GR Solaris Lighthouse
GR Solaris Lighthouse sits in San José del Cabo's hotel zone on the Sea of Cortez, the calmer end of Los Cabos, rather than in the party scene of Cabo San Lucas. It was the Barceló Gran Faro until GR Solaris took it over in late 2024. The staff remain its strongest card: guest after guest names the employees who made their trip, and that warmth drives a lot of repeat bookings. Every room has a balcony, and the Deluxe Ocean View rooms in Torre Sol and the beachfront junior suites have the best sea views.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Beachfront in San José del Cabo's hotel zone on the Sea of Cortez, quieter than the Cabo San Lucas strip and a short ride from the historic Art District
- +Staff consistently get exceptional reviews, with guests naming individual employees who went well beyond expectations
- +Three included a la carte dinners worth booking: Francesco's for Italian, Don Gus for Mexican and Tavo, which the resort bills as the only sushi bar in San José del Cabo
- +Every room has a private balcony, and the Deluxe Ocean View rooms in the Torre Sol building run 56 m² with uninterrupted sea views
- +A beachfront infinity pool on top of the heated pools and several outdoor Jacuzzis, so there is real choice even though the sea is off limits
- +Themed night shows (Mexican Night, Broadway, Tropical Night), live music nights and karaoke, plus organized outings to Mandala and Coco Bongo leaving at 9:30pm
- +Supervised Kids Club for ages 4 to 12 with morning and afternoon sessions, and a heated kids' pool
- +Only about 25 minutes from Los Cabos airport, and arrival transfer is free on 4+ night stays booked direct with Club Solaris
Cons
- −The beach is not swimmable: the resort itself says the Sea of Cortez waves are too strong here, so all swimming happens in the pools
- −Formerly the Barceló Gran Faro, the hotel became GR Solaris Lighthouse in late 2024 and returning guests notice the change in feel and service
- −Rooms and public areas are described as tired in places, with worn fixtures and maintenance issues that lag behind the newer Corridor resorts
- −Francesco's, Don Gus and Tavo are booked through the Solaris app and are subject to availability, so popular slots go quickly
- −Pool loungers run short at busy times and the towel-saving starts early
- −House-pour spirits at the pool bar disappoint guests who care about drink quality
- −Club Solaris members get perks regular all-inclusive guests do not, which some find creates a two-tier feel
- −Room service runs 7am to about 12:30am but every delivery carries a 100 MXN fee, and the spa is extra
The beach is beautiful to look at but the resort itself says the waves are too strong for swimming, so days revolve around the heated pools, the beachfront infinity pool, the Jacuzzis and the swim-up bar. Dining is the Café Solaris buffet and a poolside snack bar, plus three a la cartes booked through the Solaris app: Francesco's (Italian), Don Gus (Mexican) and Tavo (sushi). Guests rate the a la carte food above the usual resort standard but call out house-brand spirits at the pool bar, a tired feel in parts of the building and a two-tier vibe around Club Solaris members. Wi-Fi is free, and room service runs until about 12:30am for a 100 MXN fee per delivery.
This suits couples and families who want a mellow, mid-range all-inclusive with friendly staff and do not need polished rooms or premium pours. Expect a quieter stay than at Cabo San Lucas resorts and a less luxurious one than at the newer Corridor properties. San José del Cabo's Art District and its Thursday evening Art Walk (November through June) are close by, the estuary is good for birdwatching, and sportfishing, East Cape snorkel trips and a day in Todos Santos are easy to arrange.
Common Questions
Can you swim in the ocean at GR Solaris Lighthouse?
Is this the old Barceló Gran Faro?
How do I get dinner reservations at the specialty restaurants?
Is Wi-Fi and room service included?
Is San José del Cabo better than Cabo San Lucas as a base?
What are the best things to do near the resort?
Restaurants (5)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | Café Solaris |
| Mexican | Rosmarinus, Don Gus |
| Italian | Francesco's |
| Japanese & sushi | Tavo |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
What's nearby
Medano Beach30 min drive · 18 mi
Palmilla Golf Club8 min drive · 3.9 mi
Santa Maria Beach30 min drive · 14 mi
30 min drive · 19 mi
San José Estuary2 min drive · 0.7 mi
Misión San José del Cabo4 min drive · 1.6 mi
More things to do (24)
- Chileno Beach · beach20 min drive · 11 mi
- Playa del Estero · beach9 min drive · 3.2 mi
- Monuments Beach · beach30 min drive · 17 mi
- Sunset catamaran cruise · excursion30 min drive · 19 mi
- Snorkel cruise to Santa Maria Bay · excursion30 min drive · 19 mi
- Sea turtle release, San José del Cabo (July to December) · wildlife3 min drive · 0.6 mi
- Club Campestre San José · golf5 min drive · 1.6 mi
- San José del Cabo · town5 min drive · 1.9 mi
- Wirikuta Desert Botanical Garden · nature5 min drive · 2.2 mi
- Costa Azul Beach · beach6 min drive · 2.1 mi
- Cerro de las Chivas · viewpoint6 min drive · 3.0 mi
- Puerto Los Cabos Marina · marina7 min drive · 2.5 mi
- Acapulquito Beach · beach7 min drive · 4.0 mi
- Palmilla Beach · beach8 min drive · 3.8 mi
- Puerto Los Cabos Golf Club · golf15 min drive · 5.1 mi
- Cabo Real Golf Club · golf15 min drive · 8.2 mi
- Cabo del Sol Golf · golf25 min drive · 14 mi
- Cabo San Lucas Natural History Museum · museum30 min drive · 20 mi
- Marina Cabo San Lucas · marina30 min drive · 19 mi
- Glass-bottom boat to El Arco and Lover's Beach · excursion30 min drive · 19 mi
- Snorkeling at Pelican Rock · excursion30 min drive · 19 mi
- Sportfishing charter · excursion30 min drive · 19 mi
- Iglesia de San Lucas · historic site30 min drive · 20 mi
- Cabo San Lucas · town35 min drive · 20 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Seaweed & sargassum
Cabo San Lucas is not a sargassum destination.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.2 · 5,034 reviews
“Our stay at GR Solaris Lighthouse Resort in Los Cabos was truly unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The staff were consistently professional, attentive, and genuinely caring, making us feel...”
