Upscale beachfront resort offering fine dining, a spa, and private villas
Blvd. Mar de Cortez, 23403 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico Get directions
$$$$
"Where desert dunes meet the sea, this Reserve property blends indoor-outdoor living (sliding glass doors, private plunge pools) with Mexican artisan decor across 113 rooms, suites, and villas; highlights include fine dining overlooking the Sea of Cortez, championship golf, multiple turquoise pools with white-glove service, and a nature-infused spa that centers water, sound, heat, and touch for transformative treatments. The resort is positioned as the brand’s first Reserve in the country and has been recognized by Travel + Leisure; practical notes include accessible public spaces and a wide range of in-room accessibility features, complimentary parking options, a small-pet policy with fees, and a luxury price point. Be aware that many experiences at the property are expensive—a baseline example: a 60-minute spa massage can cost over $300 before tip." - Emily Hochberg Emily Hochberg Emily Hochberg is a writer and editor with over 15 years of experience specializing in travel, lifestyle, home, parenting, and reviews. In addition to Travel + Leisure, her work appears in Business Insider, The Points Guy, Yahoo, Buzzfeed, Best Products, Apartment Therapy, PEOPLE, Parents, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A family-oriented conservation program developed with Jean-Michel Cousteau that offers immersive ecosystem activities—like gardening, snorkeling, hikes, and storytelling—to engage children and adults as environmental stewards." - Carley Rojas Avila Carley Rojas Avila Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual travel writer, editor, and content marketer. She is an expert on Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, as she lived and worked in four different countries in that region. Carley founded the digital travel publications Loosely Local and Home to Havana. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A luxury resort that runs an 'Ambassadors of the Environment' program engaging youngsters with bird-watching, desert hikes, and snorkeling experiences designed to immerse children in local ecosystems while providing organized, educational activities." - Elizabeth Preske Elizabeth Preske Elizabeth Preske is an associate editor at TripSavvy and a former associate digital editor at Travel + Leisure. She writes and edits content about destinations around the world, covering everything from travel-related news and tips to stories about quirky destinations. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Located on a 20-acre plot overlooking the Sea of Cortez, this resort offers suites with local artisan decor and terraces with firepits. The staff provides personalized service, enhancing the luxury experience." - Michaela Trimble
"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What was your first impression?There's an unassuming overlook at the entrance of the hotel, and this is the first place you should go when you step out of the car. You'll see the hilly sand dunes that the hotel is built on, with all the buildings at various heights stretching down to the water—every single one with glorious beach-facing views. Take it all in before the friendly staff brings you to your room, with a quick tour of the property along the way. What's the backstory?Zadun is the fourth Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the world, making it stand out in the massive Marriott portfolio (this is as top-tier as it gets), as well as among Los Cabos' many other stunning hotel properties. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book?The rooms feel luxuriously spacious, with a living room, dining space, massive bed, walk-in closet, and a tub and a shower. You'll want to spend as much time as you can on the outdoor terrace, with its plunge pool (just about every room has one), seating area, and beautiful views. The rooms are set up in a bi-level structure—the ones upstairs have a bit more privacy and elevated views, while the downstairs ones have their own beach access. The lighting system is inspired, too—each light switch has a full-brightness mode, a dim mode, and a completely off mode. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?Wi-fi is free and strong. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?There are several different restaurants at Zadun, each with a different Latin American twist. The main restaurant, Humo, is an Argentinean-inspired grill, with steak and seafood cooked to perfection. The all-day restaurant has a Mexican street market feel, with huevos rancheros in the morning and tacos throughout the day. And the adults-only raw bar serves incredibly fresh ceviche and tiraditos based on the catch of the day. And the service? The service was seamless and impeccable, with staff at every turn happy with a golf cart ride, restaurant recommendation, or even just to talk about your day. Check in and check out are done at your room—there's no true front desk—and each room has its own tosoani, a staffer dedicated to making sure all your needs are met, from reservations to planning out your trip. What type of travelers will you find here?Cabo regulars are just about the most demanding of vacationers—they've stayed at the best of the best, and any new entrant is sure to be met with a high level of skepticism. But Zadun knocks every expectation out of the park and will provide some true competition to the area's top hotels. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene?The hotel is located in the Puertos Los Cabos area, near a JW Marriott and Secrets. But the truth is, you won't be spending much time outside the resort—unless you're on a whale-watching excursion or spending some time shopping and gallery-hopping in downtown San Jose del Cabo. Is there anything you'd change? Absolutely not. Any other hotel features worth noting?There's an Ambassadors of the Environment program here—also found in a few select Ritz-Carltons around the world—that can organize nature-oriented activities, like bird-watching or whale-watching. It's run by scientists, and any information they find on your excursion gets sent off to be recorded. The beach here isn't swimmable—but Zadun more than makes up for it with its numerous pools. Don't skip out of the Alkemia spa, a 30,000-square-foot space that feels like it could be its own standalone hotel, given its size and over-the-top wellness amenities, from a Vichy shower to a temazcal (a sweat lodge). Bottom line: Worth it? Why?Absolutely. It's a splurge, especially given that you can't redeem or earn Marriott points here. But there are only four of these properties in the world, and much like the way Aman junkies will travel the world for an Aman, every single Ritz-Carlton Reserve is worth experiencing for yourself." - Stephanie Wu
