If I told you that I ordered a flaky croissant and an iced latte for breakfast, a taco sampler paired with chips and guacamole for lunch, sushi for dinner and a scoop of fried ice cream for dessert — and that I acquired all of these items within a half-mile radius of my home base — you might assume I live in a bustling pocket of Manhattan (or maybe that I have a diet problem, but that’s not the point).
Where else could one find such a smorgasbord of culinary options, all within walking distance?
Well, perhaps second to Manhattan, there’s also Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos, a 591-room all-inclusive resort located just 5-10 minutes from the city center of San Jose del Cabo, Mexico.
And if the French pastries, Mexican fare and Asian fusion found at the Coffee House, Baja Bar and Dozo restaurant don’t appeal to the taste buds, guests staying here can find an additional 13 restaurants, bars and lounges to choose from (But if they only order one thing, it should be the huevos rancheros at the beachfront La Hacienda restaurant).
Experience Asian fusion cuisine at on-site Dozo Restaurant.
Credit: 2022 Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos“This place is like its own city,” remarked my best friend, who was traveling with my partner and me for my 30th birthday celebration, a vacation that marked her introduction to the world of all-inclusive resorts and only our second reunion since the lockdowns and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
And indeed, she had a point — while we were initially disappointed that our off-property snorkeling excursion with a local DMC had been canceled due to strong currents, we weren’t at a loss for how to spend our time at the resort. With so many different pools, activities and services to choose from, we had the makings of a good day at our fingertips.
Who Stays at Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos?
The clientele staying at the property was diverse; during our stay, I observed groups of all sizes gathering for milestone celebrations (from birthdays and bachelorettes to a traditional Indian wedding) coupled with families who towed around children at every stage of life. There were also newlyweds, retired couples who reliably claimed the same two pool loungers each day, and the Hyatt Globalists (an elite loyalty status) who set up shop in rented pool cabanas and Club Level accommodations.
I found this mix of guests to be unsurprising given the trend toward milestone and reunion travel that has emerged in the wake of the pandemic. According to data released earlier this year from Virtuoso, 78% of Virtuoso travel advisors have seen an uptick in “celebration travel,” and 95% believe this will be a top trend throughout 2022. The same study shows that birthdays and anniversaries are the leading motivators to travel, and Mexico snagged one of the top two spots for family travel and multigenerational groups, along with the Caribbean.
The open-air lobby at Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos
Credit: 2022 Hyatt Ziva Los CabosFive-Star Service From Staff
And although the hospitality industry has been plagued by labor shortages and staffing issues as of late, the service at Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos was a true standout of our stay. Managed by Playa Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Ziva teaches its staff to live by the mantra “With Service From the Heart,” a mindset that was physically manifested by crew members placing their hands over their hearts when greeting a guest. No request was too small for this team, and we often felt like VIPs (especially when our minibar was re-stocked with extras of our favorite items, or when we received special birthday serenades each night at dinner).
The hotel structure itself, a former Barcelo Group property that reopened under Playa’s management in 2015, could use a bit of a cosmetic facelift, and has some standard maintenance scheduled for the next year, according to one staff member.
A Pool-View Master Double Guestroom at Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos
Credit: 2022 Hyatt Ziva Los CabosAlthough updates are needed, we were still content with our Oceanview Master Double guestroom, which served views of the main pool and the coastline and featured two comfortable full-size beds, a pull-out sofa and a private balcony. (Other notable room categories include 34 swim-up suites; Ziva Suites with two full bathrooms, best suited for families; and the 2,106-square-foot Presidential Suite.)
But, admittedly, we didn’t spend too much time in our room. Why would we, when a city of splendors awaited us just outside the door?
