Villa
del Palmar: A Magical Journey to Wellness in Mexico
My
recent trip to a remote respite in Mexico for a celebration
of good health included original mock cocktails and personalized
menus of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free recipes during a
Wellness Week Retreat at Villa del Palmar at
the Islands of Loreto, a magnificent property that sits majestically
overlooking the Sea of Cortez. The focus on healthy eating and
drink was orchestrated by food and beverage director Oscar Torres,
who designed healthy cocktails, and Executive Chef Alfonso Peregrina
and his dedicated team who prepared diet specific culinary delights.
During this amazing escape to wellness week our activities included
a full schedule of yoga, hiking, kayaking, water sports, exercise
programs at the spa, massage treatments, as well as individual
healthy menu planning.
Executive
Chef Alfonso Peregrina, who spent ten years working as a chef
in Cancun and one year in Spain is a native of Puebla, and has
become a specialist at creating wellness program recipes for
hotel guests. The talented chef and his staff of one hundred
cooks and eighteen chefs make their own gluten free breads,
buns, rolls and delicious pizza daily. Vegan and vegetarian
requests are responded to with beautiful and delicious culinary
creations to please any health conscious gourmand, using hotel
garden grown herbs and produce for breakfast, lunch, dinner
and late night selections. The gluten free pizza offerings are
outstanding.
Villa del Palmar Hotel & Resort
Three
hotel restaurants, including Casa Mia, Market Restaurant and
Danzante Fine Dining Restaurant provide a bevy of delicious
menus and beverages to please the palate of every guest, and
the staff present special weekly events including an Italian
night dinner buffet filled with fantastic pasta dishes, pizza
favorites and more. They also offer a weekly beach party barbeque
with a live musical review and fire dancer.
Casa Mia, an open style rotunda, serves casual foods and beverages,
while Danzante is the formal outdoor-indoor restaurant where
plates and beverages are more sophisticated and include Danzante
signature items designed by Chef Peregrina are served in the
romantic sunset view venue. The Ceviche Trilogy appetizer was
a favorite, along with unique fish, salad preparations and a
delicious stylized flan dessert. The Market Restaurant is a
welcoming buffet style venue with a view, where daily breakfast,
lunch and dinner menus include a bevy of fresh fruits, vegetables,
seafood, wonderful Mexican favorites and more. The breakfast
made to order omelette at the Market proved to be a perfect
way to start the day.
Ceviche Trilogy
For
the 'eat everything' crowd at the hotel the variety of delicious
appetizers, fresh seafood, meat, pasta specialties, as well
as an endless variety of fruits, vegetables and desserts are
abundant. Breakfast buffet choices include everything kids or
their parents could wish for, and lunch or dinner in any of
the three resort restaurants are as satisfying. The pastry department
offers divine desserts, breads, and fresh baked rolls daily
to enjoy with meals.
The
hotel super market provides guests with a wonderful selection
of quick foods to prepare in the fully equipped kitchens of
their rooms or suites. "We want families to be able to
enjoy meals and snacks in their suites if necessary, and the
market helps facilitate this need," said Sixto Navarro
hotel general manager. The market also carries needed items
like laundry soap to use in the in suite washer/dryers, as well
as items guests may have forgotten like sun lotion, over the
counter medicines, gift items, and souvenirs. A kids video game
room next to the store also offers guest computer use with internet
service.
Danzante Fruit Medley
Yoga
therapy and stress reduction classes for the Wellness Week Retreat
are held on the beach to stimulate the mind, body spirit connection
and are lead by expert Michelle Collins, a certified yoga instructor
who specializes in pranayama breath work & meditation, is
a Mayo Clinic Wellness Coach and USUI Reiki Master with extensive
knowledge of Aryuveda. Michelle takes guests on a seaside journey
of inner peace and relaxation before they indulge in pampering
spa treatments or a bevy of water activities, which can include
PADI-certified SCUBA diving lessons and snorkeling tours in
the waters Jacques Cousteau called the "Aquarium of the
World."
Sabila
Spa and Wellness director Claudine Riemer proudly announced
that this beautiful property is currently listed as number eleven
on the Trip Advisor 'Best Spa in Mexico' list; I personally
predict it will be #1 before the end of the year. According
to Riemer "the Wellness Week Retreat at Villa del Palmar
at the Islands of Loreto embodies an organic healing process
for the mind, body and soul." The therapists at Sibila
are experts who focus on individual body issues, using fine
Pevonia products and the latest new treatment aids. Claudine
Riemer and her staff are happy to assist guests with an individual
workout and diet regimen to implement during their stay at the
resort.
Oscar Torres F&B Director, Bonnie Carroll, Chef Alfonso
Peregrina
The
elegant green and white Sabila Spa is an impressive temple of
health, crowned with an elegant atrium chandelier as you enter,
and offers panoramic views of the exquisite hotel property from
the expansive state-of-the-art exercise area. Lush jacuzzi pools
include cold, warm & hot, as well as inviting eucalyptus
and lavender baths, plunge showers, saunas, chic steam rooms,
and spacious massage and treatment rooms. The comfortable juice
lounge offers refreshing beverages including the oh-so-delicious
'green drink' of parsley, spinach, celery, orange and pineapple
juice that becomes a daily ritual for hotel guests. An adjacent
beauty salon within the spa offers all the latest products and
services to keep you looking sensational during your stay.
The picture perfect pool is in the shape of a turtle, the turtle
body being a large main pool, and the feet and head serving
as a salt water pool, private guest pool, jacuzzi and a colorful
pool for children. The ambiance of the pool is blissful, only
interrupted daily by a very entertaining water aerobics instructor.
The pristine beach offers swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding,
yoga classes or just relaxing by the sea, where a bar staff
provide cooling refreshments. It is from the beach that snorkelers,
scuba divers, and fishermen depart to enjoy the pleasures of
the islands in the indigo waters of the Sea of Cortez.
Serrano Martini (with or without liquor)
For
Tequila lovers or guests wishing to learn more about the favorite
drink of Mexico a "Tequila Tasting Course" is presented
by Tequila Master Oscar Torres. The hour long course was designed
by Torres to provide a complete understanding of the various
tequila flavors and their uses in today's dining and entertainment
scenes. Torres was born into a Tequila making family, and has
a vast knowledge to share with anyone interested in a 'hands-on'
experience of how to savor fine Tequila.
A
shuttle transports guests to Loreto daily to visit the collection
of little shops, restaurants, and the historic Loreto Mission,
founded in 1697 by the Jesuit Fathers, which features a magnificent
painting of Our Lady of Loreto. The Mission is connected to
an historic museum containing maps and the details of the founding
of Baja. Historic buildings and a tree covered lane leading
to the center of town offers a memorable look at this historic
destination. The Villa Del Palmar also has a small boutique
sister property Hotel Sante Fe at the Islands of Loreto in the
town of Loreto that is quite charming and convenient to fully
experiencing the town of Loreto.
Loreto Sunset
Time
shares have been available since the resort opened, and soon
there will be new homes built for sale surrounding the Rees
Jones designed Danzante Bay Golf Course scheduled to open its
first nine holes in October or November 2015. For glam-campers
there is a private and luxurious camp tent villa with it's own
deck, jacuzzi and outdoor grill by the beach for couples wishing
to experience outdoor elegance on the hotel property. "We
are working to create a resort where the whole family can enjoy
a special vacation to truly experience the beautiful islands
of Loreto. We are constantly working to improve our services
and provide new offerings for guest enjoyment," said General
Manager Sixto Navarro.
It
is really impossible to communicate adequately the exquisite
beauty of this property and the surrounding area. The color
of the Sea of Cortez is extraordinary as it changes from indigo
to emerald green, and the sunsets will remain a vision in my
mind always. Visiting Villa Del Palmar is a gift to yourself;
a respite to restore your own good health. For retreat or reservation
information visit their website.
Villa
Del Palmar at the Island of Loreto
www.villadelpalmarloreto.com
By Bonnie Carroll
http://www.lifebitesnews.com