Las Brisas
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In 2007 Travel Age West gave Las Brisas Acapulco a recognition as the “Best Resort for a Romance Vacation in Mexico.” Romance is the main theme of this luxury resort. It is built into the rocks above Acapulco on the site of an ancient Spanish fortress, off the scenic highway that connects Acapulco on the bay side to Puerto Marques on the other. In that location, this grand hotel receives the breezes coming in from the sea, just as its name implies. The hotel is halfway between the old part of Acapulco and the airport, about 25 minutes from each. Las Brisas Acapulco is one of several properties operated by the Brisas Hotels and Resorts. The others are in other locations throughout Mexico, not all of them resort destinations.
The first thing that one notices upon entering the resort is its consistent use of a “pink and white” color scheme throughout, sometimes alleviated by a fuchsia or salmon tone. A fleet of pink and white jeeps provides transportation on- and off-site, and guests can rent them as well. Each guest has an individual "casita” (either duplex or standalone), which the hotel describes as “bungalow-style rooms” with a balcony view of all of Acapulco or out to the Pacific Ocean. Many casitas have their own private swimming pools. In all, there are 262 casitas, spread over the 110-acre garden property. Las Brisas recently celebrated a 50th anniversary with a $20 million dollar renovation (July 2007).
Hotel Information
Reception. Enjoy a complimentary pink margarita at the time of check-in, and then quickly take a jeep ride up to the casita.
Services. The hotel provides guests with one number (called “Brisas Express”), which can be used to request any service whatever. A single desk handles any and every guest request, from conventional concierge services to faxes, reservations (restaurant, fitness center or spa), housekeeping, laundry, valet, bell captain, jeep rental, transportation, messages, parking, activities, room service, and information about Acapulco Restaurants. Las Brisas operates a shuttle between the hotel lobby and La Concha Private Beach Club, departing every 20 minutes, sometimes more frequently. (The trip takes less than 5 minutes). Self-parking and valet parking are both available, and are complimentary. A physician has an office at the resort and is on call 24 hours. Guests requiring business services can obtain them from the on-site business center. Shops at the resort include places to buy Las Brisas logo clothing, a tobacco store, a jewelers, a gift shop, and the deli. On-site laundry and drycleaning is available. The front desk can provide safe deposit boxes. Help with travel reservations and car rentals is available from the concierge. The property is protected by security guards around the clock.
Guest rooms, called “casitas,” are flat-roof villa-like houses, painted in pink and white. They sit on an overlook nearly 1,000 feet above the level of the sea. There are five levels. Levels 1 through 3 are the single room casitas. On levels 4 and 5 the Brisas Beach Club rooms and the suites have a slightly better view and more amenities, including a completely private terrace and wine and hors d’oeuvres each evening. Children are welcome in the casitas on levels 1, 2 & 3, but not in the ones on the Brisas Beach Club level or in the suites (with a couple of exceptions).
All casitas are decorated in a modern style. Baths are marble and include a large shower. Some have a separate, step-down tub. Outside a terrace will be equipped with a chaise and a wet bar, in a garden surrounding. Each casita has its own pool (some are semi-private and others are private). Of the 251 Casitas, 210 have private (130) or semi-private (80) pools, and are one-bedroom accommodations. A choice between king size bed or twin beds is offered. These are on levels 1, 2 and 3. Thirty three of the casitas are on the Brisas Beach Club Level (4) and have private pools. The hotel also offers over 40 suites, some with Jacuzzis. They come in one- two- and three-bedroom configurations.
All rooms receive the daily Las Brisas breakfast (coffee, sweet rolls and fruit delivered to the room with a newspaper), daily Hibiscus flowers in the room and pool, and access to the Private Beach Club and La Concha restaurant. Many of the casitas have the latest in plasma TV’s and DVD players. The Brisas Beach Club level casitas and the suites include two glasses of wine and hors d’oeuvres daily. Other amenities in all casitas are premium cable TV, climate control air conditioning and a ceiling fan, Internet access, mini-bar, turndown service, robes, Gilchrist & Soames bathroom amenities, hair dryer, in-room child care (fee applies), smoking and non-smoking rooms, rollaway beds and cribs (fee may apply).
Consistent with management’s focus on guests' privacy, the breakfast and selected other room service deliveries are slipped into an insulated, two-door chamber next to the casita door. Guests can retrieve their breakfast whenever they wish.
Bellavista is the fine dining restaurant of Las Brisas. It is also open for a la carte breakfast from 7a to 11:30. Dinner is from 5 pm to 11 pm. Guests can choose between open air dining on the terrace, surrounded by flowers, or air conditioned dining in the glass-enclosed dining room. In either event, the spectacular view of Acapulco is there to be enjoyed. The menu is mainly modern, international cuisine. Examples of starters are the smoked salmon, escargot, or scallops and lobster in peanut ginger vinaigrette. Gruyere-encrusted sea bass, Mahi Mahi in garlic soy sauce, stuffed lobster and ginger roast duck are illustrative main dishes. (At night, guests are asked to dress less casually – no sandals, sneakers, shorts or t-shirts.)
La Concha Private Beach Club & Restaurant is found down on the shore below. The Beach Club offers two saltwater tide pools and a large freshwater pool with a swim-up bar. The is open every day for lunch, offering ceviche, crab or lobster salad, shrimp, fish, pizza and paella. At La Concha Bar a guest can order burgers and snacks.
The Sunset Bar is open from 5 pm to 8 pm to provide the right libation to watch the end of the day in an elegant setting.
“Romantic Dinner” is a special form of room service offered by Las Brisas with a menu of elegant, private dining options. Couples can "order in” their own private, candlelight dinner for two on the terrace or indoors. The menu includes gourmet meals and champagne. For really special events, the concierge can even arrange for a violin or a trio to stand by. The Deli Shop is open from 11 am to 7 pm and offers snacks, salads, wine and other drinks, to go.
On-site, the emphasis is on privacy and relaxation. Enjoy the casita pool or join others at the resorts main pools. Ride a jeep down to the private beach club on the shore, or while away time in the relaxing bars and restaurants. A spa will provide massages (including couples massage). At the Beach Club guests can rent equipment for snorkeling and kayaking. This desk also arranges outings for water skiing, fishing, and scuba-diving (either lessons or excursions).
For off-site activities, the concierge gladly assists guests in arranging both the activities and the transportation. They can be as simple as a trip into town for shopping or sightseeing, or they can be quite specific, such as a tee time or a yacht rental. Off-site activities are extremely varied. They can include a one-day trip to Taxco, or a hike in the Sierra Madres, surfing, horseback riding, and river trips on a jet boat.
Guests are also invited to go on a “Jeep Safari” with hotel staff. Each guest has a pink and white jeep in the convoy. The destination is Tres Palos, a large, fresh water lagoon about 20 minutes away. The Tres Palos Lagoon offers many opportunities for a close look at nature in a tropical setting – the trees, the water and the many species of tropical birds and other wildlife. Guests can make relaxed outings in a small boat, or they can compete in kayak races if they wish. Then the chef of Las Brisas serves a large buffet lunch with a full range of food choices. It is a day filled with food, drink, fun and games. Then, around 4 in the afternoon, the convey heads back to home base.
Guests can request a massage in their room (either single, or couples massage). A spa on the premises provides massages, facials and body treatments as well as a sauna and a steam room. The adjoining center is air conditioned and provides cardiovascular workout equipment and resistance machines. Special equipment is provided for the disabled. In the salon, guests can obtain hair cuts, shampoo, manicures and waxing.
Four well-known and highly regarded courses are within a few miles of the hotel, and the concierge can arrange tee times as required. Equipment rental is usually available at the courses. Tee times should be made well in advance during periods of high occupancy.
Las Brisas maintains three illuminated tennis courts. Fees apply. The concierge will take the reservations for a court.
Las Brisas has the staff and facilities for business meetings and retreats, accommodating groups of up to 280 persons. Event venues can hold up to 500 for receptions or conventions. Meeting rooms provide privacy, but still afford the magnificent views the hotel is famous for. Support services include audiovisual equipment and banquet catering, including food, drink, decorations, and entertainment if required. Las Brisas can offer several "theme parties" for special groups, including a traditional Mexican fiesta, a tropical luau, a Spanish flamenco-style theme, and a formal "black-and-white" theme. The minimum group is 50. Included are waiters' uniforms, decorations, drinks, food and music. La Concha Private Beach Club is one available venue for up to 800 people.
In addition to the individual plunge pools at the casitas, Las Brisas operates a large, “free-form,” fresh-water resort pool at the La Concha Private Beach Club. There guests also find two saltwater pools lined with rock and fieldstone. They are open to the bay enough to refresh the flow, but not enough to admit lots of sand or unwelcome sea life.
Las Brisas Acapulco offers different wedding packages including special rates for the guests and wedding party, a nuptial suite with champagne, floral arrangements, and a free night’s lodging for the couple’s first anniversary celebration. Civil ceremonies can be arranged in La Concha Private Beach Club, the Bellavista, or the terrace of El Mexicano. Religious ceremonies can be planned for the nearby (interdenominational) Chapel of Peace, just up the road, at the summit of Las Brisas. The banquets and receptions have many options, including bar and table service, uncorking service, drinks and food service, table decorations, tablecloths and stemware, and live music.
- The resort purifies its water.
- Extra-person charges may apply.
- Rollaways and cribs should be requested at booking (fees may apply.
- Photo identification and credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in.
- Pets are not allowed
- Check-in time is 3 pm and check-out time is 1 pm.