Small by design, big on impact

Fabrizio Cavallo founded Desierto Azul, a "conscious boutique hotel" in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico, with a vision for conscious travel, offering guests an intimate getaway to explore a plant-based lifestyle surrounded by thoughtful design. With a deep love for wellness, he ensures every detail fosters a sense of connection. 

Cavallo brings a quiet ingenuity to Desierto Azul (which means Blue Desert), making it a place where guests leave not only refreshed, but inspired to live more consciously. Here, he shares why he believes micro-hotels like Desierto Azul represent a new chapter for hospitality, "where scale gives way to substance."

—Interview by Jennifer Glatt, edited by Lesley McKenzie

Desierto Azul has sustainability at its core. What were some of the most important eco-conscious principles you prioritized when designing and building the property?

From day one, our goal was to create a low-impact sanctuary that coexists with the desert rather than transforming it. Every decision, from the orientation of each room to maximize natural airflow to the selection of solar-powered systems and native landscaping, reflects a deep respect for our Baja surroundings. Our architecture uses local materials like stone and sand-colored finishes to blend seamlessly with the natural palette of the desert of Todos Santos. We did not stop there, reducing toxicants was at the forefront of many intentional decisions we made, from organic cotton sheets in the rooms to a central water filtration system, where guests can drink pure water even when they shower.

Many hotels talk about being "green," but few embed it into their DNA. Can you share specific sustainable practices at Desierto Azul that go beyond the industry’s standard measures?

We believe sustainability isn’t a checklist, but a mindset. Beyond solar energy and water-saving systems, we focus on circular hospitality: biodegradable cleaning products, zero single-use plastics, organic linens and locally crafted amenities. Even our onsite bakery, PanVero, follows the same philosophy; every recipe is 100% plant-based, gluten- and lactose-free, using natural sweeteners and whole ingredients. We partner with local farmers and artisans to keep our carbon footprint low and our impact community-based.

How do you balance the guest experience—comfort, luxury and design—with the responsibility of minimizing environmental impact?

At Desierto Azul, luxury means simplicity done beautifully. Our design embraces open spaces, natural textures and thoughtful minimalism that allows guests to slow down and reconnect, without excess. Comfort here comes from consciousness: filtered water in glass bottles, organic amenities, handcrafted furniture and nourishing food that makes you feel good.

What role do micro hotels like Desierto Azul play in reshaping the hospitality industry’s relationship with the environment?

Micro-hotels like Desierto Azul represent a new chapter for hospitality, one where scale gives way to substance. By remaining small, we preserve intimacy, authenticity and flexibility, ensuring every guest experience is intentional. This scale also allows us to implement and measure sustainability practices effectively, making each stay both restorative and regenerative.

Looking ahead, how do you see the intersection of sustainability, micro hotels and experiential travel evolving over the next five to 10 years?

We envision a hospitality landscape where conscious design becomes the norm, not the niche. Over the next decade, we see micro-hotels leading the way in hyper-local experiences—places where travel, wellbeing and sustainability intersect naturally. Desierto Azul is part of this evolution: proof that luxury and responsibility can coexist, and that true hospitality begins with care—for people, place and planet.

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Mint Pillow is curated and written by Jennifer Glatt and edited by Lesley McKenzie.