“This is where it all began.”
In the heart of Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos, beneath the round dining table in the underground wine cellar, lies a stone that marks the very beginning of this luxurious resort. The vision for the resort was built upon this stone, echoing the biblical verse, “Upon this rock I will build my church.” Instead of a church, it became a sanctuary where Mexican heritage and modern luxury seamlessly blend.
On my first evening, while savoring a multi-course, chef-curated meal in the wine cellar, our hosts shared the first of many stories about the establishment of this 11-acre luxury resort complex overlooking the Sea of Cortez, all while honoring its Mexican heritage and Latin American traditions.
So, Where is Los Cabos?
Several of my friends enjoy vacationing in “Cabo,” but this was my first trip to this part of Mexico. Cabo San Lucas is situated at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula, which extends 1,000 miles south of the U.S. border.
Los Cabos, which means “The Capes,” includes the cities of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. A 20-mile stretch of four-lane highway known as the Tourist Corridor links them.
Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos: Past, Present, and Future
My destination along the Tourist Corridor was Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos, a luxury resort overlooking the Sea of Cortez. I was excited to experience the offerings of the resort and to explore the Mexican heritage reflected in its architecture.
If I had traveled to this very spot three decades ago, I would have arrived at Rancho Santa Monica estate. Originally owned by a Spanish nobleman and later acquired by a Mexican general, the property was purchased in 1995 by a group of investors.
The first phase of the 11-acre Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos resort complex, which began in 1999, involved constructing hacienda-style villas for timeshare members. The second phase, aimed at building villas for hotel guests, was finished in mid-2004.
The original aim was to ensure that the hotel’s architecture seamlessly integrated Mexican colonial influences with traditional hacienda style. The villas encircle a central building, known as a casa grande or owner’s house.
© Debbra Dunning Brouillette
Today, the resort complex offers 542 guest rooms and suites spread across 32 villas. They are evenly divided between the hotel side and the “club” side for timeshare members.
Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos Added to Marriott’s Autograph Collection
Since its opening, the resort has undergone several changes, including a series of renovations that led to its addition to Marriott’s Autograph Collection in December 2023.
By mid-2025, Hacienda del Mar expects to join a growing list of resorts in the Tourist Corridor that offer an all-inclusive experience. In the meantime, meal plans are available for both adults and children.
First to Open: Pitahayas Restaurant and Cava de Santiago Wine Cellar
Top Row, L-R: Pitahayas sign; Approaching Pitahayas at night; Entering the large palapa for indoor seating; Bottom Row, L-R: Outdoor patio seating, bar area with fire pit, pose in the photo frame at sunset. © Debbra Dunning Brouillette
The Pitahayas Restaurant, featuring Pacific Coast cuisine, was completed five years before the hotel’s public opening in 1999.
Cava de Santiago — Largest Wine Cellar in Baja California
Pictured Above (L-R): Sommelier Garcia holds a bottle of one of his favorite Mexican wines in one of the four cellar rooms. © Debbra Dunning Brouillette
The underground wine cellar was created before constructing Pitahayas restaurant. Cava de Santiago has since become the largest wine cellar in the Baja California peninsula. Massive wrought iron doors crafted by Mexican artisans separate four cellar rooms, which house an inventory of over 400 bottles representing more than 140 labels.
The first holds wines from the United States; the second contains New and Old-World wines from Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia.
A third cellar room showcases wines from four Mexican states, including Baja California, which accounts for 75 percent of Mexico’s wine production. Coahuila adds another 20 percent.
“Mexican wine production has only recently begun in Queretaro and Zacatecas,” according to Geovanni Garcia, the sommelier at Hacienda del Mar. “They account for a small percentage of production along with Guanajuato, Chihuahua, and Baja California Sur.”
A fourth cellar room contains sparkling champagne, blush, and rosé wines.
Santiago de Compostela is Guardian of the Cellar
After descending the staircase to be seated for dinner, we passed a statue of Santiago de Compostela, the cellar’s namesake. Garcia explained, “This saint was chosen as the guardian of the cellar due to his connection to the wine culture in Spain. There is a mythical route that runs through all of Europe to the city of Compostela, known as the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, where devoted believers journey to receive the saint’s blessing. At the end, they are greeted with wine.”
A Multi-Course Chef’s Dinner
We began with a selection of starters served family-style.
- Grilled oysters, gratinated with candied garlic butter and yuzu and topped with Parmesan cheese and chives.
- Shrimp tempura served with a choice of two sauces: spicy peanut and tamarind with ginger.
- Duck confit gorditas with Oaxaca-style black mole sauce
- Heirloom tomato salad paired with Jocoque, a house-made sour cream made with buttermilk.
Our main entrée featured sea bass coated in a chili and ginger crust, paired with an eggplant purée and sautéed spinach.
The evening’s feast ended with four desserts consisting of small bites of coconut-passionfruit mousse, creamy chocolate mousse, strawberry flan, and traditional Mexican corn cake.
Reserve the wine cellar for up to 10 people for special occasions. It is often booked for wedding parties or groups that appreciate good food and wine. Future plans include offering a distinctive dinner menu and pairing Mexican cuisine with wines from different regions of Mexico.
Other Dining Choices
During my four-night stay, my travel companions and I explored this luxury Mexican resort’s dining and beverage options.
Fine Dining at Pitahayas
© Debbra Dunning Brouillette
We returned to Pitahayas on our last evening, just in time to see the sunset. Whether you sit under the expansive palapa roof or at a table on the patio, you’ll be perfectly situated for a special evening of Pacific Coast cuisine.
De Cortez Grillhouse
The other fine dining option is De Cortez Grillhouse, which serves breakfast and dinner. Located at the opposite end of the beach from Pitahayas, it offers breathtaking sunset views from its terrace tables. Guests can also opt to dine indoors for a more intimate atmosphere.
Bars and All the Rest
© Debbra Dunning Brouillette; Interior photo provided by Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos
Las Sirenas
Las Sirenas, which translates to “Mermaids,” is located in a spacious palapa overlooking the beach, next to the infinity pool. It is a popular spot for snacks and seafood throughout the day. I stopped in for a light lunch of Peruvian ceviche, featuring fresh fish marinated in a spicy citrus sauce, red onion, sweet potato, and corn nuts.
©Debbra Dunning Brouillette
Tomates…and Pomodoro
Tomates is the place to be for breakfast. The extensive breakfast buffet features a variety of regional, national, and international dishes. (Or, walk down the beach to De Cortez if you prefer to order breakfast from the menu.)
In the evening, Tomates transforms into an Italian trattoria, Pomodoro. If you can’t make it for dinner, consider stopping by later for tiramisu and cappuccino. (Photo provided by Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos)
El Santo Al Revés – A Tequila Bar
Tequila lovers will experience “tequila heaven” at El Santo Al Revés, the bar located off the lobby. It features over 100 brands of tequila. (Photo provided by Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos)
La Terraza del Santo – A Sushi Bar
© Debbra Dunning Brouillette
La Terraza del Santo, an open-air sushi bar overlooking the Sea of Cortez, was one of my favorite spots. While it typically operates from 5 to 10 pm, the lunch menu from Tortugas was available during our visit.
Tortugas Seaside Kitchen
While it typically operates from 5 to 10 pm, the lunch menu from Tortugas was available during our visit. The beach bar’s seaside kitchen was undergoing renovations, but it has since reopened. The crab tostada with avocado was delicious!
© Debbra Dunning Brouillette
Defines Swim-up Bar
Delfines Swim-up Bar offers snacks and cocktails for guests enjoying time at this adults-only pool, which does not have a sea view.
(Photo Courtesy of Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos)
Tahona Taqueria
Tahona Taqueria—We had lunch at this traditional Mexican taqueria, which has outdoor seating and offers beef, pork, and chicken tacos.
Connect with Mexican Traditions and Heritage
No matter where you go throughout the resort, the heritage of Mexico is woven into the architecture and landscape, while Latin American traditions are also incorporated into the guest experience.
Santo al Revés, the Upside Down Saint
© Debbra Dunning Brouillette
One of the most unusual sights in the main building is a statue of San Antonio de Padua, El Santo al Revés. This translates to the “Upside Down Saint.” It resides in a large, ornate wooden cabinet that will catch your eye as you pass through the lobby and enter a spacious sitting room next to the tequila bar.
Believers in Latin America turn Saint Anthony of Padua’s image upside down to “punish the saint” when he does not deliver on their loves and wishes.
The tradition of making wishes to this saint, recognized as the patron of lost things and miracles, is well-known in Mexican culture. It has now become part of the hotel’s vision and concept. Guests are invited to take part in a special ritual, upon arrival. Make a wish, light a candle, and place their wish in a box near the figure of Saint Antonio de Padua. The wishes will then be burned in the main plaza several times throughout the week. While the experience is still being finalized, a signature “Make a Wish” cocktail will be served.
The Cactus Spa
What better way to relieve the stress of travel than by relaxing and rejuvenating at the Cactus Spa?
During my 50-minute Signature Cactus massage, the masseuse eased my muscle tension and worked out the knots in my neck and back. She used an ancestral treatment that employs the healing properties of “tequila-infused” oils. These oils, derived from the blue agave plant used in tequila production, are known for their anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities.
© Debbra Dunning Brouillette
The Resort Has its Own Chapel
Not many resorts have their own Chapel, and this one is quite special. The wooden doors leading into it were repurposed from an old mission in Loreto. With seating for 80, it’s a popular venue for weddings and renewal of vows ceremonies.
Walk the Beach or Swim in the Pools
Photos © Debbra Dunning Brouillette
Unfortunately, water activities, including swimming, are prohibited on the beach in front of the resort due to strong currents and rip tides. There are no beach chairs or umbrellas, and no lifeguards are on duty. Instead, I walked along the shore (but not too close to the water) to a rocky point at the southern end, past the De Cortez restaurant, collecting shells and watching for spouting whales in the distance.
Photos © Debbra Dunning Brouillette
Although swimming in the sea isn’t an option, guests enjoy spending time in one of the five pools and several hot tubs. The infinity pool creates the illusion of merging with the sea. The swim-up pool bar, situated away from the beach, is exclusive to adults. Families can take advantage of two pools designated for children. Kids Club activities and babysitting services allow parents and their kids to enjoy the resort separately.
Sea Turtle Conservation Program
Images provided by Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos
If you visit during the fall and winter, you may be able to observe turtles arriving on the beach to lay their eggs. If you time it just right, you can witness the release of hatchlings as they make their way to the sea.
Most turtles arrive at the resort’s shores to nest in August, September, and October. About 45 days after the eggs are laid, the hatchlings emerge and are released within 24 hours.
During my visit in early December, a dozen Olive Ridley hatchlings were released. Five species of sea turtles, including the Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Leatherback, Green Turtle, and Olive Ridley, inhabit the Baja California peninsula. The Olive Ridley is the most common.
Exploring Outside the Resort
The hotel’s concierge assists guests in planning excursions outside the resort. Shuttle services are available to Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, the airport, and other local destinations.
Golf can be arranged at a discounted rate at the nearby Cabo del Sol course, originally designed by Tom Weiskopf.
(Photo Courtesy of Cabo del Sol)
Book an Excursion with Cabo Adventures
Cabo Adventures Snorkel Excursion on the Sea of Cortez © Debbra Dunning Brouillette
On my last full day at Hacienda Del Mar Los Cabos, I booked the “Luxury Two-Bay Snorkel” tour with Cabo Adventures. My four-hour excursion aboard a catamaran featured a scenic tour of the area, showcasing the Cabo Arch. Our on-board service included an open bar, appetizers and a delicious lunch. Snorkeling in a secluded bay was a highlight of the excursion. We had the chance to get in the water again for swimming or paddleboarding at a second location. A big thank you to Jacob and the crew for making my day on the Sea of Cortez so relaxing and enjoyable.
The Arch of Cabo San Lucas is located at Land’s End, the southernmost point of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Tidal and wind erosion formed this natural wonder, locally referred to as El Arco, over thousands of years.
© Debbra Dunning Brouillette
Other tours offered by Cabo Adventures include scuba diving, whale watching, dolphin experiences, and camel rides through the Baja desert.
If You Go
Twenty-nine U.S. cities and eight Canadian cities currently offer direct flights into Los Cabos—San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SJD). (Subject to change; check with the airlines for current information.)
Consider timing your visit with special celebrations like Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Mexico celebrates this holiday between October 31 and November 2. Several International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) members did so in 2023.
Here are links to their articles:
Sun, Fun, Water and Tequila at Hacienda Del Mar Cabo San Lucas Resort & Spa
Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos
Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos Resort Celebrates Dia de los Muertos in Style
An Unforgettable Day of the Dead at Hacienda Del Mar
You may also enjoy reading:
- Exploring Playa del Amor, Cabo San Lucas
- Grand Velas Los Cabos Resort: Luxury in Baja California
- Acre: A Restaurant Oasis in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos hosted my visit.
