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Manzanillo, Mexico |
| Ken & Sue - March 2007 |
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Punta Serena is one of the best kept secrets in the travel
business! It had a natural beauty beyond anything we expected. The web photos
couldn't capture the real beauty of the place. The ambiance is one of true
serenity. We would sit nude in one of the two hot tubs perched on a cliff
overlooking the Pacific and watch dolphins play in the surf at sundown. The
food was excellent and well presented. The open-air restaurant was wonderful,
the staff very friendly, helpful and patient with our rudimentary Spanish.
There were more guests from Mexico than from the USA or Canada, which we found
enriching. Everyone could try their English or Spanish out. We found language
to be no big problem.
This place is geared for rest and relaxation. If
you are a party animal, this place is not for you. There is no entertainment on
the premises at night (except for the cute raccoon-like animals that come up to
the lounge area and will eat out of your hand) but there was a stage show every
night at Blue Bay Resort next door, where there are also water sports,
horseback riding and a riverboat ride available at no extra charge.
The facilities are old, but kept very clean and nice. The grounds are
absolutely beautiful with brightly colored flowers and tropical vegetation. The
room was quite a nice size with a balcony overlooking the ocean and a hammock.
We were told when we arrived that we could be nude in the pool, around
the pool, in any of the 3 Jacuzzis, the saunas or steam rooms and of course at
the private beach. Some people wore bathing suits, we did not, and no one
seemed to be uncomfortable with the situation, we each just did our own thing.
We only wore clothes to and from these places and for dining.
There
were only around 7 couples there for most of our stay so it was never difficult
to find a lounge chair at the beach or pool. Everyone was very nice and we
quickly made friends to hang around with. All and all we were shocked at how
inexpensive this place was compared with other all-inclusive resorts. We're
almost afraid to tell other people how good it is because then more people will
go and the price might go up. But the place is so wonderful, we felt we had to
give them an excellent report. We would definitely return! |
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| Michael & Mary Lynn - June 06 |
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First of all it is an easy flight to Manizillo, only 2.5
hours from Houston. There is a 40 minute taxi ride to the resort. $58.
Francisco was waiting for us to arrive and we were warmly greeted with Punta
Serena cocktails - delicious. We got a king bedroom. It was large and very
clean. Loved the balcony with hammock overlooking the ocean.
Freancisco took us on a tour, expalined the sweat lodge, morning yoga, spa
services, jungle boat tour and horsebackriding which are free. You can also
visit the restaurant and disco at the neighboring Blue Bay resort. The
restaurant "the reef" was very good - definately recommend it. There is no
extra charge to eat at that restaurant.
The resort was quite clean and
nicely appointed. You can tell that the resort is a few years past its prime,
but the employees take great pride in keeping their resort in good condition.
The pool area was colorful with flowers and very relaxing with the
ocean breaking in the background. The hot tubs were awesome! They clung to the
rocks above the ocean for a spectacular view!
The spa services were
wonderful. We enjoyed messages on the open air deck overlooking the ocean.
The food was good, especially for an all inclusive resort. No buffets,
but ala carte dining and service was very good and presentation one of the best
I've seen in a Mexican or Carribean resort. My only disappointment was that I
am a wine lover and there was not a great selection. Either red or white.
Watching the dolphins play in the bay while we ate breakfast was
probably the best part of our day - Incredible! Lots of wildlife around the
resort.
We would definatly recommend Punta Serena for anyone looking
for a relaxing vacation. Of course there are lots of activites too, as well as
nude beach and topless pool. Something for everyone.
You may want to
brush up on your Spanish, as most of the staff speaks little English. We were
solomente Americanos. The majority of guests were from Mexico with a few
Europeans.
Enjoy Punta Serena. |
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| tanline - November 2005 |
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We visited Punta Serena in November of 2005 and had a
wonderful time.
We flew into Manzanillo at night and then rented a
car. We underestimated the time it would take to get to the hotel and the road
conditions. The drive took about an hour and the roads were extremely curvy. It
was a very dark and tense ride as we were tired from the trip.
We
eventually made it to the hotel and were happy to find the night person waiting
for us. They knew exactly who we were and had everything ready to go. As it was
late, the kitchen was closed but they opened it for us and had dinner sent to
our rooms along with drinks to calm my nerves after the drive.
The
rooms were ok, I really can't complain. I think you have to understand that you
are in the middle of nowhere and accept that.
The view from the
restaurant and pool is the most beautiful view there is. Because the hotel is
elevated you can see the complete bay. It is so relaxing. One could sit there
forever and just enjoy the view with a nice drink.
There is another
hotel on the right side of Punta Serena. Guests can go to that hotel and enjoy
their services as well for free. We took the horseback ride, went to the disco
a couple of times and watched their show. It was nice, and a good break from
Punta Serena which is very serene and quiet.
The nude beach was great;
just a few people used it while we were there. Sometimes we had the whole beach
to ourselves. The pool area was nude, topless and people wore bathing suits as
well. It all depended on the person. No one seemed to care what people wore. We
would spend the mornings at the nude beach and then go up for lunch at 12. Most
people were sitting on the sun deck nude and about half of the people at the
pool were nude. After lunch we would go back to the nude beach until 3 then
come back up to the pool. We would usually get a drink and look at the view. We
would swim and layout nude.
The hot tubs are in a great and scary
location. It feels as if they are going to fall of the side of the hill into
the ocean. Most people go into the hot tubs nude. They are not really that hot,
so I would call them warm tubs. Luckily it was so hot there it didn't really
matter. It is really a great place to sit and watch the ocean and the waves.
The food is ok; they need to change the menu more.
The
service is ok; I think it's important to remember that this place is in the
middle of nowhere. It is beautiful though, but there is nothing to do at but
relax and enjoy the company.
Contact us if you have any questions
b0x3r@yahoo.com |
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