From December 18 to 20, 2005, my wife Anabel and I went to Punta Serena,
after one exact year of being there for the first time. For our surprise,
there weren't rooms available when I called in the first days of the month.
We were put in a waiting list, and at the same time, we've reserved in his
brother resort Blue Bay, paying a special rate that would permit us have meals
and make use of installations of Punta Serena. It wasn't perfect, but was
a good deal. For our good luck, two days before departing, Aurora, from
reservations department, called me for communicate that our room in Punta Serena
will be available.
So here is a quick evaluation of the resort:
Staff: From the new manager, Alejandra to the maid, passing
through every waiter, bar tender, masseuse or security guard, all were extremely
kind and efficient.
Building: Taking in mind the resort is 26 years old, it is
acceptably maintained; we observed some new furniture in the bar and restaurant
areas, and new mattresses (not the best, but quite comfortable). Gardens
are well manicured; SPA and GYM are small but very nice. There is a
panoramic veranda for open-air massages and a games room with a pool table and
some domino and chess games.
Meals and Beverages: From the fresh cocktail they give you
at your arrival to all meals and beverages, we can resume in a word: excellent!
Presentation of the dishes is as good as in a three-fork restaurant, for not
talking about freshness and flavor of them. Portions are small, but for us
it's an advantage, so you may enjoy a 4 or 5 plates dinner without being
overcharged.
Pool and Jacuzzis: The 30 feet round pool has not calefaction; but
being winter, water temperature is very acceptable. We swam twice but
never saw other swimmers. Cliff Jacuzzis are one of the main
attractions of the resort. Temperature is simply perfect, and both are one
of the best places for relaxation.
Beach: You need down 114 steps of the stairway to access the 700
feet private beach. With fine dark sand and moderate waves deserves a five
star qualification. Twice we had the opportunity of see some dolphins at
less than 100 feet from us. Water is warm and clear; bottom has a very
moderated pendent. It has three beach tents, which give some shadow. 8
fiberglass chaise lounges are not the most comfortable way to take the sun, but
We opted for bring our own beach mats and umbrellas, so we were very
comfortable.
There is a smaller beach towards some rocks, with much more privacy that this,
but we didn't adventured there, because you should walk on a rocky bottom with
the water till your waistline: we were afraid of have an accident.
Temazcal: we didn't have the opportunity of enjoy the temazcal
session, but were informed that it takes place every Saturday afternoon, and
it's managed for a local feminine "chaman".
SPA: We can't talk from first had about it, even it seems to be
very good and the menu of options is quite wide. Honestly, our budget was
not enough for enjoying some massages or body treatments.
Crowd: Contrasting with our first visit last year, most of guests
preferred being by themselves. It was really difficult star a conversation
with them, some even didn't respond our greetings. Hotel was completely
booked, with 3 American and 21 Mexican couples, most of them from Mexico City
(probably it explains their conduct). We never saw two couples sharing a
table at the restaurant. Once, before dinner, we've decided go to
the Jacuzzi: there was a couple inside, we said "good evening" but didn't obtain
a word from them; they hug each other pretending we were not there. It was
initially disappointing, but later we took advantage of the situation and have
dedicated ourselves one to each other.
Ages went from early 20's to early 50's.
Nudism: The resort defines itself as an adult only, with clothing
optional pool, Jacuzzis and beach. Due our experience last year and our
particular preferences, we even didn't pack a swimsuit.
At the beach all men and most of women were nude, rest of them were top free and
only one was full dressed.
In the Jacuzzis some were nude, some not.
Around the pool most were fully clothed, a couple of women top free, contrasting
with us, fully nude.
Entertainment: There are not entertainment activities at the
resort. You have access to their brother resort Blue Bay, a familiar hotel
that has a disco, tennis courts, nightly theme shows and a specialties
restaurant. We didn't take advantage of those facilities.
The night we visited the games room it was completely empty. There are
some tables for board games, a couple of domino sets and a chess; and a pool
table with 3 very old sticks and a set of balls. We decided play a "strip
pool"; nobody appeared in more than one hour we spent there. BTW: I won.
Value: Even we went on high season, prices were very affordable,
and are incredible low during low season. You receive more than the money
you spend.
How to arrive: Living in Guadalajara, Mexico, Punta Serena is 4
hours driving from home, through a very good road. From other cities you
can fly to Manzanillo's airport (ZLO) which has direct flights from Los
Angeles, Houston and Mexico City; airport is 45 minutes from the resort.
Puerto Vallarta's airport (PVR) is 2.5 hours from Punta Serena, but has lots of
flights from many cities in USA and Mexico.
