Luxury Travel Advisor - July 2008 - (Page 28)

HOTELS RANCHO LAS CRUCES Even in the days before paparazzi, celebrities seeking to escape the limelight would venture off the beaten track in order to be assured of an uninterrupted, restful vacation. In 1948, “Rod” Rodriguez, the son of Mexico’s president, and his wife, MGM actress Lucille Bremer, together with partner Bing Crosby, opened Rancho Las Cruces (www.rancholascruces.com) in a remote corner of southern Baja California. The exclusive resort, operated as a private club, quickly became a favorite of movie stars; it remains pleasantly isolated to this day, even though it is only a two-hour flight from Los Angeles. Now, this hidden paradise is entering a new phase in its storied existence and accepting new members wishing to experience the unique lifestyle of a slightly bygone era. One does not have to be a member to stay as a guest, but as the saying goes, membership has its privileges: a 20 percent discount off regular rates, plus certain reservation preferences and the right to book the site for weddings or other affairs. The resort’s private, airy church, where Desi Arnaz once served as an altar boy, is a superb venue for smaller, intimate weddings, with its magnificent hilltop view of the Sea of Cortez, the Isla Cerralvo and the majestic Santa Cruz mountains. The resort can supply the music, including a mix of recorded choices and live mariachi bands. Tip: The most popular room is #1, closest to the beach with views of the Three Crosses (the location dates back to 16thcentury explorer Hernán Cortéz himself ) and Cerralvo, as well as delightful cross breezes and private terraces. Choices of accommodations include rooms in the main hacienda, where the dining room and bar are located; cabanas (bungalows) comprising two suites each; and private haciendas, such as Casa Lordan with four bedrooms, or Hacienda Santa Cruz with five bedrooms (and private butler service). For large families (or family reunions), the possibilities are practically endless, as a number of the 11 rooms connect, and the four cabanas are clustered together. Pets are welcome and there are fun activities for kids, including tennis, snorkeling and croquet on officially demarcated courts. Adults and children alike will appreciate the fact that the beach is mere steps from the pool. Note: Your clients’ hacienda may be adjacent to the Crosby or Arnaz residence, still in use by the family’s second and third generations. This generational continuity 28 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | July 2008 http://www.rancholascruces.com

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Luxury Travel Advisor - July 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter California Coast Tuscan Villas Ranch Vacations Gansevoort South Rancho Las Cruces Reserva Conchal Spas of the Maldives St. Lucia A Gentleman's Touch The Pulse Just Back Sightings Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - July 2008

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