On Call Travel Protection

On Call Travel Protection offers emergency air evacuation services to you or your family while on vacation or exchange, plus other valuable medical and travel related services. For Gold and Villa Preferred Access members only: the standard program is included as part of your membership. Members may upgrade to the full insurance program for only $15 additional at the time you pay your maintenance fee. For non Gold and VPA Members, you may purchase this insurance for $44.99.

In a time of medical crisis, member Stephen Sherner was glad that this important benefit was available to him.  Here is a summary of his recent experience, and how On Call was there to assist him:

“I had the very unfortunate experience of becoming seriously ill shortly after arrival in Cabo before New Year’s.  I was treated by the doctors from the Centro Medico Cabo San Lucas with whom the Villa Group in Cabo has a relationship, who at first made “house calls” to the resort.  Ultimately, I spent a week in their clinic.  The doctors all spoke acceptable English and served as translators to their staff as necessary.  Cash was required to pay for the “house call” and a credit card deposit was necessary at the clinic.  Their facilities were very clean and their staff competent.  Their equipment is not state of the art by US standards, such as film X-rays vs digital imaging, but acceptable.  Ultimately, I had abdominal surgery at the Mayo clinic in Minnesota. The doctors there indicated that the treatment performed in Cabo was similar to what they’d have done, and that the Cabo doctors’ conclusion of a bowel blockage was spot on.

Once admitted to the clinic in Cabo my wife contacted On Call.  They were very responsive and helpful.  Forms were sent to Villa del Arco to allow access to my medical information. They had nearly daily contact with the clinic and my wife on diagnosis and prognosis, and whether medical evacuation was needed.  On Call put my wife in contact with our primary insurer to open a case file, and are sending us forms to submit a reimbursement claim for any medical or extra transport costs we incurred that our primary insurer doesn’t cover – nearly $16,000 in Cabo!  By the way, when looking at the medevac options it would have cost $5,000 to nearest US facility and over $10,000 to Mayo.

The management and staff at VDA were very concerned, supportive, and helpful throughout my ordeal.  UVC went above and beyond to help us change and cancel reservations we obviously couldn’t use.   My recovery is progressing well and we’re already discussing reservations for early 2016 as we miss our Villa del Arco friends and the warm weather in Cabo!

 

 

Steve Sherner

Member Advisory Committee

Multi-Million Dollar Renovation – Dramatic New Look for Villa del Palmar Puerto Vallarta

If you thought you loved VDP Puerto Vallarta before, get ready to fall head over heels!  At the Villa del Palmar Puerto Vallarta, our expert designers, builders and architects have been hard at work completely reinventing this property.  The resorts new look boasts vivid colors and elaborate textures, and it will delight you with its unique twist on traditional Mexican charm.  The hotel has always been a favorite among members and guests due to its stunning beachfront property, heartwarming hospitality and convenient proximity to historic downtown Puerto Vallarta.  Now, with its trendy new style, there is even more to love at the Villa del Palmar – these exciting renovations and improvements will enhance your vacation experience like never before!

Exterior:

• Your amazing first impression of the resort begins when you enter the property and immediately notice a dramatic, wider front entrance.
• As you drive up the sweeping entranceway to the crisp new motor lobby, your eyes will gaze upon flowing waterfalls, beautiful fountains, and lush landscaped gardens, setting a peaceful mood from the second you arrive.
• The expansion and redistribution of the parking areas allow for more convenience and create an enticing feeling of open space and relaxation.
• Beautiful enhancements to the resort’s two free-form swimming pools include pool decks and surfaces resurfaced with a gorgeous high-tech pebble texture, which makes the water’s reflections even more dazzling.

Interior:

• Open the door and come inside – immediately you will feel at home in your modern Mexican Villa.
• All 511 rooms and suites of Villa del Palmar have been upgraded with new furniture and décor. The units have been revamped and restyled by Karoll Gonzalez, a visionary designer whose work has included award-winning 5-star properties.
• Inspired by Mexican pop culture as well as icons like Frida Kahlo, the décor of the suites is contemporary and trendy, yet comfortable. It’s a vibrant and bold look that embraces the charm and culture of Mexico in a whole new way.

Fall in love with Mexico all over again.  Come back to your home away from home and see your old friend with fresh eyes.  You have never experienced Villa del Palmar Puerto Vallarta like this!

Puerto Vallarta Around Town – Off Road Adventures

Off Road Adventures- Experience the heart of Mexico with this Off Road Adventure! This is an amazing way to experience the wealth of raw, natural resources and breathtaking scenery that Mexico has to offer. Take a journey back in time when life was less hectic and simple events throughout the day had greater meaning. You will be escorted by Unimog (four wheel drive off road vehicle) into the remote, traditional villages in the tropical forests of the Sierra Madre.

You will travel deep into the forest where a tour guide will take you on a 45 minute educational nature hike and you can explore the flora and fauna tucked away under the forest canopy. After, savor freshly prepared corn tortillas, beans and salsas handmade by a local matriarch.

At the end of the day, enjoy a delicious beachside lunch.  On the way back to Vallarta, enjoy an open bar, with soda, beer and tequila, and share experiences and laughter with your new friends. Contact the travel agency on site at Villa del Palmar or Villa del Palmar Flamingos for more information and to book your experience!

Cabo San Lucas Food and Beverage Updates

Food always tastes more delicious on vacation, doesn’t it? When we are relaxed we can take our time to savor all the flavors and nuances of a delectable meal.  Plus, it’s just a treat to have someone else prepare and serve it! Either way, one of the greatest pleasures in life is enjoying a sumptuous feast.  At VDP Cabo San Lucas and Villa Del Arco, the Food and Beverage staff is determined to have you leave Cabo saying, “That was the best meal I can remember having!” They are committed to their craft, and have implemented important new changes that elevate the entire gourmet experience to a new level:

* All-Inclusive Meal Plan – you deserve nothing but the best, and so the meal plan has been upgraded to include the finest cuts of meats, more refined and sophisticated selections of wines and liquor, and a wider variety of offerings than ever before. Quality, variety, and convenience – the meal plan is the way to go if you want to be treated like royalty!

* Buon giorno Italy! You may be in Mexico, but you are in for a Mediterranean treat when you visit our fine dining Italian restaurant, Bella California. The new chef, Emanuele Olivero, is recognized in the region as “the best Italian Chef in Los Cabos” – don’t miss a chance to find out for yourself! There’s also a new selection of fine Italian wines to choose from.

* More great new Chefs – In addition to Emanuele Olivero, Villa Group Los Cabos has added two new players to its top flight culinary team: Chef Candelario León, formerly at Ventanas al Paraiso has taken over the kitchens at La Casona and La Parrilla Restaurants, while Chef Jorge Salas, a Baja native from Cabo´s legendary LaFrida Restaurant is now in charge of our El Patron Restaurant. The presence of these talented chefs is further evidence of the culinary upgrades taking place at our resorts, and of the significant value afforded by the All-Inclusive Meal Plan.

*Professional Chef Training Program – Villa del Palmar and Villa del Arco are creating an environment of culinary professionalism.  Their cutting-edge training program encourages the food and beverage team to build loyalty and proficiency. “A” Chefs groom “B” Chefs, and teach them the basics of food preparation, presentation, cooking methods, knife skills, food safety and other techniques. As an reward, each cook is presented with a set of expert knives.  This program fosters mastery of culinary skills and a vested commitment to the resort group. This approach will ensure the constant evolution of a great team of sous and head Chefs at all of the Villa Group resorts.

Cabo San Lucas Around Town – Cacti Mundo

This museum and botanical garden is home to several species of cacti from around the world. The cacti are displayed in gorgeous patterns in an open air garden which features more than 5,000 other plants. Cacti Mundo preserves, conserves and reproduces several Mexican desert cacti protecting them from extinction. Onside biologists give visitors some insider information on the plants. This is a great day trip if you are looking to learn more about the local vegetation.

 

Villa del Palmar Cancun’s New General Manager

Villa del Palmar Cancun is pleased to welcome Mr. Germain Gallardo as General Manager of our resort. With twenty four years experience in hotel leadership, Mr. Gallardo is a valued addition to the Villa del Palmar Cancun team, which will surely prove to be a vital asset to your membership.

Perfect Match to Maintain and Propel High Standards

Boasting a wealth of experience in hotel leadership positions, Mr. Gallardo’s most recent senior management post was as Managing Director for Pearl Hospitality, where his contributions were significant in the company’s successful expansion into the luxury market. Previously, he was employed by Fairmont Hotels & Resort throughout twelve years in a variety of capacities, which included Food & Beverage Director, Hotel Manager, General Manager, and later, Regional Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Mr. Gallardo is also a graduate from Nova University, USA, where he served as an adjunct professor.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Villa del Palmar team,” said Gallardo of his appointment. “I believe that my relentless work ethic and passion for development and strategy execution will prove to be an asset for this company.  I look forward to working with such highly regarded innovators in the luxury resort industry.”

Carlos Aquino, Vice President of Hospitality for TAFER Hotels & Resorts welcomed Mr. Gallardo and expressed his excitement for the prospects that come with his appointment.  “We are very excited to welcome Mr. Gallardo to Villa del Palmar Cancun. His pursuit for excellence and quality, as well as his complete commitment to customer satisfaction, has gained him much recognition throughout this industry and we couldn’t be happier to have him on our team.”

Volunteering to support the local community and fostering growth in local businesses are high among Mr. Gallardo’s interests as well as being an avid traveler. He also loves to read leadership literature, philosophy and history in addition to playing chess and tennis.

Mr. Gallardo has an extensive background in the hotel industry and has proven to be totally committed to customer and employee satisfaction. His role as General Manager of Villa del Palmar Cancun is sure to bring about positive changes for our luxury resort brand.

We welcome Germain to our family and wish him tremendous success.

Cancun Around Town – Riviera Maya Film Festival

The fourth edition of the Riviera Maya Film Festival is set to take place from April 23rd to the 29th this year bringing the arts to the forefront once again in the area. The cultural event in the Riviera Maya, just minutes from Cancun, will showcase some of the best national and international film talent in the world and will provide members with an exciting reason to visit Cancun this April, or indeed start planning for 2016 when the fifth edition of the film festival is planned.

This year’s edition of the Riviera Maya Film Festival will include films from various categories, including a Mexican Platform, where local filmmakers will compete for one of two Kukulkan prizes, which are economic incentives to help sponsor the distribution of the films throughout the nation. Other categories include Galas, which are special screenings attended by honored guests, directors, producers and actors; the Planetarium, which features films that take a position on world issues; and other categories, such as Wide Audience, Authorial Panorama and Rivieralab productions.

Organizers use the natural beauty of the region to their full advantage by choosing venues that accentuate the magic of cinema and perpetuate a feeling of nostalgia during the festival.  Beachside screenings, cinema showings, movies in the town-square and drive-in theaters are all part of this year’s festivities, and organizers are eager for the festival’s opening.

The natural beauty of the venue and the overall excellence of the films selected for screening each year has made the Riviera Maya Film Festival a hit year after year.

New Bar and Theme Night at the Islands of Loréto

New Bar at Market Restaurant!

Sip a delicious cocktail under our stars! We adore the new bar at Market Restaurant. The ambiance represents the Islands of Loréto at its finest. The bar is adorned with a beautiful seashell backdrop, and star shaped overhead lights hang above your cocktails, just like the million stars you can see overhead on a beautiful evening. Our artisan cocktails are sure to please your palette as well.

New Beach Party Theme Night!

Join us for a beach party on the beautiful sandy shores outside of Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loréto. Here, you can enjoy a fresh cooked hamburger, fresh fish and clams, salads and delectable deserts. Our activities team will entertain you with magnificent dance performances, and you will be awarded with prizes for participating in this fun event. Join us each Thursday and party on the beach!

The Islands of Loréto Around Town – Chocolate Clam Festival

It’s that time of year again! We are proud to announce the Third Annual Chocolate Clam Festival which will be held at the marina of the quintessential Mexican town of Loréto. The Restaurant Association of Loréto has hosted this event for the past two years, and this years is sure not to disappoint. You can expect beautifully decorated food booths, all serving special dishes highlighting clams. Each restaurant will prepare their clams in many different ways; in previous years there have been chile rellenos stuffed with clams, clams on the half shell with butter, wine and cheese, clams in escabeche and many more! The stunning seaside backdrop is a perfect complement to the traditional folkloric dancers and mariachi music as the sun sets over the Islands of Loréto and sinks into the Sea of Cortez. Do not miss this event. Dates are still being determined.