We stayed at the villa del palmar for 5 nights in january. I must say, i was less than thrilled with the actual rooms themselves. There was an issue with the fan( if u turned it on the highest level it made a terrible noise), the TV( the only engish movie station was fuzzed out), and the hot water. Luckily, the room is NOT where I ( and most of my guests) spent their time so we didnt stress about it. we didnt even bother complaining to the front desk, so i cant really comment about how responsive they are to complaints. there was a wierd smell every morning when i got up to use the gym( which was small and had really bad cardio machines).... anyway, onto the stuff that matters!


We got the all inclusive package, which i highly suggest. We ate at the bella california ( the beach side restaurant) every afternoon for lunch and it was heavenly. The food was not only delicious, but was prepared and presented very cool as well. The staff went above and beyond to meet our every whim, even if it was not on the menu. We never did get a chance to try the other restaurant in the villa delpalmar, but the all inclusive package allowed us to eat at the sushi place in the villa del arco ( so good!) and the La Perla restaurant in Villa Del Arco ( not as good). The all inclusive package is a great way to go, and all beverages are included which is helpful.


We found the service to be exceptional. Granted, we were a group of young attractive females, but we felt like every person working there was so friendly and eager to help. The waitstaff at the bella california went above and beyond to make us happy. Obviously the time share people are SUPER annoying, but they are basically everywhere in mexico, so you just have to get used to saying NO ( unless you feel like taking advantage of the opportunity to score some free things). I am in sales, so i undertand why they are so persistant at the palmar, but it is a little overkill to have them in the lobby waiting for you to come pick up your welcome package. One lady even got mad at my friend when she didnt come to pick up hers. I would just ignore them entirely.


Now, onto the pool situation. As i said earlier, the facilities at villa del palmar are sub par. The pools are nice, but layed out very strangely. I didnt like how you couldnt see the other pools from the top one , and how they all felt so seperated. I prefer a more quiet relaxing pool scene, so next time i will stay at villa del arco (which has a much more tranquil pool, and more comfortable lounge chairs, and calmer music). . However, if you have young children or like a "Pool Director" and loud fast music, you'll enjoy the Palmar pool. Dont miss out on the whale slide, is suprisingly really fun ( even for an old fart like me!) .


In conclusion, if you're the type of person that likes to relax in your room and read a book by the pool, do not stay at the palmar. Stay at the arco. However, regardless of if you stay in the palmar or in the arco, go visit each one and get the best of both worlds! Do the all inclusive package, that way you dont have to stress about anything.

( oh and a minor side note, for those people who have said that its "walking distance to town", i would keep in mind that its stil mexico and unless you are traveling in a large group that is predominanly male, i would just take a cab. its still quite a trek and unlit streets you're walking on, FYI).

I felt the need to write. My family stayed at Villa del Palmar before Christmas.
The negatives ---
I read the reviews about the time share people & I don't think I was fully prepared for how agressive they are. From the time you get off the plane at the airport. You think that you are being directed to your transfer to the hotel & they drag you over to talk time share. It took 2 tries for me to get out of the "gauntlet" of time share people straight out to fresh air & to where our transfer person was waiting. I don't understand why the transfer people can't wait inside the building just outside of customs to help you manuver thru the process & avoid the time share mess....
At the hotel, we originally were given a "garden" room that over looked into a court yard. We were told to go to the lobby of our building for a Welcome Gift. It was my understanding that it was the time share nonsense. I told them I would get it later & kept walking. The room was very very dark & musty and dreary. It had a small kitchenette & a very small counter. We were supposed to be in an ocean view room. I went back & asked to see another room before we made the switch. It was a lovely room with beautiful marble counters & a beautiful view. Why didn't we get that room in the first place? They were very accomodating when I asked to be changed. NO problem.
The next day we wanted to make reservations for the dinner show. AGAIN I was talking to the time share people who wanted me to go to breakfast. They are stationed ALL throughout the resort. They are in the lobby, the pool, in front of the restaurants the beach...they are EVERYWHERE!
I came to relax...I didn't want to waste a minute of my time with a 2 hour time share to get a gold card that saved me 10% on whatever. No thank you... A woman at the pool and I were talking how we wanted to find a t-shirt that boldly stated I DON'T WANT A TIME SHARE!
The beach was nice & roped off. But literally a few feet beyond the rope is the beach vendors. Probably 10 of them sit out there all day selling silver, sun glasses & blankets. You have to walk thru them to get to the water. Again, an underlying pressure lurking for you to buy something. Kids strolling the beach selling gum & whistles.
The grocery on the resort had many American food items but they aren't marked with prices...VERY HIGH! Take a $7 taxi into town grocery or Cosco.

Positives -

Check in was easy. Bell men were very good and friendly. Cleaning staff was very good and kept the room clean. Pizza is awesome! My family had a lot of fun at the Mexican Fiesta night. Very memorable.

I liked Cabo & will go back but I would like to see how other hotels manage their guests and how much pressure is put upon them to buy a time share.

Unlike many other guests I am from sunny san diego, where the sand is soft (and doesnt cut your feet like the glass-like san in cabo) and I went to cabo for a super cheap 5 day snorkeling getaway... My husband and I paid approximately $65 a night and our flights were under 200 each, so it wasn't a bad deal overall... If you are staying at this hotel and do not plan to be out and about all the time, I would do the all-inclusive thing. If you're like us and plan to kayak and snorkel and run around, that would be a dumb mistake as you'd never be around to cash in on your meals... We ended up eating at the Marina most of the time- the selection of restaurants is better and the food is of higher quality. I sugggest booking snorkeling or other excursions at the hotel because it's cheaper than booking them ahead of time online or from other vendors in cabo.
The room was clean, there was a kitchenette which we used frequently, the grocery shop located on the hotel grounds is very reasonable if you bring your Costco card for a 30% discount. If you're looking for a fabulous beach getaway you're better off going to San Diego. If you wanna snorkel or fish for less money than Maui and worst beaches- go to Cabo.

They are right about that sewage smell! The rooms are one step down from Motel 6. Isn't it illegal to have folks sleep in rooms with no windows?? Never ever buy into this scam and if you do find yourself here double check EVERY arrangement you make. Car rentals, phone etc. etc. If someone says they will take care of something.....don't believe them. Nothing is done. It's a game to trick you into paying more money. The deli may be expensive but it was the best food we found in the hotel. Maids do a good job and are friendly. And the pool...don't they know that greenish tint means there's a problem?