ABOVE: Las Ventanas Al Paraiso
Jacques Cousteau called Los Cabos, at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, “the aquarium of the world” for its marine creature largesse.
From organic farms to a biosphere reserve called Espiritu Santo Island, from whale watching to art walks in a traditional village, from spas that celebrate local healing traditions to sustainable practices in its hotels, Los Cabos delivers a coastal Mexico set on being its best self.
Here’s a list of resorts (and their spas) that embody the Los Cabos spirit.
Solaz Los Cabos,
A Luxury Collection Resort
Butlers are known as artisans at this 128-room hotel, designed by revered Mexican architect Sordo Madaleno, and highlighted by works by Mexican artist Cesar Lopez Negrete, who traveled around Baja to study the land, water and folklore for his work. Contemporary, high-tech, and evoking a house constructed from polished driftwood, Solaz lets nature lead. Two jaw-dropping, Olympic-sized pools edge the beach, and visits to the stunning Ojo de Liebre Spa (and therme) should not be missed. marriott.com/hotels/travel/sjdlc-solaz-a-luxury-collection-resort-los-cabos
Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort
Telescopes in your room for whale spotting, kiva fireplaces, thatched-roof palapas, tapestries, murals and butlers who color code your clothing in the closet, then drop off a sewing kit chosen to coordinate with your wardrobe, combine to make Las Ventanas one of the finest hideaways in the world. As Los Cabos’ first luxury resort, now two decades old, completely restored after Hurricane Odile, the hotel is famous for its complimentary, aromatic, head and shoulder spa massage offered upon check in. Head to the spa at dusk for the Holistic Twilight Ceremony, a centering ritual involving crystal bowls and Mayan prayers. rosewoodhotels.com/en/las-ventanas-los-cabos/destination
Resort at Pedregal
Most of Los Cabos’ evocative resorts occupy the hotel zone, on the coastline between the two towns. But, scintillating Resort at Pedregal sits just a breath away from Cabo San Lucas.
Its accessibility only via a private tunnel ensures secluded luxury. Hewed into a cliff, with personal pools, the stacked resort sprawls across 24 acres, suggesting a Greek fishing village, but the mood exudes festive Mexico. Save time for the spacious Luna Y Mar Spa, which has a collection called Mexican Folk Healing Treatments. theresortatpedregal.com
Grand Velas Los Cabos
This Mexican-owned resort has 304 rooms, all overlooking the Sea of Cortez. But, you’ll want to book one of the six, two-level Wellness Suites, which include an exercise bike, MUSE brain sensing headband for meditation, crudite mini bar, spa treatments, a deck large enough for yoga, and a spa concierge. Splurging remains an option between seven restaurants, unlimited premium wine and spirits and a huge spa complex, which boasts a multistation water therapy pool—a Grand Velas speciality. loscabos.grandvelas.com
One&Only Palmilla
When dreaming of beach-y Mexico, this hotel is what your mind conjures: whitewashed adobe walls, terra-cotta tile, wall paintings, arches and oodles of colorful embroidery. Since the 1950s, this one-time villa welcomed heyday Hollywood’s glam gang on secret rendezvous. Today, larger and modernized, it has a swimmable beach (rare in Los Cabos), plus attentive butlers, aromatherapy turndown and a yacht for sunset cruises. The spa, a cluster of garden villas, has treatments which draw from Sonora’s Mayo tribe to include a Temazcal experience, with heated Baja stones and desert herbs. oneandonlyresorts.com