One&Only Palmilla

REBORN | REFRESHED | REINVIGORATED

By Stacie Gottsegen

After hurricane Odile ravaged the Baja Peninsula, the people who called the beaches home struggled.  Many did not know if their community would come back. The resorts and restaurants took immediate action and now Baja is back… and it is bigger and better than ever.

Reborn and reinvigorated, the iconic and ultra-luxurious One&Only Palmilla resort re-opened its doors on April 20, 2015. Our own Editor-in-Chief, Mayté Rodríguez Cedillo was recently a guest and in her owns words; felt like a queen…  “Every single detail – surpassed my imagination… It truly is one of the most amazing resorts I have ever stayed at.”

Peter Bowling, Managing Director, and his entire hotel staff welcomed back delighted guests to a resort that transcends elegance and their expectations. The beauty and tranquility that is the One&Only Palmilla remains unchanged.

There are a number of new elements including the new Jean Georges Vongerichten steak house, SEARED and completely refurbished guest rooms and suites, complete with adult outdoor lounging areas and a new spa and fitness Centre.

Past guests of the resort will find what they have come to love about the resort but will also discover new experiences. Most importantly, One&Only Palmilla will continue to deliver the incredible warm and genuine service that past guests love and those new to the hotel will keep coming back for… over and over again.

One&Only Palmilla is set to become THE dining destination in Cabo. Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten brings his internationally renowned signature culinary style to a brand-new steakhouse at One&Only Palmilla, SEARED, showcasing a selection of the finest steaks – are displayed in a glass-walled curing room, as well as chops and the freshest Pacific and Atlantic seafood. The décor at the steakhouse is by Jeffrey Beers International and offers smart and comfortable elegance accented by original Mexican techniques. Guests may also dine al fresco on the restaurant’s new expansive ocean-facing terrace.

Adjacent to SEARED, Suviche restaurant has a whole new look with a back-lit alabaster bar, and offers dramatic floor-to-ceiling views of the Sea of Cortez. Here too the cuisine is choreographed by Jean-Georges, who selected the masterful Chef Yoshiaki Akaike from Japan to delight guests with his expertise in sushi and sashimi. A sushi bar allows 12 guests to engage and closely watch the craft of the expert chefs.

Guests can also enjoy the One&Only Lounge, adjacent to Suviche, and select from a vast array of cocktails, including an extensive selection of Mexico’s finest tequila
and mezcal.

Chef Larbi Dahrouch and his team welcome guests throughout the day to enjoy the farm-to-table dining, offering authentic Mexican cuisine with some Mediterranean influences. The menu changes seasonally, with some menu items changing daily, depending on the fresh catch and produce available from the organic garden. Interactive dining is showcased here, including fresh, hand-made tortillas, authentic moles and signature guacamole and ceviche made tableside.

Guests can also have a culinary adventure and sit at Larbi’s table. The special area is perfect for celebrations and can accommodate up to 15 diners.

A protégé of the late 3-Michelin-star-chef Jean-Louis Palladin, Dahrouch’s travels throughout Mexico in search of regional flavours have enabled him to provide One&Only Palmilla guests with unique dishes that are authentically Mexican. The open kitchen allows guests to observe his team’s techniques, whilst the restaurant’s wine cellar contains the world’s largest selection of Mexican wines, as well as wines from around the world. Agua by Larbi also offers guests a wealth of beverage options from the dedicated tequila and mezcal trolley, which introduces guests to the distinctive Mexican spirits, from the blanco, reposado and añejo varieties of tequila to the unique and lesser-known mezcal.

The resort’s central terrace leads guests to the casual outdoor Breeze Café, which overlooks one of the resort’s two free-form pools, framed by the vista of the Pacific Ocean. Breeze offers guests a variety of options for the perfect breakfast, a light lunch of salads and Mexican delicacies and all-day snacks showcasing fresh and organic produce.

A beautiful renovation and realignment of the spaces in the One&Only Spa and Fitness Centre underscores the dedication to wellness that is a central feature of One&Only Palmilla. The 22,000-square-foot spa offers extensive space both outdoor and indoor, providing guests with a sense of calm and seclusion. Signature treatments take place within a series of 13 private treatment villas, each set within its own secluded landscaped courtyard, many complete with plunge pool, rain showers and swinging day beds. A tranquil lunch or fresh juice in the spa’s Yoga Garden is another delight for visitors.

The latest innovation at One&Only Palmilla is the OBO Salon by Jonathan & George. One&Only created this brand-new beauty salon concept and partnered with Beverly Hills celebrity stylists Jonathan Antin and Amanda George to open their first offsite venture. One&Only Beauty introduces signature “unplug without being undone” hair and beauty treatments to Los Cabos – perfect for the needs and tempo of a tropical beach vacation: guests may opt for formal appointments or a quick drop-in for a pre-dinner touch-up. The OBO Salon has created a series of styles designed to reflect the personality of each of the world’s One&Only resorts and it will also cater to every beauty need of the dozens of weddings and milestone celebrations hosted annually at the resort.

Not to forget the men, Barber&Blade has been introduced as One&Only Palmilla’s exclusive new men’s salon. A dedicated team of grooming experts will offer male guests the chance to unwind and indulge in a series of shaving, grooming and barber shop treatments, as well as pampering for the face and scalp.

Guests of the One&Only Spa can also choose from a wide variety of exclusive treatments for the feet, hands and nails at the Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio, designed by internationally renowned French podiatrist Bastien Gonzalez, including a series of signature “Duo” treatments that feature two therapists in synchronized motion. And as part of the expanded One&Only Spa, the new Juice Bar offers guests a wide selection of freshly pressed natural juices to improve health and wellbeing.

The state-of-the-art Fitness Center welcomes guests to continue – or begin – healthy lifestyle pursuits, equipped with an integrated collection of Technogym cardio, strength and functional equipment, which offers the best in design, biomechanical engineering and interactive technology. A myriad of group and individual classes are on offer for all fitness levels, ranging from yoga and transformational breathing to nutrition and personal training, while outdoor activities such as Sunrise Yoga and Beach Boot Camp allow guests to breathe in the healing powers of Baja’s sea air and sunshine. The entire workout space has been reoriented to enable those using the equipment to enjoy the extraordinary views of the resort’s gardens and ocean beyond.