Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas opened in December 2017. When it was being designed—by the architect and design firm HKS—and built, no one had any idea that 2020 would bring a worldwide pandemic. Luckily, HKS already had spaciousness and privacy in mind and the resort is ideally suited for 2020’s new vacation priorities of keeping your distance from people not in your household bubble.
Only a 15-minute drive from Cabo San Lucas, Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas sits all by itself on an immense white sand beach north of Cabo. The whole property is 834 acres and includes a Greg Norman Signature 18-hole golf course, residences at the Norman Estates, a shopping village, tennis center, biking and hiking trails, plus a few buildings and several pools that make up the hotel part of the property. It’s a 35-minute drive from the airport and 30 minutes to charming Todos Santos, one of Mexico’s pueblos mágico (magic towns).
Built on a slope coming up from the beach, the desert resort has a constant breeze up from the ocean. Sand dunes and desert plants are central to the tranquil landscaping in and around the resort. Hotel suites are accessed through open-to-the-air hallways and stairwells (there’s elevators for your bags or anyone not comfortable with stairs). All suites have a view of the pounding Pacific Ocean.
The resort has an immense saltwater lagoon pool with several sandy beach entries. It’s so large that you can paddleboard and kayak within it. One corner has two waterslides and a swing rope plus a kids pool (but adults are welcome to join in the fun). Two adults-only infinity pools in other areas offer serenity. Or you can dip into one of the many warm whirlpools.
Lounge chairs are spaced well apart around the twists and turns of the lagoon and there’s even an island in the middle. If you want even more pool privacy, book one of the poolside cabanas that appears to hover over the lagoon. The cabanas can also be booked for dinner, or you can arrange for a dinner on the lagoon beach to be set up for you—perfect for watching the sun set over the Pacific.
Rancho San Lucas’s immense beach is ideal for those who like to walk and whales can often be spotted swimming by.
Rancho San Lucas’s Spa at the Sea is well-suited for treatments during the pandemic too. There’s 100 yards of empty beach between your private individual spa cabana and the waves crashing onto the white sand. The ocean breeze flows through the natural walls and palapa roofs of the cabanas, providing an extra measure of Covid protection. The spa’s elegant waiting area has curtained lounge beds or there’s plenty of space around the pool and fountain.
Rancho San Lucas’s signature spa treatments pay respect to the Cochimi Indigenous people from the Baja Peninsula. Try the Gomma Kahal (moon water) oxygen aromatherapy and four-hand massage or the Agenari Aene (dance of heaven) facial and massage treatment.
Rancho San Lucas has several restaurants, all with plenty of outdoor seating. There’s also a Deli Café in the lobby building with coffee, sandwiches, and desserts. Due to the pandemic, floor plans have all been redesigned to allow for physical distancing.
The signature restaurant is called Anica. It serves international and Mexican cuisine by Chef Hector Lucas, with wines (and tequilas) paired by sommelier José Martinez Càceres. Mixologist David Reyes will make one of his inventive cocktails for you too.
Anica has separate breakfast, lunch, and dinner vegan menus offering a wide range of choices (roasted watermelon with cauliflower risotto, anyone?). Local seafood and steaks are prominent on the regular dinner menu. Indoor seating is in the elegant dining room or outdoors next to one of the infinity pools and the beach.
A wooden board with Anica's name burned into it, on top of which sits pieces of sushi, a ramekin of soya sauce, and a ceviche-topped square cracker
Treats at Anica restaurant, Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas JOHANNA READ, TRAVELEATER.NET
Other eateries include Bacari, which features nightly theme dinners like country grill night, taco Tuesdays, and Mexican night with expertly-prepared dishes like shrimps in mole, Korobuta (the Kobe of pork) with traditional pipian, and chicken enchiladas.
At the lagoon, choose between the Lagoon Bar and the two-story Aqua Bar. Enjoy mojitos and margaritas, plus foods like sushi, ceviche, fish tacos, pizzas, and burgers. The swim-up Tide Bar is at the infinity pool by the beach, and you can dine sitting in the pool if you wish.
At Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas, guests can choose an all-inclusive or European plan. If you want, you can cook your meals in your fully-equipped kitchen. In-villa dining is available 24-7.
Including unlimited access at a discounted rate to GREG NORMAN SIGNATURE GOLF COURSE
Rancho proudly offers a beachfront course by world-renowned professional golfer, Greg Norman. The 7,210-yard layout is specifically tailored to Cabo’s terrain and locale, creating a sustainable golf experience that flows naturally with the dune and desert landscape. Shuttles from Lands End to Rancho San Lucas and visa versa Free every hour on the hour.
