Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa Cabo San Lucas - European Plan

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

9314 reviews

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  Family fun

  We really enjoy our stay in Villa del Palmar. As a family with a very active teenage boy, we really appreciate the water sports available at the resort. We enjoy Paddle boarding with Omar. Great teacher, with a lot of patience and experience. Super fun activity for everyone. Thanks Omar

  Jan 17, 2025
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  Lobby Bar at Villa la Valencia, Cabo San Lucas

  I grew up never drinking alcoholic beverages at all. I have slowly learned about different kinds of drinks. My visit to Villa La Valencia ended up giving me a chance to learn about tequilas, mezcals, rums, and cocktails. Arturo did an excellent job leading a mixology class in which we learned to make a mezcalita and an old fashioned. We learned about the tools that bartenders use to make cocktails. He shared great insights into how he has experimented to make new kinds of cocktails. Two other bartenders served us in the Lobby Bar. Kevin provided much information about rums and tequilas, suggesting some excellent ones for me to try. Orleans offered interesting and flavorful options to flavor some classic cocktails in new ways. They are friendly and skillful. I spoke with a guest who is a professional bartender in the US, and he was effusive about the insight and ideas he was learning from Arturo. All sole English, which gave me good opportunities to both practice my Spanish and get past any limitations by mixing in some English.

  Jan 17, 2025
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  Not as crowded in early Jan.

  My wife and I stayed here from Jan 10-13. Unlike other reviews who said the check in time took forever, our check in only took about 10 mins and spoke to the concierge for about 5 mins. They invited us to a breakfast and a tour of the other property which we know was to get us to consider buying into the timeshare but we said no and we were off our way. I think the complaint people had prior about the check in and long restaurant wait times was because the time of year they came and I am assuming the holiday and Christmas time is very very busy with a lot of people at the resort. As far as wait time at the restaurant. One night We went to dinner at around 630 at tomatillos and only waited about 5 mins (had reservations) but the food there was a disappointment. Sea bass was very bland and the steak was chewy and over cooked even when I asked for med. The next night we had dinner at carbon around 7pm and also only waited about 5 mins. Food was better at Carbon and the steaks tasted better. Third night went Bella at 730 and waited about 10 mins. we really liked the Italian food that and think it’s the best restaurant in the resort. For lunches we did the taco bar (5 min wait) and the tacos, ceviche, and guacamole was tasty. The pizza they make by the pool is also good. We did room service one night at about 10pm and it took 35 min. As far as the smelly rooms and hallway other complained about, I would say yes the first part of building 3 had a musty moldy smell but when we got to the other part of the building towards the end (our room 3205) that area didn’t smell. The room didn’t smell either. Not really sure was the smell was about in the other side We been to villa del palmar in Puerto Vallarta and Cancun and will say the best one we loved was Cancun since the rooms are nicer and the restaurant selection is better. But to be honest for the price of the all inclusive it’s ok. Next time we come, we will probably opt out for all inclusive and just eat in downtown at the local restaurant since it’s so close

  Jan 14, 2025
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  Worst Resort I've Ever Been To

  First time to Cabo for my husband and I for a friend's birthday. We did not research the resort (our mistake) and after reading reviews, I tried to cancel but fees were outrageous. We decided to make the best of it. Check in process was terrible. No courteous welcome, just dropped us off and the driver of our shuttle told us where to go. We probably looked lost - tons of employees standing around but no one helping guests! We are shoved into a tiny business room with way too many people talking, you cannot hear anything! We later found out that their lobby was under construction. We stood there waiting to be helped and finally a very rude receptionist said "hello, next!" Her name was Yaneth and she was incredibly rude. She was trying to talk to us but a giant computer screen is blocking her face so you can't hear a thing - probably why everyone was yelling. I asked her a few questions about making reservations, spa info, etc and she kept cutting me off and told me to ask the concierge. We were then shoved off to another desk where they try to sell you excursions and what not. At this point I am so irritated, hot, annoyed from traveling. just stood up and started to get our bags together and asked when our room will be ready. Thankfully our room was ready by 3pm but our friends (who arrived the next day) didn't get in their rooms till 5pm! At least give the guests a cold wash cloth and welcome beverage like other resorts do! We have lunch and wait for our room. Room #1 Right above construction, nasty mildew smell, and door doesn't close properly. My husband is livid, he goes to the front desk and says we need a new room. Room #2 puddles of water on the ground, from condensation maybe - but the ceiling was dripping, so not sure. Room #3 we stayed in. During this whole process, there is no apologizing, no upgrading - nothing. The worst customer service you could imagine. I later found out our friends had problems with their rooms as well. There are so many bad things about this resort but to highlight a few notable ones: You can only order two drinks at a time at the bar! So if I go to the bar and want a mojito and water - that's it. I can't order for my husband, he has to come up himself. Ridiculous, especially for an all inclusive! And speaking of all inclusive, you have to SIGN a "bill" with every transaction. This became just so annoying. Not just your signature - your full name, signature, date, and room number. We booked an all inclusive, why do you have to do this? It slows the process up big time because the servers have to print them, collect them, etc before helping the next guest. The wait time for the breakfast buffet was always 20 minutes, no matter when you showed up. It has a large seating area, but we always had to wait. There is one adult only pool, which gets so packed by the morning/early afternoon. It is not very big so you're literally shoulder to shoulder by 2pm. Not enough seats/lounge chairs. People go down and claim them with their belongings at 5am. They said this wasn't allowed but everyone did it. You can order food by the pool, which was so nice - but they never come by to pick up your plates so it just sits by your chair and gets gross. Now the construction - we had no idea the resort was under construction. We did book through a travel agent that our friend referred us to (never again). But you think that would have been mentioned. The drilling started around 8am - 2pm and it's right by the pool where we hung out everyday. My advice is to just start drinking early because it makes you more tolerable. As far as pros, the only thing that saved this place for us was the food. The food was shockingly really good. The lunch spot with sushi was excellent. The poolside food was to be expected (quesadillas, sandwiches, etc) and the tomatillo restaurant was excellent! The views are amazing and I really enjoyed the spa! But yes, the vendors on the beach are so annoying. I know it is how they make a living and all you have to do is say no thanks - but still. There was this same guy trying to sell us drugs everyday and looked so sketchy. If you are at all well traveled and know what a good all inclusive resort experience is like, do not go here! If you have money to waste and want to have decent food in a crowded pool with blaring music and drilling - this is your place. Way too many people here for their capabilities (which are slim to none). Save your money and go literally anywhere else.

  Jan 13, 2025
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  Excellent Server who went above & beyond her regular duties, Efficient, Attentive, Friendly, and made our dining experience posi

  Iracerna Terraza was our waiter/server at the Tertuga sports bar at Villa de Palmar . . . on 1/12/25! She was a wonderful waitress/ Server! She was efficient, gracious, friendly, an excellent server and went above & beyond her duties to make our dining experience very positive! Regards, Arlene & Rick Ramey - from Delaware, USA

  Jan 12, 2025