We just returned from Villa Del Palmar in Los Cabos and loved it! I would recommend this condo style resort to anyone traveling with kids of all ages. The resort is clean as are the rooms. Our 2 bedroom/ 3 bath condo was very clean too. The employees were very friendly and helpful. Food, while high in price, was good and the staff would make chicken fingers, that weren't on the menu, for my picky daughter to eat. Lots of activities going on at the pool. Vendors out on the beach were friendly and if you just were firm about the no gracias, they left you alone.
Do be careful about the airport as there is a push to sell timeshares as soon as you get through customs area. When you exit the baggage area/immigration area, firmly and directly continue on through the exit doors and don't stop to talk to any of the people. They only want to sell you timeshares. Once on the property, once you are checked in, the push is on to at least see the properites. Be firm, no thanks.

Only negative about the resort, was condo overlooked the garden, not much natural lighting. Felt like we were in a cave and always needed lights on.
Overall, I would return. The view was awesome, the people were very nice, town is safe. Great destination.

My husband and I just returned tonight from VDP. We were there from 04/14-04/17. I could not wait to get to a computer and write a review! I have read reviews for weeks leading up to our trip and was terrified I had picked the wrong resort. We got to the resort at about 11:30 and checked right in. We had no one approach us at the airport...we just acted like we knew what we were doing and just walked straight out to the outside of the terminal. We took a cab and shared it with another couple and it cost us $28. It took about 35 minutes to get to the resort but half of that was very scenic. We had no problems checking in at all. They brought up our luggage before I even had time to put my bathing suit on and put on suntan lotion. (I should say that we were supposed to check in the day before but missed our connections in Houston due to fog. So that is probably why our room was ready when we got there.)

We were on the beach by noon. Since we were there over Easter, it was very crowded and getting a chair then was out of the question. We sat on top of the retaining wall, ate a hot dog and drank a beer. I thought this is too good to be true. It was only after a couple hours that I experienced the time share trap. I asked Jacob on the beach about sunset tour and snorkling. It was going to cost $220 to do that plus a glass bottom boat ride to Lovers beach. He then suggests the time share and offers all this for $60. I was about to walk away and my husband gave in. It turned out to not be so bad. The newest hotel (Villa Del Arco) is beautiful! You must at least check it out.

My suggestions:

Bring a couple of beach towels from home and reserve your chairs early. I think it varies from day to day because some days, the prime chairs closest to the retaining wall were all gone by 7:00 am but this morning there were 8 of the well padded chairs open. We did see yesterday security walking around with a clip board taking towels off if no one was around. So make friends around you and take turns sitting out there if you want to keep your chairs. But there really is no need because they will find you chairs for a minimal tip and I found laying on the wall was just as nice. You can see the cruise ships come in and out from there and watch the huge waves crash in. If you are bringing elementary age children, I suggest bringing for each a cheap blow up intertube that they can play with on the waves. We enjoyed watching the kids doing this. Also, bring an expandable ice chest, buy ice and beer across the street at their market for approx $9 us dollars a six pack as opposed to $4.50 each. They do have beach and pool service. So you can choose which is easiest.

Rooms: We had a one bedroom suite on the 2nd floor and had a tiny view of the rocks. (If you are not a member, you will probably not get the prime views). Everything in our room was great. We had a toaster and blender. We never had a chance to buy groceries but next time we will take advantage of the kitchen more. Bring at least one pillow from home because the pillows are pretty thin but not terrible like some people say. They were fine for my husband.

Service: Over it was okay. Your on vacation so just relax and enjoy the scenery. Eat lunch and dinner outside at the restaurant. The pizza is great! and my husband loved his ribeye steak for dinner last night. Breakfast buffet is minimal but good and very filling. You can also eat next door at the Estancia or the new hotel: Villa Del Arco and charge to your room at VDP.

We took a $10 cab to the marina and went on the Sunrider for a sunset cruise. It was alot of fun. We had a traditional mexican dinner. A little different but you drink so much you are hungry for anything.
Also, we took a snorkeling party boat on the Oceanus yesterday. It was a blast. They will take your picture before you leave the marina and again in front of Lovers Beach and the Lands End. They are dated and are about 8x10 in size. I suggest getting on top and at the back if you want to purchase a picture of your party with the rocks in the background. I love our picture. Also, they will not advertise this but since the water is very cold ask about a wet suit. It only cost $5 but if you are afraid of fish (like I am) it is worth it.

You will get a call saying you have welcome package, just ignore if if you don't want to be hassled and the ladies sitting at the tables near the elevators will ask you about welcome packages just tell them that you already talked to someone else and they will NOT want to talk to you. Once we mentioned to the lady who had left us a message that we had already talked to Jacob on the beach and was going on a timeshare meeting, you could just tell that she didn't want to waste her time with us. It was kind of funny. They are not rude but you can quickly tell who is there trying to get you to do the timeshare pitch.

Town is fun. We just didn't have enough time with our limited time there to explore more but we are already planning on going back next February. Will either go to Villa Del Palmar or Villa Del Arco. Had the time of our lives!!! If you have any questions, please email me at Debbie.Cloe@midstatemedical.net. I will be happy to tell you anything you want to know.

After reading all the negative feedback regarding this property, I braced myself for a less than perfect vacation. Much to my surprise, Villa del Palmar was INCREDIBLE!!

We stayed on the 6th floor and our room was gorgeous, spotless and well tended. Yes, the pool is for the party crowd -- which my son and his friend totally enjoyed. My husband and I stayed on the beach -- where the water was carribbean blue (even though it's the Pacific) with great waves and the sand was not as rough as I expected. A firm "NO GRACIAS" to the vendors works most times.

We signed the teens up for the all-inclusive with unlimited drinks, food, theme nights, gym. etc. and it was well worth it. My husband and I rented a car and went out to eat and explored Todos Santos as well as some incredible surfing beaches. On Day 3 we noticed our hubcaps were missing from the rental car, but because we had bought the upgraded insurance (which cost more than the actual rental) we thought we'd be covered. But surprise -- we had to pay $60. Despite that -- all in all this was a priceless vacation!!!

My fiance and I acutally visted Los Cabos Febuary 6 - 12th, 2006. We had a great time. I have nothing negative to say about the hotel. It was immaculately clean. And I am very picky. Our room had full size refrigerator, microwave, stove, balcony with table and chairs. The hotel grounds are lovely, the pools and hot tubs are clean and were not over crowded. The staff was friendly and helpful. The hotel is in walking distance to downtown - we rented a car for very cheap, however so we could go to some of the nearby towns. We went to San Jose del Cabo and went shopping. We also drove to Todos Santos, where the Hotel California is located. It was nice, because it was whale season, so we could stop along the way and see the whales. We took the water taxi to lovers beach and the arch and we went on the atv tour. Its nice to go on the evening tour so you can see the sunset. The hotel does not have much activity at night, but you can just go into town and there was plenty of things to do. I cannot comment on the hotel food since we did not eat at the hotel. The theme nights seemed kinda pricey to me. There were many good restaurants in town that we ate at. They do try to get you to hold a deposit on your credit card for room service, etc. But we told them no, because we did not plan to use any of the hotel services, and they removed the hold. Now, for the only negative part of this trip -the timeshare people. We have delt with time share people on every vacation we have been on, and we travel frequently. But I have never seen anything like this. They are everywhere, and they act like they work for tour companies, restaurants, etc. After sitting through 2 presentations we figured out how to get rid of them. Tell them you are leaving the next morning, you are not married and you dont have a credit card and they will back off. But overall it was a great trip and I would definately stay here again.