Rancho Las Cruces La Paz

Historic Rancho Las Cruces is an exclusive Baja seaside beach resort located on a natural sanctuary of more than 10,000 acres and 7 miles of private pristine coastline. Its hotel is situated along the white sandy beaches of the Sea of Cortés yet only a short drive from the La Paz, BCS international airport.

Gaze across the Sea of Cortés to the enchanted Island of Cerralvo, once known to the Spanish conquistadors as the Island of Pearls. Wake to the morning sun and be filled with awe as it turns the tranquil sea into a masterpiece of color.

Enjoy the majestic Santa Cruz Mountains, stunning desert gardens and oasis of stately palms while enjoying attentive and personalized service.

If you long for peace and quiet, where time moves at a slower pace; if you love the unspoiled wonders of nature we invite you to go back in time and enjoy the natural paradise of Rancho Las Cruces.

HISTORY
Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador, was told about a great Island filled with gold and pearls of wonderful size and color. Determined to find the source of such impressive riches and to claim the fabled island of pearls for the Spanish crown Cortés sent various expeditions.

On one of these Cortés himself set forth and landed on May 3rd, 1535 on what was thought to be an island. In commemoration of his landing he placed three crosses on the land he baptized as Santa Cruz.

Stone replicas of these crosses still remain in the site where Rancho Las Cruces now stands. Part of the land known as Santa Cruz by the early Explorers would later be named Las Cruces. Although he found no gold, Cortés did find pearls of astonishing beauty.

Down the centuries the shores of Las Cruces and the islands of Cerralvo and Espirito Santo were renowned for their fabulous pearls but a decline in the pearl oyster started as early as 1900 and by 1929 the pearl industry of Baja belonged to the past.

Standing where Cortés once stood more than 400 years earlier, Abelardo L. Rodriguez Montijo watched the rising sun cast its array of magnificent color on the tranquil sea. He saw the remains of thatched huts, water wells and aqueducts that once irrigated beautiful tropical orchards and native palms.

He realized then, that although depleted of pearls, Las Cruces could still provide treasure. He believed that the enchantment of ten thousand acres with more than seven miles of private sea coast would be gratifying to those who must face maddening crowds and churn through congested traffic.

In 1948 he and his beautiful bride, Lucille Bremer decided to turn Las Cruces into a small luxury resort. This was the birth of tourism in the state of Baja California Sur. The success of Las Cruces prompted Abelardo (Rod) to build other world class resorts in Baja.

Hotel Palmilla which opened in 1957 is still thought of as the shining star of Los Cabos (now the One and Only Palmilla) as well as Hotel Hacienda in Cabo San Lucas.

Las Cruces, however, was the place Abelardo and his family always called home. Here he built his home as well as others for his dear friends and partners Robert Fisher, Desi Arnaz, Bing Crosby, Charles Jones and Roger Bacon.

Casa Fisher is now called Hacienda Santa Cruz. Las Cruces offers discriminating guests the same natural beauty, tranquility and charm that attracts distinguished guests.

His resorts gained notoriety and were visited by many celebrities including princes, presidents, dignitaries and stars and simply by people whose wish it was to experience the adventure of a land that until then had been inaccessible to most.

CASA NIKI
A two bedroom house. The master bedroom has a king size bed and marble bath with sunken tub. The main house has a spacious living room, kitchen, breakfast room, and children’s bedroom with two twin beds and bathroom.

This comfortable home also has its own semi-enclosed patio with a plantation view, and it is nicely furnished, close to the game areas, tennis courts, swimming pool, beach, dining room and bar. This house works very well for families with children, and is available for longer stays.

CASA LORDAN
Situated along the club’s seaside malecon, Casa Lordan is a beautiful four bedroom house. The living area is separate from the bedrooms and is complete with game table, bar, and large stone fireplace. The house has a lovely, ocean side courtyard with a stone fountain.

BEACH FRONT SUITES
Stroll along our heavenly beachfront malecon to beautifully appointed cabañas, each a double suite, some with connecting doors. The rooms have in suite sitting areas with wood burning fireplaces, luxurious king or queen beds and spacious bathrooms decorated with Mexican talavera tile.

OCEAN VIEW ROOMS
Enter the simple elegance, comfort and beauty of the original Rancho Las Cruces resort with its charming dining room, cantina and spacious accommodations just steps from the translucent blue waters of the Sea of Cortez.

Each room is decorated in the old world Mexican colonial tradition with hand carved furnishings with king, queen or double beds. All guest rooms include bathrooms adorned with hand painted Mexican talavera tile. In the evenings a romantic wood burning fireplace can be lit upon request.

These rooms are surrounded by terraces, desert and tropical gardens with ocean vistas and soothing afternoon breezes. Walk out onto the poolside gazebo, sunbathe, or relax in the comfort of chaise lounges while enjoying our world famous Las Cruces margaritas.

HACIENDA SANTA CRUZ
This enchanting, luxurious hacienda has 4 ocean view master bedrooms plus an office/bedroom looking towards the mountains. The hacienda is just steps to the beach and marina of Las Cruces.

One of the original homes of Las Cruces, the hacienda has recently undergone a complete remodel, including the addition of a full sized swimming pool and jacuzzi. In-room air-conditioning, television and wireless internet service are also provided. This house comes with a full kitchen, groundskeeper, and in house maid.

CASA SERENA
This spacious home has protected, unparalleled views of the Las Cruces seascape, Island of Cerralvo and the Resort, along with gracious desert gardens and majestic mountain vistas.

Casa Serena is the perfect home away from home, offered in the traditional Las Cruces style where love of nature and old world traditions are ever fostered. Casa Serena includes 3 Air-conditioned Master Suites (2 with king size beds and one with 2 queen beds) with spacious bathrooms.

The 3rd bedroom has a connected studio with 2 twin beds for children, this studio and the 3rd bedroom share the same bathroom. This house also includes a private pool and a fully equipped kitchen.

AUTHENTIC CUISINE
Our executive chef offers a seasonal variety of 165 Mexican dishes prepared fresh daily with only the finest of locally sourced organic ingredients. Following are just a sampling of our many savory dishes plucked fresh from our gardens, nearby farms and the bountiful Sea of Cortez.

THE BAR
Serving a wide selection of non-alcoholic beverages, tropical drinks, cocktail recipes, imported wines and top-shelf liquors at both our indoor lounge and ocean-side tropical bar, with our most popular drink being the “Classic Margarita”.

WEDDINGS
Baja Mexico Destination Beach Weddings – La Paz Luxury Beach ResortExperience a stunning venue in a tropical paradise that is beyond your wildest dreams, an idyllic setting like no other place on Earth.

Create memories that you will cherish forever in a timeless historic Chapel, overlooking spectacular palm gardens, a marine aquarium and white sandy beaches on the tranquil Sea of Cortés.

Immerse yourself within a secluded natural sanctuary of more than 10,000 acres and 7 miles of pristine coastline, and be filled with awe as the sun turns the sparkling sea into a masterpiece of color with endless painted skies.

The paradise that surrounds Las Cruces is the embodiment of romance and we invite you to set the stage for your magical day anywhere upon our shores. Our experienced staff will help plan everything you need for the perfect wedding.

With accommodations to satisfy groups both large and small, filled with authentic Mexican old world charm and activities to make your stay fun and enjoyable, allow us to manage the details so you can relax in luxury at the natural treasure and marine sanctuary that is Rancho Las Cruces.

Celebrate your wedding in an elegant seaside Chapel with beautiful palm filled hills overlooking the tranquil Sea of Cortés. A unique setting filled with history, romance, spiritual energy and mystic beauty.

ACTIVITIES

• Boats (super pangas) are available for fishing and enjoying nearby isolated beaches or the Island of Cerralvo for sightseeing, picnicking, swimming, snorkeling and exploring. (additional charges apply)
• 3 tennis courts, one paddle tennis court, golf driving range with simulated play, putting green, par course which provides scientifically balanced exercise, croquet courts, horse shoes, shuffleboard, skeet shooting, sporting clays, volleyball court, table tennis and badminton.
• Horseback riding. Guided tours. Discover the breathtaking trails, mountain pools and isolated beaches on horseback. (additional charges apply)
• Rancho Las Cruces guests will be given a map of Las Cruces describing 13 different promenade walks and hikes describing the distances and degree of difficulty of each.
• Stroll along the cabañas boardwalk and the sea of Cortés.
• Visit the historic path of the old Las Cruces plantation.
• Sun bathe at the “I vant to be alone beach”
• Bide a while in the Santa Cruz Chapel and see the lovely Stations of the Cross. Enjoy the serenity while birds dart in and out of the church through the open arched windows.
• Visit the famous three crosses that gave the resort its name.
• Hike along the beautiful south coast to the viewpoint palapa. Enjoy magnificent views of the shimmering seascape, the verdant Las Cruces oasis, the mystic Island of Cerralvo and exotic desert vegetation.
• Enjoy the “el melon” trail. This path follows a trail that ranchers have used for over two centuries. Experience beautiful views and unique examples of the flora and fauna of the Baja desert.

ECOTOURISM ACTIVITIES
Additional ecotourism activities such as mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, bird-watching and other tourism packages are available at Rancho Cacachilas, located just south of Rancho Las Cruces, in the beautiful mountains of La Paz in Baja California Sur.

Rooms: 36

Price: from 677 EUR per night

Source: www.rancholascruces.com