WATCH: Luxury All Inclusive JL Bar Ranch in Sonora Has It All

SONORA, TX -- Situated just over an hour's drive from San Angelo is a one-of-a-kind all-inclusive ranch resort which is changing the landscape of luxury vacationing nationwide. 

The JL Bar Ranch Resort and Spa has been open for about two years and is unique in that the ranch has its own airport, spa, a long-range firearm shooting facility and much more.  

San Angelo LIVE! recently flew down to the JL Bar Ranch for a guided tour and gourmet dinner.  

Watch the video: 

JL Bar Ranch Vice President Dan Waters says the luxury resort's mission is to provide a custom-tailored experience like no other.  The 13,000 acre ranch straddles I-10 ten miles east of Sonora.   

The resort also hosts concerts and has a full recording studio.  Garth Brooks and Aaron Watson have performed there.  

According to the JL Bar Ranch website, the property was "designed exclusively for executive hunts, corporate retreats, culinary weekends and unique concert events, it’s one of the most intimate properties in the Southern United States. Beyond service and hospitality, we proudly provide sanctuary – with 16 luxury cabins centered around a Main Lodge that features fine dining, wine cellar, meeting areas, and lounge, all situated atop an infinity pool and terrace. The property also boasts a private airport, established hunting operations, and a full recording facility, all conveniently located on-site to ensure your time away is one of the most effortless escapes imaginable."

The resort also has dozens of additional rooms for guests with plans for more. 

Waters, who worked for years managing the Beaches All Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean, said the concept of "all inclusive" pricing is a rising trend in the hospitality industry. The JL Bar Ranch is priced as all-inclusive, with the exception of some spa treatments and gun range instruction.

"Guests don't want to be nickeled and dimed to death when choosing activities," Waters said.

The tour included the 1,800-yard-long range shooting facility that features a three story shooting platform.  The shooting range is used by Navy Seals for training according to Waters. 

The ranch restaurant hosts unique dining experiences under the direction of executive chef Sergio Rico including what the resort calls the Thursday Night Butcher Block, Fajita Friday and Sunday brunch. All of which are open to the public with reservations. 

We enjoyed the butcher block night at the gourmet restaurant. Last week, the all-you-can-eat menu featured steak, chicken, shrimp and grilled oysters and all the trimmings. This week, Butcher Block Night features pork ribs, roasted leg of lamb, and the chef's signature Wagyu ribeye steaks. The Thursday Night Butcher Block dinner offers a way to enjoy the ranch and its surroundings over a meal. Dinner time is from 6 until 9 p.m. It is affordably priced at just $40 per person. Reservations are required. Make them here.

Although the ranch was first conceived as an upscale hunting facility, complete with its own herds of exotics and a small buffalo herd, Waters said leisure hospitality is always evolving. Today, hunting is complimented with a spa and a large swimming pool area. Yet, Waters said there are no plans to add a golf course as hunting and shooting sports will remain the core of the resort's offerings.

The JL Bar Ranch Resort offers corporate retreats or board meetings where everything from lodging, dinners, and indoor/outdoor activities are included. The ranch has numerous board rooms for meetings, complete with high definition displays and high speed Internet connections.

The ranch is also a popular setting for weddings. The ranch can accommodate wedding ceremonies for up to 500 people.

Waters said the master plan will add more features, such as expanding the number of swimming options, and increasing the number of rooms available.