Concrete, Contemplation, and the Coast: A Stay at WAMA Hotel, Todos Santos
On a sandy side road on the outskirts of Las Tunas, Todos Santos, a gorgeous architectural landmark is gracefully coming into its own. WAMA Boutique Hotel is an unusual stay, but in all the right ways, and instead of leaning into the typical “boho chic”, this property has veered far from the path of the norm into the realm of Baja Brutalist architecture. WAMA offers something experimental, yet entirely deliberate, where every corner and nook looks as though it could grace the cover of a magazine.
WAMA, a word unrecognizable to many, but a word with meaning as deep as the soul of the Baja and its original inhabitants. To the indigenous Cochimí and Pericú peoples of the Baja, wama meant “house or shelter.” Alternatively, yet somehow cohesively, on the other side of the Pacific, in Japan, it meant “harmonious space.” By combining the two meanings, WAMA Hotel has perfectly embodied the idea of a “harmonious shelter.”
The Location: Las Tunas’ Best Kept Secret
Situated on the quiet beach street of Calle Los Mangos, WAMA provides visitors with an oasis of solitude away from the sometimes hectic Todos Santos Art District. However, if downtown Todos Santos is what you desire, then it’s only a 10-minute drive away. One of the hotel’s main draws is that it is conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from Las Tunas Beach and a short walk from Playa La Cachora. With all that in mind, it’s no wonder that WAMA is becoming one of the best accommodations near Las Tunas Beach.
Leaf Tub at WAMA
The Design: Defining Baja Brutalism
WAMA isn’t just an accommodation, but more suited to the definition of a sculptural boutique hotel. Composed of only six exclusive rooms, each with its own signature layout and decor, but keeping well in line with the minimalist design. Returning guests can enjoy a new experience each time they visit by choosing from Depa Turrell, Cuarto Orozco, Cuarto Serra, Depa Davila, Retiro Rothko, and Retiro Kapoor.
The “Baja Brutalist” style remains bold throughout the property, but instead of feeling cold or soulless, as one may expect, WAMA feels warm and inviting, elegantly blending in the local colour palette to enhance its geometric forms.
Indoor-Outdoor Living: Each room has a private courtyard with a large sliding glass door for guests to seamlessly embrace the indoor/outdoor feel.
Romantic Amenities: Several of the rooms boast either leaf-shaped outdoor soaking tubs or Japanese-style soaking tubs. Every room has walk-in showers that open up to beautiful mini-courtyards.
The View: Each room boasts a private ocean-view rooftop terrace where guests can watch sunrises and sunsets, and even spot whales swimming by. When the sun goes down, the stargazing begins with some of the clearest skies you will ever see.
Night Sky at WAMA
The Experience: Contactless Luxury
WAMA intentionally caters to the modern traveler with its unique self-directed stay model. This means that they use a convenient self-check-in process with smart locks that require a code to enter.
The common areas are typically quiet and peaceful, leaving guests to fully relax and unwind. In the heart of the desert-scaped property is a heated year-round outdoor swimming pool and a shared jacuzzi.
Conclusion: When it comes to a quiet contemplation stay in Baja, WAMA is the one. A literal art installation that you can call home for a few, WAMA is one of the most unique architectural stays in Baja California Sur and possibly the world.
WAMA Hotel Photos
