For the past 8 years, I've been going to One and Only Palmilla for an annual girls spa getaway and was a die hard fan. Even Las Ventanas, although beautiful, was less impressive to me the one weekend I stayed there. However, after seeing images of Capella Pedregal and reading trip advisor reviews, I thought I'd give it a try and stayed our last night there after 2 days at O & O. I am so glad we did! And I thought it might be helpful for those of you considering between the two resorts, what the real differences are.

ENTRANCE/LOBBY/CHECK IN: O & O has gorgeous, lush foliage and has an impressive, long drive up with a romantic, intimate feeling. The lobby is small and inside covered rooms, the service is warm and friendly. They got us to our rooms fairly quickly although it took quite a while to get our bags delivered. At CP the drive up was lovely, although the landscape has much more of a "desert" , sparse, feeling...but once inside, the lobby is beautiful and expansive and is open to the Ocean, which is lovely. We were greeted warmly, and with margaritas freshly made to our liking. We were also quickly taken to our rooms, as if we were the only guests they were expecting the entire day!

ROOMS: This is where I think CP has it over Palmilla. Comparing "standard" rooms, CP has the "new" factor, in addition, O & O's standard rooms come with either a bath or shower, whereas CP has both! CP also has a fireplace (nice touch), nespresso coffee maker, frig stocked with complimentary sodas and sparkling water, and the best part, sliding doors that open all the way onto a terrace with a mini pool and ample seating. This made the room feel like it was an extension of the outside and you were practically on top of the Ocean, which was wonderful. We found ourselves on the terrace enjoying the pool and just gazing out at the water for hours...snacking on the complimentary guacamole, tequilla and corona beers they brought in the late afternoon, whereas, when O & O did a similar touch (guacamole and mojitos in the late afternoon as a complimentary gesture), we ate and drank inside our room, spending much less time out of the balcony. Rather, preferring to walk the property and beach.

GROUNDS: O & O has this over CP, as it's truly paradise and so romantic...especially at night. However, there are only 2 pools compared to CP which has 5. Both succeed in making you feel like you have privacy however, as they're spread out. Also, I liked the beach better at CP, not so rocky and you were able to swim in the water, unlike O & O.

SPA: CP definitely has this over O & O. The salt pool, the lounge area, the steam, sauna, ice room and jacuzzi, were all much larger and dimly lit (versus O & O) and we felt like the only ones there, whereas at O & O we felt much more "crowded" and left immediately after our service unlike CP. Also at CP, when they came and got us four out treatment, they proceeded to take us into this beautiful room where they gave us an incredible foot rub and foot massage before our actual massage began. Then they led us to our rooms overlooking the water, where I had the most heavenly massage.At O & O, the massages, although lovely, felt much more "mechanical" and like they were a bit on auto pilot.

RESTAURANTS: O & O has the dinner department hands down over CP. I thought CP's El Farralon was lovely, and the service was incredible, but the food just so so. O & O's restaurants are all wonderful...albeit pricey and I've never had a bad meal. Don Manuel at CP was the one bright note, as their breakfast was fantastic and an impressive spread.

Overall, you can't go wrong at either resort. I think they're the best places to stay in the San Jose/Cabo San Lucas area if luxury is your desire. Nexy year, I plan to do BOTH again, so I don't have to decide, as that would be tough. For those of you that DO have to pick one, I'd go with O & O for a honeymoon or romantic getaway, especially if money is no issue, and CP if $ is a consideration, since their standard rooms are nicer than O & O's pricier rooms, and their food and spa is also cheaper than O & O's. CP is also better for a girls getaway or relaxing trip with a significant other (expecially with kids) if you want to get out and see the town of Cabo as it's walking distance...something requiring a $35 taxi ride from O & O. Hope this helps!!

We just got back from Cabo, and stayed at Capella by recommendation of a friend of ours. We were picked up at the airport in a Mercedes with dried fruit and water waiting for us! We got to the property and the staff was waiting for us with margaritas and smiles! It is the most breath taking property I have been too. We are very particular of hotels and usually only stay at the Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton, and this doesn't even compare to some of those properties!
The staff was amazing, I couldn't believe it! They treated us like royalty every single second of every single day! Our room was incredible, overlooking the ocean, and we saw whales every day almost every hour!
The food is outstanding at all of the restaurants, but El Farallon was an experience I will never forget! It was so amazingly beautiful, the service was outstanding, the food terrific and the ambiance is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to in the world! I even saw a shooting star, like it was out of a movie! I get teary thinking of it... It is a MUST if you stay there!
The pools are so clean, really warm and have the great service! I don't have one complaint about this resort which is rare for me, because I am very high maintenance when it comes to resorts!
It is worth every penny and I can't wait to go back! You will never experience anything better in Cabo compared to staying at Capella!

This resort is fabulous! Kind of difficult to find at first (since we had never been to Cabo before) but easy once we learned the way. This place is first rate! Grand opening was 2009. The entrance is so interesting because you drive through a mountain which they have hung chandeliers the whole way thru it...it took them 2 yrs. to do this. Night time is the most impressive- candle lit thru out entire resort. Let me get to the rooms!- From the time you enter you are thoroughly impressed...The doors are spectacular; massive huge heavy doors- they even sell them in the boutique! Fireplace and bathroom to die for. Most all the rooms have their own infinity edge pools; ours being one of them- they are slightly heated so temp. is just right- situated on a large patio with 2 sofas and coffee table. Everyday they bring you fresh guacamole, salsa and chips with 2 beers to your room and leave it for you to find when you return...so good! We there for 10 days so we ate in every restaurant and ALWAYS had a good meal. We had multiple spa treatments and enjoyed everyone. The pools are gorgeous! ....We were here in Jan. so we saw whale breeching out of the water everyday! They come and do this every Jan. and Feb. we were told...unbelievable experience! We had a house in the Caribbean for years and never saw a whale and this trip to Cabo was exceptional for seeing them....ALL the people working here are SOOO nice and sincerely want to help and please you.
We made dinner reservations at several outstanding resorts so we could "have our name on the list" to get past the gates and see what other places looked like. We even saw some rooms at "The One & Only" resort and still liked our better...Now I would recommend everyone to do this because you get to see other places and the restaurants are so fabulous.
We can't wait to return!

I have stayed at many lovely resorts but this was one of the best! The property is immaculate and designed in a Mexican mission style in a desert setting right on the ocean! All of the rooms have private plunge pools where I had my morning coffee every day. The food in the restaurants was creative and prepared to perfection. The service was outstanding and the spa was one of the best I've experienced. I highly recommend this beautiful Mexican escape!