My husband and I just returned from our first real trip without the kids. We spent an entire week at the Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto. Having been to this resort in the past, I was excited to share it with my husband.
On our drive to the airport he asked me what it is about this place that I like so much, and I couldn’t pinpoint it. On my last visit, I felt more relaxed there than I ever had in my life, but I was a little worried that had more to do with the company I was keeping than the location. Danzante Bay, the Sea of Cortes and Loreto are “catch your breath” beautiful, but would my husband see it too? The staff at Villa del Palmar were some of the most attentive and kind people I have encountered, but I was there as press and I was unsure if the treatment I received was the same as all guests receive. The resort offered a genuine Mexican experience, from the design to the cuisine, without feeling like a tourist destination. The spa was one of the most beautiful I have ever visited, with a variety of treatments available. The rooms were spacious and comfortable with outstanding balconies overlooking the sea. I couldn’t answer his question because there were too many answers with too many uncertainties. Instead, I told him to wait and see for himself.
We arrived with several other guests who took the shuttle from the airport, and we were all greeted in the same special way that I had been in 2015. The staff were gathered in the lobby, some in full Mexican dress, offering drinks and hot towels. Each guest was invited to take part in a handwashing ceremony where you cleanse away your worries in order to enjoy your week. After checking in, our concierge explained the resort activities and tours to us and gave us a welcome package that included some basic Spanish words and a map of the area. We were also given a coupon for the spa, which offered an 80-minute massage for the price of a 50-minute massage, if booked within the first 24 hours, which of course we took advantage of.
My husband has a passion for golf. Coincidentally, we met in a golf course, but that is another story. Since his accident he hasn’t had very many opportunities to get out on the courses, so he brought his clubs along. Rental clubs are available, but he is a lefty and prefers to play with his own clubs. The Danzante Gold Course is right at the resort and he booked his tee times in the lobby. This is a course in the making, with only 11 holes ready to play on, but they have set things up so that you can play 18 holes by playing seven of them twice. One of those is the signature hole, which is an incredible sight to see. This elevated hole is surrounded by the sea and almost too beautiful to believe. During whale season you can watch the whales swim below while you golf. Instead, we admired the azure blue of the sea and witnessed some stingrays swimming below. This is where my husband found his happiness.
I was honoured to find that many of the staff remembered me from my last visit. They greeted me with hugs and “Hello, Miss Sheri!”. Whether they remembered me or not, we were treated like royalty. All of the guests received this stellar treatment, with everyone making deeper connections with different staff members.
There were a few different dining options at Villa del Palmar. The Market Restaurant offers buffet and table service throughout the day, with entertainment every evening. Casa Mia is the place to go for pizza, nachos, tacos or burgers, or you can grab some Italian food in the evenings. Danzante offers fine dining in the evenings, with delicious fresh seafood, steak and appetizers. When we were enjoying ourselves poolside, Roberto and Manny from Coco’s Bar made sure we had whatever drinks and food we wanted, without fail. We were never disappointed with our meal choices at the Villa del Palmar.
Today, after another outstanding week in Loreto, if someone asked me why I love this resort, I would tell them there are many reasons: The beauty of the mountains and the sea; The authentic Mexican experience; The genuinely kind people that become your friends; The luxurious rooms; The delicious food; The unparalleled spa facilities. All of these things combined provide the most relaxing and therapeutic vacation I have experienced, times two. I put together a short video showcasing the resort.
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