Rancho Leonero
www.rancholeonero.com
US booking office 800-646-2252

Our last hotel stay was Rancho Leonero, about 20 minutes north from Punta Colorado (south of Palmas de Cortez). Similar in build to Punta Colorado set atop a small cliff, it is a more modern version. I am so impressed with all the stonework in Baja, it is both beautiful and functional. We treated ourselves to one of the oceanview cottages (normally $225/night but with the August discount of $25 including 3 meals a day). There are less expensive rooms, check the website for pricing. Our cottage was very large, tile floors, big shower and great patio. The AC wasn’t quite as powerful as the other 2 hotels but we were so acclimated by then we didn’t notice much. The view was once again, spectacular and the beach just steps away. A small but nice pool flanks the bar and dining room area. Hammocks and rocking chairs near the pool were hot commodities. The darling hotel cat and her kittens seem to know the meal schedule as well as the guests, showing up on que when the dishes came out. I think they try a little harder here to accomodate a wider range of tastes. As a vegetarian, I always struggle a bit with the food selections but was quite impressed at Rancho (although I could probably survive on baja tortillas and fresh salsa for 2 weeks! They are so wonderful down there!). Once again, the indoor/ourdoor dining was beautiful, the service was good, the beers cold and as the full moon rose over the Sea of Cortez I knew what a special place in the world we have in Baja. The hotel additionall has a covered, outdoor workout room and nice shirts for souvenirs.

The boats are $25 to $50 more expensive here that other resorts we stayed at and the guides told us they were done at 2pm as opposed to 3 at Palmas and Punta Colorado. We were not very impressed with that. Overall, great room, location, service, loved it.

Rancho only accept cash, travelers checks, or California state personal checks and as at most East Cape hotels you will be assessed a 10 to 12% tax and a 10% service fee which is supposed to be for staff gratuities.

Score: 10/10