RECOMMEND A BAJA ALL-INCLUSIVE
(Published in Travelage West, Sept., 2006)

My 8-year-old granddaughter’s ears picked up when she heard the family discussing vacation plans. “Free food, I want to go to the place with free food,” was her input.  On a prior vacation to an all-inclusive resort, she’d been able to order anything she wanted to eat or drink including an ice cream snack in the afternoon and unlimited strawberry freezes from the swim-up bar throughout the day without ever paying the waiter.  Thus, resulting in her idea that the food was free.

As you know, all-inclusive resorts are similar to a cruise ship experience.  You pay one price upfront for accommodations, food, drink, and entertainment making for a very stress-free vacation. This time our multi-generational family of eight with ages ranging from 5 to 65 chose the Royal Solaris in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico, a 20-minute drive from the airport, for a short Memorial Day getaway.

 Mexicana’s two-hour flight from Los Angeles to the tip of the Baja Peninsula was quick and comfortable. We arrived in time for mid-afternoon check-in and a refreshing swim in the hotel’s delightfully warm pool.

Designed in Spanish Hacienda-style with red tile roof and arched balconies, the 5-story Royal Solaris wraps u-shaped around tropical gardens landscaped with bright red, pink and yellow hibiscus. Tall palm trees rustle overhead.  The view is out to the Sea of Cortez and the booming surf.

The rooms are large with beige terra cotta tiled floors.  Each room opens on to a balcony or terrace complete with table and chairs.  Pleasant blue spreads imprinted with bright hibiscus flowers complement heavily carved wooden headboards adding charm to the sparsely furnished rooms. Televisions have full cable service and movie rental availability.  The large bathrooms have separate toilet facilities and step-in, bathtub-sized showers

Centered between the hotel’s two wings is a large free form pool with many curves and inlets.  Running the length of the hotel towards the ocean, the meandering pool is never more than 6 feet deep.  Comfortable chaise lounges line the edges. Gazebos and strategically placed umbrellas provide ample shade.  A water volleyball net strung in a quiet corner of the pool provides many pickup games for my 10-year old grandson. A nearby wading pool for the 5-year old is safely tucked off to the side.  And after some prolonged swimming, a large beachside Jacuzzi attracts the 8-year old.

In a side courtyard of the hotel, there is a supervised Kids Club welcoming children ages 4-11.  Four 12-foot high water slides beckon older children.  While a splashing area with smaller slides in whimsical shapes awaits the younger ones. A room devoted to arts and crafts and games is used by all ages.  You need only remain on the hotel premises to sign your child in for the activities.  The female hotel staffers in charge of the program are solicitous and caring.  And there is the opportunity to meet other children from the U.S. as well as from Mexico and neighboring Latin American countries.

Although the hotel is located directly on a beautiful white sandy beach that stretches several miles in either direction around a scenic bay, most guests can be found lounging around the main pool.   Tides and wave action are strong here, as they are at many resorts along the Baja corridor.  Some brave individuals venture into the surf, but most guests are happy just getting their feet wet.

Within sight of the beach, adults vacationing at the resort have the option of enjoying a smaller pool that is strictly for their use—no children.   Also a short distance away and directly on the sand are chaise lounges nestled under small grass palapas.

Centrally located at the main pool is a staffed activities center listing the day’s events and times. An adjacent Ping Pong table is continually busy as is the Mexican Pottery Wagon where you can indulge in a little poolside creativity. But it is the daily 12:00 noon water aerobics session to rhythmic Latin music that really energizes guests. Led by the hotel’s young and enthusiastic nighttime entertainers, all ages are soon swaying and exercising creaky joints. We all agree the staff’s energy is amazing.

Food and service is quite good.  There are five restaurants to enjoy along with a snack bar. Two of the restaurants, Pancho’s for Mexican food and Marco Polo for Italian food require reservations made by calling between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. the day you want to dine.  Children are welcome and the sit-down experience at these restaurants is a welcome change from the buffet style at the others.  Casual, but not too casual, dress is acceptable. And, yes, my granddaughter did order the “free food” at all of them.

Stage shows with talented live performers singing and dancing occur nearly every evening in the large Tehuacan dinner theater.  Children are welcome, but judging by their lack of attendance most would seem not to be interested.  Teenagers and older children are more likely to be found playing video games in the Junior’s Club.   Nighttime entertainment for adults continues in the lobby with a small band playing for listening and dancing into the early morning.

Although only one member of our family utilized the gym and no one took advantage of the spa facilities, we knew they were available. Clearly there is something for every one and every age at this resort.

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