In my 27 years in the spa industry, I’ve had the honour of visiting hundreds of spas around the world – each offering a unique experience in some of the most breathtaking locations and associated with some of the finest luxury hospitality brands. Lately, I’ve noticed how these facilities are commanding substantial reinvestments as hoteliers recognise the undeniable value a top-tier wellness centre brings to their property. Not only does it elevate the overall guest experience, but it also enhances the property’s reputation, establishing it as a modern and luxurious destination.
The Spa at Esperanza, an Auberge Resorts Collection property in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, is a prime example of such work. It reopened in December 2023 with a complete refresh – where an apothecary blending bar, soaking tubs and outdoor relaxation came together with a new fitness centre and a menu overhaul drawing inspiration from the ancient Aztec medicine wheel (see www.spabusiness.com/esperanzarefurb). A year on, I was curious to see if the reinvestment is still paying off…
Welcome drink highlight
From the outset, it’s clear this property, with its gated entrance, manicured roadways and lush tropical vegetation, prioritises detail, quality and the guest experience. It’s impossible to find even a leaf out of place. Would the spa measure up, I wondered.
At the main entrance, I’m greeted by name and whisked off in a golf cart to the spa. The vibrant plants framing its approach are impressive and once inside, I’m struck by the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Handcrafted details are evident throughout and the vaulted ceilings with exposed beams, paired with a thatch roof, highlight the use of natural materials.
I’m also impressed with how the reception area blends a spa check-in with a substantial retail offering – including clothing and products by Augustinus Bader, Osea and Lola’s Apothecary – that might otherwise feel overwhelming if it wasn’t so carefully curated.
My check-in is swift and handled with warmth by Guadalupe and the welcome drink is unlike any I’ve ever had. The options on the menu, dubbed Seasonal Aguas Frescas, not only sounded appealing but tasted absolutely incredible – on par with the finest cocktail bars. I enjoyed one before my treatment and another, a refreshing Citrus Mint Seltzer, in the relaxation room afterwards. My only suggestion would be to replace the plastic cups with luxury drinkware for this experience to truly shine.
Design differentiators
One element of spa design that’s often overlooked, yet deeply important, is the use of transition spaces. Esperanza’s spa excels in this regard, creating a seamless journey between indoor and outdoor spaces which boast a peaceful water garden, paths traversing bubbling streams and fountains creating a tranquil soundtrack. Locally inspired wooden gates are a striking feature used to signal a shift in space, each adding an element of surprise and delight as I move through the spa.
The locker rooms were spacious and thoughtfully laid out, especially the showers, which offer a dry vestibule first (an essential in my opinion) before leading to an outdoor shower in a private courtyard. Surrounded by local stone, towering palm trees and blue skies above, it feels like I’m bathing in a mountain waterfall.
The only minor flaw is the lack of space for hanging clothes, which bunch up despite the large locker size.
Esperanza’s hydrothermal area provides a soothing setting to unwind – large comfortable loungers sit alongside a grotto-like whirlpool with a trickling waterfall, a robust herbal-infused steamroom and a natural cold-water shower. However, I question whether the offering is strong enough to keep up with its many nearby competitors, from JW Marriott and Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve to the upcoming St Regis, all of which incorporate extensive thermal and vitality areas as a selling point.
Tension-melting treatment
I start my signature treatment, the 90-minute Fire Element Muscle Melt Massage, by selecting one of three scents before being guided into a non-traditional face-up position where a gratitude prayer and light breathwork help ground me and bring me fully into the moment. Charged gemstones are placed on my chakras to support my overall wellbeing and during the massage my therapist uses fluid movements, seamlessly switching between her hands and warm stones, to melt away the tension in my muscles.
Livier, my therapist, was a true healer, capable of reading my body’s needs and delivering an incredibly intuitive and memorable experience. This US$375 (€346, £289) treatment is one I would highly recommend to anyone visiting this spa.
Unspoken elements
Details truly matter in creating an exceptional spa experience and it’s often the unspoken elements across hundreds of touchpoints which, if done well, set the stage. Esperanza delivers on that promise. If you didn’t know the spa had been recently renovated, you’d think it was a brand-new space. Every area has been thoughtfully updated to feel fresh, modern and in perfect harmony with its surroundings. I even found a hand-sewn pillow with puka shells – a small but charming touch that spoke volumes.
Tranquillity in a spa is a delicate dance between this thoughtful design and impeccable service – another element which was consistently first-class throughout my visit. From Guadalupe and Maricruz at reception to Pablo and Leon, the spa valets and Dariela, the extraordinary spa director, each team member was professional, warm and genuinely caring. Their approach was far from formulaic, combining skill with heart resulting in a truly remarkable visit – one I’ll remember for years to come.
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Kenneth Ryan with spa
receptionist Maricruz / Ryan Wellness Group
"Spas are commanding substantial reinvestments as hoteliers recognise the undeniable value of a top-tier wellness centre" - Kenneth Ryan
Kenneth Ryan launches global consultancy
photo: Ryan Wellness Group
With close to 30 years of experience, Kenneth Ryan is a widely recognised leader in luxury wellness, hospitality and experiential development worldwide.
He launched the Ryan Wellness Group in January 2025 with a view of going “beyond traditional spa consulting” using an approach that fuses science-backed longevity, elevated services and cutting-edge innovation to create and scale ultra-high-end wellness experiences in hospitality, private membership clubs and residential communities.
Previously, he served as vice president of global operations for spa, fitness and retail at Marriott International, overseeing 650-plus locations and US$500 million (€462.6 million, £386.1 million) in annual revenues.
Details: https://ryanwellnessgroup.com
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