P.V. is one of my favorite places (and not just for the Bing's ice cream as some people think.) It's the lush green mountains and small villages like Yelapa that call to me.
As a condo-dweller on past PV vacations, the "sail" into Bandares Bay was my first. Okay, I do get teary eyed every so often.
Happy to get off the ship and anxious to do some hotel inspections before our Carnival Tequila excursion, I find myself at a roadblock. It's too far to get over to Nuevo Vallarta for the hotels on my list or I'll miss the Tequila bus. The only option is to walk down to the Crown Paradise, then onto the Krystal thru the construction.
In less than five minutes, I'm walking past a hotel that isn't on my list, but is tempting me as I'm looking in the very inviting two-story lobby with high dark wood ceilings, warm ceramic floor tiles and Mexican artwork scattered on the walls. I'm at the front desk (very small and welcoming) and asking for a tour, explaining I don't have an appointment and I don't speak Mexican. She responds in pretty good English that she is the manager and welcome to the Hacienda Hotel & Spa.
We turn right and start outside. Under the portico is Sabores de Mexico, the formal restaurant. This is closed during the "off season" September thru November. Cozy yet boarding on Mexican elegant (if that's possible). Bricked archways, warm colors. Old Mexico cuisine Seats 30
Then over near the oval pool, which will be under construction for a week as workers install underwater lights and some tile work. This is where the palapa-roofed, open sided La Troje, a Cocina (?) Fusion restaurant is located. It's really tropical surrounded by the gardens and pool, but not a clue what Cocina is. It sounded Mexican/European. Seats 50.
A quick left and we are in the two story hotel block that runs the length of the property. Up the stairs to the superior rooms, then down a few colorful Mexican tiled steps to the extra large bedroom with dark wood arched ceilings. I could extremely happy here. Each room has a large balcony overlooking the gardens or the pool. Very Mexican themed. Dark wood furniture, soft beds (and quality linens - yes I do feel the sheets to see if the thread count is up to standard). The bathroom is a jewel. An extra large Mexican tiled bathtub is sunk in the floor. You access it by the tiled steps leading down into the tub. Sink toilet and bidet. A huge bank of dark wooden doors hides the closet area. A locked safety box is available in the Superior rooms only, as is the hairdryers. There are only 40 Superior rooms, and I was told they sell out fast to honeymooners. I can see why!
The 105 standard rooms are nice - think Day's Inn updated and tropical. A small patio is accessed by the sliding glass doors. The bathrooms have large showers.
The property is not on the beach, but you can walk 5 minutes or take the hotel's free beach shuttle to La Playa Beach. Lots of canopied areas (with loungers) to avoid the sun, kayak rentals, food and liquor service.
Back from the beach and on to the last stop. We're headed to a lush green area with tree branches blocking the sky. It's a jaw dropping discovery as we cross a small wooden bridge, underneath is a softly babbling stream flowing over smooth stones. Thatched roof huts, some open sided with sheer white fabric flowing in the breeze. My nostrils are in heaven from some delightful aroma. AHHH. Welcome to Paradise. AKA Piedra Viva..the Spa of Harmony. We check out the open two table massage area, with the stream flowing beside one of the tables. Then outside to one of the most unique spa "treatments" I have ever wanted to encounter. It's based on ancient Indian ceremonies.
On site is a round stone and clay sweat house, the Inipi. This is one treatment that you have to reserve at least 2 days in advance. The purification ritual is preformed by a Mexican of Indian decent. Requires a minimum of 2 people and maximum of 7. $65 per person for the experience of your life, which lasts over 2 hours! Many of the components of this ritual is self-preformed , with the instruction of the Shaman. From covering yourself in mineral rich mud, drying in the sun, and meditating, You'll be instructed in traditional chanting and attend a purification ceremony. Darn, but had I known this spa was a 5 minute walk from the pier I would have jumped ship long ago. Well, not to leave empty handed (and without a guilty conscience for not doing another hotel inspection) I ambled back to the thatched hut check in area at the spa to check out the availability of that open sided hut. At this point I will beg if needed, or just hand over my credit card and say "take what ever".
One and a half hours later, smoothed, soothed and headed down the street for the tequila bus.
It doesn't suprise me that most of the Confrencees signed up for this excursion to Hacienda Doña Engracia. The opportunity to taste tequila in the area known for the world's best tequila is hard to pass up.
Since we were such a huge group, the tour was broken down into small managable tours. Of course, no one was complaing, since those not in the tasting rooms were enjoying a Mexican BBQ, dancers in colorful Mexican traditional clothing, arts & crafts and even a "dancing" horse.
The tour starts out in the orignial "factory" a small room where tequila was produced. Each step is demonstrated. No factory lines with bottles on a conveyor belt.
Then off to the tasting room. We're seated in rows and after each description of the type of tequila is presented, the smiling empoyees come to your row and pass out little containers of that type of tequila.
I don't remember how many of those little samples they gave us to try, but they were numerous. It also didn't help that I was still so relaxed from my spa treatments, and hadn't eaten since breakfast and this was now well afternoon. No is the answer to your "did she get wasted". Actually, common sense kicked in and I "halved" the little samples, or just sipped some that I tried but didn't like.
When it was mentioned that "this is the tequilla to put over ice cream my ears went to full alert. At the gift store my credit card did the same. I would have bought a case for gifts, then I remembered I had to get this back to Pennsylvania, where you can't ship liquor. Hmm. Down to the two bottles I'll pack in bubble wrap in my suitcase. Licor de Membrillo and Licor de Larzamora. Ok Ben & Jerrys - you just lost a customer for a while.
After the tour, the bus dropped us off in PV for some limited shopping time. "Bings? I asked Dennis and Sue. Yep, we headed straight there.
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