Treat Yourself at the Montevalle Health & Wellness Resort In Valle De Guadalupe

It’s hard to say no to a short getaway with friends when it’s close to home. While I’m theoretically always up for an adventure, yet schedules, and budgets don’t always match.

This time it was an easy decision to venture two hours south of San Diego to an alluring new wellness retreat, The Montevalle Health and Wellness Resort in Valle de Guadalupe. Joining other travel writers made the trip easy to rationalize – it would be business and pleasure. 

Montevalle is new and still expanding its bungalows and villas, each built to maximize views of the hillsides. Set on nearly 25 acres and surrounded by the land’s immense boulders, olive trees, and lavender fields, the property features a reflexology path, meditation labyrinth, heated pool, as well as jacuzzi, spa, gym, and tennis court.

It all centers on an innovative detox and wellness program, at the first wellness-focused Valle de Guadalupe resort in this fantastic wine and culinary destination just 1.5 hours south of San Diego. 

Getting To Montevalle Health & Wellness Resort

Unless you choose to drive, Montevalle has a sleek shuttle bus to take clients from the San Diego border area or airport and back.

After following the resort’s signposts along winding, dirt roads (much of the Valle is graded but unpaved) I entered Montevalle through an electric gate and left my car in a walled lot next to the registration building.

A golf cart rolled up to take my luggage and waited as I filled out forms and received my state-of-the-art ‘key.’ They were actually fobs that unlocked our casitas electronically.

Montevalle Health & Wellness Resort Rooms

The entry road led up a winding hill past the property garden and offered my first views of the groomed grounds. Swirling rock patterns covered open spaces between paths and shaded sitting areas.

My little house had a loft area with chairs and a recliner. Japanese Tansu-style shelves were set beneath the stairs. They held a coffee maker, water pitcher, safe and plenty of space for smaller belongings.

The broad bed faced a window wall with state-of-the-art rolling shades. And the view! How sweet to open the shades each morning and gaze past the small deck as the sunlight washed the green hills beyond. It is such a peaceful refuge.

Dining At Montevalle Health & Wellness Resort

Montevalle is adult-only and all-inclusive, so there was no reason to wander off-property. I just let go and enjoyed being led, fed, and indulging in the company of friends.

We met at a large wooden table in the hilltop dining room for meals and meetings. There Chef Raul Nuñez and his team provided breakfast, dinner, and snacks. The restaurant menu changes along with the seasons and local produce most readily available.

A new garden will provide on-site, fresh vegetables. Chef Nunez was also very accommodating with requests and made sure no one left the table hungry.

Even during afternoon spa treatments, he provided veggie snacks and an invigorating, tasty cold soup. 

Montevalle Health & Wellness Resort Spa

Dr. Carlos Bautista, who has devoted his medical career to research and practice with natural and holistic therapies, owns and operates the resort. Part of his vision was a space where guests could detox, boost and restore their health using ‘The most comprehensive therapeutic protocols existing today.’

“I wanted to create a place where people could escape the noise of the city for one day or several days, have contact with nature, and be able to stimulate their immune system and detoxify through a variety of treatments,” said Dr. Bautista.

The treatments begin at the entrance – a bright, comfortable, and refreshing lobby. Along with other buildings around the resort acres, the room incorporates boulders into the architecture and is decorated with soothing murals which echo the views just beyond the windows.

There are several treatment and massage rooms, a hot sauna, and a large pool outside with an adjacent jacuzzi. 

Spa Treatments

My treatment started with a personal, health consultation with Dr. Francisco Corral who briefly reviewed my medical history and answered questions. There’s a full menu of therapeutic options. I was only in the spa for a day – it would take a longer trip to benefit from them all. 

I sampled several treatments according to my suggested core wellness plan including: 

Biomagnetic Therapy

Biomagnetic Therapy is, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Institute, used to treat different types of pain.

Laying on the warm Bio Mat was relaxing. It’s an FDA approved medical device which delivers therapeutic Infrared Rays and Negative Ions to reduce pain and inflammation.

RIFE (Resonant Light Therapy)

RIFE, Resonant Light Therapy, has been used since the 1920’s when Dr. Raymond Rife claimed to destroy pathogenic organisms by vibrating them with radio waves.

He never claimed that the treatment could cure cancer which Reuters and the FDA agree with. For me, it was a simply soothing experience.

The Mag Ray

The Mag Ray or red-light treatment wasn’t new to me as my acupuncturist uses it for treatments in San Diego. Invented by Dr. Gou Wenbin in China, where he worked with scientists and physicians, the light is used to diminish inflammation and ease pain.

I wasn’t seeking that help on this trip but enjoyed my minutes under the light.

Hyperbaric Chamber

Another option is the Hyperbaric Chamber. As a scuba diver, I knew that Hyperbaric treatments could save lives by treatment with 100% oxygen in a closed system.

I didn’t last long inside the inflatable device – clearing my ears during diving descents is often problematic for me and the same was true in the chamber. Dr. Corral was close and helped me exit the chamber swiftly. 

Two treatments that I didn’t try:

Laser Therapy

Laser Therapy was offered but, according to research it requires repeated treatments. It uses focused light tuned to specific wavelengths.

Ultraviolet blood irradiation (UBI)

UBI was used in the 1940’s and 1950’s to treat many diseases however, with the development of antibiotics, it declined. I’m curious about it as an alternative treatment for arthritis and other diseases.

Another soothing treatment used a Pulsed Electromagnetic Field. It is used to increase electrolytes and ions to help relieve chronic pain and a host of injuries.

Additional Information About The Spa

The core wellness plans offered at the Montevalle Spa include IV injections overseen by a certified nurse with Dr. Corral attending. I tried an infusion for Detox and Energy as well as Immunity Booster. I have to say, staying up late that evening for a six hour long discussion was no problem!

A Chelation therapy for blood purification is also on the menu. It’s used for metal poisoning and there are claims it can be useful to treat heart conditions, Alzheimer’s and ASD. However, those lack substantial scientific evidence according to Medical News Today. 

Throughout our time in the spa, Dr. Corral was near to answer questions. If I were to return for a longer visit, I’d like to try more of the therapies. 

Downtime at the Montevalle Health & Wellness Resort

After resting through the afternoon, my group met once again at the long, wooden table in the hilltop dining room and didn’t leave for hours.

The staff made us feel welcome as our meeting flowed through dinner, then well past sunset. Full of food for thought, food for nourishment, and rejuvenated by the treatments, I slept well.

Our reluctant goodbyes followed breakfast and I drove north to San Diego thinking about how to open my calendar for a longer stay at the Montevalle Health and Wellness Resort.

Tips For Visiting Montevalle Health & Wellness Resort

There are two main roads through the central Valle, and the resort sits on several acres near the south end, between the two roads. One access point is through the village, the other is from the main highway which runs between Tecate and Ensenada.

Because I have a SENTRI Pass and there were a few places I wanted to visit in the Valle before the resort, I chose to drive. I crossed at the Otay Mesa border crossing and returned through Tecate because it was the least crowded even though there is no SENTRI service. (Google Maps and various phone apps can inform you as to which crossing is fastest.)

A SENTRI Pass is available by application and interview through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. It’s quite a process, I began years ago and have renewed.

It’s important to note this is different than Global Entry and you still need to carry a passport when crossing back into the US. I’m lucky to have SENTRI. It makes it much easier, and usually quicker, to cross whether on foot or by car.

–https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/sentri/how-apply-sentri

Therapy Research Links:

Biomagnetic Therapy: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/magnets-for-pain-what-you-need-to-know  

RIFE: https://www.resonantlight.com/rife-therapy/? 

–https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-rife-cancer/

Mag Ray: https://www.letstalkhealth.com/Mag-Ray-Lamp 

Hyperbaric Chamber: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-get-facts

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field: https://ioaregenerative.com/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-pulse-pemf-therapy 

Laser Therapy: https://www.healthline.com/health/laser-therapy

UVBI Therapy: https://welllifefm.com/uvbi_blog/   

Chelation: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/chelation-therapy

“Elaine joined a Press Trip sponsored by the Montevalle Health and Wellness Resort as a member of So Cal Travel Writers to check out the facility and spend a few days in the Valle de Guadalupe to write this article. Her opinion is her own and was not influenced by this invitation.” 

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