Playa Grande Thalasso Spa
A Gem Of Cabo San Lucas

by Wendy Craft

The Playa Grande resort rests on a private beach in Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico. The resort’s location—between the Sea of Cortez to the east and the vast Pacific Ocean to the west—plays an important role in its Thalassotherapy center, the Playa Grande Thalasso Spa. Thalossotherapy is administered for its prevention and healing effects, consisting of seawater baths and seaweed-based treatments.

Seawater use is an ancient form of therapy that became popular in French sea-bathing resorts in the 19th century. Thalassotherapy—as defined by French physician De la Bonnardière in 1867—is “the combined use of all the beneficial aspects of the sea environment, [that is to say] the climate, sea water and various types of sea mud, seaweed, sand, and other substances derived from the sea,” according to the Federation Internationale De Thalassotherapie.

“French doctors estimate that benefits from six days of this curative therapy will last up to six or eight months,” says Yolanda Amador, Playa Grande Thalasso Spa director. “We are very proud to present the finest Thalassotherapy center in North America. Seawater is brought in directly from the ocean into the spa facilities.”

The water is part of the Sea of Cortez, which Amador says is one of the world’s unique ocean environments. Amador says it’s considered to be the richest body of water because it supports more than 800 marine vertebrate species. There are several marine activities to be enjoyed near the Playa Grande resort, including scuba diving and sports fishing.

“Thalassotherapy is considered to be a curative therapy because it helps the body to improve issues such as energy balance, stress release, restoration of skin, and circulation,” she says. The Playa Grande Thalasso Spa offers several treatments, including seaweed treatments.

The resort has been in operation for nearly three years; the Playa Grande Thalasso Spa opened in April 2004 as part of the newest section of the resort. According to Amador, resort owner Luis Bulnes contacted Sarkli/Repêchage, Ltd. President and CEO Lydia Sarfati as well as Amador, who also is a Repêchage® distributor in Mexico, to help with development and distribution of the spa area.

Amador is no stranger to accommodating spa guests; in Mexico City, she is the owner of four day spas, where she manages a staff of about 30 employees. She also consults for different spa owners.

The 1,300-square-meter spa is bi-level and features an outdoor area called the Sanctuary, which is designed around natural rock formations. Spa guests can enjoy special outdoor treatments, and there also are special packages performed at night, Amador says.

The Bali-inspired spa decor boasts a lot of dark wood and bamboo. It’s tropical with an oriental influence, Amador says. The only way to get to the spa is via a panoramic elevator. When spa guests reach the top, they will see a towel reception desk. The spa then is divided into men’s and women’s areas, each equipped with dressing rooms and bathrooms.

There are 15 treatment rooms. “We also have couples’ rooms, and inside the couples’ rooms we have natural waterfalls,” she says. “We also have a seawater Jacuzzi on the top of the spa.”

There are about 28 spa employees, including therapists and reception and salon staff. Therapists come to the spa with therapist’s degrees for facial and body therapy and massage techniques. According to Amador, the therapists must pass an examination before being hired.

Since the Playa Grande Thalasso Spa uses all Repêchage products, therapists-to-be also must undergo a month-long training course given by a Repêchage specialist before working at the spa, Amador says.

The Playa Grande Thalasso Spa’s signature treatments include the Repêchage Seascape Stone Facial and Body Therapy (80 minutes, $150). The treatment is the application of the Repêchage four-layer facial, with stone therapy all over the body. Another signature treatment is the Thalasso Body and Wellness (90 minutes, $175), which consists of a Thalasso-therapy bath in the oxymer hydrotherapy tub followed by a seaweed body mask. The treatment is finished with a Vichy shower—a seawater shower that descends from several jets while the guest is lying down.

The Pearl Treasure Facial and Body Treatment (120 minutes, $210) consists of a pure honey almond and fresh buttermilk exfoliation, followed by a European seaweed mask facial. The treatment ends with a Vichy shower and body massage with seaweed body cream.

Spa guests can experience the Playa Grande Sanctuary treatments, which all take place at night among the natural rock formations. The first such treatment is the Moonlight Baja Experience (60 minutes, $150), where deep-tissue aromatherapy massage takes place under torch fire. The manner in which the massage is offered to clients involves the Ayurveda technique. “It consists of different things such as warming up the massage oil, and also the way we apply the oil onto the skin,” Amador says.

Another choice is the Indian Rocks Head treatment (80 minutes, $190). “It is called that because among the natural rock formations inside the Sanctuary, you are able to locate an Indian rocks head that was naturally formed,” she says. The treatment also takes place under torch fire, and begins with a sea-stone hot massage. Spa therapists incorporate a special blend of facial calming oils to soothe the senses; while performing the massage, the therapist exfoliates the facial area with honey and almond scrub.

The final Sanctuary spa treatment is the Niparaja Mystical Land. “In Baja, the most important natives who used to live a thousand years ago in the region of Cabo San Lucas were named Pericues,” Amador explains. “The word ‘Niparaja’ was the meaning of the word for the supreme spirit that lived in heaven.” The treatment (120 minutes, $260) consists of massage with essential oils to relieve muscle tension and provide total wellness. A unique scalp massage is conducted, and then guests are offered the Repêchage four-layer facial.

The remainder of the spa menu consists of five different hydrotherapy baths, six facials, seven body treatments, and treatments for the hands and feet. Full salon services and all types of hair removal are available. Massage is the most-popular treatment choice despite the detailed spa menu. Deep tissue; Swedish; shiatsu; four-hand; neck, shoulder and back; sports; and reflexology are featured.

Oxygen shots also are accessible to spa guests. “It will help your body to detox,” Amador says. The spa recommends five-to 10-minute sessions with the portable oxygen machine. Every spa service permits having oxygen shots, she adds; they can be taken anywhere, including the outdoor seawater Jacuzzi, any treatment room, beauty salon, reception area, relaxation area, or the Sanctuary.

Guests often spend at least a week at the Playa Grande, which serves as a time-share resort. “Most guests want to go to the spa every day for a single treatment,” she says. Traffic is steady in the Playa Grande Thalasso Spa throughout the year; however, the busiest time is September through March.

Despite the bustle of the modern world, the practice of Thalassotherapy has endured the ages. The Playa Grande Thalasso Spa offers contemporary guests the chance to experience the healing effects of Thalassotherapy—complemented by the culture of Cabo San Lucas.

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