One&Only Palmilla

One&Only Palmilla is where Los Cabos luxury began. The property opened in 1956 as a 15-room hideaway created by Don Abelardo Rodríguez, son of a former Mexican president, and it drew a glamorous crowd long before the Tourist Corridor filled with resorts. In 2004 it was reborn as One&Only Palmilla after an extensive refurbishment, and it remains a Forbes Five-Star resort.

The setting is a big part of the appeal. The resort faces the Sea of Cortez near San José del Cabo, and Pelican Beach in front of it is described as one of the only swimmable beaches in Los Cabos, which makes it unusually easy to spend a day in the water.

It balances heritage with a lively, contemporary programme, and works equally well for couples and families.

What to expect

There are 174 oceanfront rooms and suites, plus two standout four-bedroom villas: Villa Cortez, on the beach with its own infinity pool and screening room, and Villa One, on the resort’s highest point. Private coves on Pelican Beach come with a personal butler.

Six restaurants and three bars cover a lot of ground, from SEARED, a wood-fire steakhouse, and Agua, serving Mexican cuisine above the sea, to Hoshi, an intimate Japanese omakase counter, and the beachfront Pelican Bar & Grill. Two infinity pools split the mood: Agua for families, Vista for adults only. The 22,000-square-foot spa has 13 private treatment villas and offers a traditional temazcal ritual, and the KidsOnly programme runs crafts, cooking classes and sports clinics. Golfers have a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed course on the doorstep.

Good to know

• Setting: on Palmilla Bay along the Tourist Corridor, close to San José del Cabo.
• Beach: Pelican Beach is described as swimmable, a rarity in Los Cabos.
• Accommodation: 174 rooms and suites plus two four-bedroom villas.
• Families: KidsOnly programme and a family pool; adults have their own pool.
• Best for: travellers who want classic Cabo glamour with beach time built in.