Don Abelardo Rodriguez, the pioneer of tourism development in Los Cabos and son of General Abelardo Rodriguez, interim president of Mexico, founded Palmilla in 1956 with 15 guestrooms. Early guests had to arrive by private plane or yacht and the intimate resort quickly became a favorite among celebrities and dignitaries such as John Wayne, Bing Crosby, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Dustin Hoffman, Ernest Hemingway and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

By 1984, the property had been expanded to 53 guestrooms, with another 18 added shortly thereafter. In 1993, the Palmilla Golf Club, the first signature Jack Nicklaus golf course in Mexico, opened at Palmilla and, in 1996, the property was again expanded to 115 rooms.

Palmilla closed in April 2003 for an extensive rebuilding and expansion project that brings the resort’s total guest accommodations to 172, 61 guestrooms, 91 junior suites and 20 one-bedroom suites, all incredibly spacious and each with magnificent views of the Sea of Cortéz.

The architect for the rebuilding project was Hill Glazier Architects, founded in 1980 and noted for its work on hundreds of high-level hospitality projects in over 25 countries, including One&Only Ocean Club in The Bahamas.

Paul Duesing Partners was the interior design firm for the project and oversaw the interior design of the guest rooms and suites, as well as the public areas and spa. The architectural interior design firm is known for its work on such hotels as Claridges in London, Zimbali Forest Lodge in South Africa, Los Cabos’ Las Ventanas al Paraiso, and Sun City Hotel and Casino in Sun City, South Africa.

Accommodations & Spa

172 elegant accommodations, including 61 spacious guestrooms, 91 junior suites and 20 one-bedroom suites. New 1,400-square foot one-bedroom suites and new junior suites, at 750 square feet, are among the largest of any resort. All accommodations, including the bathrooms in most suites, offer magnificent views of the sea.

One&Only Palmilla offers the One&Only Spa with 13 private treatment villas – for either one or two people – allowing guests to enjoy their spa regime in complete sanctuary, whether for a few hours or a half-day. Each villa features a private, air-conditioned pavilion that opens onto a landscaped open-air garden. The six deluxe villas offer an outdoor shower, bathtub and thatch-roofed daybed, perfect for relaxing in between or after treatments. The entire spa is designed in a traditional Mexican style in keeping with the resort.

Guests can choose from a comprehensive menu of treatments representing a blend of Mexican, Asian and global accents with many of the therapies based on the ancient beauty, healing and rejuvenation secrets of several Asian cultures. Every detail is an important part of the experience and every sense is indulged, from the rituals that accompany each treatment to the exclusive products using the finest indigenous ingredients, from cactus to lime to Mexican spices.