(also posted on TripAdvisor) - travel April 2019
A great getaway, especially for families, fresh air fans, and folks who want to be pampered
Having just spent a week at Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas, I’d like to share what we have learned. Highlights: a great getaway, especially for families, for fresh air fans, and for folks who want to be pampered – not a fit for anyone wanting loud nightlife and busy city bustle
THE RESORT
The Rancho San Lucas development is being built out with full ownership homes, a full Greg Norman golf course, a shopping area (“Mexican village”), and the Grand Solmar resort (hotel/timeshare).
“Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas” is the newest of two Grand Solmar resorts, the other being Grand Solmar at Lands End (near the marina in Cabo San Lucas).
Staff in all areas is professional and friendly. The concierge staff was wonderful at helping make bookings off-site and handling our special requests on-site. Bell staff were quick and careful , and our short wait for the shuttle into town was actually fun because of them! Reception staff made us feel very welcome, and they handled our check-out efficiently and without problems. We had housekeeping twice a day – every time professional, friendly, and honest! Even the time-share sales folks were informative and gracious without being obtrusive.
Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas has two sections. The “suites” buildings surround the salt-water lagoon and include Presidential (two-bedroom lock-off) units, Master Suites (one bedroom), and Grand Studios. The “residences” buildings are two, three, and four bedroom units, some with golf privileges. The final Phase I residence buildings are slated for completion toward the end of this year (2019).
The resort is fairly remote from the bustle of Cabo San Lucas, so Grand Solmar is designed to be a destination in itself. The spa just opened in April, the fitness center and kids club are operational, the golf clubhouse is slated to open later this year. There are numerous pools throughout the Grand Solmar resort, several integrated with the salt-water lagoon. There are two water slides, kayaks, and rope swing. There are frequent and well-staffed activities, ranging from mountain bike rides, evening movies, aqua aerobics, and children’s activities.
The resort has the sense of spaciousness – open access to the beach, vast views of the dunes, open skies, frequent windy days. We found we could easily walk to the lobby and the restaurants, but carts will provide rides upon request.
The beach is not swimmable. It is a protected area for the sea turtles, so there is no building right on the beach. It is an easy walk from the Grand Solmar buildings – good walking, jogging, picnicking, watching the fishing boats and cruise ships (and whales in the winter months).
There will be construction in Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas for several years more. It appears that grading has already begun for buildings in Phase 2, and the master plan shows a third phase of development. Our rooms were very close to final construction on an adjacent building, but the building must be well insulated – we were not bothered by the sound.
MEALS AND DINING
This is NOT an all-inclusive resort, although there is an optional meal plan available.
A variety of informal bars are now open around the lagoon. There is a common menu of items available at all locations, but each bar adds its own specialties – one for sushi and seafood items, one for hamburgers, another for tacos, etc. You can eat at tables around the bar, or have food brought to you in your lounge chair. Ask about the schedule for happy hours. All food was tasty and well prepared.
Anica is the largest and more formal restaurant, open for breakfast and dinner – excellent! (see the TripAdvisor reviews).
The Deli Cafe restaurant, located near the lobby, is good for breakfast, light lunches.
During our stay there were three theme nights at Rancho – a country grill, a night of Mexican specialties, and “Asian flavors.”
Room service is 24x7.
The Concierge can also make reservations for you at restaurants at Grand Solmar, Lands End or at other places in town.
GROCERIES
The concierge provides a pre-stocking service for the very basic supplies; grocery delivery services in Cabo have a much more extensive selection (we used Prickly Pear delivery, who brought our order directly to our villa.) There is a resort store on site, but we found that it is like many other resort “markets” in having many souvenirs and a limited supply of groceries.
Our one-bedroom suite had a full-sized refrigerator, a four-burner electric stove, and microwave - full kitchen supplies for four people, coffee unit, blender, etc. Like many other resorts outside of the U.S., there is no baking oven.
TRANSPORTATION INTO CABO SAN LUCAS
An hourly shuttle runs between the two resorts, so you can ride into Lands End to use the facilities there or to walk on into town. There is no charge for the shuttle, but it is available on a first-come basis and it is smart to arrive early.
Taxi fares into town can be expensive, with estimates of $35.
Car rental is available in the lobby, and valet parking services are quick and careful.
WI-FI AND CELL PHONE ACCESS
We had strong connections throughout the resort.
Highly recommended, and we look forward to our return.
