The Property

The Kapama Private Game Reserve is massive – approximately 15,000 hectares or 130 sq. kilometers. This is roughly the size of New York. After a week-long stay, you would still need more time to visit the entire reserve. It is a private reserve – meaning you will not see other safari lodges or their vehicles on the property. Once we entered the game reserve, it took 30 minutes to travel from the airport to Kapama Karula. We saw many animals along the way – hippos, zebras, impalas, birds, and giraffes. Apply sunblock and insect repellant before leaving the airport, as guests will be transported in an open vehicle to the lodge. Once we arrived, the staff greeted us with cool towels and refreshing drinks. Kapama Karula has a fitness center and spa on the property. Guests from the other Kapama safari lodges within the private reserve have access to these facilities, so reservations are recommended.

Superior Suite

After check-in, we were escorted to our suites. We stayed in a superior suite and it’s breathtaking. Each suite has over 1,000 sq footage of living space and feels even bigger with the high ceilings. The suite has an open layout with a living room, a wood-burning fireplace, a king-size bed, dual sinks, a bathtub, and an ensuite bathroom with a bidet. The room has a divider between the bathroom and bedroom for privacy, but we set it aside as we prefer the openness. The outdoor deck boasts an outdoor bed, additional seating, an outdoor shower, and a private heated swimming pool overlooking a river. Heating the pool requires advance notice. Each suite is fully stocked with a mini bar – freshly baked goods – the cookies are particularly delicious. The mini fridge is stocked with juices, water, carbonated beverages and beer. There are several bottles of wine displayed in the room – all included. The room has exceptional air conditioning, heating, and a remote-controlled ceiling fan. The staff are available 24/7 – so call them at your leisure for any requests.

The Dining

Kapama Karula provides breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages as an all-inclusive safari lodge. The food tastes as good as it looks – fantastic. A few nights, we opted to have dinner in the library, as well, as in our suite. For the in-suite dining, our server brought each meal – course by course – so we didn’t feel rushed and each entree was freshly prepared. Typically on safari lodges, I have low expectations for food because it’s in a remote location, but Kapama Karula shines with its flavor profiles and various options. One of my favorite items was the exotic fruits each morning – from mango to dragon fruit.

What to Wear

The temperatures range greatly from the blistering sun to light rain and windy evenings. Wear light fabrics and dress in layers, so you can easily cool down or warm up at a moment’s notice. We experienced some cooler days on safari. One day the weather was around 65 degrees with wind and light rain and later in the afternoon, it was hot and humd, around 92 degrees with clear skies and direct sun. Pack for both temperatures – anything can happen. Kapama Karula offers ponchos and blankets to keep you warm and dry – as the safari game drives are offered – rain or shine.

Highlights of the Property

One of the unique features of the Kapama Private Game Reserve is that they keep their grounds in immaculate condition. I’ve become accustomed to a bouncy ride while on a game drive, but the roads and paths here are smooth. You want to be comfortable, especially when game drives last for 3 hours each session – 2(x) a day. After the safari game drive, walking back into the oasis of our suite was fantastic. It was almost as if – I didn’t spend three hours looking for animals in the bush. So instead of seeing elephant poo on the road, I’m relaxing in my private heated pool and the only thing I need to do is relax. The WiFi is strong throughout the entire property. Two words: unlimited laundry – what a perk! During my downtime, I have been cuddled up on the couch – watching the logs in our wooden fireplace burn – so beautiful.

Safari Games Drives

Two safari game drives are offered each day. Wake up call at 5:30 AM. Coffee, tea, and a light breakfast (yogurt parfait and pastries) are available in the common area before the meetup at 6:00 AM to head out for the day. The drive lasts 2.5-3 hours depending on sightings and weather conditions. For the evening game drive, we meet at 3:30 PM for another 2.5-3 hour drive for sightings. During each game drive, there is a break where the staff will provide drinks and refreshments. A popular favorite is “bush coffee” – a mixture of coffee and Amarula, a coffee liqueur.

A tracker and a guide will be assigned to guests during their stay. The tracker sits in an extension seat – in front of the vehicle. The tracker looks out for paw prints, bent branches, and fresh droppings to find the animals as soon as possible. The guide is a hospitable and knowledgeable driver. Feel free to ask any questions along the drive and inform the staff if there is a particular animal you want to see. Some guests prefer birding vs the Big 5, so it’s good to have open communication in advance.

The game reserve is fenced in – so no animals can go in or outside of the Kapama Private Game Reserve. This can be a positive experience because you are almost guaranteed to see wildlife on your game drive; however, I understand that some travelers like the idea of no fences so animals can come and go freely.

Animal Sightings

What didn’t we see? We saw so many animals, it was extraordinary. Not only did we see the big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and African buffalo) but we saw a leopard tortoise, owls, eagles, snakes, and so many different birds. The amount of animals we spotted and how frequently we saw them was the highlight of the game drive. At one point, we spotted new animals – every 20 minutes.

Improvements Needed

We encountered a couple of issues during our stay. The staff provided a QR code for check-in but it didn’t work. We were waiting around in the heat rather than being escorted to our air-conditioned room. We requested bug spray and my parents in another suite requested insect repellant and we received each other’s orders. At one point, our bathtub leaked, creating a pool of water, so we had to call maintenance for that. We weren’t given advance notice that we could have a private game drive, so that would have been helpful to know. We had an ant infestation in the outdoor entryway of our suite and by the pool deck. We spoke to management who apologized and informed us that the rooms were treated before our arrival. We didn’t have any bug issues at the two other safari lodges we visited, so to experience this at Kapama Karula was disappointing. While swimming in our private pool, I noticed several wasps swarming and the staff discovered two hives: one in the tree next to the pool, which they could remove and the other hive was under the pool that would require a third party to remove. One of the best features of Kapama Karula is the heated pool. You have to request this and the process to heat the pool takes approximately 3 hours. Advance notice of this arrangement from the safari lodge to the guests would be ideal so we could have put in the request before arrival.

Conclusion

Kapama Karula provides a trip of a lifetime with refinement and luxury. We enjoyed our time here, especially seeing the wildlife. I would recommend to travelers who prioritize magnificent accommodations, delicious food, and a smooth game drive experience. With some modifications, Kapama Karula is easily a 5-star resort. If you have any questions, please let us know. You can book directly on Kapama Karula’s website. If you decide to book, please let them know – Loren and Ken sent you.

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Check In Process

When we stepped out of the car, the staff greeted us with smiles, took care of our bags, and offered a choice of margarita or hibiscus water as a welcome drink. The check-in process was effortless and the staff conducted it outside. The lobby area is outdoors and located next to the tequila bar. The view is spectacular and I almost didn’t want to go to the room. Depending on where your suite is located, it may be a hike but they offer golf cart service to easily get around. We were whisked away to our room and our bags were already inside the room.



The Room

When you walk in – you will say WOW. It has that impact. Every room has a heated plunge pool. These rooms are fantastic. It is open concept with high ceilings and provides plenty of room (850 sq ft.) Next to your private pool, there are two couches, a table and two chairs. You can spend your entire vacation here and not feel the need to leave.

Within the room, there is a large screen, a fireplace that emits heat, and a mini fridge is complimentary with juice, bottled water, and sodas.

The shower is a downpour rain shower with a handheld shower head. The shower feels great but I wish the water pressure was stronger. The water drains easily – no build up on the floor. The mirrors never fogged up. The shower gel and lotion smell amazing with a green tea mint and ginger scent. Dual sinks with plenty of storage and counter space. Sometimes, it takes awhile for the water to heat up from the faucet. The bathtub can fit two adults and fills up quickly. I have never used a tray in the bathtub and I love it. It’s easy to hold a drink, a book, your cell phone or anything you need. There are over 10 light switches in the room and I don’t understand why. Day 3 and I still don’t know which light switch does what. My primary recommendation would be to reduce the light switches and have automated curtains for ease.

I love the big extra long fluffy towels. High Quality – soft, toilet paper. Every time I enjoy a luxury experience – I speak of these things. They matter. The robe matters. It’s made of microfiber with super soft terry cloth on the interior, lightweight but extremely warm – extra large pockets. It is very absorbent so you never feel wet after putting it on from the pool.



The Property

The Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedegral is an oceanfront property with unobstructed views. The property is kept in exceptional condition. The pools are heated and the hot tub is hot. It’s clean and constantly maintained to the highest caliber. 



Excellent Customer Service

The customer service is exceptional with some bumps along the way. Let’s start with the positives.

• Heated Towels are available when you get out of the pool at sunset
• Staff will move the pool umbrellas into any position, whenever you want and they are happy to do so
• Sun lotion and cold washcloths are brought to you by the pool (upon request)
• When you sit down at breakfast, they will bring you a bag rack for your Waldorf Astoria beach bag or any other items you have
• The concierge is happy to make any reservations for you – whether dining or excursions
• There was a wait for breakfast and the bartenders provided us with complimentary smoothies – which were fantastic (normally $16 each)
• When we saw whales from the pool, they brought us binoculars with a quick text message
• Daily serving of complimentary guacamole and chips with your choice of margarita or hibiscus water
• Turn down service nightly – room cleaned, organized charging cords, curtains drawn, slippers by bed, sweet treats
• Anytime you want your room cleaned – they will come
• Waldorf Astoria provides a complimentary beach bag and an amenity bag in the room (toothbrush, sewing cap, and shower cap inside)
• We missed the complimentary daily yoga session and we they had another session for us that day
• The staff hands out canopies and popiscles by the pool as a nice surprise
• The pools and hot tub are available 24/7. With a text, the concierge turned up the heat for the hot tub for us at 10 PM
• We wanted to watch Netflix and they provided an Apple TV module
• Returning to the property, the staff offers ice cold bottled waters

Constructive Feedback for Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos

With any place, there are pros and cons – I am providing full transparency.

– The dining charges are excessive. By the pool, it was $15 for chips and guacamole and $40 for a burger. The food is mediocre but the prices are excessive. I would recommend the 5 minute walk into town and to get some delicious food there.

– Service isn’t consistent. When we arrived, there was no mention of a personal concierge to text. Let’s say you want your room cleaned, make reservations – you would simply send a text. We were never given this option. We had to ask for this and I only knew about it because I researched it online before arriving.

– In our suite, we could hear the resort next door – MC on the mic, club music, etc. We asked to be moved to another room and they couldn’t honor the request until the following day. They did give us a $100 resort credit for the inconvenience. With the $1,800/night price tag, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedegral claims to be a relaxing resort – you should be able to…relax.

– Our heated pool felt amazing but it made a loud gurgling noise. I have been in plenty of infinity pools and this is the loudest one. I was not able to hear the ocean sounds over the gurgling. The staff checked on the sound but informed us it was normal for this property.

– Back to the service, it wasn’t great at breakfast. They never stopped by to refill Ken’s coffee, He had to ask each time and didn’t bring him a spoon to stir in his cream and sugar – so he used a knife. Again for a place that costs $1,800/night – this shouldn’t be an issue.

– At the pool, I ordered the fish of the day but when I got a receipt the price didn’t match the menu. When I inquired about the discrepancy, the server informed me the dish was made a different restaurant. I wasn’t informed in advance. I spoke to the manager and it was removed from the bill.

– Our coffee machine didn’t work in the room. They quickly brought provided another one.

– The elevators you take to the room could use a refresh.

– You can’t swim in the ocean here. I get it – not everyone enjoys sand or even going into the ocean. Since this property is listed at a premium price, I would pick a place where you can easily go in and out of the ocean. Due to the rip tides, it’s dangerous yet I did see one brave or should we say foolish person go out for a swim.

– Housekeeping isn’t consistent. Again for a luxury resort, I have high expectations. An empty glass was left after the first night. Overall, the room has been clean but mistakes were made consistently.

Hilton Members

Travelers who are brand loyalists (Gold and Diamond members) to Hilton can expect a complimentary continental breakfast at Dan Manuel’s. We had an option of yogurt and granola or oatmeal with a fruit platter. With points, this property can be reserved for 150,000 Hilton points/per night.



Final Thoughts

I loved this property. The views are breathtaking. The whale watching was extraordinary. I would highly recommend staying here. The staff truly goes above and beyond to make this stay special. If you have any issue (big or small), they want to know. They want to ensure you leave with a priceless experience that you will remember for years to come.

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The Overwater Bungalow (the amazing)

We stayed in an overwater bungalow and to this day, it is one of the best overwater bungalows I have ever stayed in – worldwide. That’s a big statement to make. When you first walk in, the views of the ocean are stunning. It’s truly what dreams of made of. The bungalow is modern, tastefully decorated, and clean. There are several places that have glass on the floor for you to view the coral reef below. The first thing your body will recognize is the air conditioning. It works well and made us incredibly comfortable. Natural light pours into the space from the floor-to-ceiling windows. There are plenty of outlets to charge devices and the wifi is strong. I could easily upload videos and photos without a delay. The bed is amazing. Ken said, he got the best sleep of the entire trip while we stayed at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort. The water pressure is strong in the shower and the bathtub faces the ocean for another amazing view. There is plenty of storage, as we packed for a 21-day trip. The bungalow is around 400 ft and feels even bigger due to the high ceilings. The biggest highlight is the outdoor deck with loungers, an umbrella to offer shade, a dining table and chairs, and the final touch: stairs that lead directly into the ocean to swim or snorkel at your leisure.

Staff offered us welcome drinks on arrival and a surprise in our room – macaroons. There were multiple floral arrangements throughout the bungalow that smelled amazing. Complimentary bottles of water were placed in our room and there is a small fridge to keep drinks cold. I appreciate the warm welcome and attention to detail.

Room Type: King Bed Motu Suite Overwater Bungalow

(the not so good)

If you book an overwater bungalow at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort, you have the option to enter the water from your bungalow. It’s a huge perk. The activities desk loans snorkel equipment to guests, but they only allow you to have them for one hour at a time. It is a bit of a walk to get to and from the activities desk and the worst news is the activities desk closes at 3:00 PM. It doesn’t get dark until 6:00 PM. Let me paint the picture: you enjoy sleeping in after traveling 20 hours, you pay more for an overwater bungalow that has a ladder into the ocean and you don’t have snorkeling equipment readily available. Ken noticed that the snorkel masks were in poor condition and leaking. I told him to bring his own snorkeling gear, but alas sometimes we must learn the hard way. I brought mine and didn’t have an issue. So, heed these words. The best advice would be to bring your own snorkel equipment to save time on walking back and forth from the activities desk and so you can ensure the equipment works well.

There is a design flaw with the bungalow. Ken hit the top of his head multiple times while venturing out to the outdoor deck. The thatched roof hangs so low that you can’t help but hit your head every time you go outside or back inside. We are short people, so imagine if you are taller than 5”7. We pointed this out to management, so hopefully, they fix this design flaw for future guests.

InterContinental Tahiti Resort has mayflies. Ken found three of them on our bed during our two-night stay. The hotel didn’t verbally mention them but they have a document in their welcome binder that mentions them On the pamphlet, it says they can’t control or treat the villa for mayflies, but the bugs are harmless. As a reference point, I didn’t stay in an overwater bungalow in Manava or Tahiti Beach (both resorts in Tahiti) at the same time of year and I didn’t see one bug there.

The Location and Landscape (the good)

Europhia struck me when I realized we would arrive at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort in less than 5 minutes from the airport. The location is outstanding. You will see airplanes fly by, but they do not roar loudly. I understand seeing planes may be a negative for some travelers, but we thought it was cool to see how close the planes would fly by.

The landscape is beautiful with a turtle pond, lagoonarium (where they do daily fish feedings) and various places to swim (two pools, one lagoon, and a swim-up bar). By one of the pools, they created a man-made beach, which is a nice feature since they don’t have a natural beach. We don’t require a beach on vacation, but I understand this may be a deal breaker for travelers wanting a beach vacation.

Entertainment (the amazing)

We enjoyed the Polynesian dancers at the brunch. They delivered an energetic performance and this was a great start to our trip. They perform every Sunday from 8:30 AM-9:30 AM. The price is steep at $60 per person, which includes a buffet breakfast and the performance. The breakfast spread was expansive with multiple hot stations, an omelet station, and a variety of fresh tropical fruits, yogurts, and pastries. Due to our status at IHG properties, our breakfast was complimentary.

Transit Room (the amazing)

Since we were flying from the States, we arrived in Tahiti around 6:00 AM. At check-in, we were told our room would not be ready for a couple of hours. Thankfully, InterContinetal Tahiti Resort offers a transit room, where we were able to shower and refresh, which was greatly appreciated after such a long journey.

The Food (the not so good)

We ordered a $32 pizza at happy hour and it reminded me of delicious frozen pizza. The food is overpriced here, but let it be glorious. I don’t mind paying for expensive food if it’s delicious. The food sadly misses the mark. Unfortunately, another couple at the resort said that they couldn’t eat the ribs, because they don’t provide you with a chainsaw to cut them – their words not mine. The cocktails weren’t anything to rave about. We also had a sit-down dinner at the Te Tiara restaurant (complimentary but more on that later) and again, nothing was memorable. I love food so it breaks my heart.

Customer Service (the not so good)

It was fun to kayak in the ocean; however, the activities desk was staffed by 3 people and no one offered suggestions on where to kayak, places to avoid, or any assistance to help us put the kayak in the water. Not sure what exactly they are there for besides making sure we use the sign-in/sign-out sheet and informing us that kayaking stops at 3:00 PM.

Simple requests such as turn-down service are delayed and minimal. We called the front desk and requested turn-down service and they informed us – it would be their pleasure. We return back to the room and it didn’t happen. The following day, we saw the housekeeping staff and asked if they could remove the decorative pillows and draw the blinds and they responded “that’s not what they do.”

Remeber that $32 pizza? Well, we didn’t finish it at happy hour, so we asked for a to-go container. The staff told us it would be sent to our bungalow, so we wouldn’t have to carry it back. We never saw the pizza again.

Management Stepping In (the good)

Management wanted to rectify pizza-gate by offering us a complimentary meal. My husband didn’t want anything, but I requested a burger and a margarita cocktail. The burger arrived to our room, but the margarita didn’t. Instead, a Margherita pizza arrived. I would like to note that we didn’t put in the order, management did. We had to call management again to figure out what happened. The chef apologized and offered us a complimentary dinner at Te Tiara. Management dropped off snorkel masks and fins so we could enjoy snorkeling without a time limit on our last day.

Conclusion

InterContinental Tahiti Resort has the best overwater bungalow in Tahiti. The property is lush and tropical and the Polynesian show is worth seeing. The food leaves a lot to be desired and customer service, in general, could be improved. Overall, management did their best to rectify our issues and we would gladly stay here again.

Do you plan on visiting Tahiti? Would you stay at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort? Let us know!

We stayed at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort for two nights and then we are off to the Hilton in Moorea for two days before our 17-day Norweigan cruise to Sydney!

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