmable beaches on the property itself but if you do crave beach waters, Medano Beach and Pelican Beach are only 25 minutes away.
Room
Esperanza – Garden Casita. Image Credit: Esperanza
At Esperanza, you can choose from four different types of accommodations: casitas & suites, oceanfront villas, villas, and haciendas.
Casitas means “little huts” in Spanish, but there’s nothing minuscule about the ones offered by Esperanza. Their casitas start at 925 square feet with their private terrace, tall ceilings, and a comfortable king bed draped in white sheets.
White walls paired with muted sea green sofas and chairs as well as modern touches like a flatscreen TV, Nespresso machines, free Wi-Fi, and other media hubs. An outdoor balcony/patio is leading out to views of the garden or the ocean.
Higher-end suites are equally charming and spacious with multiple bedrooms to accommodate more guests. These are ideal for families or groups of friends traveling together and needing a private space.
For extended stays, the villas make a perfect choice. These villas range in size from 2,400 to 4,000 square feet. Each villa contains anywhere from two to four bedrooms with dedicated living spaces, a kitchen area, several bedrooms, and indoor/outdoor living areas.
If you would like to be treated to glorious ocean views on your stay, go for the Oceanfront Villas. These villas are near the edge of the waters, giving guests a chance to soak the wonderful views.
Offering anywhere from two to three bedrooms, they each have their own private pool and jacuzzi, living spaces, a full kitchen area, a private butler and chef, daily housekeeping, roundtrip airport transfers, outdoor terrace with grill, outdoor living area, and access to all of the resort’s amenities.
However, if all of that isn’t enough and you want to pull out all the stops, try out Esperanza’s lavish haciendas. Equipped with a bar, a central courtyard, a hot tub, a swimming pool, room suites with bathrooms, an infinity pool and so much more, it’s an incredible retreat for anyone who wants pure luxury during their travel.
Amenities
Esperanza – Spa. Image Credit: Esperanza
It may not have anything interesting within walking distance, but the resort furnishes almost everything you’ll need during your stay.
For starters, it has five stunning swimming pools guests can indulge in. This multilevel pool features chaise lounges where you can lounge and watch a fantastic ocean view. The dedicated adult pool is right on the beach so while you can’t swim in the beach water, it still feels like you’re in one.
Eliminate all your stresses by indulging in a treatment or two at The Spa at Esperanza. You can try the famous Auberge Attunement or go for the Esperanza Tropical Essence Massage to alleviate all muscle aches and wash away the tension from your body.
Fitness lovers will be happy Esperanza has a fully-equipped gym with a host of cardio machines, weights, and resistance equipment. Regularly scheduled yoga and fitness classes are also available from trained instructors.
Other amenities you can explore include two tennis courts, a market, a kid’s playroom, and personal concierge service. Airport transfer is also available, just ask the staff.
Food and Dining
Esperanza – Cocina del Mar. Image Credit: Esperanza
Dine in any of the four fantastic dining spots and bars at the resort. Esperanza’s restaurants aren’t just popular with guests, they’re considered some of the best in Cabo.
Cocina del Mar is a Cabo favorite. It’s visited by guests from all over Mexico not just for its amazing food but also for the scenery. It’s set atop dramatic terraces jutting out from above the surf.
As for food, Chef Alexis Palacios whips up seafood using local and organic ingredients. They source from local farmers as much as possible to ensure you only get fantastic meals.
For a less formal affair, head over to La Palapa, where you can savor authentic ceviche with tacos whipped up right in front of you in their open-air kitchen. Cocktails are served right at the bar area if you need a thirst quencher.
If you’re craving Mediterranean entrees, Las Estrellas is the place to visit. It sits next to the bocce ball court as well as the resort’s magnificent gardens. You can stay here for Sunday lunch or if you just want to dine with good live music. They have wood-fired artisan pizzas including pasta and salads.
For small bites and casual meals, La Terraza Americana is next to the infinity-edge pool. Dine on kale salads, sandwiches, or other healthy meals while here.
Staff and Guest Services
The staff at Esperanza are highly attentive and personable. They make sure you’re accommodated from the moment you arrive and throughout your vacation. Booking certain rooms will ensure you get a personal butler who can attend to your needs as well.
Price
A standard room at Esperanza will set you back between $1,700 to $2,800 per night with an average rate of $2,200.
Points Redemption
At the moment, points redemption isn’t possible at Esperanza.
Who Is It For?
If you’re craving a romantic and peaceful escape in Los Cabos, Esperanza is worth considering. The resort may be a little off the beaten path but it’s got everything you need. From a heaping of amenities, world-class dining, and an expansive option of rooms, suites, and villas – you’re guaranteed to have a glorious time.
Esperanza Gallery
Esperanza – Aerial View. Image Credit: Esperanza
Esperanza – Coastal View. Image Credit: Esperanza
Esperanza – Infinity Pool. Image Credit: Esperanza
Best For: Which Resort Should You Go For?
| Winner | What Makes It Great | |
| Best for Food | Esperanza | Cocina del Mar is one of the best restaurants in Los Cabos. It’s a must-try! |
| Best for Pools | Tie | It’s a tie! These two resorts feature multi-tiered pools facing the ocean so you can soak up a great view. |
| Best for Spa | Esperanza | The Spa at Esperanza is considered one of the best in Latin America so it’s a must-visit. |
| Best for Beaches | Chileno Bay Resort & Residences | It has one of the few swimmable beaches in Los Cabos. |
| Best For Adults | Chileno Bay Resort & Residences | Esperanza is great for couples but Chileno Bay Resort & Residences has calmer vibe adults will love. |
| Best for Families | Esperanza | Aside from couples, Esperanza has a lot of amenities and large villas to accommodate groups and families. |
| Best Location | Chileno Bay Resort & Residences | Chileno Bay Resort & Residences is slightly better positioned than Esperanza. |
| Best for a Calm Vacation | Esperanza | Esperanza is more laid-back and quiet than Chileno Bay. |
| Best for Diving or Snorkeling | Chileno Bay Resort & Residences | Chileno Bay Resort’s calm and swimmable beach is also great for snorkeling and swimming. |
| Best for Service | Tie | Both these properties deliver some of the best service and hospitality in Los Cabos. |
| Most Exclusive | Esperanza | Esperanza is the more exclusive resort of the two, owing to its history and its location. |
Wrapping Up
A trip to Los Cabos is sure to be memorable. But, you can make it even more special by staying at an excellent resort – particularly Chileno Bay Resort or Esperanza.
While both are sister properties, these two each have a distinct atmosphere. Chileno Bay Resort & Residences carries a laid-back vibe and a modern flair. It has beautiful, sleek guestrooms and suites with indoor and outdoor areas including a host of amenities, and several celebrated restaurants. The best part is the resort sits right in front of one of the few swimmable beaches in Cabo – Chileno Bay.
On the other hand, Esperanza is the older of the two properties. It’s been a favorite stop for destination weddings and a noted luxury retreat for well-heeled travelers. While it may not have a swimmable beach, it houses one of the best restaurants in Los Cabos as well as a famed spa counted as a favorite in the region.
Take your pick from any of these resorts, you surely can’t go wrong.
Safe travels!