10/05/2026
Last month in San José del Cabo, I was the one being sold to. The team at Secrets Puerto Los Cabos walked me through the property, and I did what I always do on a resort tour. I look well beyond the best view they always love to show you.
Don't get me wrong, the pretty parts matter. But you'll spend a lot more time in your room, at the pool, and at dinner than you'll ever spend admiring the beautiful lobby. So here's where my attention actually goes.
THE ROOMS:
I always ask to see the entry-level room, not just the suite they love to show off. (The suite is gorgeous. It's also not what most people book.) I want to see what my clients will actually sleep in, and whether it looks anything like the website. Sometimes the photos are stunning but then the room in person can feel dated or a little run down.
THE LAYOUT:
How far is the room from the beach, the pool, and dinner? Are stairs, elevators, or golf carts involved? I want to know where the nightlife sits in relation to the rooms, because that can mean the difference between quiet nights and potentially hearing karaoke at midnight. If the resort shares grounds with a sister property, I want to know exactly which areas are yours and which could be shared with other resort guests.
THE PROS AND CONS:
How many restaurants are open each night? Do you need reservations? Is there a dress code? I also want to know what the club level really includes and whether it's worth the upgrade, what fees are hiding in the fine print (resort fees, dining surcharges, spa, wifi), how far it is from the airport, and whether there's anything walkable off property.
THE REALITIES:
Is the beach actually swimmable, just pretty to look at, or great for a long walk? Are there enough loungers for the number of rooms, or is it a 7am towel race? (I do my best to stay away from the lounger race.) And I always look past the renovated lobby. Hallways, bathrooms, and pool edges can tell you how a resort really takes care of itself.
THE OPERATIONS:
I pay attention to what they're really trying to emphasize and what they're intentionally skipping. For instance, if they aren't showing me the spa... there's something wrong with that! Then I ask the question no sales team loves to hear: what happens when something goes wrong? A room move, a complaint, a bad weather day. How they answer can tell me more than the entire tour.
Yall, I loooove a pretty resort photo, but those are mostly the resort's job. Knowing what's behind them is mine.
So, tell me... is there something you wish you would have known about the last resort you stayed at??