Where the Rock Meets the Sea: Grand Solmar, Cabo San Lucas
Set along the private white-sand beaches of Playa Solmar at the very southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula, Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort and Spa is setting a new standard of luxury in Cabo San Lucas.
From the moment we arrived at the beautiful compound, it was obvious that this was not an ordinary resort. The way the receptionist, bellhops, and staff kept smiling at us and welcoming us in the gentlest way was heartwarming.
We were given a royal welcome, presented with a beautiful assortment of organic white chocolates and cookies courtesy of new rising-star chef Hector Lucas, and taken to the ninth floor to our stunning three-bedroom penthouse overlooking the ocean. The interior mirrored the beauty of the outside. The color palette and finishes adorning the rooms were a feast for the eyes.
Lying ahead of us was the wide expanse of the Pacific Ocean with nothing obstructing the view. Other than the sound of the sloshing waves hitting the beach, there was absolute silence and serenity.
We got settled in our rooms and headed downstairs, excited to see the rest of Grand Solmar.
Our tour of this exciting new property left us speechless. The impossible location where the rock meets the sea – no man’s land – is a place we could never tire of.
Every detail was well thought of, from the intricate designs in the walkways and stone entries to the wood décor in the lobby with a window-to-the-sea archway, to the elegant simplicity of the rooms. The infinity pools contouring the resort have raised the bar for luxury.
In an environment like this, a spa is an essential part of the blissful experience.
At Grand Solmar, the spa blends perfectly with the surrounding elements and is an experience not to be missed. We enjoyed a Kanshi (aromatic) foot and hand treatment at one of the seaside cabanas, and felt re-energized, and invigorated.
Grand Solmar has the only Thalassotherapy center in Cabo San Lucas. The spa offers baths using seawater from the Sea of Cortez and seaweed-based treatments for preventative and curative purposes. They develop an individualized regimen to meet the needs of each guest.
One of their signature treatments is the Repechage Sea Escape – a stone facial and body therapy designed to melt stress away. The Sea of Cortez Pure Body Revival is another favorite among guests. It provides immediate rehydration using a hot-oil therapy with hot stone relaxing massage followed by a cooling facial.
The resort’s La Roca Restaurant is run by chef Hector Lucas and features Mediterranean Baja style cuisine with an exotic flair. Drink maestro Eduardo Gonzalez Robles concocts the finest organic drinks, including the Grand Solmar Vida Verde (Green Life).
Chef Hector tours Cabo’s markets and gets exceptional ingredients such as organic vegetables, artisanal cheeses, native natural beef, and sustainable fish.
On our final evening, under Chef Lucas’ sweet smile and thoughtfully prepared dishes, we tasted some of his organic specialties, such as a refreshing cucumber gazpacho, an exotic octopus hors d’oeuvres, and citrusy cactus and lobster salads. He also surprised us with a superb leche sorbet.
Lucas agreed to share the recipe for one of his summer favorites: the Grand Solmar lobster salad.
With breathtaking views, a Thalassotherapy therapy center, one-of-a-kind green amenities, exotic gourmet dining, thoughtfulness, and personalized service that caters to every whim, Grand Solmar is a rock-solid green pioneer by the sea.
General manager Jean Louis Magron, whose mentor is the renowned Jean Berthelot, is the passionate force behind Grand Solmar and brings unparalleled experience and management skills to the resort. He’s a Cornell University Graduate who also attended the School of Gastronomy in St. Moritz and School of Hotel Management in Zurich, Switzerland, where he learned it all.
We sat with Magron for an interview:
Q: What should we expect when coming to the Grand Solmar? Can you describe the room amenities?
A: Phase one of the resort includes 119 suites with six different types of suites, from studios to four-bedroom penthouses. All suites offer unique amenities such as fully equipped kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances, in-villa dining and spa experiences, private terraces, flat-screen TVs, and luxurious bathrooms with steam showers. We provide daily maid service and nightly turn-down service.
Q: What sets the Grand Solmar apart?
A: Guests will be able to experience Playa Grande’s premiere Thalassotherapy center and Grand Solmar’s beachside cabana spa. They will also enjoy a selection of two restaurants and three bars, four infinity-edge heated pools, many sea activities, including fishing, and breathtaking sunsets. With our own fleet of customized boats, Solmar Hotels and Resorts offers guests access to the largest sport-fishing fleet in Cabo San Lucas.
Q: Do you consider yourself a green resort?
A: Yes we do, and are aiming to be a pioneer in the Greener Cabo (movement). Our chef uses organic and natural products. We produce our own sweet water and pump the water from the sea, and are very careful with our water usage. As an energy saver, guests have to use smart key cards that automatically turn on the lights. In order to prevent energy loss, we have installed a unique air conditioning system in all the rooms that automatically shuts off when windows open. The attractive landscaping requires half the irrigation levels typically used by similar resorts. All the linens in the rooms are organic, and housekeeping uses environmentally safe cleaning products. We also recycle and compost.
Q: What is the best way for people in the San Francisco Bay area to contact you?
A: If I may suggest going to our site and booking directly.
Q: What do you want the world to know?
A: We are going back to our roots. We respect Mother Nature and are thankful for all the resources we have and wish to preserve them.
