HOTELS AT THE RIBERA part II

As the biggest hotel in Ajijic, Hotel Real de Chapala is similar in nature to Hotel Montecarlo, introduced to you on the last post; the gardens are immense, the pools and outdoor Jacuzzi are located right next to the lake shore, and the 80 rooms plus five suites are inviting and family friendly. The hotel is beautiful, but just like Hotel Montecarlo, its location is somewhat far from the town center and the beach promenade. Prices are very reasonable with rates starting at $1,300 pesos per night for two adults and two children under the age of 12 while a suite only admits two adults for $2,500 pesos per night.

Right on Ajijic’s center, there is La Nueva Posada, a hotel with Mexican colonial charm just a few steps away from Ajijic’s lake promenade. Committed to excellence, La Nueva Posada makes guests feel right at home by offering excellent customer service and cozy rooms that can be bright and energetic or pastel and soothing; 19 suites and 4 villas make up the hotel along with a beautiful roof garden, a refreshing garden right next to the shore, and a private pool. This hotel is a favorite for American/Canadian visitors who want to escape their native weather without worrying about getting a place of their own; aside from their nightly rates, La Nueva Posada offers monthly rates with a 35% discount if paid full in cash. The monthly rate includes a full breakfast, daily maid service, wireless, cable, and local phone calls. Nightly rates at this hotel are probably the most affordable in the Ribera considering the elegance of the rooms; single rates can go from $65 to $85 dollars while double rates can range from $75 to $95 dollars and just like monthly rates, a good discount is applied if paid in full with cash.

The most luxurious yet least know hotel in the Ribera is SPA MonteCoxala; tucked in the mountains inside the so called Racket Club, Monte Coxala displays all the elements of a 5-star hotel with an economical tag. The location of Coxala is the key of its success; the mountains provide breathless views of the lake while San Juan Cosalá, the town were both the club and the hotel are located, is known for its natural thermal waters. There is not much I can say about this hotel that will make justice to the beauty of Monte Coxala; to believe it you have to see it. Its 11 rooms are luxurious without going overboard; white is the main color of the rooms with rattan furniture, and balconies, chimneys, and Jacuzzis are features of some of the rooms. The outside has many thermal pools and special baths, enormous gardens, fountains, pyramids, and restaurants. Being a SPA, Monte Coxala also offers many treatments for the skin, mind, and body, going from the traditional Swedish massage and aromatherapy, to more exotic treatments such as exfoliations with Mezcal-Lima crystals and a Xocotequila body wrap. Prices per room range from $2,200 to $2,800 pesos during weekdays while the weekends can go from $2,500 to $3,200 pesos. Since Monte Coxala is considered to be a place of relaxation and meditation, no children are allowed inside the premises.     

“[El Chante] Spa Hotel has the exact combination between pure air, herbs, flowers, thermal waters, stones, minerals, magic and mysticism, which makes an authentic experience of physical, mental and spiritual well-being.” That is how El Chante Spa Hotel describes itself and guests cannot do anything but agree; mysticism is definitely in the air, magic and comfort combine in harmony in every room, and world renowned therapies treat the mind, the body, and the soul. 19 charming suites with a mountain or lake view will make you feel pampered and loved; as a plus for all of you music lovers, the suites are equipped with a Bosse surround system that speaks for itself. However, what makes this SPA hotel stand-out is the range of world treatments. Oxygen, Ayurvedic, Obsidian, Polynesia Massage, and Kunda vi are some of the 25 therapies offered by this exclusive Spa. 28 treatments complete the Spa services offered by El Chante and this include exfoliations, facials, body wraps, and thermal baths. Aside from that, the hotel also has a built-in beauty salon for manicures, pedicures, hair-cuts, and make-up. For nightly rates and Spa information call 01 (800) 821 9757.

Make sure to choose carefully from the hotels I have given you today; while El Chante and Monte Coxala are amazing, their exclusiveness makes them hard to reach and far from town centers, so if you are thinking about exploring without a car, perhaps Real the Chapala and La Nueva Posada are the best options; the same can be said about families with small children.