The sleepy little fishing village of Loreto on Mexico’s Baja coast, is only a two-hour flight from Los Angeles, but what a world apart! On the clear blue waters of the Sea of Cortez against the backdrop of five islands on the horizon, full of unique flora and fauna, and dubbed by explorer Jacques Cousteau dubbed as the “Aquarium of the World”, it is a United Nations protected Marine Park offering a wealth of nature activities.
Its five major islands, some featuring ancient cave paintings, let you island hop, trek, hike, mountain bike, watch bird and sea life. Or plunge into the water – kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, wind surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Then, there’s history. The Mission of Our Lady of Loreto Concho built in 1697 is one of the oldest in Mexico, with a museum focusing on the colonization of Baja. The charming Paseo Salvatierra street lined with souvenir shops opens out to the old town plaza abutting the modern Malecón de Loreto with its lounges, restaurants, boardwalk and boat rentals.
The land and its unspoiled beauty have long remained a secret known to avid fishermen, but that is a-changing – with the opening of a world class resort, barely three years old: the Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto, which sits right on the sea, overlooking Danzante Island.
Its features 181 spacious, one, two and three bedroom suites with kitchen facilities and huge balconies with stunning views of the property nestled in mountains that reach out to the sea.
The grounds feature two tennis courts, five swimming pools, a bungalow villa for glamping and by next spring, a 7,400-yard golf course. The 39,000 square-foot Sabila Spa and Wellness Center with separate areas for men and women and couples is the largest on the Baja coast.
Dining options include the Market Restaurant open for breakfast – featuring plenty of tropical fruit, and a house specialty of green OJ made healthier with spinach, celery, and cactus. Casa Mia offers fresh pasta and pizza. Fine dining Danzante offers steak, seafood, including regional specialty `chocolate’ clams, a large selection of wine and cigars, and stunning sunsets.
Executive chef Alfonso Peregrina hails from the Puebla region, and earned his chops in Toledo Spain and at 4-Diamond AAA rated Blue Hotel. For sheer culinary showmanship, order the cherries flambe, or Mexican coffee. It takes about eight minutes to prepare a single cup, or longer if encouraged, so perhaps best left out of the menu of your 500 guest wedding.
Entertainment can be karaoke night, or Mexican Night with Pinata breaking for the kids and a variety show featuring traditional Mexican dances along with takes on modern TV batchelor contests. One night, a Rick from Dallas, Texas swaggered across the stage as Rico Suave demanding cerveza, beer, before breaking into a dance that sent the ladies cheering wildly. He fessed up his edge to being a former Chippendales dancer; the Tequila he won should help his dance.
The resort maintains a full daily calendar of organized activities: hikes, exercise classes, yoga on the beach on a pad half way up the hill; for bored kids, there’s a room full of video games.
But the shallow warm waters of the resort’s private beachfront give you plenty on your own. I took out the glass bottom kayak, suprized at how effortless it was. Then, I settled into my own private cave, to gaze into the horizon in search of cosmic clues on which flavor margarita to order next.
Sunsets, moonlight, stargazing bring romance and daydreaming a destination wedding. When that happens, go see Pilar, the resort’s wedding planner. Sweet, and ever smiling, she’s full of ideas on showcasing the venue to full advantage.
The staff is attentive, efficient, and engaging with kids. They greet you with the resort’s signature namaste style greeting, and they’re always smiling – perhaps because manager Sixto
Navarro has mirrors back of the house emblazoned with Practica tu sonrisa, ‘Practice your smile’.
Or perhaps, smiles just come naturally when you are at the magical beachfront of the Villa Del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto!