Fiesta Americana Vacation Club at Cabo del Sol

We purchased our first visit there in 2004...we have traveled to many places...this resort was the perfect place to look forward to going each year. In 2006 we upgraded our unit to a one bedroom - easy to either bank or borrow points if we want to bring family members for a visit and get a bigger unit. We have stayed at this property 8 times since purchasing. We love the extra quiet environment - as we also own at the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar next door - and still prefer Fiesta Americana. We do not mind renting a car to go into the action of the marina district and love traveling around to explore the baja area. Bend, OR

We have just returned from 9 days at the Fiesta Americana Grand in Cabo from 11/11 - 11/20/2008. It is located in the exclusive, low density housing development of Cabo Del Sol on the corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Josse del Cabo. The only other timeshare and hotel in this development is the Sherton Hacienda del Mar, which is also very nice, but not at the level of the Fiesta Americana in our view and those we talked two familiar with both properties. We went to a presentation at the Hacienda del Mar and toured the property and left feeling like we had chosen wisely in coming to the Fiesta Americana Grand. This area is probably about 20 - 25 mile from the airport in the direction of Cabo San Lucas. This timeshare is our favorite of all of the high end timeshares we have stayed in over 10 years of timesharing in Mexico and Hawaii. This is our third time there since it opened. It is simply and understated, classy property with truly gorgeous, well kept up grounds, and spectacular expansive beach front of what is probably nearly 2000 feet with great snorkling right in front of the property. The existing timeshare units are all in the process of being updated. Another phase is being built. We visited an older model that had been upgraded, and it was lovely. The one bedroom we had was very spacious with a large jacuzzi, marble baths, flat screen TVs, very comfortable beds and pullout queen sized sofa/bed in the living area, a full kitchen, and a deck large enough for two lounge chairs. The two bedroom has a lockout studio ajoining which has a two burner stove, microwave and smaller frig. All have an ocean view. There is a dedicated pool and spectacular view hot tub/jacuzzi for timeshare owners who have full use of all facilties of the hotel users. There is also a state of the art gym without fee for timeshare users (fee for hotel guests). There are two infinity pools, one large one in the timeshare area for use just for timeshare users and another larger one for anyone. They are both beautiful with wonderful views of the Sea of Cortez. We could even see whales in migration from our room and from under the palapas, of which there were plenty, as well as well placed hammonks by the pools and several on the beach, along with rattan lounge chairs and even a sofa for lounging on the beach (great under the stars at night). There are two other very nice pools, one with a swim up bar but without the same degree of ocean views. The staff were all wonderful, very pleasant and helpful.

We enjoyed our meals at the open air restaurant called Peninsula, which wasn't as expensive as most of its type and the meals were excellent. It serves lunch and dinner. There is a more expensive Italian restaurant, called Rasato's, where we had a excellent meal a year ago, but didn't eat there this year. There is another restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have a fabulous breakfast buffet daily, but it is not inexpensive, over $20. Right next to the Peniinsula restaurant and just above the beach is a nightly fire in a firepit with nightly guitarist (romantic).

This resort is less known as the Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach but is just as nice. Here you have more access to the beach and involvement with it other than just to look at it on the Pacific side. Of all timeshares in Cabo, we feel the Fiesta Americana Grand and Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach are hands down the best for their quality, size of property per number of individuals on the property at any time. Some are nice, but with so much less space. We always felt like the place had few people there when they really had high occupancy. You never had difficulty finding a lounge chair on the beach or around the pools, unlike many places we have stayed. Ther are numbers of places with wi-fi access for those bringing their laptops.

Yes, the Fiesta Americana, like the Sunset Beach, is away from town, which for my wife and I is just what we want for a relaxing vacation. With a rental car, anywhere is easy access or you can ride a van from the hotel roundtrip for $10/person with set departure and pickup downtown times. We far prefer going to San Jose Del Cabo (more charming Mexico) of Cabo San Lucas (much more honky tonk). For those wanting to be nearer to town, there are many other lesser (to us) timeshares much closer to the "action" of Cabo San Lucas. We, however, much prefer the relaxation and tranquility the Fiesta American offers. However, the Costco, Sam's Club and Walmart are all right near each other in Cabo San Lucas. For an excellent meal, try Tropicana's in San Jose and sit in the main dining room inside of on the sidewalk. In Cabo San Lucas, for a very inexpensive seafood meal, we were lead to the Marisco Mazatlan which didn't disappoint for meals around $12. I had a scrumptous 2 pound (huge) red snapper grilled in garlic butter that was wonderful, the largest whole fish I think I have ever eaten, all for about $13.

Iin summary, if you are looking for a timeshare with lovely facilities (rooms, pools, beach, brounds and common areas), where it never seems overcrowded and is away from the hub bud of town, a wonderful place for relaxing and rejuvenation, this is the place. We hated coming home yesterday.

We have been to this resort three times and each time we have found the accomodations wonderful and the staff helpful. We loved it so much we purchased a 2 bedroom unit . Last year we couldn't go so I can only comment from before 2007. The staff were gracious and accomodating and they have been always very helpful recommending restaurants in and around Los Cabos as well as in San Jose. We eat lunch everyday by the pool and the food is always very good. If you go fishing and catch something they will prepare it the way you like. We have tried all the on site restaurants which are all good although we like to go out to dinner at some of the wonderful local restaurants. Los Cabos has more night life but San Jose has better restaurants. There are some world class golf courses that guests can use for a discounted fee. The pools are terrific and although several years ago there was a problem with the number of lounge chairs around Christmas time that was quickly remedied. There is also a fire pit where someone is often playing music, just a nice added touch. They also have a very powerful telescope with someone helping to point out the stars in the very clear sky. It's pretty amazing. The best part is that these units are on the property of the Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos and vacation club users can access all amenities of the hotel including the spa, gym, kids club and tennis. We like to stay in the lower building which is right above the water and we sleep listening to the waves crashing below. There is something for everyone in Los Cobos. I would highly recommend taking the ATV tour which is so much fun and also snorkling near the famous arch where the seals sun themselves while you snorkle. Also rent one of the glass bottom boats at the pier in Los Cabos. It is much cheaper then the tours and just as good.

We stayed in Dec. 05 in a villa at the far end and we thought we were in heaven. Wonderful place, can't say enough. Really want to go back! Food was great, Very clean rooms. Shower was to die for!

This was our third consecutive year in Los Cabos at the Fiesta Americana Grand during President’s Week. We fell in love with the area and property the first year and purchased into the Fiesta Americana Vacation Club.

The location is magnificent and the grounds are extremely well maintained. As an example of how clean they keep the grounds, I saw two maintenance workers spending ten minutes thoroughly cleaning and then polishing a single trash can. Time would be better spent inside the rooms, as unfortunately we’ve noticed the condition of the villas slipping a bit each time we’ve come. Though very spacious and handsomely decorated with a balcony looking out toward on of the lovely pools and ocean, the rooms are in need of work—the dining area table was extremely wobbly, the promised washer and dryer had been removed (though free laundry service was offered when we complained), the shower door had been replaced with a curtain, one of the bathroom doors was missing, etc. Friends staying in a nearby unit complained of tiny ants in the unit (a problem we had last year). Housekeeping was spotty at best. Aside from these relatively minor gripes, service is generally good, though not all employees speak English beyond the basics. Everyone tries very hard to please. The vacation club personnel can be aggressive, though surprisingly they pestered us (already vacation club members) and left alone our friends (who had not purchased into the vacation club).

The pools are great and pretty large. The beach is really not swimmable due to the large rock formations on the shoreline, but it’s great to relax on the uncrowded sand and look out onto the spectacular surroundings or have the fish literally eat out of your hand in the crystal clear water. The place never feels crowded, so there’s never a problem getting a good spot by the beach or pool.

The breakfast buffet at Vina del Mar is quite good and their signature restaurant, Rosario’s, has gourmet quality Italian food. Be sure to request outdoor seating.

Anther standout restaurant to visit is Morgan’s— about a 20 minute taxi ride away in San Jose del Cabo—but well worth the trip. We’ve eaten once during each visit at Esperanza, an exclusive hotel, whose restaurant has some of the most wonderful atmosphere of any I’ve ever been to. We go back pretty much for this impeccable atmosphere, as the food is only good not great and the prices are quite steep.

We played golf at the Cabo del Sol desert course for the second year in a row (Fiesta Americana guests get a reduced greens fee of $200.) The course is beautiful and in pristine condition, but very tough, especially for duffers like me. We also played at The Raven golf course about a 10 minute taxi ride away. It was a step down in terms of the facility, but the course was still nicer than most and somewhat easier to play than the desert course.

We’ll definitely be back to Cabo next year, but may end up seeking out different accommodations.