Recommend August 2010 - (Page 51)

PLAyA GRANDE RESORT & grand spa continued from page 30 fet at Calima, munching away while birdies came to greet us, chirping away as they eyed our leftovers. Solmar also owns a couple of offsite restaurants that are open to anyone and are, in fact, well known in Los Cabos. There’s Hacienda El Coyote, which serves tasty Mexican food and has a huge menu of country-wide dishes—from arrachera tacos to chicken in mole poblano, not to mention special treats such as duck burritos and lobster crepes. This restaurant also has a Tequila Lounge with about 200 types of the Mexican staple. The other alternative, Romeo & Julieta Ristorante, offers Italian fare, although the antipasti alone is so generous there’s not always room for a main course (although by the time dessert comes along, one might be ready to make a go at it). These offsite restaurants run independently, so clients need to pay then and there, rather than charge it to the room. On top of all that, the resort has a coffee cart of sorts for breakfast or a snack on the run, with coffee, donuts and smoothies. will take them near Cabo’s famous Arch. This offer is good through Dec. 22 and is priced at $1,299 The beachfront resort has become certified as a Sea Turtle Watch and Rescue Site and is hosting a rescue program where guests are encouraged to assist; for more information, contact Playa Grande. the solmar family The land where Playa Grande and the other Solmar properties sit was purchased from local ranchers in 1970, and in 1973 owner Don Luis Bulnes opened Solmar Resort. This hotel is still open today, holding on to much of its Old Cabo charm with fully tiled bathrooms, a grill provided for those who get lucky at sea and a quieter feel to the entire property. It’s not as polished as the other Solmar hotels, but it’s plenty adorable if clients are fine with an old-school Baja stay—it reminds us of the beach hotels of our youth, in fact. Playa Grande is home to The Ridge Luxury Villas, a hotel-within-ahotel. This is a more luxurious boutique property with 98 villas (including six presidential suites), most of which look out to the Cabo marina, housed in a structure designed and built around a natural rock formation and with its own pool with a view. Coming up is Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2011. Featuring nothing but oceanview accommodations, it’s set to have 291 suites. Outside of the Solmar Beach area there’s Quinta del Sol, right by Medano Beach. n contact information Playa Grande Resort & Grand Spa: (800) 344-3349; solmar.com things to do Playa Grande is also the site of the Thalassotherapy Spa, which uses the curative properties of the water from the Sea of Cortez in specialized treatments. Here, guests seeking something more lasting than a massage can receive a personalized regimen based on this age-old therapy to target particular problems, such as slowed blood circulation and skin detoxification. Clients should consider the 85-minute Vita Cura Thalassotherapy Body Ritual, which packs a sea salt body-glow exfoliation, a bath of seawater and essential oils in a hydrotherapy tub and a full-body massage with seaweed cream. This spa also offers a Temazcal Ceremony in its “Sanctuary,” with benefits including respiratory relief and stress alleviation. Nearby, a fully equipped fitness center offers yoga classes. The resort spices things up with fun activities for all ages, including a “Mexican Fiesta” on the beach on Monday evenings, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Guests pay $35 pp (with a 50 percent discount for those 11 and under) and feast on regional delicacies in the form of an ample buffet as live music plays and games are concocted. On Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. it’s all about the Beach Party, where guests can indulge in bbq options, salad and dessert bars, and domestic beverages before dancing right on the sand to the band or just relaxing by the sea. These theme nights are available at no extra cost to clients who sign up for Playa Grande’s new All-Inclusive Meal Plan. The Basic Plan, priced at $75 pp, includes three meals a day at onsite restaurants and 50 percent off at the higher-tiered Brigantine, as well as domestic drinks and half off the use of the fitness center, tennis court, mini-golf and the Kids Club for ages 5-11. At $95, the Premium Plan adds Brigantine to the list of dining options, as well as room service and use of the fitness facilities. Similar all-inclusive options are available at Solmar’s other beachfront resorts. The All-Inclusive Plan can be added to regular rates or the Five-Night Family Package when you call the hotel directly. The package includes accommodations for five nights in a 1-bedroom suite, daily breakfast, a $50 certificate for dinner on site, a couple’s massage and four tickets for a sunset cruise aboard the Buccaneer Queen, a “pirate ship” that The 260-room resort offers huge pools and plenty of space for all types of clients. august 2010 51 http://http:// http://www.solmar.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend August 2010

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Uniworld's River Royale
Discover flanders
Five-Star Taiwan
Karisma Sweetens the Pot
Barcelo Los Cabos Palace Deluxe
Playa Grande Resort & Grand Spa
Central America Calling...
Garza Blanca Preserve, Resort & Spa
Israel With Goway Travel
Puerto Rico: A community Experience
Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina
The Bahamas: Players' Paradise
Orlando World Center Marriott Resort
All-American St. Louis
PH Towers by Westgate, Las Vegas

Recommend August 2010