My wife and I consider ourselves to be experts in destination weddings, so it was especially gratifying when we confirmed that Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto resort in Loreto, Mexico, was in fact an ideal spot for our romantic wedding. As the setting sun dipped into the Sea of Cortez, we held hands and repeated vows to each other under a canopy on a brand-new golf course, and we knew we had made the right choice.
Villa del Palmar is located on the tranquil Danzante Bay, surrounded by Baja’s Sierra de la Giganta mountain range. The property features 181 rooms across six categories. Standard in-room amenities include a full-service kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, LCD flat-screen televisions and a washer and dryer. Wi-Fi access is complimentary in the lobby areas, and the signal is decent on the balcony, as well.
Villa del Palmar has five pools, including a Jacuzzi that is touted as the largest in Baja. In addition to amazing vistas from the resort, miles of nearby hiking trails reveal panoramic views of the bay and local islands.
Golfers will be happy to know that next month, Villa del Palmar is scheduled to launch Danzante Bay Golf Course, a Rees Jones-designed course.
The resort offers three restaurants to choose from, as well as room service. The culinary range runs from Mexican and American classics to Mediterranean fusion and fine dining.
Villa del Palmar’s Sabila Spa and Wellness Center offers a wide variety of traditional and modern treatments, including meditation classes, couple’s massages and wedding-day bridal preparations.
Offshore, the Islands of Loreto are waiting to be explored. The pristine Sea of Cortez is home to a vibrant assortment of marine life, including enthusiastic schools of dolphins that played in the wake of our boat with impressive leaps. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is a must. The water here is crystal-clear and loaded with clown fish, starfish and blowfish.
While a good argument can be made for Villa del Palmar as a destination in its own right, it would be wrong to ignore the town of Loreto, which is designated as an official Pueblo Magico. Most of the action takes place on Juan M de Salvatierra Boulevard, which features leaf-covered arches and a multitude of souvenir shops that lead to Loreto’s charming main square.
Visitors should be sure to check out Our Lady of Loreto Mission and Municipal History Museum in Loreto for more about the history of the area. There is also a 30-minute complimentary shuttle from Villa del Palmar to its sister property in town.
Rooms at Villa del Palmar start at $288, with 10 percent commission for agents. A variety of wedding packages start at $1,099. Loreto is a two-hour flight from Los Angeles, and the resort is about 25 minutes by car from the airport.
For clients looking for a romantic couple’s getaway, Villa del Palmar certainly knows how to spoil guests.
The Details
Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loretowww.villadelpalmarloreto.com
