The Cape Cabo Review: Is This Hyatt Hotel Worth It?

Quick Verdict

The Cape, a Thompson Hotel is one of my favorite under-the-radar World of Hyatt properties and one of the few hotels from this trip that I’d happily revisit. Every hotel room faces the ocean, Monuments surf break is directly below the property, and El Arco is visible from many rooms and public spaces. Dark wood, concrete, leather, surf photography, and open-air common areas give the property a look I can immediately associate with The Cape.

I’d book The Cape for a couples trip, a surf trip, or a Hyatt redemption built around the ocean view. I’d choose another hotel if I needed reliably calm water for swimming, restaurants within walking distance, low food costs, or a quiet pool every weekend. The waves can be loud, and the main pool and rooftop can get energetic.

Around $500, I’d compare the flexible cash rate with a VIP rate that includes breakfast and a property credit. Near $1,000, I’d check World of Hyatt awards first. Award pricing and preferred-partner benefits can change, so compare the live options for your dates.

Who Should Stay Here?

I’d put The Cape near the top of the list for a couples trip where the plan is to relax by the pool, eat on property, and spend a lot of time enjoying the ocean view. The hotel feels social without being enormous, and the Thompson Suite works especially well for two people because the balcony, swinging daybed, tub, and open bathroom design all lean toward a couples stay.

Surfers are an obvious fit. Monuments is directly in front of the hotel, and we watched people surf throughout the day from our balcony. You can hear the waves day and night, which I loved, but light sleepers who dislike constant ocean noise may feel differently.

World of Hyatt members should also look closely, especially when cash rates spike or when a Suite Upgrade Award can confirm a Thompson Suite. Even the temporary room we used before our suite was ready had a large balcony, ocean view, and comfortable outdoor seating. We didn’t confirm its exact category, but the room showed that the property’s signature scenery isn’t limited to the Thompson Suite.

I’d skip The Cape for a young family that wants a kids club, reliably calm swimming water, and a long list of child-focused activities. Families can stay here, but the small beach, strong surf, adult social atmosphere, and limited dedicated family infrastructure make other Cabo resorts easier. I’d also look elsewhere if you want to walk to restaurants and nightlife.

Location and Transportation

The Cape sits on Monuments Beach, roughly 25 miles from Los Cabos International Airport. Our ride took around 40–50 minutes, depending on traffic. Downtown Cabo San Lucas and the marina were about 10–15 minutes away by car.

During our trip, the hotel transfer was quoted at $154 per vehicle for up to five passengers. Private transfers were closer to $85. UberX from the airport ran about $40–$50, while Uber Black was around $70–$80. Treat those as examples from our stay rather than fixed prices.

Uber pickup at SJD required going upstairs to the departures level near door 1. The easiest route was to stay inside the terminal and take the escalator up. We went outside too early and had to loop back, which added unnecessary walking with our luggage.

Once you arrive, there’s very little within walking distance. Expect to use Uber or taxis whenever you leave the hotel. I didn’t mind staying on property because the views, pools, restaurants, spa, gym, and rooftop covered most of what we wanted from this trip.

The beach is the larger tradeoff. The waves and currents were strong, and I would use the pools for swimming. Experienced surfers may see direct access to Monuments as a benefit; everyone else can enjoy the action from a safe distance.

How We Booked and What It Cost

We used a World of Hyatt Suite Upgrade Award to confirm a Thompson Suite. The upgrade added a separate living room, guest bathroom, walk-in closet, and substantially more interior and outdoor space.

Cash rates in the hotter, more humid July-to-September period were often around $500 during the stay era. High-season pricing could move above $1,000, including an example near $1,100. Award nights in the examples we discussed were roughly 25,000–30,000 points. A $1,100 room at 30,000 points works out to about 3.7 cents per point, while a $500 room at 25,000–30,000 points lands around 1.7–2.0 cents per point before considering taxes and fees.

Those are historical examples from this stay, not current pricing. I’d compare the all-in refundable cash rate with the live award price, cancellation rules, and included benefits for the same room and dates.

Arrival and Check-In

Security confirmed that we were guests at the entrance, and the welcome team greeted us with a drink at check-in. Our Thompson Suite wasn’t ready because we arrived early and needed to take a few meetings. The team gave us a temporary room so we could work in private.

We didn’t have to take meetings in the lobby. The temporary room also had a huge ocean-facing balcony and a comfortable swing, although we didn’t confirm its exact category.

Thompson Suite

Our Thompson Suite was room 410. The suite had a separate bedroom and living room, a guest powder room, a walk-in closet, multiple seating areas, and an oversized balcony overlooking the ocean, surfers, and both pools.

Balcony and View

The balcony was my favorite part of the suite. The swinging daybed was comfortable enough for two people, and there were additional chairs, a table, and binoculars for watching surfers, birds, or whales. The balcony had enough room that we could choose sun or shade at different points in the day without feeling crowded.

All hotel rooms face the ocean, so the suite isn’t required to get a great view. The upgrade buys much more living space and a better balcony setup rather than access to a view that standard rooms miss.

Bedroom, Living Room, and Workspace

The bedroom had a low, very soft bed, a ceiling fan, a TV, and warm wood details. Lighting was atmospheric and became fairly dim at night. I liked the mood, but I would have preferred a brighter option when packing or trying to work.

The living room roughly doubled the usable interior space. The sofa was comfortable enough for a nap, though it wasn’t a pullout. One workspace had an outlet in a convenient spot. Another table had a better view but no easy plug, which made it less useful for a laptop.

Storage was excellent. The walk-in closet had plenty of hangers and drawers, and the room had enough space for two large suitcases without leaving everything out.

Bathroom

The main bathroom had two sinks, large mirrors, a tub with bath salts and candles, and a shower with multiple heads. Water pressure was strong, and the water became hot after a short warm-up. The tub was comfortable for one person but a little tight around the shoulders.

Privacy is limited because the bathroom and tub are visually open to the bedroom. It works for couples. Friends sharing the room should look at the layout before booking.

Bowmakers supplied the shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion. The industrial mirrors and darker materials gave the bathroom more character than the typical beige resort design, although the toilet room itself felt bare.

Minibar and Welcome Amenities

The welcome gifts included tequila made for The Cape, keepsake shot glasses, and chile candies. The room also had an espresso machine, but the suite allowance was four capsules per day. Additional capsules were listed at $3 each, plus tax and tip. Two bottled waters were supplied, and the gym had a refill station.

Minibar pricing was aggressive during our stay: Gatorade was $8, Coke was $7, Red Bull was $9, popcorn was $19, and gummy bears were $28. A convenience shop downstairs had better prices. I’d use that or pick up snacks before arriving.

Sleep Quality

The bed felt like a cloud, and I fell asleep quickly. Anyone who likes a soft mattress will probably be happy. If you need a firm bed, this may be too soft.

The room had effective air conditioning and a ceiling fan. The ocean is loud enough to hear throughout the night. I found the waves relaxing, but they aren’t subtle background noise. The rooftop, weddings, and weekend programming may add more noise depending on your dates and room location.

Pools, Beach, Gym, Spa, and Rooftop

The Cape has two pools with very different uses. The main infinity pool faces Monuments Beach and El Arco, with Point Break serving food and drinks beside it. It can become more social on weekends when DJs are scheduled. Shade was limited, so chairs with cover can be valuable during the hotter months.

The smaller saltwater pool is built into the rocks and feels more removed from the main pool. I’d go there for a quieter afternoon. Having both options helped because the hotel could offer some energy without forcing every guest into the same atmosphere.

Monuments Beach is small and the surf can be aggressive. I would watch the surfers from the property and swim in the pools instead. The constant view and sound of the waves are a big part of the stay, even if the beach isn’t useful for a casual ocean swim.

The gym was much better equipped than the average hotel fitness room. It had Woodway treadmills, Peloton bikes, rowers, ellipticals, a stair machine, strength equipment, kettlebells, medicine balls, free weights up to 36 kilograms, loaner spin shoes, and an ocean view. There was enough equipment for a proper workout rather than a short hotel-gym session.

Currents Spa is integrated into the natural rock below the hotel. Facilities included a steam room, sauna, hot and cold plunges, treatment rooms, and outdoor treatment cabanas where guests could hear the ocean. We saw power yoga and shorter massage options posted during our visit, but classes, prices, and access can change.

The sixth-floor rooftop has two bars, sunken seating, fire pits, water features, and views toward downtown Cabo, the ocean, and El Arco. Sunset brings live music, and DJs can take over later. It’s a great place for a drink if you want nightlife without leaving the hotel. Guests who go to bed early should check the event schedule.

Food and Beverage

Our best orders were Manta’s grilled octopus, The Ledge’s catch of the day, and Sunken Bar’s ribeye costra. I’d skip Manta’s mushroom dumplings and ribeye, while The Ledge’s risotto needed more seafood for the price. For breakfast, I’d choose The Ledge over Sunken Bar because The Ledge had the larger buffet setup.

Sunken Bar

Sunken Bar is by Manta, so if you're looking for a quick quality bite without sitting through a formal dinner, this is a good choice.

The tempura fish tacos came with a large piece of crunchy fish and Asian-influenced flavors. They were interesting, but I preferred a more traditional fish taco profile. Adding salsa helped.

The ribeye costra was better. The charred beef and crisp cheese added texture, and the spicy salsa worked well with it. The seafood aguachile was also good: citrusy, spicy, fresh, and filled with tender shrimp and octopus.

The Ledge

The catch of the day was my favorite dish from our first two meals. The fish was slightly overdone, but the sweet potato puree, vegetables, pumpkin seeds, and seasoning made the plate work. I’d order it again.

The risotto tasted good but came with only four small shrimp and felt light for the price. I’d order the chicken or another seafood dish instead. The whole-grain sourdough and the octopus tostada served at the start were both excellent.

Breakfast at The Ledge combined a buffet with a cooked entrée. The buffet included fruit, yogurt, chia pudding, salads, honeycomb, pastries, juices, and cereal. The standard and almond croissants were the best pastries we tried. Fruit quality varied, with the pineapple performing much better than the honeydew.

For a cooked dish, the black-mole chicken enchiladas had a sauce that became better after a few bites, with bitter, spicy, and slightly sweet notes. The egg burrito was dependable, while Mandy’s poached eggs with labneh, vegetables, rye bread, and chile oil were more distinctive. I preferred The Ledge over breakfast at Sunken Bar because The Ledge offered the buffet and a broader selection.

Manta

Manta is the signature restaurant and mixes Mexican, Peruvian, and Japanese Pacific-coast influences. The grilled octopus was the best savory item we ordered there. It was thick cut, tender, smoky, and much better once combined with the sauces.

The sea urchin pâté was generous and tasted more like creamy corn than the uni flavor I expected. It was interesting enough to try. I’d skip the mushroom dumplings; the broth was good, but the dumplings weren’t memorable. I’d also pass on the ribeye. It was cooked correctly, but the meat lacked the marbling needed for that preparation. Get the octopus or fish instead.

Globalist and VIP Booking Benefits

Globalist status covered breakfast at The Ledge, which saved us from paying resort prices for two people each morning. During our visit, breakfast included both the buffet and a cooked entrée. We also received complimentary prosecco with a birthday dessert at Manta.

The exact breakfast coverage, upgrade handling, and late-checkout treatment can vary over time. Resorts can also handle late checkout differently from standard hotels. Review the current benefits before arrival rather than assuming every stay will match ours.

For paid stays, a Virtuoso-style VIP rate can make sense when it closely matches the best flexible rate. During the stay era, available benefits could include daily breakfast for two, a $100 property credit per stay, and a space-available upgrade. I wouldn’t pay a large premium just to trigger a $100 credit, but breakfast for two at a resort can materially reduce the daily bill.

If you're looking to earn more flexible points that transfer 1:1 to Hyatt, The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of our favorite travel cards.

Service

Service was consistently friendly, with one especially useful response: when our suite was not ready, the team provided a temporary room so we could take scheduled meetings. Turndown refreshed the bath setup, and early-morning staff maintained the exposed public areas before most guests were awake. I did not encounter a major service failure; my complaints about coffee capsules, bottled water, and minibar prices were hotel policies rather than staff problems.

Value

Around $500 in the hotter low season, I’d consider cash if a VIP rate adds breakfast and a property credit without raising the price much. I’d still budget for resort meals, drinks, and transportation into town.

Above $1,000 per night, I’d have a difficult time paying cash unless the dates were especially important. The room and pools are excellent, but the rough surf we experienced, isolated location, expensive minibar items, and possible weekend noise become harder to overlook at that rate.

Points were attractive in our historical examples, particularly when a room near $1,100 priced at 30,000 points. Compare the current live rate for your dates. A Suite Upgrade Award can improve the stay if the Thompson Suite is confirmable and you’ll use the extra living space.

What We Liked and What We Didn't

What We Liked

• Every hotel room faces the ocean.
• The Thompson Suite balcony was huge and genuinely useful.
• Both pools had excellent views and different atmospheres.
• The property design had personality without sacrificing comfort.
• The gym supported a full workout.
• Breakfast at The Ledge was generous during our stay.
• Staff handled our early arrival and meetings well.
• Monuments surf break provided constant action below the hotel.

What We Didn't Like

• The beach wasn’t suitable for casual swimming during our visit.
• There was little within walking distance.
• Food, snacks, and minibar items were relatively expensive.
• Extra espresso capsules cost $3 each, plus tax and tip.
• The main pool and rooftop may be noisy on active weekends.
• Bathroom privacy works better for couples than friends.
• Some room lighting and workspace outlet placement could be better.

Final Verdict

Yes, I’d stay at The Cape again. I’d return for the ocean-facing balcony, Monuments surf break, and compact layout that let us enjoy the pools, restaurants, gym, and rooftop without crossing a massive resort. The Thompson Suite also gave us enough space to relax and work.

I’d book midweek if I wanted a calmer trip and would avoid paying a four-figure cash rate unless other Cabo options were equally expensive. For couples, surfers, and Hyatt members who are happy using the pools instead of the ocean, The Cape is easy to recommend.

Best Way to Book

Start by comparing three live prices for the same dates and cancellation terms:

1. The direct Hyatt cash rate.
2. The World of Hyatt award rate.
3. A Virtuoso-style VIP cash rate through Cardonomics or another eligible advisor.

If the cash rate is near the lower end and the VIP rate is similar, breakfast for two, a property credit, and a possible upgrade can make the VIP booking more attractive. Read the current rate terms before booking because benefits and eligible room categories may change.

When cash rates climb, check points before paying. Compare the cents-per-point result with how you normally use World of Hyatt points rather than relying on our stay-era award examples. If you have a Suite Upgrade Award and the Thompson Suite is available, confirming the extra space can be a very good use of it.

My cutoff is simple: I’d consider cash around $500 when breakfast and a property credit are included, but I’d look for Hyatt awards when rates approach $1,000.