Why this is the WORST all inclusive resort in Mexico. (Cabo San Lucas Resorts 2023)

In my opinion, this is one of the worst Cabo San Lucas resorts out there. If you’re planning a vacation to Cabo San Lucas, I recommend avoiding this all inclusive resort called Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residences. We recently booked a 7 day all inclusive vacation package here based on the excellent reviews and relatively reasonable price (for Cabo) - but it was not at all what I expected. I’ve stayed at many all inclusive resorts throughout Mexico, and this property offered substandard service and amenities. In this video, I provide a tour of the entire resort here in Los Cabos, and let you in on where we were severely disappointed and why we would never stay here again.

If you’re planning to stay at an all inclusive resort for the first time, this resort does not provide the typical experience you should be expecting.

Throughout our stay we communicated numerous times with various staff and management and nothing was done to resolve our issues.

If you watch the whole video, I mention at the end who this resort might appeal to.

I was mostly disappointed because I’ve paid much, much less for superior resorts that offer more amenities and outstanding service.

Other Cabo Videos:

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:30 The Resort
1:27 Arrival & Check-in
2:22 Premium vs. Regular
2:54 Timeshare annoyances
3:10 Rooms
4: 20 Housekeeping
4:34 Early pool closures
4:56 Pools
6:26 Signing Issues
7:42 Room Service
8:28 Coffee Issues
9:01 Lack of Water
9:53 Restaurant Issues
10:52 The Food
13:46 Drinks
14:13 Getting Around
15:11 Amenities
16:36 Nightlife?

I also have a travel blog with more Cabo information - please read if you're interested!

//

MORE CABO TIPS:

16 Essential Cabo Travel Tips for a Better Vacation:

The Ultimate Cabo Packing List (Everything Fits in Your Carry On):

//

About me - Aly Smalls:
I'm the CFF (Chief Fun Finder) of my travel website - Like Where You're Going.

A former Tourism Development Officer who now makes fun and easy to follow travel itineraries for your next trip. Wherever your travels take you, I'll help make sure you like where you're going!

My free travel and destination guides focus on unique & fresh itineraries - showcasing Canada, USA, Mexico and a bit of Europe.

Facebook Page:

Instagram:

#mexico #cabosanlucas #loscabos #allinclusiveresort

//

Some of my videos contain affiliate links meaning I may make a small commission if you make a qualifying purchase. I only share products, services and experiences I use, love and trust. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

MUSIC:
I use Epidemic Sound for my music
Sign up for a free 30 day trial

Business inquiries:

[alysmalls]

In a nutshell: I’ve paid much, much less for superior resorts that offer more amenities with significantly better service. Thoughts? Have you ever experienced this?

[lolamae]

I would love to see a video of your top 5 favorite all inclusive resorts that you’ve stayed at, really impressed with your diligent review! Thank you!

[fidelpeterson]

Hands down the most objective, honest, and balanced reviews I've ever watched on youtube. Thank you for the fair and very informative review of everything you covered. GREAT JOB!!!

[aanonymous]

We just finished our week (5/26) there and could not have had a better time. We did experience a slow response from house keeping on one occasion, but that's it. From the looks of your room - you booked the lower tier room they offer and maybe the services are different at the room level, I don't know. We did get a free upgrade on our room to the luxury suite and didn't even ask for it. The room had a full fridge and stove with double bathroom sink, walk-in shower and separate tub. The only separate level of all inclusive we found were the drink packages. We booked and paid in full in advance and found no reason to select the upper tier drink package. All our drinks were on par with what we would normally drink here at home.

We were there with 10 other family members and only 2 of them reported they were approached by someone from their timeshare group nor did they try to sale us an upgraded drink package.
When we checked out 5/26 the only additional charges we had were for the one excursion we had planned on taking. All the staff were very polite and accommodating, we never passed anyone on the grounds that did not say hello or asked how we were doing or did we need anything. Even the carts would stop every time and ask if we needed a ride.

If you want them in your room every day, yes you have to pay, but we kept our room as tidy as at home and found no need to pay someone to make our beds, but they came in every day and restocked the fridge for us at no charge and made the beds, but we didnt pay extra. We spent some time at the adult only pool since it was real close to our room but not in the evening so cant speak on their closing time, but we had no issues otherwise.

We found signing the bill constantly a little weird, but we didn't sign every single time. Seems like some of the waiters or bar tenders just didn't push that policy for whatever reason. We were told the bill was only for inventory tracking which did seem weird and one waiter at the breakfast buffet told us, they get charged for the bill if we don't sign it. We never once signed for any towels....
So, if the staff get charged, which isn't right, no wonder they all but insist you wait.

We had no problem getting coffee in the mornings, especially their "mexican coffee" from the breakfast buffet on the hill "Los Marias" I think is the name.. We always had plenty of water in our fridge with coke, coke lite and beers. Not sure why you had an issue. The service wait times weren't bad except on one occasion we wondered what was taking so long, but then here he came..

The carts - if you just sit there and wait, you probably gonna wait til one comes by. You should have called 1509 (Think that the number we called). We called and they were right there by the time we got off the elevator. Walking was never an issue, granted you are either on that sidewalk leading to and from the gift shop but there is plenty of room for you to walk safely with the carts going by.

They have at least two fitness centers. The one you took your video in and one down the hill right past the volleyball court. We also went into cabo to their sister marina, which we booked in advance and never had an issue waiting. Not sure why you had such a hard time. Im really thrown off by your claim of no nightlife or evening nite cap. The little bar outside our room had something going on every night when it got dark, cant remember its name, the music helped me sleep...lol

In closing - your experience was totally opposite of ours. There were an occasional wait or slowness, signing for things seemed weird, but like i said, one waiter at the hill top buffet said they get charged if we dont sign. We had two family members that just spent time at a Sandals all inclusive resort earlier in the year and actually like this place better. Maybe over the last six months since your stay, they changed some things because we had almost zero issues our whole time there and the one issue. House keeping forgot to restock the TP and wash cloths. They were on our floor and I just asked and it was provided.

We've already started talking about going back... The WORST all inclusive resort in Mexico !! Seems a bit harsh, but either my expectations were low or yours were to high. Just Sayin !!!!

Our experience was not like yours...

[mdot]

Thank you SO MUCH for making this video! My former girlfriend was dying to go to this resort and I kept saying "no way Jose" cause of the exact issues you were talking about. The separate levels of "all inclusive" is such a joke, an obvious con job all the way! And the fact that the beach area is "rock city" was the definite nail for me! Even if the ocean is unswimmable, I still like looking out and seeing a nice flat beach with waves crashing the shore, not the Rocky Mountains! The early closing of the pools and restaurants also was a killer, and NO NIGHTLIFE whatsoever?? Hell to the NO!!

[vickiclarke]

Having 2 levels of "all" inclusive seems shady.

[retiredpg]

Excellent review. It gives people all they need to make an informed decision as to whether they want to go to that resort or not. My wife and I went to a resort in Mazatlan that had just converted to being all inclusive and we had to sign for everything. It was a major pain in the butt, and the resort wasn't busy. If it was busy like yours, it would be even more of a pain. Just about every con you listed we've experienced at one resort or another. That's why you have to carefully sift through all of a resort reviews before you book to give you the best chance of staying at a resort that you are going to be happy with.

[renezepeda]

Good thing I saw your video, I’m about to book a trip and I was considering this property based on the stars and reasonable pricing, but I’m just going to cross it off the list. Thank you

[kennyrichey]

Wow.. So sorry Aly. Yes you are right, Doesn't sound like any all inclusive I have been to either. Thanks for the great honest review!

[sabsmagee]

Thanks for the well edited and quality review. It gave a very thorough explanation of what's to expect. We are part of that "timeshare" group and its unfortunate that others are treated less than. I would hope they would just allow timeshare holders maybe a first come first serve but then open to the public, but that aside, there are some serious cons to this resort. Thanks for sharing your experience and including the good things too.

[armandocontreras]

Thanks for your review. What all inclusive resort in Cabo do you recommend?

[annidever]

I found this review very accurate. During my stay however I would note that the staff was mostly rude and after being told by the front desk to NOT keep cash on us, had a very hard time getting service if we didn’t leave a large tip after every item ordered. Actually had me in tears of frustration on the second day.

[clarencemarquez]

Ally, thank you for being so honest on your review. The continuous signing of a "receipt" for everything you receive is horrible!! What are they trying to "monitor" or "track, " possibly theft? I would NEVER stay at this resort. Keep up the great work. Thanks in advance.

[robertocal]

Thx for the detailed info on this resort…the signing for everything would drive me insane, what a waste of time!!

[lindadenton]

I've stayed there. I agree with all of your assessments. The service was below average. We had the premium all inclusive and ate at Mestizo a few times. The service at Mestizo was outstanding and the food was delicious but everywhere else was not up to a 4 star hotel.

[AlyssaErnstPhotos]

I purposely avoid all inclusive when I go to Cabo because there are SO many amazing places to eat off property. I would definitely not get my money's worth with an AI. Next time, rent a car and check out some local places. That being said I have experienced that kind of tiered resort where the color of your wrist band determines which pool you can swim in, what amenities you can use etc. This was in Playa del Carmen and it was so distasteful that we will never return. Who wants to feel like that on vacation!? Thanks for your review, I've always wondered about that place.

[TheBushDownTheStreet]

Is Rio Palace a good all on inclusive? Heading to Cabo with the family in April.

[ChampagneTaylor]

I’m trying to find a place in Cabo and every time I think I found something I read the reviews. It says most all inclusive are not actually and there’s tons of hidden fees. Help!

[mkpoptic]

Thank you for doing this review! We are spoiled after years staying at Iberostar resorts with attentive service and beautiful well planned hotels and grounds. So glad I found your channel as I’m considering Cabo or PV as an alternative destination to Riviera Maya.

[mamanothing]

The fact that this resort is practically empty kinda indicates that it sucks! Thanks for the video Aly! Blessings!