Indulgent Service Meets Abundant Amenities
I found the staff at Casa Dorada, many of which entirely fluent in English, to be extremely eager to respond to each guest's request and to make educated recommendations regarding activities both on and off the property. The concierge desk is more than happy to arrange any type of on or off-site activity, from spa reservations, horseback riding, dolphin swims, and the zip line at nearby Wild Canyon Adventures to dinner reservations. Of course, the concierge is more than happy to arrange tee times on your behalf wherever you would like to play, including such legendary golf courses as Cabo Real, Club Campestre San Jose, or the original Puerto Los Cabos. Serial shoppers in the family will love that the Puerto Paraíso Plaza -- also known as "Luxury Avenue" -- are well within walking distance, although the concierge is more than happy to arrange private vehicle transport, a taxi or a bicycle pedicab to get you there.

Outside of the regular concierge desk, there is also a pool concierge staff to assist with related amenities, such as doling out large, freshly laundered sunbathing towels, volley balls, ping pong supplies, and sun block. The pool area, itself, is an aquatic paradise. Two extremely large lagoon-style pools, a large Jacuzzi, and a separate kid's pool with fun fountain spouts are surrounded by all weather wicker furniture of various shapes and sizes, including cabana style day beds with linen shade drapes and large circular day beds with pillows. A crowd favorite at the pool is Okianus -- the swim-up bar and restaurant from which you can order a cool beverage (or three) and a hot lunch, including both Mexican and American fare from quesadillas and ceviche to hamburgers and hot dogs -- and much in between. The pool bar also boasts a sizeable flat screen TV, with soccer among the more popular programming. Okianus also has an outdoor café where you can enjoy your lunch sans bathing suit, or patrons may order food and beverage from the comfort of their pool-side lounge chair or cabana.

Also at the pool area is a kiosk of sorts where guests may purchase gorgeous hand-made jewelry and pottery, hats, purses and other locally-made artisan items. A station is also set up where patrons may have fun painting their own ceramics as a keepsake starting at just $5, or have their hair braided in corn rows a la Bo Derick in the movie "10." The full head of braids with beads -- for long hair like my daughter's -- cost a reasonable $25. Just the crown of the head costs even less.

Service on the pool deck is exceptional, with staff members regularly checking to ensure all of your needs are being met and that your thirst is duly quenched. A three-man mariachi band plays intermittently and, throughout the day, various amenities -- many offering a reprieve from the heat -- are offered from roving serving carts, including ice cold towelettes and ice cream in multiple flavors like pina colada and mango. A pool-side ping pong tournament was also arranged by the staff, with the grand prize a massage at the on-site spa. Come evening, fire pits around the pool deck and twinkling lights within the pools provide a warm and inviting ambiance.

Down a short flight of steps from the pool deck is Casa Dorada's private Beach Club, which also offers exceptional ocean-side service mere feet from Cabo's most swimmable shore. Comfortable sling back beach loungers with large umbrellas and cushioned, fabric-draped day beds are available, as is food and beverage service. Yet another beach-based concierge desk is available to book water sports and other fun activities, like wave runners, glass bottom boat tours, snorkeling and scuba diving, parasailing, deep sea fishing, kayaking and the like.

Although Casa Dorada is extremely family friendly, adult entertainment also abounds at B Lounge, the property's ultra-stylish bar and lounge that's a fantastic gathering spot for music, ocean views, bar snacks, a glass of wine, or a colorful tropical cocktail. A local stand-out among Cabo's multitude of drinking establishments, B Lounge uniquely offers a wide selection of international beers by the bottle or on tap enjoyed amid "chill out music" and occasional DJ performances.

If you have the kids and tow and would like some adult-time at B Lounge or anywhere else on the property, Casa Kid'z Playzone - Casa Dorada's on-site kid's club -- is available to keep the little one's entertained. The kids will be thrilled to learn the brightly painted center, open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, has an X-Box, a Wii and plenty of art's and craft's supplies. The activity schedule at Casa Kid'z is jam-packed with stimulating fun, including treasure hunts, sandcastle building, and sports activities. The playroom itself is packed with toys, puzzles and games to keep kids occupied, and the club is staffed with an attentive group of caregivers. Should you want to leave the property for some adult time elsewhere, private babysitters are available for hire through the concierge - $15 per hour for one child or $20 per hour for two or more. Stay out past 11 p.m. and you'll also need to cover her dinner and taxi fare home.