Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residences
Hacienda Encantada sits high on the cliffs of the Cabo San Lucas Tourist Corridor, about 7 km from downtown, looking out over the Sea of Cortez toward Land's End. It is an all-suite hacienda-style resort run by Mexico Grand Hotels, and the selling points are the view, the traditional Mexican architecture and a dining plan that reaches beyond the property. Travelers who choose it tend to be avoiding the big-box all-inclusive formula, and they usually find what they came for.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Perched high on the cliffs at km 7.3 of the Tourist Corridor with sweeping views over the Sea of Cortez toward Land's End, and the infinity pools are where that view is best
- +Traditional Mexican hacienda architecture gives it a look and feel nothing like the big international chain properties along the Corridor
- +The all-inclusive plan travels: it covers the on-site restaurants plus select downtown spots in the Cabo San Lucas Marina Golden Zone, including Baja Lobster Co., Los Deseos, Jack's Steakhouse and Presto
- +Close to town: downtown Cabo San Lucas is about 7 km, a 10 to 15 minute drive, and the resort shuttle to sister property Marina Fiesta runs every two hours and is free on the all-inclusive plan
- +Suites come with a kitchenette or full kitchen and most have a whirlpool tub, and some Encanto Studios and villas add a private plunge pool, which suits families and longer stays
- +Staff are consistently praised for personal service and remembering names, the kind of warmth the boutique scale makes possible
- +Three outdoor pools, a hot tub and the Ático rooftop pool bar, plus a kids club with a water playground for families
- +Lola Mia deli and coffee shop is open 24 hours, and Il Forno serves wood-fired pizza until 11pm, so late arrivals are not stuck without food
Cons
- −The resort's own beach is rocky and, by the resort's own description, not good for swimming; for sea swimming you head to Medano Beach by shuttle or taxi
- −Lobster and premium steaks carry an extra charge on the all-inclusive plan, both on site and at the downtown partner restaurants
- −The two all-inclusive tiers differ only on room service: Regular gets 40% off plus a 15% delivery fee, Premium includes it but still adds the 15% fee
- −Evenings are quiet: most restaurants and the Cantomar lobby bar wrap up around 10pm, and anyone wanting real nightlife goes into Cabo San Lucas
- −Rooms vary a lot by building, and traveler forums single out the older blocks as well worn, so ask which building you are booked in
- −The shuttle to town runs only every two hours (8:30am to 10:30pm) and costs $5 per person per ride if you are on the European Plan
- −Some units belong to the residences program, so finishes and upkeep can differ from one villa to the next
The all-inclusive plan, which the resort calls Dine Out Privileges, is optional; you can also book room only on the European Plan. On the plan you eat a la carte at the on-site venues, among them Las Marias, La Trajinera, Los Riscos, Barolo, Il Forno and the El Eden tequila and taco bar, and at select restaurants in the Marina Golden Zone downtown, with the shuttle to sister resort Marina Fiesta included. Lobster and premium steaks cost extra, and the only difference between the Regular and Premium tiers is room service. Suites run from Encanto Studios through Hacienda Suites to multi-bedroom villas and residences, all with a kitchenette or full kitchen, and some with plunge pools. There are three outdoor pools and a hot tub, the Milagro Wellness Spa with temazcal sessions, a sport zone with tennis, basketball and volleyball, and a putting green. The beach below is rocky and not good for swimming, so this is a pool-and-view resort.
It suits couples and families who want space, a kitchen and a view, and foodies who like the idea of eating downtown without paying for it twice. It is a calmer, more residential choice than the Corridor's large chain all-inclusives, and the nearness to Cabo San Lucas makes whale watching, marina boat trips and evenings out in town easy. Guests who want a swimmable sandy beach on the doorstep or a nightlife program on site should look elsewhere.
Common Questions
What does the all-inclusive plan at Hacienda Encantada include?
Can you swim at the beach at Hacienda Encantada?
Is there anything to do at night?
How far is Hacienda Encantada from the airport and from town?
Is Hacienda Encantada good for families?
Is Hacienda Encantada good for a honeymoon?
Restaurants (9)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Mexican | Las Marias, La Trajinera, Los Deseos (at Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa) |
| Italian | Barolo, Il Forno, Presto (at Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa) |
| Steakhouse | Los Riscos, Jack's Steakhouse (at Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa) |
| Seafood | Baja Lobster Co. (at Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa) |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
What's nearby
Medano Beach20 min drive · 6.9 mi
Palmilla Golf Club25 min drive · 13 mi
Santa Maria Beach20 min drive · 4.5 mi
20 min drive · 8.1 mi
Cabo San Lucas Natural History Museum20 min drive · 8.2 mi
Marina Cabo San Lucas20 min drive · 8.1 mi
More things to do (24)
- Chileno Beach · beach12 min drive · 5.4 mi
- Monuments Beach · beach20 min drive · 5.5 mi
- Playa del Estero · beach35 min drive · 18 mi
- Sunset catamaran cruise · excursion20 min drive · 8.1 mi
- Snorkel cruise to Santa Maria Bay · excursion20 min drive · 8.1 mi
- Cabo del Sol Golf · golf10 min drive · 3.0 mi
- Glass-bottom boat to El Arco and Lover's Beach · excursion20 min drive · 8.1 mi
- Snorkeling at Pelican Rock · excursion20 min drive · 8.1 mi
- Sportfishing charter · excursion20 min drive · 8.1 mi
- Iglesia de San Lucas · historic site20 min drive · 8.3 mi
- Cabo San Lucas · town20 min drive · 8.6 mi
- Cabo Real Golf Club · golf20 min drive · 9.6 mi
- Cabo Dolphins · adventure park20 min drive · 8.7 mi
- Acapulquito Beach · beach25 min drive · 13 mi
- Costa Azul Beach · beach25 min drive · 14 mi
- Palmilla Beach · beach25 min drive · 13 mi
- Club Campestre San José · golf25 min drive · 16 mi
- San José del Cabo · town25 min drive · 16 mi
- San José Estuary · nature25 min drive · 16 mi
- Misión San José del Cabo · historic site30 min drive · 17 mi
- Cerro de las Chivas · viewpoint30 min drive · 17 mi
- Sea turtle release, San José del Cabo (July to December) · wildlife30 min drive · 17 mi
- Quivira Golf Club · golf30 min drive · 12 mi
- Wirikuta Desert Botanical Garden · nature30 min drive · 17 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Seaweed & sargassum
Cabo San Lucas is not a sargassum destination.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.5 · 3,347 reviews
“Beautiful property with a wonderful staff. Breakfest and lunch were consistently good. Our dinners were not. Avoid the Italian restaurant as the food was not great. Never seen Tetamisu like that. Lol Prices are very high here so consider the all i...”
“Had a great time here with our 19 month old. Very kid friendly. Great kids area and play area an so much for him to run around and do with playgrounds all over the resort. Staff were very friendly and any concerns we had were fixed!! We did the all i...”
“We just returned from a wonderful stay at Hacienda Encantada in Cabo. This was probably at least our 10th stay at this property. The views and pools are fantastic. The service is very good. We did enjoy exceptional service from Jazziel at Il Forn...”
