The design of the JW Marriott Los Cabos seamlessly blends architecture and art with the site’s powerful desert landscape and an endless panorama of the Pacific Ocean. Though separated from the water by a 35‑foot‑tall dune, the resort creates an immediate connection from entry to ocean through a horizon‑framing main arrival hall and intuitive, adventure‑evoking pathways throughout the site.
JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa
San Jose del Cabo, Mexico


The grandeur of the 299-room, 561,000-square-foot resort is honed to an intimate scale starting with the entry hall where a cadence of tall columns inspired by pre-Columbian architecture draws visitors forward. Just past the main entry, two separate infinity pools appear to join, creating a visual connection to the ocean beyond. The horizon takes center stage from nearly every place in the resort. As guests move throughout the property, they are greeted with unexpected views of the water, framed by native landscaping.


Smooth concrete and stucco buildings throughout the complex, whose color was derived from the sand of the surrounding desert, were designed to appear native to the site. Open travertine‑covered hallways and floors combined with local soil aggregates further blur the physical boundaries of indoors and outdoors, site and architecture.


The resort spa is carved into the earth to create an elegant, quiet refuge. Water is used as a unifying element, with the ocean view at the end of a long axial reflecting pool framing a more personal experience of the grand lobby vista. Warm wood walls and ceilings add warmth while white alabaster flows with soft natural light.


Specially commissioned artworks from Mexican artists including Jaume Plensa, Jorge Yázpik, and Sam Falls are woven throughout the interior and exterior spaces of the resort, as well as individual guest rooms.

The landscape design of the resort accentuates the architecture and reinforces the site’s relationship to its natural context. The design weaves together indigenous species including the Cardon plant, a type of thorn scrub, and native Torote and Palo Blanco trees. The verticality of Royal, Date, and Mexican Fan Palms lend a sense of transition between built and natural forms, while select exotic plants provide bolder colors in the sunken gardens, such as the Gardens of Paradise.

To me the important thing about the project is that it’s where the desert meets the sea—it’s the drama of the very dry land and the endless water.Jim Olson, FAIA
Design Principal


Bellevue Botanical Garden Visitor Center
Bellevue, Washington

Pavilion House
Bellevue, Washington
Team
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Jerry Garcia
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Martina Bendel
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Debbie Kennedy
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Debbie Kennedy
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Michelle Arab
Publications
2022
“Olson Kundig.” Hospitality Interiors, 10 Feb. 2022. Web.
“Olson Kundig.” Hospitality Interiors, Jan./Feb. 2022, 60-66. Print.
2020
Fuhrman, Elina. “Authentic Allure.” Gio Journal, 24 Feb. 2020. Web.
Monie, Karine. “Jim Olson – Entorno en armonia.” Architectural Digest Mexico, Aug. 2020. Print.
2019
“JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort and Spa.” ARCHITECT, 9 Jan. 2019. Web.
Olander, Lindsey. “The 10 Best Hotels in Los Cabos.” Jetsetter, 6 May 2019. Web.
2017
Brewster, Polly. “The Great Indoors.” JW Marriott Magazine, vol. 7.3 2017, 38. Print.
Garcia, Vanessa. “Los Cabos, Paraiso Monumental.” Forbes Mexico, 10 Feb. 2017. Web.
“Los Cabos, paraiso monumental.” Robb Report Mexico, 7 Feb. 2017. Web.
“More Great Getaways: Mexico Calling.” Architectural Digest, May 2017, 86. Print.
“Time to Unwind.” Christie’s International Real Estate Magazine, Jan. 2017. Print.
2016
“向大海延伸 – 墨西哥度假酒店设计 / Olson Kundig Architects.” 微头条. 15 Dec. 2016. Web.
“向大海延伸 – 墨西哥度假酒店设计 / Olson Kundig Architects_gooood谷德设计网.” Pig 66. 6 Dec. 2016. Web.
Bryan, Lori. “Inside Cabo’s Newest Luxury Escape.” Robb Report, 2 May 2016. Web.
Davey, Joclene. “Modern Oasis.” South Bay Digs. 16 Dec. 2016. PrintDavey, Joclene. “Modern Oasis.” Westisde Digs. 9 Dec. 2016. Print
Eberstein, Amanda. “Hot Beds.” Luxury Magazine. Dec 2016. Print.
“Hotels. Mexikanisches Trio.” Architectural Digest Germany, July-Aug. 2016, 103. Print.
“Lo mejor del desierto y la playa en medio de Los Cabos.” GQ Mexico, 4 Aug. 2016. Web.
Stevenson, Christobal. “#ESCÁPATE UN OASIS MEXICANO.” Harper’s Bazaar, 7 April 2016. Web.
2015
“Los Cabos resort for autumn opening.” Sleeper Magazine, 13 July 2015. Web.
“Natural Integration.” Architectural Digest Mexico, 9 July 2015. Web.