Mexico holds a wealth of treasures for vacationers, and being our neighbor to the south, is perhaps the easiest international destination to reach. However, one gripe among savvy travelers is that the well-established Mexican beach resort towns have become too Americanized.

Defying that description are the Islands of Loreto Baja California Sur, Mexico, perched along the Sea of Cortez. This secluded coastal paradise is only beginning to develop its potential as a tourist destination, and retains that “Old Mexico” charm that goes hand-in-hand with a great vacation experience.

One of Luxury Link’s newest hotel partners is the Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto, which opened in March 2011 along a pristine stretch of sand. Your escape from the ordinary begins upon arrival, when the resort welcomes you with a hand-purifying ritual and you gaze upon the five surrounding islands and turquoise waters once labeled by Jacques Cousteau as “the aquarium of the world”.

Check into your suite – complete with spacious living room, fully-equipped kitchen and whirlpool tub – and let the vacationing begin. While Mexican getaways are usually synonymous with relaxation, tanning and margaritas, Villa del Palmar again breaks the mold by offering numerous options for the active traveler.

“We offer a unique experience where you can boat or kayak over to a private island for a romantic dinner,” explained Jesus Gonzalez of Villa del Palmar. “There is a lot to do from mountain biking, hiking, swimming fishing, golfing horseback riding, surfing, tennis, ATV tours, snorkeling…or of course just relaxing at the turtle-shaped pool!”

Making sure the R&R set is also well-catered to, the resort features an incredible three-story, 35,000-square-foot spa and wellness center, where massages, facials and mud wraps are de rigueur. Further slip into that sea of vacation bliss with a romantic bath set-up.

Gonzalez recommends visiting Villa del Palmar between November and April, when nine types of whales migrate through the Sea of Cortez. The resort features two on-site restaurants, which feature themed dinners and wellness menus. As for a must-try dish?

“Don’t miss the chocolate clams, named for the color of their shells,” suggested Gonzalez. “They are cooked in a hole in the beach, cleaned, then served with lemon and salsa.”

Couples will love winding down their evenings by getting cozy next to the resort’s marvelous beachside firepits, while the Villa del Palmar doubles as an ideal family getaway. July marks the launch of the hotel’s Guyacara Summer Camp, where kids can meet the wildlife of Baja California, learn Aztec dances and more!

With two airlines offering non-stop service from Los Angeles (LAX) to Loreto (LTO) – just a two-hour flight – it’s never been easier to reach this Mexican paradise where dramatic peaks meet the shimmering Sea of Cortez. Plan your Luxury Link vacation experience at the Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto, and escape to an ultra-modern all-inclusive resort that hasn’t lost its “Old Mexico” appeal.