When Oracle founder Larry Ellison and renowned physician David Agus, M.D., entered the wellness realm, it was deeply personal. Their decision to help people live longer, healthier lives came following the death of a close mutual friend. The result: Sensei, a science-backed wellness concept brought to life on Hawaiʻi’s secluded island of Lāna’i purchased by Ellison in 2012. Set in the cooler uplands — far from the beach and surrounded by plumeria and lush garden paths — Sensei Lāna’i is a serene, adults-only retreat focused on optimizing health through movement, nourishment, and rest. Its delivery comes in the form of one-on-one consultations, advanced diagnostics, and thoughtfully designed spa and fitness experiences.
After its success in Hawaii, Sensei expanded to Rancho Mirage in the Coachella Valley. I visited the exclusive, guard-gated enclave (built on land once owned by Bob Hope and later Ellison) last year and was impressed. Drawing inspiration from Japan with its Toto bathtubs, live orchids, Japanese art, and minimalist teak furniture, Sensei Porcupine Creek (which made our 2025 Very Best list) is among the most luxurious spas in the U.S. For three transformative days, I moved between my deep-soaking tub, Nobu meals, and a schedule of sound baths, gua sha facials, yoga, and massage, customized exclusively for me.
When Sensei opened its first international outpost in March 2025 — Sensei at Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Los Cabos, Mexico — I jumped at the opportunity to visit. Again, I was not disappointed. Located in the sports fishing capital of Puerto Los Cabos along the Sea of Cortez, Zadún is defined by its pristine white‑sand beaches and dramatic desert-meets-sea coastline.
First Impressions
“Hola. And welcome.”
Andrés, my personal tosoani (which means “dream maker” in the ancient Nahuatl language), swings open the door to my villa and gestures inside. With theatrical flair, he motions to a beautifully crafted wooden box, its shelves lined with miniature treats: a handful of olives, a micro-dish of fresh guacamole with colorful chips, and tiny squares of locally made Mexican chocolates.
Smiling, he guides me through the glass-encased living room filled with artwork and materials sourced from across Mexico (Oaxaca, Yucatán, Jalisco), then past the sea-facing king-sized bed, deep-soaking tub and rain shower, and finally onto a private outdoor terrace complete with a plunge pool overlooking the sea.
After syncing my phone to his, he explains that room service, golf-cart transport anywhere on property, as well as any questions I may have are all just a WhatsApp message away. There are three restaurants. El Barrio offers traditional Mexican fare served in a colorful, convivial setting — a portrait of Frida Kahlo lines the bar; fish tacos, fresh ceviche, handmade guacamole and chips, and wood-fired quesadillas are on the menu. X (Equis) sits directly on the beach and is known for its fresh fish and sea-to-table ethos. Humo — newly opened — centers on fire and grilling over an open flame. Adjacent to Humo is Candil, a sultry, intimate agave bar.
Everything — from the health-focused restaurants to the shimmering sea, desert flowers, winding walking paths, and ultra-private villas — provides the perfect backdrop for wellbeing. Unlike the more intimate Lānaʻi and Rancho Mirage properties, Zadún brings Sensei’s precision-driven wellness philosophy into a larger resort setting.
And it works.
Finding Your Path
My first morning begins with an orientation to Sensei’s philosophy and a personalized itinerary shaped by a pre-arrival wellness assessment. Interestingly, a few of the participants are past (Hawaiʻi or California) guests, familiar with Sensei’s core paths: movement, nourishment, and rest.
“We meet you where you are,” says Nicolas Correa, a Sensei guide. “Movement focuses on the physical body, but also on how we move through the world. Nourishment is about how we fuel not just our body, but also our mind and soul. And rest is how we recover and grow — through sleep, stillness, or the breakthroughs that allow us to reset. None of the paths exists in isolation. There’s no rest without movement, no nourishment without rest, and no movement without nourishment. The key is recognizing which path is most dominant in the moment, so the other two fall naturally into place.”
That dominant path is interchangeable. At Porcupine Creek, my experience leaned heavily toward rest. Now, at Zadún, my pre-arrival assessment is gently moving me toward nourishment.
Nourishing Mind, Body, and Soul
Following a 90-minute massage with warm poultices (of rosemary, arnica, chamomile, and marjoram), contrasting cold stones are placed around my eyes; Seed to Skin Midnight Miracle oil applied to my face and scalp. As a reminder to continue caring for my skin (and psyche) once home, I am given a beautiful, travel-sized bottle of custom-infused grapefruit, neroli, and seaweed oil for glow and relaxation.
After time in the spa’s hydrotherapy circuit (steam, sauna, and glorious outdoor pool), I meet one-on-one with Monse, a Sensei guide and certified nutritionist. At first our conversation seems basic. How many meals do I eat per day? What do my breakfasts, lunches, and dinners look like? Am I eating enough protein, too much sugar or caffeine? Do I exercise? What time of day, and what type of fitness routine? But somewhere in the daze of answers, a pattern emerges. And the whys start taking shape. Why do I skip meals? Why do I prioritize running errands or working through lunch? What about boundaries? Yes, it is important to be there for others going through difficulties — but their problems are not mine. Can I — and most importantly, do I — say no?
How am I nourishing myself?
The question surfaces again in the temezcal, a traditional sweat lodge used for purification and spiritual renewal. The experience, deeply rooted in ancient Mesoamerican practices, takes place in an enclosed dome-shaped structure that creates intense heat and humidity. There are no windows or natural light, just a small door that is briefly opened following each 15-minute segment. Our ceremony is led by a traditional shaman who, over the course of the hour-long ritual, sings, drums, chants, and douses us with water and medicinal herbs.
“This [purification ceremony] is good for the heart, the skin, the emotions, the love,” he says, slapping bundles of eucalyptus across our forearms and knees. “This is the medicine of our ancestors; the steam, the heat, the herbs clear negativity — even what you carry within.” He pauses. “Hug yourself. Say ‘I love you, respect you.’ When you truly love and respect yourself, you cannot hurt another human or animal.”
On my last morning, after consecutive days of spa treatments, soundbaths, a body composition assessment, fascia release class, and even stargazing, I awaken early to watch the sunrise. Coffee in hand, I wind my way past blooming cacti and stunning villas to walk the beach. Fishing boats are already making their way to sea; pelicans dive-bomb for their own catch.
A long travel day home awaits, so — with Monse’s words dancing in my head — I lean into self care: early-morning yoga overlooking the sea, a hot sauna, cold plunge, and — most surprising to me — breakfast. Not the light fruit-and-yogurt kind I typically order, but chilaquiles: a hearty Mexican comfort food of fried corn tortilla pieces simmered in a spicy red or green sauce and topped with cheese, cream, cilantro, and often a fried egg.
“Red or green sauce?”
“Both please. And scrambled eggs.” Moments later, I am back on my terrace, surrounded by bougainvillea, watching my server elaborately pour red and green salsa over my avocado-topped plate. Slowly and mindfully, I savor each bite, letting the spicy, velvety flavors blend as my gaze drifts to the sea.
My belly — and my heart — both full.
