For the second North American outpost of the ultra-luxury Ritz Carlton Reserve brand, located among the world’s leading-edge spa markets, our mission was to tap into the underlying DNA of its sister property Spa Botánico while grounding the experience firmly into the soul and spirit of modern Mexico.
A sprawling oasis, set within the primal landscape where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean intersect the Sierra de Laguna mountains, this highly immersive wellness destination highlights the restorative benefits of the fabled Cabo climate and its enchanting mix of marine and desert environments. With a contemporary aesthetic that pays tribute to Mexican design tradition, nature is front and center: through lush landscaping, sunlit and fresh air-filled spaces, and seamless transitions between indoors and outside.
Water’s curative power figures prominently, with the free-form Aqua Grande mineral pool boasting an impressive array of hydrotherapy features, the outdoor scrub pavilion with Vichy Shower, hot and cold contrast bathing pools within the male and female purification circuits, as well as the private hot/cold soaking pool in the spa’s expansive Casa Privada – a decadent ‘spa within the spa’ for small groups and VIPs.
The spa’s Templo Caliente is a modern rendition of Temazcal (house of heat) to purify body, mind, and spirit. The ritual begins with a traditional energy-clearing ceremony followed by a cleansing botanical scrub. The gradual heat promotes detoxification, and the cooling outdoor shower promotes circulation and stimulates the immune system.
Designed for social interaction as well as private time, there are numerous lounge areas and communal settings to gather and private spaces to rest and recharge. In the Savasana Sound Room, guests experience deep rest and recovery while sound therapy vibrates through the floors with corresponding surround-sound music to usher the brain into a deep meditative state.
Tracy Lee, President + FounderWe are honored for the opportunity by such a prestigious hotel brand to conceptualize, execute and implement Spa Alkemia, the ultimate playground of immersive wellness experiences. Designed to bring inside out and outside in, Spa Alkemia promotes healing through high-impact treatments incorporating local ingredients and enduring wisdom to heal the body and clear the mind.
