Perhaps you have come to Los Cabos to reconnect with the one and only, irreplaceable, endlessly fascinating you. You feel like doing exactly what you want, with complete abandon—no apology, no compromise, no guilt. What better way to revel in your uniqueness than to book some time out at one or more of our divinely decadent spas?
Join Sandra Berry, Sabrina Lear, and Carol Billups as they succumb to the pleasures of Los Cabos’ signature spas.
Los Cabos Magazine article – Issue #10 – January 2006
Part 1 of 2 – | Section One | Section Two |
Cabo San Lucas Spas
Thalasso Spa at Playa Grande Resort
Carrying on a French tradition since 1865, Thalasso Spa is one of only two in the Western hemisphere. On two floors just off the 259-suite Playa Grande’s elegant lobby, the sleek lower level reception and full service salon prevent unpleasant sounds or smells from filtering upstairs, according to spa designer and Repêchage México Director Yolanda Amador. Thalasso Spa offers unique and exotic massages, treatments, and facials, using highly regarded Repêchage body and skin care products. Upon arrival, you’ll complete a detailed medical and dietary history. Your therapist will then suggest treatments to enhance your energy balance, stress relief, and skin restoration. Ride the view elevator to the treatment area and you’re in an entirely different ambience: Asian décor, candles, aromatherapy, and an outdoor seawater infinity pool in a peaceful rock grotto. The two sides of the spa include Thalasso treatment rooms, massage and wet treatment rooms, locker, steam, shower and relaxation areas for men and women. A couple’s massage room, and the Honeymooner’s package of facial, massage, aromatherapy, and champagne followed by a dip in the seawater pool will make any couple feel like newlyweds. The core elements of many of the spa’s offerings are seawater and sea products. The premise behind Thalasso, derived from the Greek thalassos, meaning sea, is that seawater is good for you—the body interacts with the seawater, exchanging minerals and energy through the skin. The spa draws fresh seawater daily, even the spa’s second-story infinity-edge pool is exchanged at least every two days. The technical explanation of Thalasso hydrotherapy aside, the sensation is pure bliss! The French Oxymer baths boast an impressive control panel to target therapies for specific conditions. Your job is to lay back and relax. The 25 minutes goes quickly, so savor every moment. The Thalasso Bath is an excellent preliminary to any treatment—try the 85-minute signature Sea of Cortés. Warm aromatherapy oils and hot sea stones are applied for a full body massage. Then, a cooling facial mask and cold sea stones on your eyelids. Your massage is finished while the mask is working. The hour-long Repêchage Four Layer facial was named “best facial of the century” by Cosmopolitan UK. The treatment uses seaweed to rejuvenate, tone and firm skin, with a facial massage and a seaweed mask. The grand finale is a warm mineral thermal mask and a hand and foot massage, leaving you feeling pampered and refreshed. After your treatment(s), you will be invited to enjoy the relaxation area and the beautiful seawater pool. Thalasso Spa is a vacation experience not to be missed. Contact the hotel upon check-in for early week spa specials. Non-guests may also visit the spa; reservations are required. www.playagranderesort.com—Carol Billups
Armonia Spa at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Holistic Retreat and Spa
Pueblo Bonito group’s newest hotel, adult-only Pacifica, emphasizes relaxation, rejuvenation, and wellness. Stunning contemporary design and a soothing minimalist feel provide a restful atmosphere, paying homage to the four elements—air, water, earth, and fire. With 143 rooms and 11 suites, it’s ideal for couples and honeymooners while being a seductive option for groups looking for an adult-only escape. Upon arrival, guests meet with a wellness specialist to plan their custom-designed treatment path, using natural healing ingredients, including many from cactus and the sea. Armonia, the holistic spa and fitness center, sits discreetly below the magnificent lobby. Signature treatments include the Obsidiana Sacred Stone Massage, using Mexican sacred hot stones placed on pressure points to achieve deep relaxation. The delicious 80-minute Diamond Experience Facial, a unique four-step treatment, uses Dead Sea active ingredients to counter aging. The VIP couples treatment chamber with steam, sauna, and Jacuzzi for two should not be missed. Armonia’s amenities include cold plunge and Swiss shower rooms, steam, sauna, and fitness center, along with outdoor treatment, relaxation, massage, and yoga areas near the beach. Two with-it treatments—the Temazcal, a group sweat lodge ritual practiced by the Aztecs, and Watsu, water Shiatsu therapy—are Pacifica signatures. Temazcal is recognized for improving spiritual, mental and emotional health. Immensely restful, Watsu uses Shiatsu massage and yoga movements. A “splurge” menu supplements Restaurant Siempre’s health-oriented menu, much of it organic. Ten minutes north of Cabo San Lucas, Pacifica fronts the Pacific Ocean, just minutes away from Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach. www.pueblobonitopacifica.com—Sabrina Lear
Spa Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach
Up the hill from Pacifica, the 16,000 square-foot Spa Sunset Beach is an opulent two-level ocean view facility, one of Cabo’s best. Open since December 2004, the spa mirrors Pacifica’s (and Rose’s, below) menu, and commitment to a first class spa experience. The Precor-equipped ocean view fitness center has individual TVs, a juice bar, and view terrace. Below, the spa is lavish and soothing, voices are hushed, the Italian marble wet areas sumptuous, and the sixteen treatment rooms spacious and serene. Any guest is sure to find total relaxation and renewal here, along with La Frida, where Chef Tonio de Liviere and award-winning sommelier Juan Carlos Flores make evenings magic at this 327-suite resort. www.pueblobonitosunsetbeach.com—Sabrina Lear
Spa Pueblo Bonito Rosé
The compact spa at the 260-suite Pueblo Bonito Rosé— where the Italian Riviera meets Médano Beach—adeptly combines a luxury spa, full-service salon, and first-class fitness and tennis club, while delivering top spa services and treatments. The centerpiece of the women’s spa is the water treatment-relaxation area with group-sized hot and lukewarm whirlpool baths. Some treatment rooms feature Vichy showers; the couples’ room boasts a waterfall. The 80-minute Sea Breeze Body Wrap is highly recommended, incorporating a body polish, seaweed body masque and wrap, facial massage and finally a Vichy Shower and massage, followed with the hydrating Sea Breeze moisturizer—perfect for combating the effects of Cabo’s desert climate. And Rose’s Mare Nostrum serves up Land’s End views and a divine Sunday brunch. www.pueblobonitorose.com—Carol Billups
Nahui Beauty & Day Spa at Marina Sol Resort
Not everyone has the luxury of time or money for a complete resort spa experience. A day spa is the next best thing. Being pampered and taken care of for even a few hours is a great way to be good to yourself. At this compact day spa, very affordable spa and salon services are available from a surprisingly ample menu. Three expert stylists and three nail technicians keep the stations full while four massage therapists rub, wrap, and polish you from head to toe in the two treatment rooms. Nahui’s packages are a bargain, the Land’s End Lovers includes a massage, foot reflexology, pedicure and manicure for two, for just $183 U.S. And, the Recline and Dine, a 50-minute Swedish massage followed by a steak and lobster dinner at the resort’s Oasis Bar and Grill, is $65 U.S., tax included. Gift certificates are available. Whether it’s a cut and color, body polish, or rejuvenating facial, Nahui’s full range of services offer a treat for all. Open daily; reservations are required for packages. www.nahuibeautyspa.com—Sabrina Lear & Sandra Berry
Vistazul Suites and Holistic Spa
A spa vacation soothes the mind, pampers the body, and can elevate the spirit. Perhaps you’re into taking an ancient journey to pre-Hispanic times for purification, well being, relaxation, and ceremony in a modern-day sweat lodge. It’s called Temazcal, the Aztec name for the ritual of the magic of earth, air, fire, and water. Those who experience Temazcal say it enables them to achieve both physical and inner harmony, release toxins, subdue stress and anxiety, and allay illnesses associated with modern lifestyles. It is an expression of Mayan traditional medicine consisting of steam based on hot stones and medicine plants inside an adobe structure, looking somewhat like a misplaced igloo. Symbolically, the round dark, humid, and warm Temazcal represents Mother Earth’s womb. Coming out symbolizes rebirth. Other a la carte services to soothe your senses at this affordable day spa include full body massages. No exam room cubicle-feel here. The massage area is near the hotel’s azure-blue pool, within an enclosed palapa with white billowing curtains to provide privacy. A tabletop fountain offers soothing sounds, while relaxing music drowns out the outside world. To fully feel pampered, spend the rest of the day having a deep cleansing facial, a manicure, and a pedicure. The Vistazul Suites and Holistic Spa might be just the break you need. Private group Temascal sessions are also available. www.vistazulsuites.com—Sandra Berry.
Part 1 of 2 – | Section One | Section Two |
