02/25/2025
Returned about a week ago from my first sun destination vacation since 2020. Here is my honest review about GR SOLARIS LIGHTHOUSE:
I booked this resort last minute, and it wasn't in my original travel plans/budget for the year, but I was very stressed and it was affecting me both mentally and physically. My requirements for picking a place to stay were:
✔smaller resort - quiet, no partying, loud music, etc.
✔clean
✔ocean view room
✔be able to eat when I want where I want [understanding reservations may need to be made, but no limitations on to how many a la carts I can choose to visit during my stay]
✔within budget [the max I wanted to spend was about 2100]
We found this resort and the reviews on trip advisor weren't great, it was just taken over by a new company [used to be Barcelo] in October and some growing pains following the switch are to be expected. Managing my expectations would be something I was likely going to have to do. But, it met all of my requirements [was close to budget - $2250], and there were some really good reviews so, this is the property that was chosen.
We arrived to San Jose del Cabo and it's a short drive to the hotel zone. When you drive up to the resort, you see the lighthouse standing tall near the entrance, and you see an open-air lobby bar area where you can look out over the hotel grounds and out into the Sea of Cortez. I was sold right there. I didn't say it before, but I REALLY did not want a place where the only place to congregate at the end of the day was an air conditioned bar, so I was extra happy to see this.
The reception is to the right when you walk up. Our check-in was smooth, there were only 2 groups of 2 who were checking in at the same time. Once that is in place, you will be passed to someone who will tell you the ins and outs of the resort, giving you a map telling you where everything is, how to make reservations for the a la cart restaurants [use the app], and any other events happening throughout your stay.
There was talk about there being a lot of push for timeshare opportunities on the TripAdvisor reviews, and I did see a few people walking about on their tours, but my friend and I were never approached once. I am not sure if it's because I put SINGLE AF on both our marital status when we filled out the intake form or what, but whatever it was, we didn't experience any issues with this.
ROOMS: I thought they were nice enough, I have no complaints. The thermostat worked, they were clean and tidy, we had enough supplies. We booked a superior ocean view, told we would get a partial ocean view when we checked in and I was about to get myself all worked up, but when I went to the room and actually saw the view, I calmed down. All the rooms are angled just so, and when you step out onto the balcony you have a great view of the sea. I actually woke up at 6am every morning as the sun would just start to show below the horizon and I would drink my coffee and watch rays and whales as it rose.
FOOD: reviews on TripAdvisor were everywhere from "this was the best food ever!" to "will never visit here again, the food was atrocious" sort of thing. The food wasn't knock your socks off good, but it was food. For breakfast every morning they had cereal, pastry, waffles/crepes/pancakes, savoury selections, an omelette station, fruit and yogurt station, meats and cheeses, salads, etc. Something for everyone. The snack bar in the food area had the basics - hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, salsa and guac, fries and all the fixings. The a la cartes [one Mexican and one Italian, and one sushi] were OK. They were a step above the quality you find in the buffet. Some of the dishes in the Mexican were spicy, so if you do not like spice, be warned. The sushi a la carte is up in the lighthouse. There was a small selection to choose from but it was enough and the view from up there is something else. You can also choose to visit the lighthouse bar and have a few beverages, watching whales as the sun sets and the city lights turn on.
-There's also a Starbucks on site but it is not part of the All-Inclusive, you will have to pay.
-Drinks were fine. They make pretty much anything you might want, but finding a decent espresso martini was a little difficult.
STAFF: everyone was really friendly and willing to serve. I would see service staff working around the resort all day, fixing things, making things look new, cleaning things. The place is well looked after. There was one elevator at the end of our building that didn't appear to work for most of the week. It did get fixed by our last day. Saying that, there were 2 other elevators [one in the middle and one at the other end] that a person could use, so if you needed an elevator to get to your room, you had one.
ENTERTAINMENT: This is where the resort could use a little more help. Did I mind? No. I can entertain myself, and I was there more for rest and relaxation than anything, so at this point in time I was fine without a bunch of stuff happening by the pool. There was a quiz most days, water aerobics sometimes, a little game a few other days [name that tune, bingo, bean bag toss competition, etc]. It wasn't the same schedule everyday, and I think they only have one or two entertainment staff, so that makes sense. What they did, they did well. Will they increase the amount of staff they have for next year? I'm not sure. Evening entertainment left a bit to be desired, but I loved that their stage was outdoors in the lobby bar. They had some dancers one night, often they just have a screen with music videos playing. Their Mexican Fiesta night was fun - they had a Mexican Buffet and they also had dancers on stage as well as a game that the guests rocked. It was enough to keep me happy.
THE QUESTIONS: Would I return? yes. Would I recommend for others? If the clients are looking for a more budget-friendly place, don't mind a layover each way [not a direct flight from Saskatchewan], haven't been to luxury-type resorts before, and aren't foodies, I think they would love this place.
