Most people arriving for a weekend in Cabo San Lucas just in time for one of their biannual rainfalls may not be thrilled; I, however, am one of those people who finds a brilliant beach electrical storm wildly exhilarating. While the locals selling Coronas outside of Los Cabos International Airport didn’t quite seem to share my fanaticism, their smiles were wide with glee. The staff who greeted me when I arrived at the Grand Solmar seemed to mind the looming clouds even less.

A young man driving a golf cart picked me up near the entrance and took me the rest of the way up the steep yet gently winding hill, all the while chatting pleasantly about the unusual weather. I noticed that even against an overcast sky, the hacienda style resort was breathtaking.

The property features 289 suites.  Accommodations are available in six categories, including a Three Bedroom Penthouse and a 6,232 square foot Four-Bedroom Penthouse. Both come with the plushest of amenities, including luxurious bathrobes, welcome cocktails, and complimentary gym access at sister property Playa Grande Resort and Spa.

My studio suite, furnished with a king bed and a Queen Murphy bed,  was all I needed and more. I opened the sliding glass door, stepped onto balcony that provided a completely unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean, and stood in awe for the next 20 minutes as lighting danced across the sky to a chorus of thunder and waves.

After it was all over, I decided to hit Las Olas, one of the the three pools at the Grand Solmar. It was here I learned, while chatting with some of the Cabo San Lucas veterans, of Don Luis Bulnes‘ legacy. A visionary and philanthropist, the late developer of the Grand Solmar (and sister property Playa Grande) began buying up land along the Pacific Coast of the Baja tip before anyone else would venture there; when he began his endeavor, there were neither electricity nor paved roads in Cabo.

According to a couple who said they’d known him, he treated all employees, from the managers to the dishwashers, like family. His warmth inspired his son, Don Francisco Bulnes, with the help of Managing Director Ricardo Orozco Arce, to establish the Solmar Foundation. The non-profit organization was designed to improve the quality of life of Los Cabos residents, many of whom are immigrants who arrived there penniless from mainland Mexico, through programs such as supportive education for children and human development workshops.

Once again rain began to fall steadily, and as the drops began to fall louder and faster there was a boisterous shout:
“Everyone in the pool!”
“Naked!” one of the bartenders chimed in mischievous.
“Oh, Sabino” a smiling, middle-aged  blond women at the bar chided playfully.

The amicable spirit, so powerful that it seemed to burst through the clouds and shine on the faces of the bar staff and patrons alike, was contagious; so contagious, in fact, that I found  myself to be coerced into another round of margaritas and was nearly late for dinner.

The dining options at the Grand Solmar are plentiful; for those seeking an international dining experience with a brilliant sunset as the backdrop, dinner at The Ridge at Playa Grande is a must. With a menu whose offerings include Bruschetta with tomato pesto topped with green olive salad and Pan Roasted Sea Bass, it brings the perfect touch of Mediterranean to the Pacific. Surprisingly refreshing is the Watermelon Gazpacho, served with cucumber granite and infused with lemongrass.

As twilight approaches, I finish my dessert (warm Banana Financier served with caramel ice cream and vanilla sauce) and head downtown to check out the nightlife. Although I’d decided to keep it a relatively low key evening, as I was still a bit jet lagged and anticipated an early wake up call the next morning, I did discover Cabo Wabo, a cozy place where 20 somethings  and their parents alike can enjoy live bands playing classic American covers. For any West Village pub crawler worried about getting homesick during an extended stay in Cabo San Lucas, Cabo Wabo offers the perfect remedy.

The marina was only a ten minute walk from the Grand Solmar, which I was quite pleased about since I stayed out just a tad later than I had intended. Snorkeling and kayaking are enjoyable activities in and of themselves, but the Cabo Adventures staff made them even more so.

As the boat took my group to the activity site, our guide pointed out iconic landmarks such as Los Arcos and Lover’s Beach. Having never snorkeled before, I panicked a bit when I slid the mask down to cover my face. Once I caught sight of the dazzlingly colorful creatures swimming alongside, however, I forgot I was wearing it.

By the time I returned to the hotel that afternoon, I was ready for some serious R&R; I was ever grateful when I was informed that a spa appointment had been booked for me at Playa Grande. Through the use of Thelassotheraputic methods, which incorporate seaweed based treatments for preventative and curing purposes, I was completely rejuvenated; following my massage, I sealed my newfound energy with a seawater bath in the hot tub overlooking the granite cliffs.

My group’s farewell dinner at La Roca Terrace commenced with a tequila tasting with sommelier Isidoro Mendez. As we sat sipping the varieties of blancos, reposados, and anejos, I reflected on my stay and tried to pinpoint a reason why everyone at the Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort and Spa was so genuinely happy. Maybe it was the tequila. Maybe it was the warm spirit of Don Luis, or the serene, natural surroundings. Or maybe it was the simple fact that precipitation of the magnitude I experienced upon my arrival was only a biannual occurrence. Whatever it was, I knew I’d be back again- rain or shine.

Grand Solmars Land’s End Resort & Spa
23450 Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico