Desert Meets Sea at These 2 Revitalizing Luxury Resorts in Los Cabos, Mexico

I’m treated to this magic at both of the resorts I stayed at in Baja California, continuing to watch the daily drama of colliding elements unfold from my private plunge pool at Zadún, A Ritz Carlton Reserve property. In a way, this morning scene epitomizes my experience in Los Cabos, where pristine design meets wild nature, where Mexican tradition meets modern innovation, and where luxury travelers can choose between two distinct properties that mutually testify to both.

Photo: Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos

True to Marriott’s Luxury Collection ethos, Solaz has 145 rooms that showcase modern Mexican design through floor-to-ceiling that frame the Sea of Cortez like living artwork. Contemporary furnishings create a sophisticated atmosphere that’s perfect for design-obsessed travelers who crave luxury. For those seeking more space, the resort offers multi-bedroom configurations ranging from intimate one-bedroom suites to the crown jewel Villa Solaz (a four-bedroom haven with 4.5 bathrooms, a private infinity pool, and direct beach access) while The Residences occupy entire floors with panoramic ocean views. They feature three bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, and wrap-around decks with jacuzzis accommodating up to 10 guests.

Through a rope-draped hallway, I enter my king-bedroom suite. The curtains are set to automatically reveal a large double balcony that overlooks the Sea of Cortez as soon as you enter. The room and balcony are impressively spacious.; the living room comes with kitchen amenities, and the bathroom features more storage space than my New York City condo.

Photo: Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos

A clear highlight of the property is the Ojo de Liebre Spa, which draws inspiration from the coastal lagoon where grey and humpback whales congregate in Baja California Sur. The 12 treatment rooms (including four VIP double suites) house a comprehensive menu of therapies designed to mirror the majestic journey of these marine mammals through sensory experiences and healing treatments.

What sets this spa apart is its extensive hydrotherapy circuit, with the area’s only cryotherapy chamber alongside thalassotherapy pools. The spa marries sustainability and luxury through its mix of technology and traditional wellness: hot and ice-cold tubs, aromatherapy stations, and chromotherapy light showers all use water from the Sea of Cortez that’s filtered through its underground filtration system.

As someone who spent an obscene amount of time in the bare sun, I appreciated a moment to escape the rays with a full body massage. The masseuse even used aloe vera products on my face and body to create a cooling effect from the amount of time spent in the sun.

Photo: Shivani Somaiya

Executive Chef Elihu Yabin Sepulveda Robledo is at the helm of the dining scene at Solaz. From Al Pairo to Cascabel, two of the hotel’s on-site restaurants, the food at Solaz fuses contemporary Mexican cuisine with innovative takes on traditional favorites like mole and aguachile (raw fish or shrimp tossed in lime juice and chili water).

My culinary journey began at Al Pairo a day before the famed Día de Muertos celebration. The cactus ceviche offered a brilliant play on texture with its xoconostle (prickly pear fruit) sorbet cutting through the rich tuna aguachile. The duck breast with pink mole and chile morita gastric demonstrated the kitchen’s mastery of classic Mexican flavors.

Photo: Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos

On the night of Día de Los Muertos, the menu further cemented Al Pairo’s reputation, with a jicama tiradito (Peruvian sashimi-like dish) that featured a black recaudo (tomato, onion, and garlic sauce) aguachile, which provided a dramatic contrast to the bright tangerine gel. The meal culminated in a masterful bean tamale that balanced simplicity with comfort. During both dining experiences, desserts like the pan de muerto (sweet yeast bread) with orange blossom mousse showcased the pastry team’s ability to honor Mexican traditions while pushing culinary boundaries.

While Solaz positions itself as a modern sanctuary in Los Cabos, what truly sets it apart is its thoughtful and sustainable approach to luxury. From the use of seawater therapy at the spa to the culinary artistry at Al Pairo, the property creates moments of discovery while honoring its Mexican heritage and proves that sophistication and authenticity can coexist beautifully.

Photo: Edgardo Contreras +
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

In true Ritz Carlton Reserve fashion, Zadún‘s 114 accommodations (87 rooms and 27 suites) are thoughtfully distributed to maximize privacy and views, making you feel like you are truly one and within a nature reserve. The standard rooms, ranging from 750 to 1,604 square feet, each feature private pools and terraces along with spacious bathrooms (some even complete with outdoor showers). Available in ocean view, partial ocean view, or resort view configurations, these rooms set a new standard for luxury in Los Cabos. What truly distinguishes Zadún, though, is the Tosoani (butler) service. A dedicated attendant is assigned to each accommodation to ensure a seamless stay.

My oceanfront suite set the tone for understated luxury from the moment I arrived, with floor-to-ceiling windows that slid completely open to a private terrace and plunge pool overlooking the Sea of Cortez. The outdoor rain shower became my daily ritual, and the room’s natural materials and handcrafted details, from woven textiles to locally sourced toiletries, created an authentic sense of place while maintaining the highest standards of comfort. Perhaps most striking was the ingenious layout that made the 1,510-square-foot space feel like a private coastal sanctuary rather than a hotel room (plus bedding that made it nearly impossible to get out of bed each morning).

Photo: Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

The 29,000-square-foot Spa Alkemia is the definition of an adult playground. Featuring several hydrotherapy pools — including private cold-plunge pools, jacuzzis, saunas, and steam baths — Alkemia is well-versed in creating a truly transformative experience with treatments that work in tandem with the surrounding nature. Outside of the spa, the property has private beach access, two swimming pools, and a 24-hour fitness center complete with a private yoga studio. Guests also have the option to indulge in carefully curated experiences at the bar — the agave journey, for example, immerses you into the wide world of agave liquor.

At Zadún, Executive Chef Jeffrey Liu Rodríguez Román proudly brings his Peruvian heritage with him in a wonderful showcase of what Latin American cuisine encompasses. Humo sets itself apart with a menu that features dishes that combine South American grilling traditions with Baja’s abundant seafood and produce. Under Chef Román, who honed his craft in Peru’s top kitchens, the restaurant celebrates the use of open-flame cooking. The space itself is a testament to thoughtful design, with an open kitchen where guests can witness the choreography of fire and smoke, while the terrace offers panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez.

Photo: Edgardo Contreras +
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability shapes its menu, with 85 percent of ingredients sourced locally and over 75 percent of the vegetables coming from organic gardens. The dining experience is elevated by tableside rodizio (all-you-can-eat-style) service and signature dishes like locally caught totoaba and premium cuts including Australian wagyu. For wine enthusiasts, the 400-label collection at Humo’s Sótano Cellar provides worthy accompaniment to the cuisine.

Beyond Humo, the property offers several distinct dining experiences. El Barrio transforms from a casual Mexican street food venue by day to an innovative dining destination by night. The Candil Agave Bar showcases Mexico’s spirits heritage through creative mixology, while Equis presents ocean-to-table ceviches and seafood in a casual setting. As someone who has a particular distaste for fishy seafood, I found myself slurping down the leche di tigre (spicy, citrusy marinade) that accompanied the totoaba ceviche. Somehow, through adapting his grandmother’s recipe, Chef Román taught me how to develop a taste for delicious seafood.

Photo: Diana Baldera + Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Overall, Zadún represents a different kind of luxury — one that whispers rather than announces. The property’s commitment to privacy, personalized service, and harmony with its natural surroundings creates an atmosphere that feels more like a privileged hideaway than a resort. Here, luxury is measured not in amenities but in moments: morning fog rolling across your private plunge pool, the ritual of outdoor showers under the stars, or discovering new flavors with each thoughtfully crafted dish. It’s a place that reminds you that true luxury is about connection — to nature, to culture, and to oneself.

Photo: Kartinkin77/Shutterstock

Beyond the resorts’ boundaries, San José del Cabo offers a more authentic glimpse of Mexican culture than its livelier neighbor, Cabo San Lucas. The timing of my visit during Día de Muertos provided a particularly meaningful window into local traditions, with both properties embracing the celebration through special menus, altar workshops, and cultural programming.

The area’s natural beauty reveals itself during activities like the sunset sail along the coastline, where the famous Los Cabos arch stands sentinel at the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez. While Puerto Los Cabos provides a sheltered marina experience, the historic art district of San José del Cabo, with its weekly Art Walk (seasonal) and gallery-lined streets, offers a cultural counterpoint to the area’s water activities.

Photo: ashleyk1212/Shutterstock

Both properties are approximately 35 minutes from Los Cabos International Airport. The resorts are positioned between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, offering easy access to both destinations while maintaining a sense of exclusive seclusion.