We stayed at the Playa Grande Resort from November 12th to 19th after one day in each of the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, the Todos Santos Inn and the Hotel California (the latter two in Todos Santos). We have visited Cabo San Lucas for many years and usually stay at the Solmar which we still love. This was our first year as time share owners at Playa Grande and our suite was a temporary one bedroom unit on the second floor of building L. We judged this location as good but not great. We are awaiting the completion of the highest Villa (Building C) and the common facilities of the Ridge expansion. Our room was large with two full bathrooms and was well finished with granite and marble. Furnishings and decor are well done.
Playa Grande is a large upscale resort with amenities ranging from five pools, a number of restaurants and bars and first rate gymnasium and spa facilities. It seems like a combination of a grand Mexican hacienda and the Belagio in Los Vegas. Its location on Solmar Beach is great. You combine easy access to town by foot with the views and privacy of the Pacific side. Visitors who are looking for a boutique hotel with a Mexican feel should look elsewhere. Owners and guests will be pleased that after years of construction, the gardens, ponds and fountains are finally finished.
The infinity pools on the Ridge should be open before March of 2006. They are going to be spectacular with a 360 degree view from the marina to the Pacific. From below it just looks like a large construction project. From above looking down it's spectacular. You even look down on the soon to open Play With The Dolphins pools. We managed to access all of the Ridge buildings under construction and the view from up there is breathtaking. These facilities will be available to all guests of the Resort.
No area, hotel or resort will please everybody. If there is a downside to Playa Grande it may be that the scale of the development may make personalized service more difficult. They were very busy with post huricane transfers from the Yucatan and stiil did a good job. Also, although the sales approach is soft sell, time share tours will be around you and will continue until the Ridge development is sold out. They will then switch to sales of property north of the Cabo Pacifica and/or to property above the marina entrance.
If you haven't stayed at Playa Grande do so. Like most visitors you will probably love it. If you are staying somewhere else in Cabo tell the people at the security gate that you are going to one of the restaurants and go for a visit. You should include a walk along the beach (stay back from the ocean) to Solmar and Finisterra. The Whale Watcher Bar next door at Finisterra is wonderful.

We finally arrived at the Playa Grande Resort on September 26, after being delayed a day due to Hurricane Rita. Overall, we had an excellent week at the Playa Grande, and would definitely recommended it to those traveling to Cabo. We would go back. The resort population was mostly honeymooners (like us) and families on vacation. I’ve divided my review into Pros, Cons and things that were just in the middle.

Pros: The room was fantastic! We had a junior deluxe suite on the 6th floor. Our room overlooked the pools and ocean, and we even caught the sunrise over the mountain. Breakfast at the Calima restaurant was very good; we ate there almost every day. We ordered from the menu, though, because we are not fans of big buffet breakfast (See cons). Pools were well kept, and the pool servers were very attentive. Happy hour was from 3:30-5:30 (2 for 1 Drinks!) and the margaritas were some of the best that we had in Mexico. The last full day we were there (Sept.30) Hurricane Otis started to batter the coast of Cabo. They took away the cushions on the chairs and the umbrella covers by the pool (understandably), but the Jacuzzis were still open and the severs still made runs to the bar! The location of the resort was also great- short walk into town, and a nice view when you cut through the Marina. Cab rides were about $6 to and from downtown when we were too tired to walk.

Cons: When we were checking in, they were unclear as to why we needed to give them our credit card number. Turns out we couldn’t get a towel card or a lock box key without it. After making 3 trips to the lobby, someone finally explained it to us. The frequent power outages. Every day the power in the complex went out from 5-30 minutes. Asked the people at the front desk and never got a straightforward answer. The breakfast buffet. At Calima restaurant, the staff tried everything in their power to make you order the breakfast buffet. We don’t eat large breakfasts, and just wanted to order something smaller off the menu (for less of a price than the buffet, too). Maybe they just wanted good tips? Time share sellers: Those people are relentless!! Of course we had “vulnerable” stamped on our heads: young, upper middle class newlyweds. We said we weren’t interested, but they tried to follow us to our room when we got there. They called several times, and they even chased us down at the pool one day. Give it a rest!

Middle: Construction. We were on the side of the construction, but by no means did it wake us up or bother us. Towel card. Yes, you have to put down a $16 deposit per card, but as long as you are responsible, you’ll get the money back when you turn in the card. I can understand that people would take a nice pool towel home if they weren’t going to be charged for it. Bed. The bed was on the hard side, but the pillows were nice and we still slept well.

We hope that your experience at the Playa Grande is as nice as ours was. I hope to try the spa next time I’m there! It looks fantastic! Happy vacationing!

P.S. See the Cabo forum for a restaurant review.

What a great experience we have at the Playa Grande Resort. Our room was a One bedroom unit and we liked it very much. The restaurant was great and the cleaning lady was good.

Sometimes, we heard construction noices but was not very often. The beach is very private and clean, ok you can not swim but the pools were great for us. The only dissapointment is that the hotel did not offer a lot of activities to do in the afternoon.

The lobby bar service was kind os slow. And the room service number never answer. The air conditioner sometimes just not work, but when we report about that, a person always come to fix it. And the bellboys help with your bags but only if you are going to gave them a tip.

But let´s talk about the great things about Playa grande. And that is the STAFF.

Rodrigo was the person that make the check in and also was the person that make the check out for us. He is superb, he was also there at the moment we need something, and he resolve all our questions. He speaks very good english, and his skills were absolutely amazings. Ask for him and you will feel welcome.

Also Christian at the concierge desk was great, with nice recomendations.

The Time shire thing, well i dont want to talk about that, none of the ladys were good.

But nice hotel, and we will come back for sure.

This is a hard review to write as I left PG on a very bad note. My wife and I. along with another family of 3, stayed a PG for a week.

Great Things:

Room- We were in room 1175. This room was right on the ocean. Room was well furnished (except bed).

Service- Overall the service was great. Maid everyday and people to take orders around pool all the time.

Adult Pool- There is an adult only poll and jacuzzu. It was not not having to listen to "Marco-Polo".

Grounds- The overall grounds were well kept and wonderful and relaxing.

Not So Great Things:

Bed- This bed was the hardest bed I have ever slept on. Even with the extra pad they added, if was not confortable unless you like sleeping on a board.

Activities Desk- Very little help and not very informative.

On Site Food - It was OK but a bit pricey. The Brigantine restaurant is closed due to kitchen remodeling so your on-site choices are very limited.

BAND-- This was the sour note that killed the vacation. There was a private party or something the last night we were there. A outside stage was set up. The band started about 9 PM. Loud enough to hear all over the complex. I finally called about midnight to see when they would stop and was told 2 AM. I went to the front dest at this time to complain, asked for a manager, and was told he was too busy with the private party to talk to me. While at the front dest waiting, I heard no less than 10 phone calls complaining about the noise.

If this is how this resort treats their people, I will not be going back. I feel sorry for the people who could not sleep during all the noise. My wife and I were dead tired and we had to travel Sunday.

Shame on Playa Grande for putting a private party above the rest or the people staying at the resort.