One&Only Palmilla
First developed in 1956, relaunched as One&Only Palmilla in January 2004, and now holding Two MICHELIN Keys above the Sea of Cortez
The Privata Perspective
Palmilla was first developed in 1956, and when Kerzner agreed to buy a half-share of the 115-room Palmilla Resort in 2002 it called the place one of the original grand dames of Mexican tourism. It reopened in January 2004 as One&Only Palmilla, expanded to 172 rooms, all of them oceanfront at the time. The MICHELIN Guide now gives it Two Keys and puts it on a promontory at the tip of Baja, where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez.
For families we lead with the beach. One&Only calls it one of the region's few swimmable beaches, and Forbes Travel Guide says the same; check the flags on the day regardless. A recent addition is Palmilla Social Club, unveiled in November 2025 and designed by Astet Studio: Lucille's Kitchen builds its menus on local Baja ingredients, and Sala 56 is a bar inspired by Palmilla's golden age.
We steer golfers here for Palmilla Golf Club's 27 holes by Jack Nicklaus: the Mountain and Arroyo courses are private to club members and One&Only guests, and the Ocean Course has general access. Families should look at the Two-Bedroom Oceanfront Family Suite before booking two rooms. Come between December and April for the whales; Forbes Travel Guide lists binoculars in every room for them. From late June to early October you are in the busiest stretch of hurricane season, so book a flexible rate.
Current offers at One&Only Palmilla
Suite Escape + resort credit
Up to 30% off a Sea of Cortez suite at the iconic Palmilla, with a US$150-per-bedroom resort credit and complimentary round-trip airport transfers.
- Up to 30% off suites
- US$150 resort credit
- Round-trip transfers
Villa Escape: up to US$800 resort credit
Book the Casita Suite, Villa One or Villa Cortez for up to 15% off the room rate, round-trip airport transfers and a US$150, US$500 or US$800 resort credit respectively.
- Up to 15% off the room rate
- Round-trip airport transfers
- US$800 credit in Villa Cortez
Family Escape: two kids stay free
Two-Bedroom Family Rooms for three nights or more include up to 20% off, complimentary stays for two children under 11, kids' activities and watersports at Pelican Beach.
- 2 children under 11 stay free
- 60-min couples' spa treatment
- Free watersports at Pelican Beach
Up to 30% off, booked ahead
Book in advance for up to 30% off the room rate.
Rooms and suites at One&Only Palmilla
Oceanfront Palmilla Room
56–65 m² interior
Faces the Sea of Cortez from the second or third floor, with a balcony and daybed, a king or two queens, and host service included
Two-Bedroom Oceanfront Family Suite
166–175 m²
Two bedrooms and two bathrooms, each bedroom opening onto a private terrace over the Sea of Cortez; sleeps up to eight, the family alternative to booking two rooms
Villa One
1,390 m²
Four bedrooms over two storeys on the resort's highest point, with an infinity pool, a screening room and its own spa treatment room
Villa Cortez
975 m²
Four ensuite bedrooms on the beach, with steps down to the sand, a private infinity pool and a 12-seat screening room
Restaurants at One&Only Palmilla
SEARED
Steakhouse
Steakhouse fine dining built around a wood-fired grill, with cuts and seafood from land and sea
Agua
Mexican
Indoor-outdoor and perched above the Sea of Cortez, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
Lucille's Kitchen
Baja
The Palmilla Social Club's restaurant, unveiled in November 2025 and overlooking Palmilla Golf Club, with menus built on local Baja ingredients
Sala 56
Bar
The Social Club's bar, inspired by Palmilla's golden age, in a club designed by Astet Studio
Spa and wellness at One&Only Palmilla
One&Only Spa covers 22,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, with private treatment villas that have outdoor beds and soaking tubs, air-conditioned massage pavilions and gardens; the open-air villa spa arrived with the rebuild for the January 2004 relaunch. The temazcal, a 'house of heat' purification ritual, is led by the spa's Mexican Spiritual Healer, and the menu also carries Dr. Barbara Sturm skincare and Bastien Gonzalez nail care.
The best time to visit One&Only Palmilla
December–April
Whale season off Los Cabos, with gray and humpback whales per the Los Cabos Tourism Board; Forbes Travel Guide lists binoculars in every room for it
Late June–early October
The busiest stretch of the eastern Pacific hurricane season, which officially runs 15 May to 30 November (NOAA); book flexible rates
Booking One&Only Palmilla with Via Privata
The same rate as booking direct. Eligible stays add the One&Only preferred-partner benefits:
- Complimentary breakfast daily
- Room upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Early check-in & late check-out, subject to availability
- Hotel credit (typically US$100, varies by property)
- VIP welcome amenity & recognition
- Dedicated planning and on-the-ground support
Book With Preferred Access
Experience One&Only Palmilla with Via Privata
Complimentary upgrades, resort credits, early check-in, and dedicated concierge support — available exclusively through our preferred partner programme.
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