One&Only Palmilla

Before this trip, I would have absolutely said this resort was one of the best in the world but this year it felt more like a touristy cruise ship experience- a VERY VERY expensive one. I rise early every day to watch whales and soak in the beauty only to find that all the chairs with excellent views are being reserved with magazines or empty bags... ALL WEEK LONG. So, for several hours every morning, I had a poor seat while the great ones stayed unoccupied. This is absolutely not OK at a resort that is this expensive and is supposed to have great service. I complained calmly about this the first morning, only to be directed to a sign that says seats cannot be left unoccupied for more than an hour but no one would enforce this rule. On the second and third mornings, it became clear that staff were reserving them and obviously were being tipped to do so. They just told me that they need to keep these ( invisible) people happy. Really, Really bad vibe! My husband wants to return, but I want assurance that this practice will change. Uggh. Still annoyed!

We returned to the property for the first time since the hurricane decimated Cabo in 2014 and were delightfully surprised to find it the beautiful oasis we remembered and better. The entire Palmilla area is beautifully landscaped with and flowers are everywhere. The property is even more lushly landscaped in sharp contrast to most of the area. There are views of the beach and the sea of Cortez beyond from the majority of rooms and suites. We had a second floor suite with views of whales spouting and an expansive balcony with daybed, chairs, and dining table. The furniture and fixtures were contemporary buy blended well with the more traditional architecture with heavy riveted doors and painted tile work. There are several of the restaurants had both inside and alfresco dining including sea views at Agua (traditional seasonal Mexican). The Jean-George steakhouse, Seared, was excellent and definitely worth a visit. There are also two Japanese inspired restaurants, Hoshi and Cuviche, but we did not try them on this visit. There are two pools, a large infinity edge family pool which we enjoyed and an adult pool perched dramatically above a rocky point. Both had plenty of lounges and attentive service but the adult pool was a bit breezy in the afternoon. In addition they have added several suites and junior suites with private plunge pools on the ground level since we were first there. The butlers assigned to us were very helpful and were available 9am to 9pm and kept in touch by text which was very convenient while affording privacy when we wanted it. Note that it is a ways to Cabo San Lucas and a bit closer to San Jose del Cabo. All in all it is a great place to get away and enjoy a peaceful retreat in a beautiful setting. Note that this all comes at a significant price, not out of line with the other top tier properties in the area but keep in mind that add-ons, spa treatment, etc are similarly dear. But you do get what you pay for, in my opinion

Grounds, pools, common areas kept exceptionally clean and painted well. All employees were very friendly and helpful. They greeted us whenever we saw them.

Simone the barber is highly skilled, professional, and brings a fun energy to every appointment. His attention to detail ensures a top-notch haircut every time. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for exceptional service! 🫡🫡🫡🫡

The service was impeccable, radiating a rare authenticity that’s hard to find in today’s resort scene. Every detail felt thoughtfully curated, creating an experience that was both warm and genuinely welcoming. The resort itself is stunning, seamlessly blending luxury with the breathtaking natural beauty of the coastline. We were so captivated by its charm that we spent all three days immersed in its tranquility, never feeling the need to step beyond its boundaries. Every moment was pure relaxation, making for an unforgettable escape.