Weekend
from December 17 to 19, 2004 my wife Anabel and I decided celebrate our 8th
anniversary of being together, going to Punta Serena, an adult only, clothing
optional resort and SPA, located 4 hours driving from home in Guadalajara,
Mexico. Here is our trip report:
Location: Punta Serena is an adjacent hotel to Bluebay Los Angeles Locos, in
the Tenacatita Bay, at the Pacific coast of Mexico in the state of Jalisco.
Even we went driving, the Manzanillo airport is only 28 miles (40 minutes) from
the resort. This airport receives direct flights from Los Angeles, Houston
and Mexico City.
The Resort: Punta Serena has only 24 rooms (12 individual and 12 suites with
a shared living room) divided in "villas" with 2 or 4 rooms. It was
inaugurated in 1979, so its age is sometimes difficult to hide. But if you
go there for enjoy and not for criticize, you'll find the building acceptable
enough.
Built on a cliff facing the ocean, the views are amazing, even there are lots of
stairs for going from your room to the restaurant, pool, Jacuzzis or beach.
But it worths.
Reception:
We've arrived at 9:00 PM. The resort seemed deserted. A kind
security guard invited us to enter the reception office. Two minutes later
the manager arrived with two glasses of a non alcoholic cocktail, delicious.
Registration was very fast; then Antonio (the manager) gave us a brief tour
along the property and explained the characteristics and schedules of the
resort, and told us about the clothing optional police, valid only at beach,
pool and poolside and Jacuzzis.
Then, we arrived to our room. Spartan, all painted in white and beige,
with a king size bed, hard but acceptable. A 21" TV with only 10 or 12
channels, most of them Mexican. A wide closet, small bathroom with a very
uncomfortable tile tub, impossible to use without wound your butt or back.
Shower works OK. Water is not drinkable, and has a salty flavor.
We've used bottled water for teeth brushing.
After being installed at our room, we took off our "city clothes" and put some
gauze clothing without underwear, for going to dinner. We've only asked
for a sandwich and a couple of beers that we decided take with us to the room,
because we were really tired.
Next morning we went to breakfast at 9:30. Excellent quality of food!,
even better service, full of kindness and smiles. Fresh fruits, steaks,
eggs, "chilaquiles", fresh juices, excellent coffee, delicious home made bread.
A great selection for breakfast.
After breakfast, we went to our room for change our clothes. Anabel put a
pareo and I only took off my shirt and stayed in my gauze pants, and we went to
the beach.
The beach: It is a completely secluded beach (it's impossible arrive
from other place but the hotel's stairs or by the sea), 400 or 500 yards of fine
gray sand, with low inclined bottom. Moderated waves permit both swimming
and playing in the shore. A second beach, even more secluded than the main
is only accessible walking with the water till your thighs between sharp rocks.
If you dare, you'll have as reward a 50 yards beach with nobody else but you and
your partner.
There is no services at the beach, but 4 white shadow tents and a fresh water
shower in the beginnings of the stairs. Even, the barman or waiters will
prepare for you a cooler with ice, beers, water, juices and some
fresh snacks; they offer carry it, please tip them.
The beach is designated by the hotel as "clothing optional". 50% of people
go nude, the other half topfree or fully clothed.
Around 2:00 PM, we returned to the pool area, and asked for a Ceviche and some
juices. We needed our stomachs "light" for the Temazcal session.
Again, great food and excellent presentation.
The pool: It's a circular 40' diameter pool, 5' depth. Fresh
water, not heated but very acceptable even in December. There are about 15
chaise lounges around it.
At 3:00, the lady that directs the Temazcal (a prehispanic sweat lodge) came to
the pool area, hitting a prehispanic drum, inviting to the Temazcal. She
is a Canadian woman living in Mexico since 6 years ago. She explained us
(3 couples) all respect to the ceremony and direct us to the beach for a
previous mud and sand bath. Then we cleaned into the ocean, showered with
fresh water and returned to the Temazcal.
5 of us entered nude, while a lady preferred going in with her bikini bottom.
40 minutes later, we've finished the bath, and were enveloped in a sheet and a
comforter. Then we were offered with a delicious iced tea.
After that, we went with the other two couples to one of the Jacuzzis, where
we've stayed more than 2 hours, after dusk.
The Jacuzzis: There are two "cliff Jacuzzis" for 12 to 16 people each one.
One is circular, the other one is oval. The view is amazing, you feel like
floating in the air. The temperature is very nice (about 90-95) that
permit being for hours chatting without feeling exhausted.
Later, we've joined to dinner. Difficult to describe the flavor of the
food and the presentation of the plates. All really exquisite.
Even the concept of the resort is all inclusive, you ask "a la carte" for
breakfast, lunch and dinner, without limitations. The only "negative"
point is the wine: we didn't like a low quality Californian white wine.
Next time we'll carry our own bottles.
Next day (Sunday) passed very quickly: Breakfast, beach, shower, packing, lunch
and check out at 2:30 (usual check out time is noon, but taking in mind we've
arrived 9:00 PM we could extend it 2.5 hours.
The price: Well, probably you'll think we've paid a fortune. It's not
true, we've payed a very reasonable ammount, taking advantage of a promotion for
Mexican guests.
In conclusion, we'll return very soon. They need to improve several
things, but the essential are fine.
You can visit their website at
www.puntaserena.com
Have a great new year.
Gabriel Escalante Fat
Guadalajara, Mxico.
gescalantefat@aol.com