March 20th 2004- March 27th This was our first time in Cabo. As soon as we picked up our baggage and went to find our shuttle, which we had booked ahead of time. we were literally surrounded. These were what we thought helpful guys willing to help us find our shuttle. They took us over to a counter and started in on a sales pitch for owning a timeshare. We said no numerous times and finally they said they would help us find our shuttle. We were them escorted to another counter to be lambasted with the same pitch. We finally payed a nominal fee, which of course would be returned to us if we went to the timeshare pitch at the hotel. It started off bad. We got to the hotel and since we had traded with interval international our platinum ski week we expected we would have comperable accommodations. Our view was of the brick building next door. The beds were as hard as a rock. There was an actual board under our mattress. What happened to boxsprings..........
The meals were expensive and so were the drinks. If you went to the timeshare pitch you receive a gold card which gives 15% off. They take your order, you show your gold card and most times the discount isn't on the bill so they go back and reissue the bill. Very time consuming.
The watiers are running around like chickens with their heads cut off and they seem to get nothing done. We ate one night at the Bella California, which is a resturant in the hotel, near the beach. The food was cold. Most everyone around us were complaining about their food and some even refused to pay. I would not recommend this hotel/villa.

If you are from Phoenix or Tucson, save a bundle of money and drive to Rocky Point! Cabo is what you would call "Rich Man's Rocky Point", and if you are travelling with children, expect to spend a fortune. If you already have, your trip booked, then here are some things that will help you budget time and money in Los Cabos! Bottom line...you can't get to your hotel from the airport without being barraged by timeshare offers and an expensive taxi trip. Pick your fight. Villa del Palmar is a perfect destination if you have children. It is kid friendly: great kid's pool and a kid's program ($40/day per child); we travelled with a babysitter which helped out a lot!! The resort is clean, the water okay to drink and the help was great. Treat them with respect (ie. don't be an ugly american) and they will bend over backwards to serve you. There is a grocery store on premises (don't bother to complain about the prices because town is not much better in cost or selection; if you want, hit Costco on the way into town!) as well as a laundry place; internet cafe if you need to keep in touch back home. DO NOT use the phone.....1 min. call back home >$10!! IF you are into discounts, sign up at check-in for the Gold Card. You will have to endure a timeshare presentation (reasonably priced, nice units), but for all intensive purposes, it will give you discounts at the grocery store, ice cream shop, on-site and off-site restaurants and most desireable activities (ie. parasailing, glass bottom boat rides, horseback riding, etc.). We enjoying the glass bottom boat ride. The snorkeling was nice, although a bit cold for us who reside in Phoenix. The Bucaneer sunset cruise was very nice (saw whales and skates jumping). If you decide to go into town, take the public "bus"; it arrives at the bottom of the hill, by the taxis regularly.....and it only costs 60 cents (little children free); a similiar ride by water taxi is $3/person or regular taxi is $7/person. The walk itself is not bad, but if you're taking kids, once may be enough! Shopping in town allows some bargaining; don't be afraid to walk away if you know you can get it cheaper, because most likely you will! The fishing was terrific. My husband and 7 year old did a "Share" with Pisces and came home with a 75LB yellowfin tuna...yummy!
Restaurants are hit or miss: try Mi Casa or Mariscos Mazatlan (both have very different atmospheres, but the food was great there). Ask the locals (especially the local bus drivers) about where to eat---it helps if you attempt to speak Spanish! We probably will not be back to Cabo, given the cost to fly and stay, but it is a great get-away if your pocket is full! Enjoy!

My boyfriend and I have been to this resort twice and purchased a timeshare during our first visit (under pressure, of course!). The VDP is pretty new, so it still has that modern feel. The rooms are clean and have nice interior design (colorful pillows and art pieces). Views are nice (even the desert view at sunset). The pool area is fun and lively. VDP is really like a self-contained resort with a grocery store, spa/gym, restaurants, etc...so it doesn't matter as much that it is off the beaten path from downtown. The Bella California restaurant overlooking the beach is AWESOME (cuisine and sunset views). As for the negatives, they nickel and dime you constantly with random charges, but we have started to accept this as the cost of vacationing. As for things to do...we highly recommend the pirate ship snorkeling trip (free booze, entertainment, great snorkeling and we even saw whales).

We just returned from 7 days at Villa del Palmar with our 3 children (ages 7, 5 + 19 months). When we go away without the kids, we stay at more exclusive/luxurious resorts and boutique hotels...but since we had the kids, we wanted a place that is kid-friendly and with a Kids Club and a kitchen set-up. This place really worked well for all of us. We stayed in a 2 bedroom unit...everything was clean...3 full bathrooms, kitchen, livingroom area...3 tvs... comfortable set-up...with balcony (no great view...could see the water once you were on the balcony and looked to the left...room 3410). If only they could guarantee the location of your room when you reserve so that you know exactly what to expect regarding the view/etc. Maid service was dependable every day.

Pros: kids loved the Kids Club...they requested to go for 3 afternoons...ice cream parties, pinata making, t-shirt painting, etc., having the kitchen was key. Grocery shopped at their store and had breakfast, most lunches and some dinners at "home", rented a vcr from their video store and rented a few movies...nice to hang out after an active day and keep everyone entertained. Baby napped around lunchtime, and I hung out on the balcony soaking up the sun and reading. Very nice babysitter one afternoon. Pools are great, beach is really pretty. The merchants selling their Mexican wares can get on your nerves after a couple of days...lots of "no gracias..." to keep them at bay. Internet Cafe was a nice place to check emails, laundro-mat was clean and easy to use. we went horse-back riding one morning (a 1st for all of us) and took the Bucaneer Queen Pirate ship ride one morning and spotted seals and whales...fun for our boys. Went into Cabo one early evening and all had dinner in the back garden of a local restaurant...great atmosphere and tasty. So...this set-up really worked for us.

Cons: bedrooms are situated in the rear of the units with no windows.
There are glass-block "windows" that let in the ugly flourescent light from the halls. The curtains aren't the best for blocking out all the light. And, as past reviewers mentioned...they really try to sell you upon entry to take a tour and buy a timeshare. We opted not to go on the tour (bypassed the discount) and just said we weren't interested.

But...landscaping is nice, employees were overall friendly and helpful....it worked for us as a family. We're heading to Las Ventanas in April on our own for a more serene/luxury without our little ones!
But would consider returning for an easy vacation with kids.........everyone's needs were met.