The Sàbila Spa: Bliss in Baja

If Loreto doesn’t ring any bells, don’t worry — most people have no idea where this dot of a town is in Baja California Sur. However, with the jade expanse of the Gulf of California stretching out before it and the Conan-the-Barbarian landscape of the Sierra de la Giganta coming up from behind, know that a real estate bonanza is in full, if low-key, swing. And why not? Loreto is Cabo San Lucas before Cabo San Lucas became “Cabo”.

It’s also the sportier of the two. This is a paradise for the no-nonsense outdoorsy types; kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, scuba, golf, sports fishing, dirt racing, and most of all, hiking over a landscape ripped up from the ocean floor means that anybody living in fear of a callus will want to go elsewhere. Even with the addition of an international airport and a slew of new resorts, hardscrabble Loreto remains refreshingly, well, hardscrabble.

But it does mean there are going to be a lot of sore muscles at the end of the day. A conscientious sort of place, Loreto has just the answer to those hard-earned aches.

Step into the Sàbila Spa at the Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto (yes, it’s a mouthful), and you are immediately ushered into an oasis of tranquility via hues of cactus and sage. Balconies spiral above, sunlight streams down, tastefully ambient music pervades the air. And that’s just the foyer.

La Buena Vida

The chillaxing starts right away in the lounge, with views of the desert, golf courses — one of the Palmar’s main attractions — and dramatic mountain spurs. Guests can zen in one, or all, of the hydrotherapy pools (of various temperatures). Or the sauna. Or the steam room. Or the whirlpool. One could forget there is the rest of the spa, and a myriad of treatments waiting for every taste, type, and temperament.

The Sàbila has no less than 40 therapies available, from teasers like the “Desert Foot Relaxer” to mega-massages such as “The Athlete in You.” There are even a few you would not expect, such as a chocolate massage and a “Hot Candle Ritual” that, come what may, is not nearly as kinky as it sounds. For the connoisseur, however, these four Signature Treatments are the go-tos:

Sàbila Spa Signature Golf Massage – Be it a serious case of medial epicondylitis, aka “golfer’s elbow,” or simple stiffness, this deep massage relaxes contracted muscles using trigger point therapy with actual golf balls.

Fisherman’s Special – Just try reeling in a stubborn swordfish and see if your back doesn’t cry out in protest the next day. The therapists at the Sàbila use hot packs and aromatherapy to leave guests refreshed and ready for Round 2.

Stress Relief Massage – De-stressing is what a vacation is all about. Hot aromatic compresses combined with a full body rhythmical massage eases guests into a natural physical harmony.

Combination Massage – Because sometimes you wake up with everything clenched, this take-no-prisoners massage is an 80-minute tour de force of five different and singular techniques for maximum relaxation.

Special Needs

As a side note, this writer should mention he went to his 80-minute session injured. I have tendonitis in both shoulders; it’s an occupational hazard when you lift nothing but heavy weights at the gym for a solid 18 years. There are just some positions I cannot put my arms in without something hurting. Conscientious health professionals that they are, the Sàbila put me in the hands of Rosie, a petit Amazon of a massage therapist who did not miss a beat.

She opted for an entirely new therapy at the Sàbila, the full-body Therapeutic Mud Moor massage. Based on a guest’s medical history, a warm eucalyptus mud is applied to certain affected areas of the body for overall relaxation as well as reducing inflammation and muscle contraction. For anyone suffering from arthritis, tendon issues, sore muscles, or post-op discomfort, this offering is tops. Rosie wove me into positions I was sure would leave me crippled, but just the opposite happened. I left the Sàbila limber, refreshed, and, most of all, pain-free. Nice trick.

It’s a safe bet that Loreto, in 20 or so years, will have sold its soul down the glittery river of tourism like so many other Baja California towns. But right now, the town (and the Palmar), not only offer up diversions genuine to itself, but also pamper and indulge everyone. I’ll leave you with my suggestion to get there before the tourists do.