ME CABO, VILLA DEL PALMAR, VILLA LA ESTANCIA, VILLA DEL ARCO, RIU SANTA FE, RUI PALACE, DREAMS CABO, ONE AND ONLY PALMILLA

PLEASE NOTE: THIS REVIEW IS INTENDED TO PROMOTE SALES AS A TRAVEL ADVISOR, I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS IF YOU DECIDE THIS VACATION IS FOR YOU.

During my recent visit to Cabo, I took some time out of my vacation to tour 8 different properties so that I can better advise my clients on the perfect resort for their Cabo Getaway.  It was a full day of hotel tours and I'm excited to share with you my opinions and pictures of each of them.

ME CABO

ME Cabo by Melia

This resort is chic, it is alive, it is trendy, it is full of life.  Located on the Medano Beach in Cabo, best swimming beach.  Although families are welcome, they are not highly catered to, so honestly I would not recommend this resort to families with small children.  They do have a small pool area for the kiddos, but do not have family programs.   The perfect guest for this hotel would be people who love nightlife, love a loud and happening resort.  This is a resort that you don't have to get up before 10am to reserve a lounge chair by the pool because most people are sleeping in after partying until 3-4am. 

The rooms are very chicly decorated, very contemporary and there is quite a variety of types of rooms, even some with private "party decks" and private hot tubs.  All of the rooms have Ocean Views, some are considered Partial Ocean because of trees that somewhat block. 

There is an on-site nightclub- Passion which is the heart of the resort at night and a restaurant on site that infuses Tequila into all dishes on the menu. 

Resort is best for singles or couples who love nightlife.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY ME CABO FLICKR ALBUM OF PICTURES

"The Villa Group" owns three properties in Cabo and they are all located side by side.  Villa Del Palmar, Villa La Estancia and Villa del Arco.  There are some cross over privledges between the properties, but Villa La Estancia is exclusive-  other two resorts cannot enjoy the facilities of Estancia.   All three properties have rooms that are designed relatively the same, layouts are very similar the main difference would be the linens, color schemes and Villa la Estancia is definitely a bit more upscale.  All three resorts are U-shaped, so all rooms have an Ocean View.  They all have kitchenettes with the ability to cook meals if one would like to do so.   Both Villa Del Palmar and Villa Del Arco have all-inclusive options, but since they don't have a lot of dining options, I don't really recommend it.  You would be better off buying groceries and taking advantage of the kitchen facilities and/or dining out.  What I find is that most people who stay a week will dine in half of the time and eat out the rest.  For shorter stays, you're better off dining out.   There is the Desert Spa located at the Villa Del Arco, but it is the spa for all three resorts and it is amazing!   All three resorts are located on Medano Beach which is the best beach in Cabo San Lucas and offers a safe swimming environment.

VILLA DEL PALMAR

This is a wonderful family resort.  Of the three resorts, this one is usually the lower end of the pricing scale.  I did notice more families at this resort than either of the other two. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY VILLA DEL PALMAR FLICKR ALBUM

VILLA LA ESTANCIA

This is the most upscale resort of the three and as a result, not a place highly recommended for families.  Although families are not banned, it's just a more quiet resort and does not offer the amenities like water slides that the other resorts have to offer. 

 CLICK HERE TO SEE MY VILLA LA ESTANCIA FLICKR ALBUM

VILLA DEL ARCO

A bit more upscale from Villa Del Palmar, but not as exclusive as Villa la Estancia.  Family friendly, although not quite as family friendly as the Villa del Palmar; however, guest of Villa del Arco can use the Villa del Palmar facilities.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY VILLA DEL ARCO FLICKR ALBUM 

RIU SANTA FE  & RIU PALACE

These two resorts are side by side and also located on Medano Beach- best swimming beach in Cabo San Lucas.   RIU Santa Fe is rated 3.5-4 stars and the RIU Palace is rated 4.5-5 stars.   There are a few differences between the properties.  Guests of the Palace have full run and use of both resorts.   Guests of the Palace have upgraded in room amenities (shampoos, etc.) and the mini- bar is stocked daily, the mini-bar contains water, sodas, and mini bottles of liquor,  the liquor dispenser contains premium liquors.   The Santa Fe mini-bar is stocked every other day but does not include the mini bottles of liquor.

Both properties are good for families, singles and couples.   The rooms are consistent and beautiful with lots of marble and a raised bedroom area.  Some rooms have jacuzzi's on the balcony.  Overall, very lovely accommodations.    There are a plethora of dining options at both resorts and great pool areas to enjoy.  Both resorts have nightly entertainment in the stage area and the afterwards the nightclub opens up for dancing until the wee hours.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY RIU SANTA FE FLICKR ALBUM

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DREAMS CABO SAN LUCAS

Dreams is an all-inclusive resort that is great for families, singles or couples.  In fact, often times the Dreams brand runs a "girlfriends getaway" special that incorperates beach with spa - just what girlfriends love when they getaway.  They have a fabulous kids program with activities both inside and outside. There is a huge trampoline apparatus for kids.  Dreams is located along the Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo and this means that the beach is not swimmable.  That's ok though because the pool area is wonderful and very adequate for the resort guests to enjoy some cooling off from the Cabo Sunshine.   Several dining options and the property is layed out very causally so that you don't feel boxed in or crowded at any time. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY DREAMS CABO FLICKR ALBUM

THE ONE & ONLY PALMILLA

This resort is an old time classic.  One of the original resorts in Cabo, located along the Peninsula so that they have the best of both worlds- the views going one way to Cabo San Lucas and the other way to San Jose Del Cabo.  One side is a swimming beach, the other side is a rocky beach.  Beautiful, lush grounds all about.  Plenty of area to walk around for the fitness buffs, but if you desire Air Conditioning, the gym is wonderful   Beautiful spa facility.  For any couples looking for a wedding venue, this resort has a beautiful, old-time, Mexican Chapel on site.   The entire resort is reminiscent of an old time Mexican Hacienda.  In fact, the original building still stands and it was once a true Hacienda.   The overall feel of the resort was that of peaceful, quiet, relaxing.   It is truly a place for one to go an rejunevate.  The rooms were very spacious and beautiful. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY ONE AND ONLY PALMILLA FLICKR ALBUM