I kicked off my month in Mexico with a luxurious getaway to Zadun, one of just five Ritz-Carlton Reserves in the world. The oceanfront resort made this year‘s Travel + Leisure “Top 100 Hotels in the World” list, and now that I’ve been? I can 100% say it was more than deserved!
| Location: | San Jose del Cabo, Mexico |
| Industry Hotel Rating: | Luxury, 5-Star |
| Great For: | Couples, Solo Travel |
| Price Point: | $642 – $1,448/night (Based on Expedia‘s Average Rates for a Standard Room) |
| Nearest Airport: | SJD – Los Cabos International Airport (7.8 miles) |
| Good to Know: | European Style – Not All-Inclusive; Villas Available; COVID-19 testing available |
Location
Zadun, Ritz is located in the San Jose del Cabo side of Los Cabos, Mexico. Tucked away in the private, gated community of Puerto Los Cabos, it’s about 35 minutes from SJD airport and 15 minutes from downtown San Jose del Cabo and 45 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas.
I was actually scheduled to check-in at another resort (I got walked,) so I pre-contracted transfers with another company. However, the Zadun offers private transfers in luxury vehicles, so I’ll go that route next time.
BGMW Tip: Arrange your airport transfers directly with the resort before your arrival.
Service
From the moment I arrived at Zadun, the hospitality team made me feel so welcomed. I was greeted with a refreshing ginger hibiscus punch, then escorted to my suite by my assigned Tosoani. The Tosoani or “dream catcher” is a single point of contact for all your service needs. I messaged mine on WhatsApp, which was super convenient. They were able to make reservations, recommendations and even schedule my COVID-19 test for my departure.
While I found the Tosoani an excellent addition to the Zadun experience, literally every staff member on site made themselves available to solve even the smallest inconveniences. One morning I wandered to the edge of the resort and got turned around and a staff member kindly drove me back to my suite. In short: service at Zadun is top tier and it’s a crown jewel of the Ritz Carlton Reserve brand.
Room(s)
There are only 118 total guest rooms, suites, and villas across the Zadun property. My room was located on the ground floor, with one room next door and two rooms above us. Even though the adjacent rooms were occupied, I only crossed paths once with the guests in our building. Overall, it was rare to see other guests unless strolling along the beach or at the restaurants, making the Zadun perfect for quiet getaways, solo or coupled.
Entry Level Room – 2 Queens
One of two queen 
Outdoor Lounging Area 
Vanity and Soaking Tub
Zadun’s Beachfront Two Bedroom Suite
Being the great travel advisor that I am, I also took the time to tour Zadun’s spacious beachfront 2,900 sq. ft. suite – it’s perfect for a small group or family with older children.
Bedroom #1 – King 
Suite Living Room 
Suite Dining Area
There are large outdoor showers, plunge pools in each room, and a spacious living room that anchors the suite would be perfect for game and movie nights in, but the outdoor space is where the real fun resides! Take a quick tour of Zadun’s Two Bedroom Suite on my Instagram.
While there’s no formal kitchen for in-suite cooking, who really wants to cook on vacation? Not when there’s so much delicious food right on the resort!
Food & Beverage
Zadún has four concepts on-site: a Peruvian raw bar, a Taqueria, a wood grill, and an agave cocktail bar. In-room dining is also available, but you’d miss out on the most privileged views the restaurants offer. Candil at sunset? Phenomenal.
Equis
I spent most of my time lounging at Equis, Zadun’s beachfront ceviche and cocktail lounge. When I wasn’t experimenting with off-menu cocktail creations, the Mula del Rio was my go-to drink! This refrehsing cocktail is mixed with Cachaca, banana liqueur , Amaro Di Angostura, kiwi, lacto-lime, and ginger.
Since I can’t/don’t eat seafood, the cocktails were my favorite part. However, the staff was kind enough to prepare a vegan ceviche for me, and it was absolute one of the best things I ate while in Mexico.
El Barrio
El Barrio, as the name implies, is Zadun’s more casual Mexican cuisine concept. While dinner service was fun, especially with the live entertainment, the breakfast at El Barrio was my absolute favorite.
After a long morning on the beach, I’d order a refreshing fruit smoothie or their horchata iced coffee and pair it with an order of their Puebla´s Benedict Eggs. So good!
HUMO
HUMO, which is Spanish for “smoke”, is Zadun’s Latin American restaurant that explores open flame grilling techniques with delicious dishes like chorizo and grilled oysters. The bread service is also fantastic. Definitely had an Oprah, “I LOVE BREAD!” moment.
Candil
Candil is perfect for any Agave Aficionada. The space, a work of art itself, celebrates all things Agave – from tequila and mezcal, less common agave spirit raicilla, and more. Guests looking for daytime activitiies can schedule an agave tasting experience with their Tosoani or enjoy a nice end of day cocktail
BGMW Tip: Before dining at HUMO, enjoy pre-dinner cocktail at Candil.
Alkemia Spa at Zadun
In my opinion, Spa Alkemia is the star of Zadun’s amenities and an absolute can’t-miss! It’s a quiet oasis that whisks you away to the intersection of traditional and modern Mexican luxury and wellness. From the lush greenery to its intricate design that effortlessly transports visitors through indoor and outdoor spaces, I could have spent all day in the spa!
BGMW Tip: Arrive 30 minutes before your appointment to enjoy the "pre-treatment journey".
The treatment prices were what I expected for an ultra luxury resort spa, but I had to pace myself (I mean… I had a whole month of travel to budget for!) While I only booked the signature Zadun pedicure – for $115, I have to admit it was the best pedicure I’ve ever experienced and lasted me a month. Splurging on spa treatments not in your plan? Spa Alkemia offers complimentary wellness classes, including yoga.
Final Thoughts on Zadún
I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect stay. The Zadun delivers world-class service for those looking for oceanfront luxury in Los Cabos. I can’t wait to return to Zadun to do it all over again. I’m also making it a travel goal to visit the remaining Ritz-Carlton Reserves. Puerto Rico seems like a great idea…
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This review was written during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Experiences, offerings, and availability may vary.
Wow! This place looks amazing! It’s the details for me