Rest your weary head and body at Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas

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The first thing you notice is the warm breeze combined with the sound of the pounding surf of the Pacific Ocean.

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The second thing is the skillful hands of Martha, a veteran massage therapist, as she moves them expertly along your aching lower back and hips while you lay on a table in an open air beachfront hut at the Seaside Spa at the Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas resort.

“You need this,” says Martha, who speaks softly in a soothing tone at the start of a truly unforgettable 60-minute massage that gets progressively more enjoyable and relaxing.

Oh, yes, Martha, I do indeed.

Especially since I’d just had a shot of Don Julio tequila poolside — a first! — right before my appointment.

A recent four-night stay at the all-inclusive luxury resort (and residences) felt like twice as long due to the consistently sunny weather and non-stop breeze, marvelous service (by day two everyone knew our first names), laidback ambiance, and our upgrade to a two-bedroom ocean-view presidential suite with a living room, kitchen and two balconies.

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Let’s put it this way: There are signs everywhere asking people to be quiet by 10 p.m.

Party central, this is not, but if you need to recharge, you can’t do much better than Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas located at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula.

There is expert attention to detail throughout the property which has a staggering six Jacuzzis and four pools plus the ocean-fed lagoon pool that snakes its way around the main part of the resort.

If massage isn’t your thing, there is a beautiful Greg Norman Signature golf course about five minutes away up on the hills behind the resort.

My travelling companion played a full 18 holes and reported “the fairways were generous enough to lull you into thinking your a pro. The majority of the greens were surrounded by deep links-style bunkers and then there were the greens … which were like ice!”

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She also admired the excellent amenities.

“The practice area is expansive and offers your very own practice caddy to clean your club and offer words of encouragement. There are comfort stations at four holes if you want a cerveza or have to use the washroom. You can usually see the ocean from every hole and always feel the breeze from it.”

For others, they might like to take advantage of The Tides swim-up bar and infinity pool — where my friend saw grey whales offshore one morning — and the always-charming Ricardo took our drink and lunch orders — which were typically margaritas and seafood tacos.

A more indulgent experience is on offer when you rent a private Balinese-like cabana by the lagoon where Jim expertly delivered our drinks and food orders including sushi, and there is everything from a fridge, TV and couch on hand.

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If you have children, the lagoon pool also offers both an indoor and outdoor waterslide, a hanging rope to jump from, plus stand-up paddleboards and kayaks.

Among the dining options onsite is the Anica restaurant — where my pal ate her breakfast while I preferred room service and eating on our balcony for the view — or taco night up the hill at Bacari.

And for those wondering what they might be drinking every day, a mixology class with Ulysses from Anica was fun and informative as he created two flower-festooned drinks — the Cazadores tequila-based One Sun cocktail and the Whitley Neill handcrafted rhubarb-and ginger-based gin cocktail that included whipped egg whites and St-Germain liqueur.

But our standout meal came at La Roca restaurant, the ocean-front eatery located at the gorgeous sister property Grand Solmar Lands End, about a half-hour away in Cabo San Lucas proper.

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Once at La Roca, we dined on the best sea bass of our lives.

We were able to access La Roca easily with the bus shuttle that goes between the two properties daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is also handy if you just want to explore downtown Cabo San Lucas.

On our last night we went shopping in the market and visited Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo bar for a quick look at the stage (Sammy has an annual birthday concert there), various rock celebrities pictured in frames along the walls, Van Halen busts behind glass, and — prepare yourself — expensive shots and drinks.

Then it was back to Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas for a lingering goodbye drink on our balcony while the sound of the ocean lulled us one last time.

IF YOU GO

STAY: Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas Resort, about a half hour from San José del Cabo Airport.

FLY: Air Canada flies direct from Toronto on Sundays and Thursdays.

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