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Welcome to the second iteration of Vogue’s global spa guide, an index of the 100 best spas in the world, built from the expertise of our global editors and trusted contributors. There is a lot to choose from in the world of wellness, and no matter how far you’re planning to travel—from a subway ride to a trans-Atlantic flight—we want to make sure it’s worth the journey. Whatever your path, let us be your guide.
Why go here?
The two-hour flight from Los Angeles has drawn sunseekers to Los Cabos in Mexico for ages, but seasoned travelers have started heading north instead of south from the airport. On the eastern cape of the Baja California peninsula, the Costa Palmas development is home to the pristine Four Seasons Los Cabos. Forget crowded beaches and thumping beachside hangouts: Perched on the edge of the Sea of Cortez, the resort is unspoiled and captivating, with oceanfront villas, executive suites, half a dozen pools, several restaurants, and the Oasis Spa, which is what brought me there. The treatment menu is extensive, and services longer than 90 minutes start with a cleansing salt bath for your feet. All guests at the hotel have access to the sauna, steam room, whirlpools, and cold plunges.
What’s the vibe?
Futuristic desert retreat with modern architecture that seems to float in space and sparkling water that stretches out onto an endless horizon. Just the right number of woo-woo touches—from sound-bowl meditations to deep breathing exercises—to make a person feel like she’s left real life behind. Facials lean on Tata Harper products, perfuming the air with the line’s all-natural botanicals.
The history?
The hotel opened in 2019 in the Costa Palmas development. At the Four Seasons, designs and textiles were chosen to blend into the raw, windswept surroundings. Buildings are low and outfitted in taupes, beiges, greens, and white. Every single room on the premises has a view of the water.
What should you try?
The Oasis Signature Massage is a customized treatment, drawing on herbs and stones to augment the experience. It can run either 90 or 120 minutes. Scheduled a few hours after I landed, the 90-minute version was just right. I also tried the Intensive Sculpting Facial, which includes a double cleanse, mask, and facial cupping to tighten and rejuvenate the skin. Having logged several thousand miles on planes in the previous few weeks, I was especially grateful for the emphasis on giving my skin a little lift. The treatment ends with a meticulous scalp and hand massage. When the facialist noticed an errant foot poking out from under the blankets and sheets, she immediately wrapped it in a hot, soaked towel. Service!
How environmentally friendly is it?
Sustainability is a point of pride at the Four Seasons, with water-efficient landscaping, energy-saving building systems, and eco-certified cleaning products used throughout the hotel. Food at restaurants across the property is local, sustainable, and seasonal wherever possible. At Límon, with its farm-to-table menu, dishes draw on the on-site orchard and farm for ingredients. After hours, filtered water is delivered to the rooms in reusable (and quite elegant) glass bottles.
What else do we need to know?
You could spend your entire time at the Four Seasons and the Oasis Spa and it would make for a highly enjoyable vacation, but if you can tear yourself away from the two whirlpools, do yourself a favor and book a private evening cruise for a chance to glimpse the local wildlife. Jacques Cousteau once called the Sea of Cortez “the world’s aquarium,” and in a two-hour excursion, I saw humpback whales, seals, sting rays, and shimmering mahi mahi the size of a small four-year-old. It was as exhilarating as a cold plunge—minus the freeze.
Who can go?
Anyone, guest or not, can visit the spa with an appointment.
Booking details for Oasis Spa at the Four Seasons
Address: Eureka-Buenavista, 23570 La Ribera, B.C.S., Mexico
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide.