Cabo is a favorite vacation destination for so many reasons, but there are more and more hotels to choose from. Booking the right one can make or break your vacation, and Villa La Valencia provides modern luxury in a family-friendly environment.
Villa La Valencia is the newest property in The Villa Group family of resorts with resorts in Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, Cancun, and Islands of Loreto. Built in 2022, it definitely stands out as modern and chic without being pretentious.
While I stayed here, I also toured three of their other Cabo properties during my press trip, so I have a pretty good sense of how this one stacks up against the competition. If you want something fresh, upscale and centered around water relaxation, you’ll love this resort.
From the moment I arrived at the resort and was handed a welcome drink until the time I finally had to leave and was gently escorted to my waiting vehicle, the staff was attentive and kind. They all speak excellent English, and they seemed genuinely glad to be there.
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The Rooms Feel Like Condos
One of the first things I noticed when I walked into my suite was just how much space there was. It felt less like a hotel room and more like a luxury condo.
The design is modern and clean, and they clearly thought about the typical person traveling today because I found outlets and charging ports everywhere. You won’t have to fight over who gets to charge their phone next to the bed.
All the rooms at this property are suites, and if you book a one-bedroom or larger, you also get a full kitchen. The studios have a fridge and microwave, so you can still do a bit of eating in the room.
You can grab supplies at the on-site convenience store or head off-site for a bigger grocery run if you want to cook in your room. The options are limited on-site, but the management told me that many guests do utilize the kitchen a lot.
All the one-bedroom and larger suites here also feature washers and dryers. Having the option to do a quick load of laundry after a day at the pool meant I could pack lighter and go home with clean clothes.
No matter what room type you book, the bathrooms are equally impressive, and I don’t usually talk about bathrooms. It’s not every day you get a heated seat and a bidet in your hotel room, and that was definitely something I missed when I got home to winter in Chicago.
The overall space is massive, and I appreciate that the water closet is separate from the rest of the bathroom and that there are sinks to get ready outside the shower. I didn’t get a chance to take a bath, but the huge tub was tempting.
They also provide a high-quality hair dryer, so you can save luggage space and leave yours at home. It was those kinds of touches throughout the room and resort that made it appealing.
My room was impeccably cleaned during my stay, and the nightly turndown service left me the most delicious little treats on my bed. And yes, those beds were super comfy, too.
Is Villa La Valencia Adults-Only?
This resort is not adults-only. It’s family-friendly, and they have a kids’ club on-site with plenty of activities throughout the day.
While I wasn’t there during school holidays, I saw some families with kids, but most people at the resort were couples or groups of adults. The resort offers room types from studios to three-bedroom options, so it’s a fit for multi-gen travel, as well as weddings and more.
I did appreciate that there is an adults-only area for those who do want to get away from kids as they relax. The adults-only pool is the one located closest to the lobby, and somehow, they designed it so that noise doesn’t carry from the rest of the resort, so I enjoyed the quiet when I hung out there.
Is Villa La Valencia All-Inclusive?
Villa La Valencia offers the option to book room-only or go all-inclusive. I highly recommend the all-inclusive package.
All-inclusive is well worth the cost, and it takes the stress out of budgeting for every meal and drink. While there are some premium items like lobster that aren’t included, the vast majority of the menu is.
Honestly, you could easily spend the cost of the daily upgrade on just one meal if you were paying a la carte. The per person cost for the upgrade is relatively minimal, especially compared to the cost of the food and drinks.
That said, the Villa Group handles all-inclusive dining differently than other places I have visited. When you sit down, they scan your bracelet to see if you have all-inclusive or a la carte.
At the end of the meal, they bring you a bill to sign regardless of your option. For all-inclusive, it shows the cost zeroed out, but you can see what the price would have been.
It was a little confusing at first, but just know they don’t expect you to tip the standard 20 percent on that amount, though leaving a tip for the wait staff is definitely encouraged and appreciated.
What Are the Restaurants at Villa La Valencia?
Villa La Valencia has four restaurants, plus a standalone bar, a quick-serve market, and room service. Around the pools, you’ll also find pool service for drinks, but not food.
The restaurants and drinks are included with the all-inclusive package, though items from the quick-serve market are not. You’ll find some (though not many) items on the menus that are premium items that are not included, but all-inclusive guests get a 20 percent discount on them if you choose to order them.
Only two of the restaurants require reservations for dinner, and guests can mak them online up to 60 days in advance. Even better, unlike many resorts, you do not have a limit on the number of reservations you can make during your stay, so go ahead and enjoy that steakhouse every night if you want.
Maybe it’s because there is a hotel-only option, but I found the food here is significantly better than your average all-inclusive resort. I did not have a bad meal anywhere.
Coralle
This was our go-to spot right by the pool. It is open for lunch and dinner and has a casual vibe with fantastic food, and you don’t need to be assigned seating, so just grab a table.
Do not miss the guacamole or the chicken tacos. They were both really well done, and everyone I was with talked about how much they enjoyed the food there.
If you want pizza or flatbread, this is the place on resort to find them. While we enjoyed our lunches, we saw several groups ordering them and enjoying them.
El Patron
This is an open-air restaurant with additional indoor seating that serves breakfast and dinner. You can order a la carte, but I say go for the buffet.
There were tons of options, both Mexican favorites and American classics, including a made-to-order egg station. You’ll also find a variety of juices, pastries, and more than I could ever hope to eat.
Specifically, look for the Bailey’s cinnamon rolls at breakfast. Yes, you read that right, and they are as delicious as they sound.
At dinnertime, the restaurant hosts a different themed buffet cuisine each night. For me, this is a great way to ensure that I don’t get tired of eating the same menu each night when I’m on vacation for a week.
Latitud 23.5 Steakhouse
This is the premier dining venue on the property, and it’s one of the two that requires a reservation. They specialize in delicious aged steaks and other meats.
We didn’t have a chance to eat here during our stay, but we heard other guests raving about the quality of their meals. Definitely make it a point to visit, and you can make reservations on the website even before you arrive if you’re traveling during a busy season.
La Taberna
This Italian restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and it’s the other restaurant that requires reservations for evening meals. La Taberna’s menu features classic Italian dishes from pasta to chicken and fish.
Like Latitud 23.5, the restaurant was busy, but we didn’t see a wait. Everything we tried here was delicious and hit the spot, and while I went with the steak, the rest of my group had fish and pasta they all loved.
La Jolla
The lobby bar is absolutely gorgeous, and the bartenders are super friendly. Not surprisingly given the enormous collection of bottles behind the bar, they can make just about anything you want.
One major plus at this resort is that the drinks are absolutely not watered down. Whether you are at the lobby bar or getting pool service, the cocktails are legit.
Room Service
Villa La Valencia also provides room service 24 hours a day. There is a delivery fee for this, just as many resorts have, but it’s a great option if you just want to relax and enjoy some time in your room or on your gorgeous balcony.
Palmita Market And Deli
This is the only spot on the property that is not part of the all-inclusive package, so be aware of that. If you just need a quick bite, this is a perfect place.
They offer sandwiches, salads, coffee, and ice cream without having to sit down for a full-service meal. It’s a perfect grab-and-go to take something back to your room.
You’ll Love the Pool Scene
The water features are really the heart of this resort. Villa La Valencia boasts the longest lazy river in Cabo, stretching an impressive 1,148 feet.
It’s open from 10am to 5pm daily, and yes, they provide the floats for you. I spent a good chunk of time just floating along and letting the current do the work.
If the lazy river isn’t your speed, there are plenty of other options. There is a stunning oceanfront infinity pool that overlooks the water, a large main pool for families and activities, and a quiet adults-only pool.
Plus, there are four ocean-view hot tubs. I did notice that while the signs state that they are for 16 and older, there were kids hanging out in them, so take that for what it’s worth.
One small detail I really appreciated here was the towel situation. I’ve been to too many resorts where I get a card that I have to exchange for one or two towels, and I have to return the card at checkout or face a penalty.
Here, you simply take what you need. While the towel stands weren’t overflowing with towels, I never had an issue with no towels available, again something I’ve run into at other resorts.
Near the towel stands, there is also a small leave-one-take-one library. This is always a highlight for me, as I love to sit by the pool or at the beach to read.
Enjoy the Beach, Not the Ocean
The resort is set right on the ocean with loungers available for guests. However, it is important to know that this specific beach is not safe for swimming.
You cannot go in the water here. If swimming in the ocean is a dealbreaker for you, you might want to look at one of the other Villa Group properties located on Medano Beach that offer swimming and non-motorized water sports.
Sunrise from the beach is beautiful, and we were lucky enough to visit during whale season, so we spent one morning just watching whales breaching and slapping their fins in the water right from the shore. It was such a cool experience that didn’t require getting wet.
The beach itself is wide, making it a pleasant and peaceful place to hang out. The views are stunning, and it is a beautiful place to walk or sit, even if you can’t dive in.
Activities And Entertainment
There is always something happening around the resort if you want to join in. It isn’t a loud party vibe, but you definitely have opportunities to stay occupied.
The weekly schedule has everything from exercise classes to crafts to pottery painting. The majority of them are complimentary, but the two art classes do have a fee attached.
We did stand up paddleboard yoga in the pool one morning, and it was my first time ever trying it. Our instructor Enrique was so patient with all of us, and he encouraged us even when I managed to fall into the pool.
After the class ended, he demonstrated some of his prowess, which blew my mind. Thankfully, he doesn’t ask guests to do anything anywhere near so challenging and adapts the class to match the experience of those in it.
We also did a cocktail-making class by the La Jolla bar that was a blast. We made two different cocktails with ingredients set up for us, and then we were able to sample our creations. This was really fun, and I regret not having copied the recipes down.
The evenings have themes too, ranging from karaoke nights to Mexican folklore shows and movie nights. While you have activities, they aren’t loud and won’t bother you if you plan to make an early night of it.
For parents who need some adult time, there is a Kids’ Club with tons of activities like mini yoga, crafts, face painting, and bingo. Just know that the Kids’ Club is a charged activity even if you have the all-inclusive plan.
It isn’t hugely expensive, but there is a cost. You can choose from single activities, morning or afternoon packages with lunch included, or even a pajama party in the evening that includes dinner.
Relaxing At The Spa
Villa La Valencia – no surprise – has a fantastic spa called the Azul Wellness Spa Center. Most visitors go for the Azul Cielo, a 90 minute treatment with massage, lymphatic draining, warming oils, and a mask, though we weren’t so lucky.
Instead, we spent most of our time with the hydrotherapy circuit. It is a coed facility, and an attendant guides you through the different stations.
This is always a ritual I enjoy, and it was very relaxing, though I have to admit the cold plunge pool was a little too cold for me, and I wimped out. It’s a great way to recharge if you want a break from the sun.
If you book a spa treatment, you have access to the hydrotherapy circuit that day, either before or after your treatment. You can make a hydrotherapy reservation without a spa treatment if you want to enjoy the relaxing ritual for an additional charge.
How Do You Get There?
Villa La Valencia is located near the San Jose del Cabo airport, and with no traffic, the trip can be as short as 20 minutes. There’s currently quite a bit of construction along the way, so the drive may be closer to 45 minutes like it was for me.
The Villa Group does not generally include transportation, but they do have sales periodically that include your transportation to and from the airport. You can arrange for your own transportation, or book with Cabo Season, which is a partner of The Villa Group, via the pre-arrival team.
My transportation was through Cabo Season, and they were easy to find just outside the airport, with plenty of travelers utilizing their services. Booking travel in advance is definitely a smarter call than trying to find someone to trust who’s soliciting at the airport.
Book Your Vacation With No Regrets
Villa La Valencia offers a fantastic, upscale vacation experience. It’s new, clean, and packed with amenities like that incredible lazy river. If you decide to book, definitely choose the all-inclusive package to save money in the long run and enjoy your vacation to the fullest.