Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa

Spent a wonderful week at the Villa del Palmar resort. The rooms are quite comfortable and we were fortunate to have a great view as well. The staff goes above and beyond —
we took some wonderful supervised and escorted hikes. Daily maid service (which we finally told them to please not change the sheets every day :))
We were quite happy with the schedule for the shuttle into town. The shuttle had comfortable seats and the driver was very conscientious to drive like we were special cargo.
That being said, the fold out couch was not comfy. They do have the pads if you ask and thankfully one was delivered. There was no DVD in the TV, so finally a portable DVD player was brought (I know, we were on vacation, but we had some we needed to watch).
Did not love the fancy restaurant and would not go back. Soup was brought to us and the bowl was so hot that we burned ourselves (even knowing it was hot). The rest of the restaurants on site were good and there are plenty of options in town.
Wifi in rooms were spotty and it required us being on the balcony to actually connect. But service all around the hotel and pools were fine — even out in the ocean you could randomly connect!
We will go back and are looking forward to the golf course being open as it looks amazing.

Villa Palmar is awesome, and this New years they proved it again. We bought there 7 years ago but had not been back in four years. We were so happy with how the personnel treated us, especially Miguel the GM specifically accommodating a birthday request for our 13 year old daughter. The location is incredible if you like being a 10 minute boat ride from a marine national park with torqoise water and white san beaches, and plently of fish, as well as the blue whale nursery of the world. Lots of stuff to do from golfing an extraordinary course (i don’t even like golf, but I could see now why many people do) on the sea cliffs, decent snorkeling in their secluded quiet beach, and don’t get me started on all the activities and the warm greetings and great sevice we got from all the staff, who created a feeling like we were at a small scale family camp, in a very good way. I will upgrade our weeks/​points when we can afford it. Last time we came, I made an excellent career transition upon my return; now I feel that I might chance another career move, having been revitalized by this place. I do agree with some folks that the sales people are a bit … eager to sell. but, that is simply a law of nature. If you can’t afford or don’t want to buy or upgrade your ownership, then stand up from the table say «thx not this time», and they will politely thank you up and down for listening. We could not afford and told them clearly after listening for quite a while. Our sales people, Senior and Señora Lowe (yes, a married couple, so added pressure just cuz we wanted to help them), were so sweet and engaging that I wanted to steal them for my own sales staff back home. Nothing doing. They love their jobs in paradise. If you have kids, Kattya will make sure they are will taken care of at the kids club. And Dubis, who runs the entertainment staff, will keep you smiling the whole week.

4.5 star service! Excellent staff! (except the sales team leader … most of the sales team are really pushy, even if you’re already an owner — that’s one of the reasons I wish I could give 4.5 stars on the ratings).
The connected but separate rooms are not so private, unfortunately. The patios have a window that connects the neighboring balconies and you can hear and see everything. The worst part, though, is that the adjoining suites only have one door separating them. You will feel as though you are staying with roommates in a dorm because you can hear conversations, pots and pans, or chairs scraping on the floor. It’s not like even some more basic hotels that use double doors to separate adjoining suites and keep the noise and light blocked. This is the other reason I did not give a 5 star rating.
The rest of the people who work at the resort and live in Loreto are what make this place so special. They really did treat us like family. The buffet is excellent, especially for breakfast and Mexican night. I couldn’t do the buffet for all the meals, though. I would be leaving 50 lbs heavier!
The spa was very nice, except for the overwhelming scents of the place (oh, and the lobby was just as heavily perfumed), and included several different baths/​pools, dry sauna, steam room with eucalyptus, clean and comfortable massage therapy treatment rooms, and a nice locler room area. The view from the «wet room» or pool lounge through the floor to ceiling windows is of the golf course. Be sure to try their spa services and make sure to try the hibiscus water.
Most of the hiking trails are beautiful and lead to amazing locations on the beach or overlook the Sea of Cortez. The red trail was disappointing because it was mostly in direct sunlight and did not end at the beach. It seemed to miss the gratifying final destination of the trail like the other trails. Be sure to try all the other trails, though! It’s sure to amaze!
The resort’s swimming pools are laid out like turtle backs and they are very pretty. The shiny mosaic tiles glisten in the sun and water. The kids pools are shallow and are perfect for kids of almost all ages. The staff seem to have fun programs for the kids club. The entire resort’s staff as a whole are extremely friendly and welcoming to families, kids, and babies. They even have a crib if you need it.
The rooms have a well-​stocked en suite kitchenette so that you can spend some time cooking what you want. They have a shuttle that takes you to town so you can shop for groceries. They also have a mini-​mart on site in case of emergencies.
Every night (or almost every night) they have a theme or activity or show. They plan things out well so that you can enjoy your stay. They have pretty awesome hammocks!!! The fire pits at night are pretty spectacular. DON’T FORGET YOUR BUG SPRAY! But if you do, buy some at the mini-​mart. You don’t want to become food for mosquitoes!
Julian was my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE staff member there. Not only did he teach me how to kayak, but he taught me how to stand up paddle board. He was patient with a first timer who doesn’t even know how to swim! He is so warm and friendly and PATIENT! So super nice; a gentle soul. If you’re a big chicken like me, this is a safe and friendly environment to try out things like kayaking and stand up paddleboarding, both of which are free at their swimmable beach.
After over a week at this resort, leaving is like parting with family. I will DEFINITELY be back!!! I just will avoid the sales staff

This place was an absolute pleasure to stay at. The hotel is clean, relaxing, with great food and its own water filtration system! That’s right, the hotel runs off filtered ocean water, making it clean, safe to drink and totally eco friendly!
The staff are above fantastic and helpful and if you take the time to befriend them they are more than eager to friend you back! By the end of the trip all the workers were referring to us in a friendly manner by our first name — it felt like one big family.
I got scuba certified through Padi at the hotel. Frank, the instructor, was amazing! He took us on a ship wreck dive our last dive of the trip and really took the time to help us experience some cool things — like holding a puffed up puffer fish!
Because the hotel is in a secluded area, you will typically eat at the three restaurants available to you. One is a bar (with fantastic pizza and fresh fish, burgers, fries, even GLUTEN FREE pizza and burgers). Cesar, one of the bartenders, won awards for his fantastic mixology skills and was willing to share his talents with us. By the end of the trip we stopped ordering and had him choose every drink for us — not once were we disappointed. All of the other workers there felt like family, Mario, Cesar and more.
The other restaurant is designed to go along with the nightly entertainment shows the hotel puts on for clients. For example, Mexican night, Hawaiian night etc. they have a small entertainment staff that dance and do little shows for you while you eat between hours of 5:30−8 ish.
The third restaurant is fancy and requires a reservation — we never ate here but I heard good things.
The hotel is located right on the beach and has access to easy hiking trails that you can take over the mountain to private sections of the beach that are great for snorkeling spots and fishing.
We came in August, the ocean water was about 85 – 90 degrees … Which was a bit warm for us considering it was 100 outside. The swimming pools, though ever so beautiful, are also not very cold so if you come around this time of year be aware of the water temperature. Luckily after a few days you get used to it by always having a cold margarita in your hand and wearing as little clothes as possible (tuff life).
I did not check out the spa (went scuba diving instead) but my sister and mom did and said it was absolutely wonderful — massage is not very expensive and they allow you to stay and hang out the entire day if desired. Both of them came back looking completely refreshed and relaxed.
There is a gym, which I used once lol, with lots of equipment and great views of the golf course. At the gym you will find cold cucumber water and hibiscus tea daily!
Though everything was fantastic, I have to admit that by far my favorite part about this hotel was the stars. The man who owns the hotel developed it with the stars in mind — the hotel is lit with warm, dim lights that do not interfere with the glittery stars. It was absolutely stunning — we probably saw about 10 shooting stars in less than 7 days.
Few tips: the hotel does not have free wifi in the rooms (unless you pay extra) HOWEVER, they do offer free wifi at the pool and bars and restaurants (which is where you will be all day anyhow). You can also get free wifi on your hotel room balcony (which, btw, are the biggest balconies I’ve ever seen … So amazing) clearly the man who built this place had client service in mind.
Another tip: bring Mosquito repellent and anti inch cream… Those little Mosquitos are sneaky, and hungry!
This place is great for a relaxing get a way. It is not a party hotel but the staff are more than willing to make your experience as fun and exciting as you desire. You will not beat the beaches and stars in Loreto and you will leave with an entirely new appreciation for Baja.

FANTASTIC STAY! We were on our honeymoon we picked Loreto for a quiet place to vacation! So we were very please although we did some sort of excursion everyday that we were overly please with and we can not wait to come back with our family!
Ceasar, David, Roberto, mauli were a few names that come to mind when we think about our trip they made us feel like family! Every morning they started with a smile and evening we left with a smile– nothing was to much to ask of them they were always right on point with service! The event staff although I can’t remember there names did a wonderful job and were always friendly and entertaining! The chef was fantastic he came out and talked with us multiple times he cooked our fish we caught so yummy! Daniel or snorkeling guide was AMAZING! undiscriable how much he knew and was helpful and so much fun! The spa was also wonderful!
If you are looking for cabo don’t come here! You will think they dropped you in the middle of no where’ however if you want a peaceful beautiful vacation this is the place for you!
What a wonderful place to stay!

Loved this place! We had a wonderful time here on our honeymoon. Can’t wait to go back when it’s more developed. We ended up buying a time share here much to our surprise!
Hoping with time it will be easier to fly into Loreto from the States. Right now there are only 2 flights per day… One in and one out.
The Sea of Cortez was amazing! Crystal clear, warm and safe water. Snorkeling was fantastic! The service at the resort was second to none. Absolutely the nicest people at this resort.

What an amazing place for a completely relaxing vacation. The best place to say if you are looking to escape from reality and wake up to sunlight, mountains, and the clear blue ocean every morning.
Service:
I promise you that you will never have to lift a finger as a guest at Villa Del Palmar. As soon as you step off of the shuttle, the friendliest men and women are there to welcome you with warm greetings, hibiscus tea, and a cool towelette to wash your hands. Check in is an easy process.
The concierge will give you a brief description of the activities and amenities that have available for the guests and then they will show you to your room. Everyone is so unbelievably friendly and welcoming. The employees are probably the main reason why i have been so relaxed on this vacation. The really make sure that you are comfortable, taken care of, and 100% satisfied with your stay.
Room:
The rooms are luxurious.
The standard room for time share holders includes:
–Full kitchen stocked with all of your basic kitchen appliances and kitchenware (pots and pans, blender, dishes, stove, fridge, dishwasher).
–Washer and dryer
–Dining table
–Living room area (couch, coffee table, chairs, television). Also, the couch doubles as a pull out bed.
–2 bathrooms (one in the Master and one other). The bathrooms include a toilet and shower.
–Master bedroom — the master includes a queen sized bed, 2 person jacuzzi tub, bathroom, closet, television.
–The balcony is huge! It is accessible through the master room and the living room. Lounge chairs and dining table are also on the balcony for those that want to enjoy a nice outdoor meal.
–The view! Pretty much very room above the 1^st floor will have a view of the pool area, mountains, and ocean. So beautiful!
Pool:
There are 5 pools including a kid friendly pool, adult only pool, and jacuzzi. There are plenty of lounge chairs and poolside dining/​bar service. Join one of the instructors for Aquaerobics at the main pool. Unfortunately, the pools do close a little early (9pm) so make use of them during the day.
Restaurants:
3 restaurants within the resort and they are all extremely delicious. There is also a mini market stocked with fresh and frozen foods,
candy, toiletries, beverages, and other items you may need while you are here.
Spa/​gym:
–The spa offers any services including massages, facials, mani/​pedis, and couples treatments. A little pricey but they are relaxing and of great quality.
–The gym has everything needed for a kick butt workout. Fitness classes are offered for a small price.
I can say so much more about the resort, but what is most important to know is how beautiful and relaxing it is. Definitely 5-​star quality. It is fairly secluded, located about 30 minutes away from the airport and the main town. However, the seclusion is perfect if you are hoping for a more quiet, chill, stress relieving, «go at your own pace» kind of vacation. I cant wait to come back!

Excellent. Definitely 5-​star quality service and amenities including a spa with salt and herbal baths, sauna room, steam shower, hot & ‘cool’ Jacuzzis; fitness center where you can use treadmills, cycling, weights, and a separate yoga room, all with a breathtaking mountain view.
You’ll be offered a fruit drink to welcome your arrival at the resort. Don’t worry, it’s not a magic potion that will make you buy a timeshare. Next, you’ll be guided to a table with a basin and hand towels where a fresh pitcher of water will be poured over your hands before sitting down to check in. Symbolic perhaps, but very friendly and welcoming. Enjoy it even if you have no intention of buying.
The resort is approximately 30 minutes from the airport and is nestled on the Gulf of California with a beautiful, white sandy beach. There are plenty of lounge chairs on the beach and you won’t have to stake your spots early like you do in popular destinations like Cancun or Cabo. Also, you won’t find dozens of workers raking the beach of seaweed early in the morning and late in the afternoon. You won’t be harassed by shell sellers either. No soliciting. The beach is absolutely gorgeous. It has a small tiki bar and Jorge will fix you whatever you like and will even bring you food but make sure you tip him nicely.
You can also rent paddle boards or kayaks on the beach. Just be careful of stingrays in the water which can usually be avoided by shuffling your feet.
The resort has 3 restaurants on the property: Danzante, The Market Restaurant, and Casa Mia. Danzante was my favorite but it’s also a bit more expensive. I’ll review the restaurants separately but overall there is a decent selection of meals here. I wasn’t wowed by the Market or Casa Mia but the food was generally tasty and service was excellent. Incidentally, I was told that the servers make approximately 90 pesos per day which is equivalent to approximately $ 8 USD. Per day. The majority of their pay is from tips and they do a lot of work. One of our servers burned himself while making us Mexican coffee (the flames were on his hand) but he continued making the drink as if nothing happened. Someone came over to check his hand and then he went somewhere to have it treated.
There is nightly entertainment which is fun and mostly family friendly. Don’t volunteer unless you want to BE the entertainment. There is also a disco located in the circular building that looks like a grass hut but we never made it there so I can’t vouch for that.
An 18 hole golf course is being constructed around the resort with the first 10 holes expected for completion in May of 2014. Mountains and ocean views with beautiful greens and palm trees. I imagine it will be stunning.
Five swimming pools and a large jetted jacuzzi pool. The resort had 450 palm trees shipped in just in the resort area. It’s gorgeous.
The timeshare presentation is one-​on-​one with an agent. You’ll start with breakfast and then make your way to the sales office. They are definitely pushing to make a sale so make sure you know what you’re getting into. Keep them on track with the time and you shouldn’t have any problems if your plan is to just get through it for an amazing vacation deal. I will say that if I were to buy any timeshare at all, it would be beachfront and this one was tempting. I really loved this resort, the pools, spa, gym, the spacious suite, the relaxing beach, excellent service, and convenient shuttles into the town.
Overall, a beautiful 5-​star resort still in progress.