Big, Bold & Beautiful - Playa Grande Resort In Cabo San Lucas
By Richard Chudy, Thu Dec 8th
BIG, BOLD & BEAUTIFUL - PLAYA GRANDE RESORT IN CABO SAN LUCAS Playa Grande Resort in Cabo San Lucas brings the ultimate inluxury to the tip of Land's End and everything here is done on agrand scale. Huge arches with panoramic views of the PacificOcean, a large domed lobby complimented by granite and onyxfloors, sculptured columns and gorgeous artwork wherever yougaze... all part of the package at Playa Grande. By Richard Chudy
Cabo San Lucas has more than it's share of luxury resorts.Palmilla, Esperanza en Auberge, Ventanas al Paraiso and the likeoffer luxurious accommodations at a price many travelers simplycannot afford. Playa Grande provides up-scale luxury with roomrates within reach of most Cabo bound vacationers. From themoment you arrive and the bellmen cart off your baggage, youcannot help but be awed at the scale of this elegant andseductive hotel. The lobby features a high, domed ceiling withglass everywhere. Natural light floods in through every arch andwindow. The front desk is adorned with wood and polished stone.It is obvious that no expense was spared in the creation of thismasterpiece by the sea. Playa Grande is the culmination of decades of experiencedeveloping resort property in Cabo San Lucas. The project is thebrainchild of Luis Bulnes, who started the hotel industry inCabo with Solmar Suites, a property adjacent to Playa Grande.Originally from Spain, Don Luis (as he is most commonly known)first came to Los Cabos to manage the then operational fishcannery. Although now just a crumbling ruin, Don Luis managed togrow the cannery's output, eventually making it the largestcannery operation in Latin America. At one point the facilitysupplied about 75% of the regions seafood. While his impact onthe commercial fishing industry was great, it was his subsequentimpact in transforming Cabo - from sleepy fishing village tomajor tourist destination - that has made him a true mover andshaker in Baja Sur. Playa Grande is nestled on a wide beach facing the Pacific.Unlike hotels along the Sea of Cortez side of the peninsula,street (or beach) vendors are nowhere to be seen. The peace andquiet is thanks to an arrangement made by Bulnes many years ago.In exchange for cheap rents for storefront or "flea-market"styled space in town, vendors agreed to stay off the Bulnesproperty. This allows guests the opportunity to enjoy the peaceand seclusion of the less traveled and developed Pacific coastof Land's End. Styled with traditional Mexican hacienda-style architecture,Playa Grande's bold use of color plays a big role in creating a"south of the border" atmosphere. Shades of gold, orange, pinksand reds bring a youthful and vibrant glow to the property.Extensive use of archways and columns create frames for themagnificent views the location affords. Guests walk through ahuge arch and descend a wide set of stairs dropping severallevels to the resort's pools and restaurants. Paths meanderthrough gardens, by ponds and fountains, over bridges andstreams allowing the visitor to take in the beauty and attentionto detail that Bulnes and the architects brought to the project. Accommodations range from Deluxe Junior Suites, Luxury Suitesand upwards to the Penthouse Suites, each with spectacularviews. Rooms are well appointed and decorated featuring anextensive use of polished stone and rich, dark woods.Comfortable living rooms have plenty of space to stretch outin. They include futon-style couches that fold out to beds aswell as a cleverly concealed fold-away bed hidden in it's ownwood cabinet. Dining areas and full kitchens are part of thepackage in Luxury Suites and include table settings, microwave,range and refrigerator. Blenders and bar glasses make it easy toconcoct your own versions of Margaritas for sipping on theprivate terraces and balconies. Master bedrooms featureover-sized king beds with very comfortable mattresses and soft,cool bedding. Venture into the master bath and you arecompletely surrounded by marble. A full sized jetted tub withshower, large vanity with lighted make-up mirror and hair dryersmake it easy to prepare for a night on the town. Each unit hasthe convenience of an iron and ironing board. On site restaurants include Calima and the Brigantine. Calimaoffers casual dining on one of many patios or under a large andwell-designed pergola. Dishes range from regional seafood tosteaks, chicken and even Sushi - all well prepared and stylishlypresented by an attentive staff. A visit to Calima's bar is amust as they create some very enjoyable and potent libations,including the Calima Special; Captain Morgan's Rum, Bailey's,Kahlua, banana, coconut milk, evaporated milk and pineapplejuice blended with ice and served in a tall hurricane glass. Afew of those and just about any worry you have simply melts awayleaving only a smile. The Brigantine restaurant is a good choice for dinner. The menuis diverse and features local seafood, lobster, pasta andMexican specialties including a delicious Stuffed Poblano chile.The décor is elegant with leaded glass windows, marble floorsand linen tablecloths. Dining options are indoors, with airconditioning, or outdoors under covered patios with wonderfulviews and ambience. For other dining options, the group that owns Playa Grande alsoowns other restaurants within walking distance; The Galeon(Italian and continental cuisine), Romeo and Juliet (alsoItalian), and La Roca located at Solmar Suites right next door.If you enjoy a well-made Mexican coffee, a trip to Galeon isdefinitely in order. The process is more an event than just asimple after dinner drink. Masterfully created before your eyes,the staff even dims the lights to enhance the flaming and mixingprocesses that make up a true Mexican coffee. The Sea Queenlocated on the marina is the newest restaurant to join the groupand features seafood and sushi prepared by their chef who is agraduate of the San Francisco Culinary Institute. Blended into the sweeping architecture of Playa Grande areseveral pools complete with waterfalls, volleyball courts andkids play areas. For the adults, swim-up bars and a largeoutdoor Jacuzzi round-out the aquatic features of Playa Grande.Towel service, comfortable padded chaise lounges, cocktail andfood servers and colorful landscaping make this a great place towork on your tan or laze under an umbrella with a good book. For those after more activities, The world-famous Solmar Fleetis at your disposal. Solmar Fleet's sport fishing and divingboats range from 28 foot cruisers to the 112 foot Solmar V, oneof the most luxurious live-aboard dive vessels in the world.SOLMAR V is the only luxury live-aboard vessel departing fromCabo San Lucas, Mexico - well within range of the most excitingdiving in the Sea of Cortez. Whether you choose to spend yourtime on the water battling world-class billfish or under thewater swimming with sea turtles, Manta rays and Whale Sharks,the Solmar fleet is well equipped to handle your every need. Other nearby activities include; golfing on one of fiveworld-class golf courses featuring designs by Jack Nicklaus,Pete Dye and Robert Trent Jones, Jr., sunset cruises,snorkeling, ATV adventures, horseback riding, parasailing andmyriad eco-tours. All off-site activities can be arrangedthrough the resort's concierge. Another wonderful feature of the resort is the Thalasso Spa.Fashioned with the French "Art de Vivre" sensibility, theThalasso Spa utilizes thalasso therapy that originated in Francein 1865 by Dr. La Bonardiere. Thalasso therapy features the useof seawater baths and seaweed based treatments for bothpreventative and curative purposes. French doctors estimate thatthe benefits realized from six days of thalasso therapy willbring curative results lasting six to eight months. For thosewho appreciate the personal rejuvenation and revitalization ofexercise and weight training, a full gym is also available foruse by hotel guests. While Playa Grande is first and foremost a destination for thevacationer, the resort also boasts full-service conferencefacilities including a theater complete with stadium seating,podium and screening equipment for audio/video presentations.Several meeting rooms are immediately adjacent to the theatermaking the planning of corporate events and retreats easy. PlayaGrande hosts many corporate functions and has been selected asthe preferred resort and events center for one of Los Cabos mostexciting events - the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament. The Los Cabos Billfish tournament is fast becoming one of theworld's premier off-shore fishing tournaments. The organizershave once again chosen Playa Grande as the host resort of thetournament and it's participants. Anglers from around the globewill converge on this spectacular resort commencing the secondweek of October. The
official tournament start takes place onOctober 11th. The awards presentation is on the15th.Participants from last year's event raved about the resort andthe treatment given by the staff. Both Playa Grande and theirsister resort, Solmar are offering tournament participantsspecial discounts on lodging. If you're looking for somethingtruly exciting to do in October, this could be it! If you find that the rates at Playa Grande are a little beyondyour budget, there's good news. Solmar Suites is located rightnext door to Playa Grande, offers the same gorgeous beach andtranquility, but at lower rates. I've had the pleasure ofstaying at Solmar in the past, although it has been years now,and really enjoyed my stay. While not as luxurious, Solmar'ssuites are clean and well maintained and the staff is just asterrific as the staff at Playa Grande. Smaller and moreintimate, Solmar can and does provide exceptional value andmagnificent views. One of the best features is the proximity ofthe rooms to the beach. Every room features a furnished terraceand those on the first floor have direct beach access, two stepsand your toes are in the sand! To learn more about Solmar Suites, visit them online at:http://www.solmar.com or call them toll free at 800-344-3349. PLAYA GRANDE RESERVATIONS: Toll Free - 800.344.3349www.playagranderesort.com Email - caboresort@aol.com RATES PEAK SEASON Junior Suites$260.00 Luxury Suites$310.00Presidential Suite$395.00 Penthouse Suite$495.00 MID SEASON Junior Suites$235.00 Luxury Suites$280.00Presidential Suite$355.00 Penthouse Suite$445.00 AMENITIES * Air conditioning * Satellite TV * In-room safe *Purified water system * 2 on-site restaurants * 3 off-siterestaurants * Multiple pools * 2 pool bars * Car rental *On-site fishing charters * On-site scuba center * Thalasso Spa *Full gym * Tennis For more information, visit http://www.playagranderesort.com -For more about Cabo, visit http://www.CabosBest.com About the author:Richard Chudy is the author and President of Cabo's Best, atravel website dedicated to Los Cabos. To learn more about Caboand what it offers the traveler, visit http://www.CabosBest.comor email Richard at caborich@cabosbest.com. | 
