Recommend July 2013 - (Page 32)

Both photos: Travelers to this part of Mexico can go camel riding along the shoreline or paddleboarding above water. be a voluntourist Now that you know all your clients can do while visiting Cabo San Lucas, there is one other aspect of this trip worth mentioning before we get into the nitty-gritty of Grand Solmar’s accommodations and amenities. For clients who love to immerse themselves in the community, recommend a half-day excursion with Solmar’s Helping Hands tour, a guided tour of the Los Cabos charitable organizations sponsored by the Solmar Foundation, a non-proﬁt organization created to better the community through social services that are not provided by the government. “We have had a great response from our guests with our Helping Hands tour,” says Orozco. “Most of our guests are very willing to help and donate their time or money to this program.” The excursion departs every Wednesday morning to three local organizations that assist the elderly, families and orphans—the San Juan Diego Shelter, the San Miguel Senior Center and the Cabo San Lucas Orphanage—from Playa Grande Resort & Grand Spa, located adjacent to Grand Solmar. The tour is free and reservations can be made with the concierge at Grand Solmar; upon checkout, there is an optional donation of $10 for the Solmar Foundation. Art supplies, toys, and other essential items are welcomed from families taking the tours for donation at the orphanage, and guests can contact the Solmar Foundation’s director, Dinorah de Haro (dinorah.deharo@solmar.com) directly to volunteer at the numerous charities and centers that the foundation supports. CABO ADVENTURES (2) at land’s end 32 july 2013 30-33 MX Los Cabos Onsite.indd 32 Appearing to be carved from the immense rock formation that cradles it, Grand Solmar opened its doors in February 2011 with 119 suites. A second phase of construction is currently underway, completion scheduled for 2014, which will increase the room capacity to 289 suites. The new building will also include the property’s ﬁrst indoor spa; for spa services, guests use the Grand Spa at Playa Grande Resort or opt for the Grand Solmar Sea Spa at the Land’s End Terrace with the Paciﬁc Ocean as the backdrop. We stayed in a Grand Studio suite that can accommodate up to three guests. The 737-sq.-ft. suite includes a king-size bed, a Murphy bed, full kitchen, a quaint sitting area with a table that seats four, and a private terrace with two plush lounge chairs facing the ocean and the property’s only non-heated pool. Grand Solmar offers 1-bedroom Master suites and 1- to 4-bedroom Penthouse suites. We broke bread at La Roca Restaurant during our stay, a charming venue with ocean views and staff that was attentive and eager to please. The restaurant serves a breakfast buffet every morning, but chefs are present to whip up delicious omelets or eggs, any style. The fruit smoothies and fresh guacamole with chips at Las Brisas Snack Bar near the resort’s heated pool is the ideal stop after a day outdoors. We recommend the taco salad and tuna ceviche. recommend.com 6/19/13 12:46 PM http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend July 2013

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Eleven Experience
Tour Talk: DuVine Cycling + Adventure
Expedition Cruising: Explore the Unexplored
Eleven Experience's Chalet Pelerin
Brazil Travel Planner
Grand Solmar Land's End Resort & Spa
Guatemala Travel Planner
Latin America Specialist Courses
The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs
5 Ways to Adventure in North America
Swain Tours Shines in the Land Down Under
Seeing African Wonders Through a Viewfinder
Trinidad & Tobago
Soaring to New Heights in Saint Lucia

Recommend July 2013