LEFT: The Villa Cortez, Right: One & Only Palmilla beachfront.
Just a two-hour plane ride away, One & Only Palmilla resort is the perfect escape for Angelenos looking for a quick trip or a fabulous respite from the hustle bustle of Hollywood. Situated along the Sea of Cortez in a region known for its stunning natural beauty, One & Only Palmilla has been a favorite retreat for many a celeb and discerning traveler alike since it opened in 2004.
Don’t believe us? It doesn’t get much more A-list than Jennifer Aniston recently celebrating her 41st birthday there with pals Courteney Cox Arquette, Sheryl Crow and Gerard Butler while staying in the resort’s palatial Villa Cortez. The 8,500-square-foot villa boasts its own private beachfront expanse, four bedrooms, a spa and gym, state-of-the-art home theater and 12-person staff—including a personal chef, two housekeepers, two waiters, a driver, nanny, fitness trainer, spa therapist, butler and two assistants.
For those who can tear themselves away from the Villa Cortez—or whichever of the resort’s 173 luxurious accommodations they call their home away from home—this getaway offers plenty of activities to keep guests active and busy. Take in a round of golf on the property’s 27-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed course or choose from an extensive menu of treatments at the One & Only Spa. Or sign up for the Joyful Journey spa package, complete with yoga, musical therapy, art, meditation and massage—all aimed to bring positive energy to your mind, body and soul.
And when you need to refuel at the end of the day, head to one of the resort’s three sensational restaurants. Try the “couture cuisine” at Market by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, where the Michelinstarred chef has blended his contemporary French cooking with traditional Mexican flavors. Or if you’re craving some of the area’s local seafood, head to Suviche Restaurant & Lounge, where you can enjoy an impressive selection of sushi and traditional Mexican ceviches. For a dining experience that’s a feast for the taste buds and the eyes, check out Agua, perched high on a bluff with panoramic views of the water and surrounding landscape. Boasting an unusual hybrid cuisine executive chef Larbi Dahrouch calls “Mexiterranean,” the space features lively colors, beautifully painted Mexican tiles and Moroccan lanterns throughout, all designed by famed American hotel interior designer and architect Adam Tihany.
If you haven’t packed your bags and booked your flight to Los Cabos yet you must be loco— One & Only Palmilla takes vacationing to a new level. Visit oneandonlyresorts.com.
Insider Info
• The resort has played host to many famous faces, including Dustin Hoffman, Oprah Winfrey, Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson, and Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.
• Jennifer Aniston teamed up with One & Only Palmilla to create the Farita doll, which benefits Friends of El Faro, a nonprofit helping the Casa Hogar Sion orphanage in Tijuana.
• The resort offers The KidsOnly Club—a program of activities ranging from golf and yoga to jewelry making and origami. Even piñata making and Spanish lessons are offered for the younger set.
