Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos, Mexico [Master Thread]
May 7, 2019, 12:25 pm
#76
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: MileagePlus 1K, Marriott BonVoy Titanium
Posts: 166
I received a complementary upgrade to a suite on a eight night stay by emailing their concierge desk a few days prior to arrival and kindly asking for it as a lifetime titanium member. I did not have any SNAs, so asking for it on a complementary basis was my only option. Since I could not find an email address for Solaz, I called them and asked them for an email address of their concierge desk.
May 7, 2019, 12:29 pm
#77
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
I received a complementary upgrade to a suite on a eight night stay by emailing their concierge desk a few days prior to arrival and kindly asking for it as a lifetime titanium member. I did not have any SNAs, so asking for it on a complementary basis was my only option. Since I could not find an email address for Solaz, I called them and asked them for an email address of their concierge desk.
May 7, 2019, 3:52 pm
#78
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 687
It looks like Solaz Residences, which is listed as a separate property, is now bookable for cash but not points. The Residences are not assigned a category either. I wonder if the Solaz Residences will be excluded from points bookings, if not, even at a Cat 8, these seems like an amazing deal based on the cash rates I'm seeing.
May 7, 2019, 4:12 pm
#79
Join Date: May 1998
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,531
[email protected]
In response to a request for the email address of the reservations department, he gave me the following two addresses:
[email protected]
[email protected]
May 7, 2019, 4:26 pm
#80
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: Hyatt Glob; UA 1K; BonVoyage LTT (RIP SPG); HH Dia; JX Insighter
Posts: 1,642
May 7, 2019, 4:34 pm
#81
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: MileagePlus 1K, Marriott BonVoy Titanium
Posts: 166
It looks like Solaz Residences, which is listed as a separate property, is now bookable for cash but not points. The Residences are not assigned a category either. I wonder if the Solaz Residences will be excluded from points bookings, if not, even at a Cat 8, these seems like an amazing deal based on the cash rates I'm seeing.
May 8, 2019, 11:05 am
#82
Join Date: May 1998
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,531
FYI, I reserved a main building Grand on points. When I asked, they offered to upgrade me in advance to a Gallery Grand room for $155 USD per night plus taxes 19% plus service charge 15%. Not a bad deal (less than the difference between the cash rates for the two room categories) but pondering whether it’s worth it. I’m a mere Gold so I doubt they’ll upgrade me for free at checkin.
May 8, 2019, 9:54 pm
#83
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: MileagePlus 1K, Marriott BonVoy Titanium
Posts: 166
FYI, I reserved a main building Grand on points. When I asked, they offered to upgrade me in advance to a Gallery Grand room for $155 USD per night plus taxes 19% plus service charge 15%. Not a bad deal (less than the difference between the cash rates for the two room categories) but pondering whether it’s worth it. I’m a mere Gold so I doubt they’ll upgrade me for free at checkin.
The main building grand rooms have pretty good ocean views and can be reached via an elevator. They have a balcony instead of a terrace. They may also be closer to the breakfast restaurant as compared to the gallery rooms.
It will depend on your budget and craving for some extra luxury if the gallery rooms are worth another $200 all-in per night.
You are probably right that as a gold member you may not receive a complementary upgrade.
Last edited by points_maniac; May 8, 2019 at 9:59 pm Reason: Clarifications
May 9, 2019, 2:05 pm
#84
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: YYZ
Programs: Skymiles GM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, National EE, Hertz 5*
Posts: 383
My original booking was cancelled. It was the side effect of a drawn out event where somebody hijacked my Marriott account and started cashing out my points in Lake Charles, LA. I haven't rebooked it since and might not after all.
Edit: My reservation still exists, maybe I will go after all.
May 9, 2019, 3:15 pm
#85
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: MileagePlus 1K, Marriott BonVoy Titanium
Posts: 166
I think it will be YMMV. As a Lifetime Titanium I visited with my wife and our 4-year old son, and they added him to our vouchers for the breakfast, but it seemed to be a courtesy and not something that we should always expect.
May 15, 2019, 6:44 pm
#86
Join Date: May 1998
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,531
Ok, I’m here now. This is a very nice resort. As folks have mentioned, the architecture and grounds are amazing. The staff is all super nice and hardworking. I wouldn’t say they’re seamless, but some of the rough edges earlier reviewers mentioned seem to have been smoothed out.
About the room categories. While the non suite rooms are all almost identical in interior size and layout, the main building and gallery rooms are like different hotels. My points got me a main building grand, which was top floor with an awesome view. But I was next to the residence towers, and there was a loud a/c unit that I found bothersome while sitting on the balcony. And they started using some power tools in the room next door this morning. The other weird thing is that walking from the elevator to your room is on an exposed walkway next to a 4 lane highway. You can’t really hear it inside, but that few yards of loud car noise really harshes your mellow. Given the level of architecture here I’m kind of shocked they didn’t build enclosed hallways.
I asked to be moved to a quieter room in my category (mentioned only the a/c and construction noise) and they very nicely upgraded me to a superior gallery room, a lower tier gallery room (I.e., low and just a peek at the ocean) right near the spa, gym, Mako beach restaurant and hotel pool. Not as private, but a world of difference. The courtyard with outdoor shower and plunge pool make for a much more pleasant experience, as does the lack of exposure to the highway.
As as I mentioned upthread, an advance upgrade (to a grand gallery room, more private and higher up the hill) would have been $200/day all in. Is it worth it? Probably. Would I have done it had I known the property layout before coming? Probably not, unless the vacation was something really special. A quieter balcony would have been fine and the experience otherwise is just the same.
Btw, while they don’t advertise them to hotel guests don’t forget the restaurants on the timeshare side of the property. I really liked El Cardon for dinner last night and the prices were quite reasonable for resort food and drink, less expensive than Mako (the resort’s poolside restaurant). All pools other than a small pool at the residence towers are open to all guests, but I like the energy at the hotel pool best.
About the room categories. While the non suite rooms are all almost identical in interior size and layout, the main building and gallery rooms are like different hotels. My points got me a main building grand, which was top floor with an awesome view. But I was next to the residence towers, and there was a loud a/c unit that I found bothersome while sitting on the balcony. And they started using some power tools in the room next door this morning. The other weird thing is that walking from the elevator to your room is on an exposed walkway next to a 4 lane highway. You can’t really hear it inside, but that few yards of loud car noise really harshes your mellow. Given the level of architecture here I’m kind of shocked they didn’t build enclosed hallways.
I asked to be moved to a quieter room in my category (mentioned only the a/c and construction noise) and they very nicely upgraded me to a superior gallery room, a lower tier gallery room (I.e., low and just a peek at the ocean) right near the spa, gym, Mako beach restaurant and hotel pool. Not as private, but a world of difference. The courtyard with outdoor shower and plunge pool make for a much more pleasant experience, as does the lack of exposure to the highway.
As as I mentioned upthread, an advance upgrade (to a grand gallery room, more private and higher up the hill) would have been $200/day all in. Is it worth it? Probably. Would I have done it had I known the property layout before coming? Probably not, unless the vacation was something really special. A quieter balcony would have been fine and the experience otherwise is just the same.
Btw, while they don’t advertise them to hotel guests don’t forget the restaurants on the timeshare side of the property. I really liked El Cardon for dinner last night and the prices were quite reasonable for resort food and drink, less expensive than Mako (the resort’s poolside restaurant). All pools other than a small pool at the residence towers are open to all guests, but I like the energy at the hotel pool best.
May 20, 2019, 9:14 pm
#89
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 3
Thanks @CLEguy for the quick reply! Sorry for the follow up question and I probably should have been more specific in my initial question...does the kitchenette include a cooktop and fridge? My wife has food allergies and while we found some places that can accommodate her, it would make breakfast and lunch much easier to be able to prepare her meal ourselves.
May 20, 2019, 9:21 pm
#90
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: Hyatt Glob; UA 1K; BonVoyage LTT (RIP SPG); HH Dia; JX Insighter
Posts: 1,642
Thanks @CLEguy for the quick reply! Sorry for the follow up question and I probably should have been more specific in my initial question...does the kitchenette include a cooktop and fridge? My wife has food allergies and while we found some places that can accommodate her, it would make breakfast and lunch much easier to be able to prepare her meal ourselves.