Royal Solaris Los Cabos & Spa - All Inclusive

This is a large all-inclusive resort in San José del Cabo, built for easy days rather than small-hotel intimacy. With 390 rooms, several pools, a private sandy beach, a spa and a full programme of evening shows, you have plenty to do without having to leave the grounds every afternoon.

English and Spanish are spoken by the hotel team, so practical conversations at reception, in the restaurants and around transfers should be straightforward. The resort also suits mixed groups: families have a kids' club for children aged 4 to 12, a children's pool and a play area, while adults have the spa, gym, sauna and evening entertainment.

The tone is lively rather than hushed. Karaoke, a nightclub, billiards, live shows and a water park all belong to the picture, so this is a sensible choice if you like having options after the day's main event — even when that event involved rather more salt water than planned.

The resort sits on the seafront in San José del Cabo, on the Sea of Cortez side of Los Cabos. The town centre is about 3 miles away, while Los Cabos International Airport is a 15- to 25-minute transfer. That keeps arrival day reasonably simple, without putting you in the middle of Cabo San Lucas nightlife.

There is direct access to a sandy beach with sun loungers and parasols. The important practical detail is that strong natural currents make this beach unsuitable for swimming. Certified swimming beaches including Palmilla, Santa María and El Médano are about 15 minutes away by road.

For getting about, the resort has parking, airport transfers on request, a shuttle service and car hire arrangements. A concierge and excursion assistance can help when the plan involves more than walking between the pool, restaurant and room.

The choice is mainly about how much space you need, whether you want a double bed or twin beds, and how much of the Sea of Cortez you want in the view. Couples can choose a double room, including versions with an ocean or partial-ocean view. Twin rooms make more sense when two divers prefer separate beds, while the quadruple categories give families or small groups room to share without turning the sleeping arrangements into a surface interval argument.

Several categories add an ocean view and some add a private jacuzzi. The deluxe double room is the clearest step up in practical room equipment, with air conditioning, a fridge, coffee-making facilities, a safe, television, Wi-Fi and a hairdryer, alongside a private bathroom. Equipment varies by category, so the room card deserves a proper look before you book rather than a hopeful glance at the resort name.

The rooms include the useful basics for a diving holiday: a private bathroom, shower, television, minibar and alarm clock. Room service runs from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., which covers the awkward return from an early departure and the later need for something small before sleep. Connecting rooms and family rooms are available, and non-smoking rooms are offered.

The stay is all-inclusive, with a buffet restaurant, restaurant service, breakfast and a snack bar included in the resort's food-and-drink set-up. There is also a café, bottled water and tea and coffee facilities. The useful part for divers is not culinary theatre but choice: you can eat properly, grab something lighter or use room service when the body has voted for horizontal recovery.

The evening restaurants take the menu beyond the main buffet. Marco Polo serves Italian, Mediterranean and French cooking, while Panchos focuses on Mexican dishes in a livelier setting. Zài offers à la carte Asian food. All three serve dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., subject to availability, and use a casual-to-formal dress code.

La Bodeguita is a separate tapas-and-wine experience on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. It is not part of the all-inclusive plan. A bar, café facilities and a snack bar keep the transition from pool to plate fairly painless, even if the resort does not list a parade of individually named bars.

Three pools give the resort its main daytime rhythm, including an outdoor heated pool, an indoor pool and a children's pool. There is also a water park, a spa bath, pool equipment and beach towels. The private beach has loungers and parasols, but remember that it is for looking at rather than swimming in; the Sea of Cortez is not always in a cooperative mood.

The spa is the more sensible landing zone when your shoulders have had enough of carrying equipment. Treatments include massage, facials, body wraps, a hammam, sauna and jacuzzi, with Pevonia Botanica products. A gym and fitness equipment are available for those who still regard rest as a technical failure.

Away from the water and treatment rooms, you can play billiards, hire bicycles, use the picnic area or settle on the sun terrace. The evening schedule includes live productions such as Mexican Night, Desert Night, Broadway, Fantasy Adventure, Prehispanic Night, Tropical Show and America Tribute. Karaoke and a nightclub take the volume up another notch, while excursions to Mandala and Coco Bongo are also offered.

Check-in is from 3:00 p.m. and check-out is at 11:00 a.m. The front desk operates around the clock, with express check-in and check-out also available. Early arrival and late departure can be requested, which is useful when flights refuse to align neatly with hotel life.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort. Parking is free, and the property has lifts, accessible facilities and an accessible restaurant. A luggage store, reception safe, concierge, laundry and dry-cleaning services are available. An on-site infirmary and a doctor on request add a useful layer of reassurance when a minor problem decides to appear on holiday.

Airport transfers are available on request, alongside shuttle arrangements and car hire. The resort accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard and American Express. With shops on site, an ATM, currency exchange and a souvenir shop, you can deal with a forgotten essential without turning it into a town expedition.