MEXICO!
Just say the “M” word and I become the happiest girl on the planet.
What’s not to love… Mexican culture, people, art, beaches, cities… and let’s not forget the freshest lime margaritas ever! I even obtained a BA in Latin American studies and speak Spanish- all based on my love of Mexico and other Latin American countries. Oh- and how could I ever forget the food? I could live off of guacamole and tortilla chips I swear.
There are so many amazing places to visit in Mexico, it’s hard to have a favorite. But I do now. I really do. And I never, ever thought it would happen to be in Cabo.
I mean, I love Cabo don’t get me wrong. But it’s dry and has enough cactus to remind me of Palm Springs. Plus, I’m a jungle girl. I love humidity and beautiful trees, lush vegetation and flowers.
So why Cabo?
One place, one resort, one fantastic experience: The One&Only Palmilla. Oh and we are SO going back!
Okay, so maybe Palmilla isn’t technically Cabo.
In fact, it took us about 25 minutes to get to Cabo’s downtown from the resort. But who cares? When you’re staying at The One & Only, you really don’t need to leave the infinity pool. Magnificent views of the Sea of Cortes, stunning white Mexican architecture, celebrities under more than one umbrella, and a girl who walks around the pool cleaning your sunglasses at all hours of the day? No joke, I promise.
Welcome to Palmilla.
I must admit, they had me at hello. Our welcome was quite fabulous. The resort knows how to make you feel like a VIP the moment you step off the plane and exit the airport. Our private chauffeur met us directly outside the airport exit, his assistant holding a sign up with my fiancee’s name in bold, legible letters (saving us from the need to weed through a large crowd and bargain with a hundred other salespeople swarming the area, I highly recommend this service).
The escalade we were escorted in wasn’t half bad either. Brand-spanking new with an assortment of fresh fruit and my favorite Fiji water sitting neatly in an old fashioned picnic basket (aww… I love the little details).
The ride was quick and enjoyable. The resort begins as you exit the highway. Beautiful homes and larger mansions surround Palmilla’s magnificent golf course while others sit higher up on the hill with stunning ocean views. Not a bad place to have a second home mind you. Retirement goals for sure. I even began to enjoy the dry, desert air.
Arriving to the resort we were greeted by several hosts and immediately given a welcome tequila drink. YUM!
Online pictures are stunning but wait until you see the resort in person. Bright white, clean Mexican architecture against the backdrop of the Sea of Cortez: breathtaking. Our fabulous room came with a bottle of tequila and complimentary snacks each day (who’d have thought?), a large veranda overlooking the sea where we could watch the sunset daily, and a huge bathroom beautifully decorated in Mexican tile and mosaics.
I almost forgot! My favorite land tortoise came out to greet us as well! He was too cute chomping on large heads of lettuce each day. I call him Pedro.
When I tell you there’s no need to leave the resort, I MEAN IT. They have everything covered. A sundries and gift shop (these are a bit pricey so bust open those piggy banks), several free-form pools, Palmilla’s only swimmable beach (offering all sorts of water toys), yachts for rent, deep sea fishing tours and a Catholic church should you wish to be married in Palmilla or simply attend a mass. Honestly, all I needed was my sunblock and hat, bikini, cabana, chips and a margarita on a lounge chair and I was set.
We especially enjoyed the main free-form pools located at the front of the resort. The swim up bar was a personal favorite. I guess I love the whole swim-up-to-the-bar-concept. It makes me feel less guilty or something when ordering a drink. Must be that quick swim up to the bar and calorie burn every time I order, LOL (NOT). Seriously though, the views from the pool are so fantastic, I could have stayed there all day, every day.
Palmilla’s beach is really great too. Different from the pool obviously (all that sand, lol), the service is phenomenal. The lifeguards helped us rent paddle boards and even kept a close eye on Anton during his crazy long ocean swims. We could order food and drinks from our cabana. And guess what? Cabanas are first come, first serve and complimentary. Love it.
Incase you’re wondering, we did check out the spa and workout facilities which are great. Did we use them? NO. I’ll hit the spa for sure next time, but when I’m on vacation in a beautiful place like Palmilla, the last thing I want to do is workout indoors. Heck no! Paddle boarding, running and relaxing outside was enough for this chica.
The food in every restaurant is insanely delicious, fresh and, keyword ladies and gentlemen, HEALTHY. My two picks for restaurants, Suviche and Aqua by Larbi. They had everything from sushi and sashimi (my favorites) to gigantic Texan size steaks and other exotic dishes (for you meat lovers only). I instantly fell for our adorable Suviche waiter who on the first night asked which celebrity I was (so cute). He even helped us take about ten pictures, letting us know afterwards that he had done the same for Keith Richards prior to our arrival.
Palmilla really is paradise on Earth… or at the very least, in Mexico. I am a forever fan! Seriously, I’m hinting to my fiance’ that we can be ready to return for my birthday in June (babe, I hope you are reading this LOL). I’ll probably skip the deep sea fishing part though- did I mention humor? (stay tuned for part 2 of our Cabo adventure).
If you love luxury, beaches, Mexico, fresh fish, saltwater and sand, then you will absolutely fall for One&Only Palmilla. Truly, a one and only experience!
HELPFUL HINTS:
-Reserving rooms is easy online at http://www.palmilla.oneandonlyresorts.com. I highly recommend a package that includes breakfast and a private chauffeur to drive you from and to Los Cabos airport. Some packages also offer a free night’s stay!
– One&Only concierge is phenomenal so if you wish to book anything last minute, I highly recommend utilizing their services.
One&Only Restaurants I highly recommend!:
Aqua by Larbi– The most incredible views and table locations cliffside, overlooking the sea. Listen to the waves crash as you dine on simply fabulous seafood, prime steaks and a healthy selection of salads, vegetables and more!
Seared: Mainly for meat-lovers (definitely not me), they offer some of the best beef cuts, headed by Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. I did manage to find some fabulous grilled fish- easy to do off of their excellent menu.
Suviche: You cannot beat the floor to ceiling views of the Sea of Cortez and mouth watering sashimi selections here! Casual or fancy, any attire will do!
Breeze Cafe: Enjoy casual dining outdoors, with a view of the sea and resort’s main pool area. We enjoyed breakfast in our swimsuits here every morning!
Pelican Beach Grill Outdoor Dining: Seaside at the only swimmable beach in Palmilla, enjoy casual, tasty meals. Adults, you will LOVE their fresh coconut-lime margaritas… I guarantee you’ll have more than one!
-If you feel like venturing into town, I recommend two very different restaurants: Edith’s Cabo, for a more elegant experience showcasing delicious seafood and a romantic atmosphere AND The Office On The Beach for a more touristic experience featuring gigantic margaritas, tables literally on-the-beach and a guy who pours shots straight into your mouth for a small fee, LOL!
xx Shanna
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