Here’s How to Do a Summer Cabo Vacation the Family Way

Plan Your Family Trip to Hilton Los Cabos, a Beautiful Coastal Resort on the Sea of Cortez

By Jamie Knee

As our car rolled up the cobblestone driveway, bringing my family and me closer to our new home for the next few days, the excitement set in. I’d heard great things about Cabo—crystal blue waters, swaying palms, infinity-edge pools, fresh seafood—but wasn’t sure what the experience would be like with kids in tow. But the minute we pulled up to Hilton Los Cabos, I knew I’d made a choice we wouldn’t regret. 

The six-story, sprawling property stood before us in all its glory, and let’s just say, even the best photographer couldn’t capture the beauty of this below-the-border oasis. The best part? Hilton Los Cabos sits in the heart of the tourist corridor between the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, boasting a prime location that offers access to the best of this vibrant Mexican city. We spent sun-soaked afternoons in Cabo San Lucas, known for its sparkling marina and thrilling water sports, and explored the rich history, art galleries and delicious local cuisine in the charming town of San Jose del Cabo.

In other words, leave your preconceived notions of Cabo at home. Hilton Los Cabos effortlessly caters to people of all ages and interests, and this oceanfront property will absolutely knock your sandals off.

Spacious AltaMar Suites

Photo Credit: Hilton Los Cabos

After checking in and getting settled (warning: the staff is amazing!), we were instantly captivated by the hotel’s hacienda-style design that seamlessly blends with the area’s desert landscape. Natural tones, stucco surfaces and terra-cotta tiled roofs combine to create a warm, traditional Mexico feel. If you’re traveling with kids like I was, I recommend staying in a spacious AltaMar suite, where every experience is upgraded.

The suites are tastefully designed with an elevated feel and feature either a private balcony or terrace with wow-worthy views of the Sea of Cortez. Soak up panoramic ocean views and watch the sunrise while enjoying your morning cup of coffee on your private balcony before the rest of your fam wakes up. The AltaMar suites offer a sense of exclusivity and even feature their own private plunge pool—perfect for an afternoon dip. Trust me—it’ll be easy to call one of these suites home.

On-Property Activities

Credit: Hilton Los Cabos

Hilton Los Cabos boasts a variety of places to take a dip, including a sparkling adults-only infinity pool that merges seamlessly with the horizon. For an elevated experience, I recommend renting a cliffside cabana, which offers panoramic views of the sea below. Take a dip and visit the swim-up bar for a refill on your margarita, or lounge under the sun with a book in hand. Don’t worry—I didn’t forget about the kiddos. The Dolphin Pool features a waterslide and a splash pad with fountains (aka, hours of entertainment). 

Possibly one of the best parts about Cabo is undoubtedly the cuisine, and you don’t have to go far to taste some seriously fresh fare. Hilton Los Cabos hosts a variety of culinary events throughout the year, like meet-the-chefs cocktail receptions, intimate five-course dinners and beach parties under the stars. If adventure is more your vibe, your kids will love the opportunity to witness turtle hatchings from late July to early November on the resort’s beaches. And as the sun sets over the Sea of Cortez, Hilton Los Cabos comes alive with excitement! We spent lots of family time gathered around the outdoor fire pits, roasting marshmallows and swapping campfire stories.

Cabo Kids’ Club

Credit: Hilton Los Cabos

Parents, listen up because this might possibly be the highlight of your trip. The Cabo Kids’ Club is a haven for your youngins (and a great way for you to relax and drink a margarita in peace). The club provides supervised activities for children ages 4 to 12, including arts and crafts, games and outdoor adventures. It offers themed activities and special events too, making each day new and exciting for your little ones. If you have teens along for the ride, they’ll also be entertained with engaging activities—think video games, movies and even cake decorating.

Hilton los cabos

Adventures at Your Doorstep

Credit: Hilton Los Cabos

One of the biggest draws of Hilton Los Cabos is its swimmable beaches—that’s right—you can actually swim in that beautiful blue water! We spent many days on the private beach, which is a great spot for building sandcastles, playing beach volleyball or soaking up the sun. If you want to venture off-property, there are nearby hidden waterfalls in the Sierra de Laguna Mountains that are super fun to explore (just ask the concierge for directions!). For kiddos looking to catch some waves, Playa los Cerritos offers family surf lessons, where my kids and I learned about the art of surfing from experienced instructors. For underwater enthusiasts, snorkeling at Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, home to a protected living coral reef, is an unforgettable experience where you can explore a vibrant underwater world teeming with marine life.

Diverse Dining Options

Credit: Hilton Los Cabos

Dining with kids can be a challenge, but leave it to Hilton Los Cabos to make it a total breeze. The resort’s collection of restaurants offers a diverse culinary experience with delicious Mexican specialties and international cuisine to please every palate. Mio is the resort’s poolside restaurant, which features a swim-up bar and dishes up raw-bar specialties like handcrafted rolls and ceviche with an emphasis on fresh seafood and local ingredients. Vela, where Old World and the tropics collide, features Mediterranean fare in a cozy setting. For a casual yet chic dining experience, Leña, the resort’s wood-fired grill, offers al fresco dining and perfectly grilled meats and seafood with Latin-inspired cocktails for the adults. For a quick bite or afternoon pick-me-up, pop into Dulce for all-day sweet or savory treats. And thankfully, the hotel’s restaurants also feature kids’ menus with burgers, pizza, chicken tenders and fruit plates in an effort to please even the pickiest eaters.

Wellness Experiences for the Parents

Credit: Hilton Los Cabos

Wellness is an integral part of the Hilton Los Cabos experience, offering parents the opportunity to unwind in a serene setting while their kids are engaged in supervised activities at the Cabo Kids’ Club. During our stay, I visited the resort’s eforea spa for a little R&R and ended up choosing the Elemental Balancing Massage: 80 minutes of pure, uninterrupted bliss. This treatment included a full-body massage using warm herbal and essential oils, plus a vital energy points facial treatment. Each treatment room is equipped with hydro-massage tubs and showers, and the spa also features a steam room, sauna and relaxation lounge, so you can decompress after your treatment.

Leaving this stunning waterfront property was no easy feat. Visions of blue waters and rustling palms followed us far beyond the airport. On the bright side, however, I no longer have to scour the internet searching for the best hotels in Cabo.

Hilton Los Cabos is barefoot luxury at its best—a dream vacation come true.

Hilton Los Cabos
Carretera Transpeninsular
Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, 23400, Mexico
+52 624 145 6500
877.354.1399
@hiltonloscabos

View my article in Locale Magazine