The Cactus Spa at the Hacienda del Mar

At the Hacienda del Mar, they give you no compelling reason to leave. You want a pool? They have five. What about restaurants? They have six. Bars? Check. Kids Club? Check. Cafe? Check. And then there is the Cactus Spa … Checkmate!

In Cabo San Lucas, “good hotels” are literally strewn all over the beaches; the best gauge of a luxury stay is just how many of your whims a retreat puts at your fingertips. Tucked discreetly away on the ground level of the Hacienda’s main building is the Cactus; I left the crashing of waves and ocean breezes for the strums of a Spanish guitar and wafting incense. Whereas the rest of the Hacienda is an open and airy space, its arms flung wide in exultation to the Sea of Cortez, the Cactus Spa is an alternate dimension of intimate closeness and inviting snugness.

It was here that I met Blanca. And she was a woman on a mission.

But First …

Having a skilled staff is par for the course, but having a conscientious one separates the wheat from the chaff. I am a strength trainer; been one for 23 years. I have tendonitis in both shoulders, my elbow, and knee. It comes with the territory, as well as with certain provisions. Getting a massage, even a light one, from someone who, however skilled, does not know how to manipulate a person with injuries is a recipe for disaster. It is the reason I had all of my medical concerns ready and translated on my phone.

But I didn’t need to. Refreshingly, the Cactus Spa did not depend on me to tell them about any health issues I may have in a language not my own (to be fair, the Hacienda del Mar staff are bilingual). They had a questionnaire — in English — asking all the right questions. By the time Blanca got a hold of my beat-up body, she already laid out her attack plan.

¡Esto es Vivir!

Like the rest of Cabo, the Cactus is an embarrassment of sybaritic lusciousness. The spa offers 10 types of massages alone, including one for a woman who is pregnant. The menu also features seven kinds of facials, four body treatments, plus a plethora of packages that combine bits and pieces of them all for exclusive experiences. And while the “Signature Cactus” treatment intrigued me, the prospect of being stretched killed the magic. So, what kind of massage does a guy get when joint-health issues and stress are the only things holding him together? The 50-minute, “Full Body” kind. It’s made for gym rats.

Trading my beach duds for a fluffy white robe, I sat in the spa’s relaxation room to the sound of the waterfall in the courtyard. An attendant draped a neck pillow filled with warmed sand across my shoulders, with the head penetrating deep. I sipped on traditional agua fresca before Blanca introduced herself and guided me through a quiet and gently lit suite to a small room decorated in shades of adobe and blue, with the massage table livened up by a throw of classic Mexican baroque design, dyed in deep cobalt, playful yellow, and vivid pomegranate.

I had three massage options: light, medium, and heavy. When I opted for the second setting, Blanca didn’t miss a beat. Using a balsamic butter made for after-sports rubdowns (nice touch), she found all the knots while avoiding all the sore spots. She knew her hands and how a body felt. She was firm and expertly never overdid it. My joints never flared once. But I knew I struck gold when I felt myself ascending into a dopamine high and my muscles slowly but surely unclenched. When I got off the table, I felt extraordinary…light.

Refreshed and Serene, Cactus Spa Style

Wafting back to the relaxation room, I was limber, refreshed, and serene. Three pools — cool, warm, and a Jacuzzi — beckoned, as did the sauna and steam room, but the idea of sprawling on a lounge to the sound of falling water was best. (That, and I forgot to bring a swimsuit; the relaxation room is coed). Complimentary fresh fruit, plus a limitless supply of agua fresca awaited. Why not keep the bliss going?

Eventually, I did make it back outside and into the bustle of the Hacienda del Mar. It is a popular place, and this was Cabo, after all. Making the Cactus Spa as tranquil as it is, to the point you might think you are the only one there, was a masterful chess move. Well played, Cactus. Well played.