Nestled in Tecate, Mexico, Rancho La Puerta is just over three kilometres from the United States border and only a 60-minute drive from San Diego. Set amongst 1200 hectares of pristine vegetation, this is undoubtedly one of the world’s most popular fitness destinations, and fully deserving of its numerous honours and awards, including its spot amongst the top 10 spa destinations in the world.
Having hand picked the location in 1940, Edmond and Deborah Szekely had a vision of a family-run haven, where only wholesome, chemical-free food could be consumed, and where the mind, body and soul could be nurtured.
Seventy-two years on, that dream has been realised and today the Ranch has grown to become one of the world’s preeminent destinations for health and fitness. Indeed, whilst her husband has sadly passed away, 90-year-old Deborah still gives weekly lectures on ways to live life more fully, healthy and vitally. And, with an average 325 days of sunshine a year, this is somewhere it’s easy to look on the sunny side of life.
A central part of the Ranch is Mount Kuchuma. Revered by the local Native Indian community as a sacred and spiritual mountain, its shadow sweeps across the landscape throughout the day. Scattered with boulders and home to a variety of wildlife, ravens and red tail hawks sweep the surrounding sky and can sometimes be seen on the inspirational daily early morning hikes.
Getting to the Ranch is easy, with a private bus laid on from San Diego airport. And, along the way, you’re bound to get chatting to some of the other guests – some of whom will no doubt be returning to the Ranch for a second, third or even fourth visit. In fact, so common is it for people to fall in love with this resort, there is an honour roll in the main office listing all the repeat guests, some of whom have stayed as many as 50 times. Of the 30 people on my bus, all but one had been before, and it didn’t take long to discover why.
Entering Rancho La Puerta through the large wrought iron gates, you immediately get a sense of the ‘magic’ these guests were telling me about on the journey. Energy, warmth, welcoming scents and smiles all come together and any sense of stress quickly dissipates.
Maybe it’s the promise of stress relief that has drawn so many famous guests over the years. Whilst one guest excitedly told me about the time she’d bumped into Burt Lancaster, the Ranch has welcomed some of Hollywood’s most influential stars of past and present. Sophia Loren, Barbara Streisand, Robert Redford, Kate Winslet, Oprah and Madonna are just some of the high profile guests to have experienced the peace, privacy and tranquility of this hidden oasis.
Once inside the gates of the Ranch, a network of paths cross the landscaped gardens, connecting the hotel’s spacious cottages each of which have been strategically positioned around the resort.
The accommodation is beautifully designed, with hand carved furniture and unique local handicrafts decorating the interior. There are a variety of luxury villas ranging in size and costs and all have private patios, allowing you to take advantage of the beautiful weather.
But this isn’t a destination to rest on your laurels. Every hour, on the hour you can choose from a multitude of classes, walks or lessons. From early morning mountain hikes, organic breakfast walks and yoga, pilates or tai chi to water aerobics, circuit training, tennis or dance – there is bound to be something that will take your fancy. And rest assured all the fitness staff are highly trained and certified all with numerous years of experience.
In addition to the recurring activities, each week, different keynote speakers, lecturers, presenters and chefs from around the world visit the Ranch to impart their inspiration, knowledge and expertise.
With all the exercise and activities you do while you’re at the Ranch you will certainly work up an appetite, but it’s one that won’t go unsatiated. The Ranch is well-known for serving fresh, natural foods that are “low fat, high energy” and, since 1940, culinary creativity, experimentation and dietary research have culminated in a nutritious – and delicious – menu.
To ensure only the freshest produce ends up on your plate, the Ranch is home to a three-hectare organic farm. The seasons therefore dictate the dishes that are cooked up by chefs in the international cooking school and culinary centre, named La Cocina Que Canta – “The Kitchen That Sings”
The Cooking School is also home to cooking classes, which give guests the opportunity to cook side-by-side with some of the great teaching and celebrity chefs from around the world, before sitting down to a beautiful meal the entire class has helped prepare. It’s an unforgettable culinary experience.
Perhaps the icing on the cake is the Ranch’s wonderful spa, which includes an extensive list of therapeutic services. In fact, there is a total of three health and beauty centres at Rancho La Puerta to choose from, including a unisex centre as well as separate women and men’s spas. Experienced beauticians and therapists, comprehensively trained in a variety of disciplines, are on hand to cater to your every need.
How to get there
Visit JetSet Travel in Sydney’s Rose Bay to organise your flights and transfers to Rancho La Puerta.
Exclusive offer for CosBeauty Readers
Mention rgw code RLP-BBA when booking your stay at Rancho La Puerta and you can enjoy one complimentary 50-minute massage. Please note this offer only applies to stays of three, four and seven nights only and is valid for use until December 31, 2014
