Travel is starting to open up in spite of the ongoing pandemic, and as our trip to Cancun in September showed, Mexico is leading the way in welcoming back visitors and making them feel comfortable indeed. So it was with great anticipation that eight of us booked a long weekend on the other side of the country. We would be staying at Le Blanc outside of Cabo San Lucas. On November 5, we flew different airlines--Delta, American and United--and all of us had a fine experience.
 |
| The San Jose del Cabo Airport is modern, efficient and spotlessly clean. |
Upon arrival, we were required to undergo a temperature screening and complete a health questionnaire. Unlike many destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico does not require inbound travelers to have a negative COVID-19 test recorded in the previous few days. All of us were fine and we passed through customs without a problem. We'd timed our arrival for later in the day, when the airport was not quite as busy.
 |
Outside the airport, our transportation would be provided by LeBlanc, a Cadillac Escalade; right away, the resort was making a good impression on us. |
The driver of our shuttle was masked, and we kept ours on all the way to resort for the 15-minute drive. When I'd left our home in northwest Wisconsin that morning, the temperature was a cool 40 degrees; in Cabo, it was sunny and 85. It's a dry climate in that part of Mexico, so the humidity you sometimes get in Cancun is not going to bother you here.
We arrived at the resort and walked into the lobby across a disinfectant mat, which automatically sanitized the bottoms of our shoes. After another round of temperature checks, we were allowed to formally check in and were shown to our rooms. Le Blanc also provides guests with an app for checking in, along with ordering drinks, room service and lots more. Right away, we could see that the "Purely Palace" protocols put in place by Le Blanc's parent company, Palace Resorts, are on the leading edge.
When I got to my room, I got another example of the company's attention to detail:
After checking into our rooms, the group was given a tour of the resort, giving us an immediate and very favorable impression of where we'd spend the next few days.
 |
| As dusk approaches, we saw the reception area. A private party was already underway. |
 |
| The resort's pizzeria was always busy. |
 |
| The night-time view of the pool area was spectacular indeed. |
Friday, November 6
 |
| We began our first morning with "Glitter Girl Yoga," taught by yours truly. L-R: Denise, Cindy, Laurie, me, Debbie, Sara, Kim and Bonnie. (Sara photo) |
Energized by the yoga and the beautiful morning, we proceeded to breakfast and then the first of a string of great days at Le Blanc.
 |
| We all had garden-view rooms... |
 |
| ...but loved the ocean-view rooms we were shown in the morning. |
The beach is beautiful, but swimming is not allowed due to the strong undertow. It's great to walk along, though.
We spent the rest of the day around the pool, visiting the shops, and enjoying the first "normal" day we'd had in what seemed like years. Mask-wearing is mandatory for staff, but optional for guests. Since we stayed in our own group, we chose to go mask-free.
 |
| Travel Leaders mugs awaited us, courtesy of Debbie and her daughter Candace. |
 |
| It didn't take long for us to put our new mugs to good use. (Laurie photos) |
It was pizza night for our gang, as we all ordered room service with our apps to see how it worked. The answer: very well. Rooms also had butlers assigned, and several of us used the app to have our butlers prepare our baths, complete with aromatherapy scents throughout the room.
I was pretty sure I could get used to this.
Saturday, November 7
Another gorgeous morning greeted us today, simply splendid for walks along the beach and, of course, more yoga. Then it was pool, a few drinks, some shopping, lots of conversation, more pool....you get the idea. By mid-afternoon, we were all convinced that we could do this for the next few months.
 |
| A morning walk along the beach, with the sun rising over the Gulf of California. |
 |
| A visit to the spa really hit the spot in the afternoon. |
 |
| With Jonathan, our sommelier, we enjoyed a wine-tasting before our dinner at Lumiere, the resort's French restaurant. |
Another day in paradise came to a close. The best part? We had another one scheduled for tomorrow!
Sunday, November 8
Sundays are supposed to be a day of rest. Well, every day at Le Blanc is a day of rest, or of a lot of activity, depending on your mood. We began this day with another Glitter Girl Yoga session, and after breakfast we headed to the pool again. The toughest decision would be what to eat, because the choices were plentiful. No buffets, though.
 |
| (Sara photo) |
Our day would be capped with a sunset cruise. We contracted with Cabo Adventures, which picked us up at the resort and a 20-mile ride later dropped us off at the marina in Cabo San Lucas. Our cruise took us out to sea and around the point of the Baja California peninsula, with Lovers Arch marking the coast, and we had a spectacular view of the sun setting into the Pacific Ocean.
 |
| Masked up and ready to rock! (Laurie photo) |
 |
| Cabo Adventures, two to a towel. (Sara photo) |
It was fully dark when we returned to the marina, and pretty soon it was time to retire for the evening. Our final full day in Cabo was over; the next day, most of us would begin our long journey home.
Monday, November 9
Another morning, another Glitter Girl Yoga session, another breakfast, and one last relaxing dip in the pool. Most of us were heading home, although one lucky gal was able to stay a few more days. (Not me.) The transfer to the airport went smoothly, and our flights home were almost routine. And also full.
LeBlanc also has a resort in Jamaica, which is next on our bucket list. It was great to get away for a few days and enjoy the sun, sand and luxurious amenities of this wonderful resort. I'd love to send you there next!
No comments:
Post a Comment