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Escape to Paradiso at Hacienda Del Mar in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

The stunning Sea of Cortez at Hacienda Del Mar in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Story, photos by Cassie Hepler

Imagine being whisked away from the Cabo San Lucas, Mexico airport by a private driver in your air conditioned SUV via Transcabo with an ice-cold bottle of water waiting for you. Then you are delivered to a Spanish style resort with 11 sprawling acres and a pretty darn private beach because there are no other resorts around. And you’re only 35 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes away from town! If you like to hunker down and just relax, this is your dream escape from the daily grind. My first trip to Cabo was in 2017, right before I decided to move to Arizona and I stayed at Breathless, an adults only resort on the tip of the pier near the famous arch. I did a ton of exploring then so I didn’t feel the need to see the whole area yet again and was in dire need of an escape and relaxing break from the brutal record-breaking heat of July 2023 summer in Phoenix.

Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos Resort is also a timeshare and you will notice as you leave the airport, Mexican men (and women) will aggressively haggle you to talk to them, making you feel as if you did something wrong. Ignore them and say firmly no, gracias while looking straight forward (or not if you want the “deal” but it may be just a big waste of precious vacay time). You’ll pop out to a bustling area filled with bars and shuttles under the canopy with numbered groups. Indulge in a drink if you like but hold the ice and only drink bottled water… or fuck around and find out what may happen later. Your choice in Cabo!

Bars to the right at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico airport.
Go straight ahead to find your shuttle under the shaded canopies at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico airport.
And bars to the left at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico airport.
I quickly found our amigo with Transcabo at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico airport who let me hop on his wifi hotspot so I can find my amiga inside waiting on her luggage. Helpful hint: never check luggage, it always takes forever and you might lose it.
Our drivers had a mix-up and were going to deliver us in two separate cars like royalty but we politely declined at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico airport with Transcabo. But we did appreciate the gesture and giggled at the thought.
After a scenic drive, we were delivered to Hacienda Del Mar in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
We were immediately enamored with the beauty this lobby held at Hacienda Del Mar.
Loving these hanging glass hearts everywhere, I will be decorating my future yard with these on my trees!
Just wow! We were lulled to the Sea of Cortez like sirens at Hacienda Del Mar.
First views of the infinity pool at Hacienda Del Mar that overlooks the Sea of Cortez. A sight for sore Arizona eyes!
Also loving all the Spanish style architecture at Hacienda Del Mar.
The lobby where we checked in and the team took great care of us at Hacienda Del Mar.
Wrought iron and stained glass with whale bones behind it at Hacienda Del Mar.
Pedro made sure to walk us to the room himself at Hacienda Del Mar and get us settled in.
The beds at Hacienda Del Mar were perfection and we easily got sucked into them at Hacienda Del Mar.
The view from our balcony at Hacienda Del Mar.
Delicious handmade chocolates at Hacienda Del Mar, my fave was the sea salt.
The shower with eco-friendly soap, conditioner and body wash at Hacienda Del Mar.
His and her sinks at Hacienda Del Mar.
A vanity to do your hair and makeup at Hacienda Del Mar.
Water and more toiletries at Hacienda Del Mar.
We were both starving from lack of sleep and food so off to lunch we went at Hacienda Del Mar.
The beautiful mosaic tiles at Hacienda Del Mar.
Lunch views from Sirenas at Hacienda Del Mar made us ready to swim asap.
Mango and mezcal made me happy at Hacienda Del Mar.
Fresh guac every day? Yes please at Hacienda Del Mar.
Instantly a cat appeared and we went gaga over her! Her name is now Edgar Noche Delmar by the way at Hacienda Del Mar.
Fresh fish tacos were so good at Hacienda Del Mar.
I was slightly obsessed with the coconut shrimp at Hacienda Del Mar.
Fresh ceviche with catch of the day was delish at Hacienda Del Mar.
If only we had this view in Arizona! The contrast of cactus among the sea was dramatic at Hacienda Del Mar.
You got that right amigos! Even though I burn like a lobster, I sure loved the beach at Hacienda Del Mar.
Black flags mean you shouldn’t swim but that didn’t keep people out of the water at Hacienda Del Mar.
We may have gotten yelled at by the lifeguard for playing too deep in the sea with this playful fella at Hacienda Del Mar. Worth it!
We were ready for a shower and refresh shortly thereafter from a long morning of travel at Hacienda Del Mar.
A pre-dinner drink was in order and I tasted the rainbow of mezcal at this little bar in Hacienda Del Mar.
Soon the sun set and it was time for dinner at the fine dining restaurant Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
So stunning with the blue sky and twinkling lights at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
Our table overlooking the Sea of Cortez at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
Whale bones looking out toward the sea at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
But first we were led down spiral stairs to the basement wine cellar at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
The sommelier Christopher Perez showed us a room full of Mexican wine at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
A tasting table in a freezing cold cellar is ideal in the hot summer at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
We also met the chef who was busy making beautiful dishes at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
Mexico’s “champagne” was clean and crisp at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
Even the fluffy light butter and bread was worthy of a mention at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
Beet salad is one of my faves at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
Fried octopus at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar. I prefer seared however this was flavorful.
A tangy Mexican rose at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
Tempura shrimp at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
Shredded beef perfection at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
The largest, juiciest pork chop at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
Filet mignon with a delicious glaze the chef poured on top at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
For dessert, coconut ice cream because it fits in the cracks as my father says at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.
And a porto nightcap put me right to sleep at Pitahayas at Hacienda Del Mar.

We went back to the room and after a quick shower, I fell asleep immediately in the fluffy bed surrounded by equally fluffy pillows. I think I slept 10 hours straight and so did my guest! We were certainly in a sleep and stress deficit. Built with a distinctive hacienda style in Cabo del Sol, Hacienda Del Mar has 270 guest rooms and suites with private terraces, beautiful gardens and sparkling pools. It certainly feels like a true oasis in the middle of Baja’s desert.

We were up and at ’em for breakfast at De Cortez after a slower morning start at Hacienda Del Mar.
The size of the pastries were as big as your head at Hacienda Del Mar.
All the fresh fruit was giving me life at Hacienda Del Mar.
I had a salmon bagel for breakfast at Hacienda Del Mar.
My guest enjoyed salmon egg benedict which she raved about at Hacienda Del Mar.
I appreciated the decor of our favorite breakfast spot at Hacienda Del Mar.
On cooler months, this outdoor space would be amazing at Hacienda Del Mar.
And having some drinks at this beachside bar at Hacienda Del Mar.
The view from our breakfast space at Hacienda Del Mar.
And the father end of the property at Hacienda Del Mar with the artistic mosaic tiles.
Hello to another animal friend at Hacienda Del Mar! He scurried off after this pic.
A wedding party was arriving next to these picturesque drinks at Hacienda Del Mar.
And I poked around inside the lobby and found this interesting and amusing statue at Hacienda Del Mar.
This may help shed some light on this odd statue at Hacienda Del Mar.
Your eyes are not tricking you. That is an infinity pool with the Sea of Cortez lined up perfectly behind it at Hacienda Del Mar.
There was also these interconnected walkways that were pretty rad at Hacienda Del Mar.
Next up was our spa day at Cactus Spa at Hacienda Del Mar.
Then changed into robes and were led back to the seating area at Hacienda Del Mar.
The massage was a good pressure and seemed to have released any angst built up in my muscles at Hacienda Del Mar.
Afterwards, we heard the sound of these bells for sound healing purposes at Hacienda Del Mar.
This outside grotto was also included and honestly, we didn’t want to leave at Hacienda Del Mar. There were three bath options: one freezing cold, one lukewarm and one hot and clothing was optional in this mixed gender area.
The hottest tub at Hacienda Del Mar.
A singing bowl to bring your own sound healing to life at Hacienda Del Mar.
After lounging in the spa for a long time, we made our way down to the beach bar at Hacienda Del Mar and saw this pirate ship.
Fresh fish galore at Hacienda Del Mar, we were in heaven! Those prices are in pesos.
My guest enjoyed a pina colada at Hacienda Del Mar which was more shaved ice but refreshing.
The most amazing seared scallops at Hacienda Del Mar.
Catch of the day at Hacienda Del Mar. I gobbled it down effortessly!
My guest enjoyed fresh tuna at Hacienda Del Mar.
Even the seared shrimp was amazing at Hacienda Del Mar. The sauces really stood out too!
I then hunkered down at this tiki hut and just took in the views and smells at Hacienda Del Mar.
I really didn’t want to leave this space, it was so peaceful at Hacienda Del Mar. The sunset with a lone fisherman caught my eye. We had the buffet dinner that night as we were in full relaxation mode and didn’t want anything too extra. It was good but the specialty restaurants are what’s up!
Recharged the next morning after a buffet breakfast and coffee, I found a chapel at Hacienda Del Mar.
The chapel at Hacienda Del Mar.
Inside the chapel at Hacienda Del Mar.
A fashion store in case you forgot anything or want more at Hacienda Del Mar.
Lots of artwork too if you need a souvenir at Hacienda Del Mar. There were also men and women roaming the beach sometimes so you could haggle a good deal at Hacienda Del Mar.
Slightly obsessed with these hanging lamps and skeleton cat at Hacienda Del Mar.
Also in the back of the pharmacy shop, a medley of nicotine at Hacienda Del Mar.
A day on the Bali bed was up next at Hacienda Del Mar.
Our view from the Bali Bed at Hacienda Del Mar.
Cassie Hepler modeling at Hacienda Del Mar.
Cassie Hepler modeling at Hacienda Del Mar in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. When you stay at Hacienda Del Mar, you have two free photos from their team of photographers. Each additional image is only $15 so you can load up if you like!
Back to my dry July, I was in love with these watermelon mocktails at Hacienda Del Mar.
Fresh oysters on the Bali Bed at Hacienda Del Mar.
Did I mention I was obsessed with the coconut shrimp at Hacienda Del Mar?
Always get the boxed or bottled water in Mexico! Don’t drink the tap water and be mindful of showers and brushing your teeth.
My guest enjoyed a shrimp quesadilla at Hacienda Del Mar.
The hot tub that was actually cool water at Hacienda Del Mar was good for my skin.
A random friend looks like he’s posing for my photo at Hacienda Del Mar.
We made fast friends with the lifeguard Sergio who I assured I used to be a lifeguard and not to worry at Hacienda Del Mar.
I hung out in the Bali Bed until sunset that night after dipping into the spa’s freezing cold tub to stop the sun from burning my skin further. And we caught a fluffy cloud sunset with the whale bone!
The details in Spanish of this enormous creature at Hacienda Del Mar.
The sky was showing off for us that night at Hacienda Del Mar.
So pretty at Hacienda Del Mar. Currently there are no resorts on either side of Hacienda Del Mar however rumor has it, a fancy resort is being built but don’t worry it’s on Mexican time.
Back to De Cortez for dinner that night at Hacienda Del Mar.
Starting with an amazing garlic cheese bread at Hacienda Del Mar.
Scallops in the shape of a fish with fins at Hacienda Del Mar was outstanding.
Beef carpaccio was sliced thin and perfect flavor with the “salad” on top at Hacienda Del Mar.
Not me ordering another filet mignon at Hacienda Del Mar, it was amazing.
Asparagus for greens at Hacienda Del Mar.
Truffle mac and cheese at Hacienda Del Mar.
My guest likes her steaks still moo-ing at Hacienda Del Mar.
And for dessert, this spread of everything they had I’m pretty sure! My faves were the meringue and the homemade chocolates with various fillings at Hacienda Del Mar.
Serenaded by this musician at Hacienda Del Mar, we were lulled to sleep soon after dinner and had a quick breakfast before checkout at well at Hacienda Del Mar.

The deets: Set on 11 acres overlooking the Sea of Cortez, Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos Resort features 542 rooms and suites, each with private terraces, and is undeniably reminiscent of an exclusive seaside village. The sprawling 19th-century Hacienda-inspired resort is home to six restaurants and five bars. There are five swimming pools, our favorite with the infinity edge and others with waterfalls, as well the above acclaimed Cactus Spa and a fully equipped fitness center. There is also a children’s club (and pool) and a wide selection of outdoor activities allow for memorable days, enjoying the pleasant climate of southern Baja California. In addition, it is equipped with one of the largest convention centers in Los Cabos with more than 1,670 square meters of event space, allowing Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos Resort to welcome meetings and special events of all sizes. A small chapel is also available, as well as beachfront terraces, ideal for wedding tourism. For more information, visit www.marriott.com/sjdhm. And don’t forget to rack up those Marriott Bonvoy points too!

Here is a full list of amenities this oasis also offers guests as of July 2023: Private beach, children’s program, laundry, Valet service, shops and boutiques, babysitting services, 24-hour room service, express check out, tour services, outdoor whirlpools, free valet parking, concierge desk, outdoor children’s pool, cash machine (ATM), handicap accessible facilities, luggage storage, 24-hour front desk, car rental desk, medical services available, Portales Deli Shop, El Molino Coffee proudly serving Cafe Punta del Cielo, Conventions Center, fitness center & spa, guest lounge and more. Don’t miss the videos on YouTube and Instagram too!