Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico
Our Casita
Julie Register visited this Destination Spa in December 2006

• Fitness • Food • Main Article • Spa •

OUR CASITA AT RANCHO LA PUERTA

Rancho La Puerta has 46 Ranch rooms and 41 Villa Rooms spread across its 50 landscaped acres - singles, doubles, triplexes, and quads - divided into the "neighborhoods" of Los Arboles, Las Flores West, Las Flores East, Villas Sol, Villas Lunas and Los Pajoros

Our very comfortable casita, Villa Sol 13, was in the Villa Sol "neighborhood" which sits on top of a hill. It was a bit of a hike to the Dining Hall, Lounge, Women's and Men's Spas, and a number of the gyms, but we were happy to have the exercise. The brick-lined paths passed by lovely xeroscaped gardens, expansive lawns, sculptures and a koi pond.

Brick Path from Ranch Center to Villas Sol	One of Many Xeroscaped Garden between Ranch Center and Villas Sol
Lawn with Sculpture Near Villas Sol	Koi Pond Near Villas Sol

Because these accommodations are a few more minutes by foot away from the Ranch center and the main swimming pools, the Villas Sol area features its own swimming pool and whirlpool hot tub. Both offer spectacular views of Mount Kuchumaa to add to your pleasure while swimming or relaxing.

Villas Sol Swimming Pool

Sol 13 is a Villa Studio which features a generous living room with fireplace, a kitchenette with refrigerator and stovetop, a bedroom area with a king-sized bed, another full-sized bed, a large closet / dressing area with a vanity and sink, and a bathroom with a tub and another vanity and sink. Amenities include a CD player, robes, a safe, pedometers, and a book, Six Arguments for a Greener Diet:
How a Plant-based Diet Could Save Your Health and the Environment, personally recommended by Deborah Szekely. Colorful Mexican folk art decorates the casita.

Villa Sol 13	Desk in Villa Sol 13
Sitting Area and King Bedroom Area in Villa Sol 13	Extra Full-Sized Bed in Villa Sol 13
Fireplace in Villa Sol 13	Welcome Fruit Plate, Pedometers and Tree of Life in Villas Sol 13
Kitchenette in Villa Sol 13 Drinkable Water comes from the small faucet on the left.	Bathroom in Villa Sol 13

Villa Sol 13 has an enormous patio furnished with two lounge chairs and an outdoor table and chairs. Best of all, are the fabulous views of Alex's Oak and Mount Kuchumaa.

Villa Sol 13's Patio Overlooking Alex's Oak and Mount Kuchumaa

Villa Sol 13's Patio Offers a Covered Area with Table and Chairs

A contrast to our luxurious accommodations can be found at the little Rancho La Puerta museum near the Lounge. Behind the Szekely's original home that they lived in from 1940-1950, is one of the first "permanent" guest cabins (before this, guests stayed in tents). There was no running water; no electricity; neither gym nor swimming pool. In addition to attending lectures, hiking and exercising, guests helped with the goats; worked in the West Coast's first organic vegetable garden; chopped and carried firewood; and helped cook.

One of the First "Permanent" Guest Cabins at Rancho La Puerta

Inside One of the First "Permanent" Guest Cabins at Rancho La Puerta

FITNESS at RANCHO LA PUERTA	THE FOOD at RANCHO LA PUERTA
BACK TO THE MAIN ARTICLE about RANCH LA PUERTA	PERSONAL REWARDS THE SPAS at RANCHO LA PUERTA

A Talk with Rancho La Puerta Founder, Deborah Szekely