As a writer and artist who has been on a conscious health and wellness journey for several years now, I am often on the intentional hunt for restorative vacation adventures. I recently launched a wellness company, Being Loud Sis, whose mission is to center and uplift busy and overextended women, mothers and multi-hyphenate professionals.
At Being Loud Sis, the question we like to ask is: “How can we prioritize our being in a doing-focused culture, one that tends to put the emphasis on what we have accomplished versus how we are taking care of ourselves?” Pondering my own responses to this question, it was such a joy to spend a few days reminding myself “how to be still” at the Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residences in Cabo San Lucas.
It’s a family affair
There is something beyond the tangible for places that “feel like home,” and that indescribable something is exactly what I noticed when I arrived at Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residencies, which is part of Mexico Grand Hotels.
Perched atop a scenic cliff, the family-owned, all-inclusive optional resort offers breathtaking panoramic views of the nearby Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez. Yet despite its expansiveness, the “homey” atmosphere is a nod to the Macias family, who owns and manages it.
Gabriel Ibarra Macias, a member of the family, gave my travel group a beautiful tour of the resort and the residences, which are available for anyone looking to book longer or recurring stays. Macias’ mother handles the interior design for the resort, which he humbly revealed as my traveling compadres and I raved about every tapestry, fixture and piece of furniture we encountered. We were struck by how well each lantern, each tile and piece of art — locally sourced from nearby towns such as Tlaquepaque and Tonalá — and each hand-carved fountain encouraged us to pause for a moment and consider its unique beauty.
My suite, featuring ornate furniture with personal touches, beautiful tapestries and transfixing beach views, conjured up the timeless beauty of Mexico.
The only thing that kept me from lounging in my room all day was knowing the adventure that awaited me the moment I stepped outside.
Nourishing mind, body and soul
During our stay, we visited Milagro Wellness Spa, which has a gorgeous pool of its own and offers an impressive variety of signature treatments. I luxuriated in the pool and enjoyed some hydrotherapy before indulging in a relaxing massage.
After the spa, I grabbed some lunch while writing and answering work emails in the spa café. Here’s a Being Loud Sis pro tip: Whether it’s at home or on a “work-cation,” finding relaxing and scenic places to do your work can bring a lighter and more refreshing energy to your work. But ideally, put your work down as often as possible and remember to go and play!
Culinary delights
When it was time to dine, oh did we dine! From our amazing cliffside family-style grill dinner at Los Riscos Mesquite Bar & Grill (I can still taste the grilled veggies that accompanied the surf & turf) to the pizzas at La Pergola, the authentic Mexican flavors of Los Deseos at the nearby sister Marina Fiesta resort and even the smoothies and snacks at the Fresco spa café, every meal we tried at the resort was uniquely curated, colorful, delicious and served with a smile.
A signature Hacienda Encantada wellness experience
As a seeker who is actively searching for new ways to relieve stress (and to understand myself more deeply), I want to highlight a unique experience that makes me excited to return to Hacienda Encantada: the Temazcal Wellness Experience. It’s a Mayan practice guided by a temazcalero, or shaman, who leads guests through the power of the four elements — earth, air, fire and water — to purify mind, body and spirit.
As described by Macias, “the temazcalero uses music, steam and herbs to transport guests through a sensory and visceral experience. Participants emerge feeling inspired and transformed.”
A tale of two seas: Lover’s Beach and Divorce Beach
One of the highlights of our stay at the resort was spending the afternoon out on a beautiful yacht on the sun-kissed Sea of Cortez. We ate fruit, sipped cocktails and learned about “Lover’s Beach,” the local nickname for the beach and rock formations resting in the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez, and nearby “Divorce Beach,” named for where the water gets turbulent and choppy as the sea and the Pacific Ocean intersect!
As our crew warned us, and the yacht started to rock, it was unmistakable where the two bodies of water intertwined. I’m sure some of the relationship coaches and therapists that we consult with at Being Loud Sis would have thoughts about the metaphors of how the yacht successfully navigates the choppy waters between Lover’s Beach on its daily excursions, but I will leave that discussion for another story.
Here, we are sticking with the soothe waters. With features such as its kids’ club, babysitting, 24/7 room service and both family and adult swimming pools, Hacienda Encantada has created an experience where everyone can stay calm and enjoy themselves. Whether you’re traveling as a family, with a group of friends who want a retreat experience or as a working professional who’s looking for a place to escape, come to get pampered and “just be.”
Dayna Lynne North is a writer/producer and founder of @BeingLoudSis, a wellness brand.
