lisashoneymoon

Has anyone had the opportunity to stay in Cabos San Lucas at the One and Only's newly renovated La Palmilla? I know Las Ventanas has always maintained it's unbelievable reputation, but between the two, I have no idea which one to go for!!! Any advice would be appreciated!

PS-we would be staying on the Garden Level (young aspirational honeymooners!), so if you know the difference on those two, the more details the better! Thanks!

Maryella

Stayed at La Palmilla last February after John Travoltas Big Birthday Bash. We loved it so much we extended our stay. I do not think there is a bad room in the house. I don't think there are even any garden view rooms as they all seem to have some kind of ocean view. The food, service and rooms were incredible! We are world travelers staying mostly in 5 star properties and this place exceeded some of the best (Cap Juluca, ST Regis Monarch Beach, Caneel Bay). We went to Las Ventanas for lunch one day and while it was beautiful I felt the rooms were too far back and the views seemed compromised. The view from La Palmilla was more dramatic because of all the rock outcroppings. Vantanas view and beach were less dramatic because it was basiclly ground level w/no scenery (rocks/cliffs) other than beach. The waiters and hosts at lunch had major attitude. The pool area looked like the set of a Hollywood movie. Young half nude babes lounging in teeny bikinis. Not our scene. La Palmilla was classy, friendly, beautiful and worth every cent. There are 2 pool areas that make it nice when you want a change of scenery. 2 beaches w/palapas and wonderful dining. In recent Conde Nast survey La Palmilla beat out Las Ventanas! Go for it!

lisashoneymoon

Wow thank you soooo much for all of the details Maryella! You sound like someone I aspire to travel like (have looked into all of those resorts you mentioned, was even thinking of spending time at St. Regis if we could not get into those hotels!), and I really appreciate all of your help!

One think I wanted to ask, since there is a kid's pool at La Palmilla, is it more family-ish than Las Ventanas, or even Esperanza? Kids don't bother us, but since it is our honeymoon, just curious...

Thanks again!

chicago_traveler

You won't find kids at the fabulous Esperanza Resort. You must be 16 to stay in the hotel. The villa side has some children yet you probably wouldn't encounter them. I loved the privacy and casual elegance of Esperanza. I wrote a review on Trip Advisor if you're interested in reading one ("Welcome Home") It was a relaxing, romantic and pampering experience that I won't soon forget.

Mary Ella- Are you the same Mary Ella from the Anguilla boards? If so, see you at RBH next month.

jgg

Just came back from 5 nights at the Esperanza. It was exceptional!!

It was very romantic!! Definitely would recommend it for a honeymoon. The service was impeccable and very gracious. A very open air feeling to the whole resort. I believe there are only 50 rooms in the resort. All the rooms appeared to have very nice ocean views. We stayed on the upper level with the Palapa roof. Could hear the waves all night - it was divine!! Upper level rooms also have a private outdoor jacuzzi off the bathroom and lanai. The rooms can be closed off from the outside with big handsome sliding glass doors and curtains or left open onto a big beautiful balcony/lanai.

I would definitely recommend for a honeymoon!!

lisashoneymoon

Thank all of ya'll for all of your priceless info! I realize after doing a search a lot of people have the same questions...

Well, after all of your advice, unfortunately Esperanza is not available when I am able to go, so if you had to choose between Palmilla and Las Ventanas, which one is more suitable for a honeymoon? It sounds like Las Ventanas is wild, but is Palmilla too family-ish, anyone???

Maryella

Lisa
When we were at La Palmilla it was over February Presidents week and there were a few kids there. To be honest they were mostly at the adult pool not the big, new zero entry pool that is billed as a kids pool (why--I don't know) If you go during a non school holiday I don't think you will be bothered by kids. Plus the resort is so big there are many areas to lounge to get away from evryone if you like.
To Chicago Traveler---yes I am the same Maryella from the Anguilla board. We will be at RBH in mid April. Where in Chicago are you from and have we met in Anguilla?

chicago_traveler

Mary Ella-
No we haven't met but we posted back and forth last year on COL about reservations at RBH, whether it was kid friendly or not, and you also gave me the recommendation or idea for Mary's Boon since we wanted to stay the night in St. Martin before ferrying over the next day. We arrive March 24th and stay through April 2nd. I just thought I take a stab at who you were. I have been blessed and maybe cursed with a memory like an elephant! Sorry everyone...off topic!

Maryella

To Chicago
Well enjoy your stay at RBH (if thats where you are staying) we love it there and head back mid April. Since we have just moved from Chicago to Vermont we don't have that wonderful spring break that the kids get off from school end of March. We have found out that that week is unique as not a lot of people in the US travel during that week . We have been to the Caribbean during the last week of March for the last 4 years and found it to be quiet. I guess not this year as Easter falls during the same time as the midwests "Spring Break". We have a Feb & April break up here in Vermont. In February since RBH was booked we are trying Playa Del Carmen for the first time and staying at Royal Hideaway. Anything to get away from this dreaded winter. Enjoy Anguilla!

Samara

JGG,'

Were you in the Palapa level beachfront or oceanfront. I have booked the Palapa level
oceanfront because the beachfront is not available.......are they still nice....I usually always stay in beachfront......

Thanks!

aggiek

My husband and I stayed at Las Ventanas this past September. We had an incredible time. I don't know what kids pool you are speaking of. There are only two wonderful, inviting, infinity pools other than the ones with the casitas. Everything was exceptional. What we loved most though was the intimate, understated elegance of this place and of course, the amazing service, oh, and the rooms!! Any place you go on a honeymmon will be specail. You won't go wrong with any of these 5 stars mentioned. I have also read about T & L ratings of both Palmilla and Esperanza. We had a wonderful dinner at Palmilla. It was dark so we couldn't see a lot of the details. We saw the new pool area and bar, very swanky, very nice. As far as the comment about Las Ventanas being loud, that wasn't the case at all. Our experience was just the opposite, it was dead quiet all day and night even with the place at full capacity. Regarding being on the beach, swimming, beachside service...it's there if you want, but the way all the pool chairs are positioned low and overlooking the drop off pool to ocean, you'll feel like you already are on the beach. Don't plan on swimming, there is a huge drop off and monsterous currents, it is only beauitful to look at and walk (but don't forget your flip flops, better yet your Nikes, the sand is so course it will rub your feet raw! Let me say one more thing...regarding service...
we are just a hard working middle class family that loves to stay in amazing places. We were not treated any differently then others. They were celebs flying in and out of this place and business tycoons we layed by the pool with. The attendents werevery accomadating to everyone. They treated us with the utmost courteous and respect. You name it, they provided it. They came by with fresh fruit, fresh sorbets, magazines, ipods, cleaned your sunglasses etc...
but they were very unotrusive (spelling??). I remember several days in to our trip when I found out that every time I left to use the restroom they were changing my lounge chair towels. I had to ask them to stop because I wanted it wet to keep me cool. We would go back in a heartbeat.
When we do, I do want to check out Esperanza. Palmilla was beauitful, but bigger then WE were looking for. We stayed in an oceanfront room, bottom floor. It was absolutely gorgeous. We didn't have a hottub, but those rooms are stunning with the observation deck.
You'll have a wonderful time whereever you go, have fun!!

jgg

Samara: We were in the Palapa level oceanfront. I would not hesitate to do the oceanfront if that is what is available. You are still not far at all from the beach, remember this is not one of those really large resorts. As I stated, we were close enough to always hear the waves.

Enjoy!!

lisashoneymoon

Maryella, do you think that the Oceanfront Superior rooms that are in the older buildings are still nice? They are only 500sf., versus at least 900 at Esperanza...However, Palmilla will end up costing us about $350 cheaper, and if they are all amazing, then may as well stay at Palmilla (more $$ for spas, food!). Just want to make sure make best decision! Thanks so much! Lisa