Sadly, Tia and I are now returned from Mexico. Nary a drop of rain and only the faintest hints of cloud cover marked our stay. Temperatures were never above the lower 80s and never below the low 70s. It was idyllic. Of course, we were welcomed back by a delayed flight and 45 degrees and rain. Ah, home sweet home.
Dreams Villamagna is an all inclusive resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and our first experience with both that locale and type of resort. Overall, I think we wouldn't hesitate to do something like it again, though like all holidays, it had it's pros and cons.
The cons (to get them out of the way first):
- Evidently half of the economy of Mexico is built on time shares. They are a constant nuisance, but none more so than having to deal with them at our hotel. After a long wait to get into the country, we were funneled through 2 large rooms of people 'offering directions and assistance' that, fairly overtly, were trying to sell you excursions and time shares right at the airport. When you finally make it through, you go through another area where you are harassed for transport. Finally, once we got connected with our prearranged transport, we were shuttled off to the hotel. After check in, we were shuttled to get our 'spa certificates' which was an opportunity to try to get us interested in time shares (mind you, we had just traveled all day and had yet to so much as see the resort or our room). Once we finally freed ourselves of them, we made it to our room.......but they are situated next to the entrance of the only breakfast option, so you are asked EVERY day about the damn time shares. Annoying to say the least.
- The staff at the hotel were all degrees of good to excellent, with most every need met immediately. However, for reasons unclear, they offer no information about the resort, show you where nothing is, nor do they explain much of what is offered. Thankfully Tia is resourceful and we found out about bike/kayak rentals (free), the spa (beautiful), and the various restaurants, etc. But, strange that they wouldn't at least go over them, even tersely. I guess they are too busy hawking time shares.
- Towels: For some reason, for the first few days, we had to call and ask for additional towels. We weren't requesting anything odd mind you, but they only gave us one towel each of the first few days. It was strange. Then, later in the week, we often got more like 4. Odd.
Pros:
- All inclusive is nice. The food options were more than adequate for the week (though the quality was hit and miss) and the drinks were always available and the service from the bars was fast and friendly. It was surprising how varied and fairly upscale the dinners were as well. Though, nitpicking, it would have been nice if there was a little more 'authentic' Mexican food to be had. Again, nitpicking.
- The room was gorgeous (and we got a basic room) with a separate deep tub and a hot tub on the balcony. The room was incredibly spacious and, I thought, very clean. The only oddity being a separate toilet that had frosted glass 'walls' which became clear about 5 feet up and looked directly into both the shower and the room. So, if you aren't comfortable with whomever you are sharing the room with, it could be pretty awkward.
- The beach was pristine and, despite what we had read, very few vendors came up to you (and when they did, they were not pushy). Lush fine sand as far as the eye could see in either direction. The only downside (again with the nitpicking) was that it was one resort after another, with nothing else. So, if you wanted to say, shop or eat off site, you weren't going to be doing that there.
- The entertainment (always something nightly) was actually wonderfully varied and of good quality, especially the fire show and the circus (which we admittedly only saw a bit of).
- The spa was perhaps the most gorgeous I have ever seen with two warm pools, a hot and cold tub, a steam room, and all sorts of fun infused waters and snacks.
Other random things:
- Alaskan air will not be on my list of preferred airlines in the future. They were kind enough to hold a plane for 30 of us that would otherwise have missed our connection in San Fran, but only because the plane we were to depart on arrived so late into Puerto Vallarta. This plus unbelievably long check in lines both coming and leaving (nearly an hour each side). Just seems like they don't have it together.
- Despite the good food at the resort (the osso bucco being my highlight), it is still amazing how much incredible food you can get at the dumpiest places in Mexico. We had 4 tacos and a large bottled soda for $4 in downtown in a lovely little place tucked away from the main drag. Excellent. Have no idea why anyone would eat at the horrid places like Hard Rock or Senor Frogs instead.
- Taxis are like amusement park rides there. Holy crap they are insane. But, also incredibly cheap.
- Avocado and tequila ice cream = delicious!
- Hammocks are possibly the most amazing way to enjoy a tropical drink and the ocean breeze. So nice.
- Did you know that turning 35 moves you to an entirely different bracket on forms? Suck!
- I think we just found our newest pet-sitter. As much as we loved Reigning Pets (and we still do), Mo totally rocks! She took great care of our critters and house sat for us for barely any additional money and, to top it off, cleaned our whole place. It looks better than when we do it. There is something to be said to coming home to a clean house with new bedding etc. Can't say enough positive about her.
Well, back to reality. Time to start cooking our own food, wearing long pants and jackets, and getting up for work. Boo. More to come as always, especially after my meeting this Thursday with the nurse executive for the hospital. Should prove interesting.
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