Las Brisas, Acapulco

Las Brisas Acapulco screams “notice me” from the moment you drive through the hotel’s porte cochere and spot the hot pink hibiscus flower logo, till you’re ensconced in your “casita” high above the city 15 minutes later. And you should! The hotel is right out of a dream and it deserves attention. The iconic property has deep roots in Acapulco’s Golden Era having been built in 1957 at the dawn of the development of the Diamante area that lured the wealthy and powerful to this city’s beaches, restaurants and discothèques.  It doesn’t hurt either that the property chose a signature hue and worked it like it was walking down the catwalk. Remember when Kay Thompson crooned “Think pink!” to her editorial staff in the classic fashionista film, Funny Face?  Las Brisas took that direction to heart and literally enveloped everything in the hotel with its signature color. Including taking a cue from the Hollywood Walk of Fame and having the framed hand prints of visiting celebrities in pink cement.  It’s kitschy cool and will keep you ogling the numerous examples in the lobby while waiting for a taxi.

 

The property’s “power pink” paired with a palette of whites that only Calvin Klein could master, translates to a total look in both the public and private spaces as well as in the staff’s uniforms. Even the cute little jeeps that boogie around the hotel’s hilly grounds weren’t spared. Imagine it in the bright Acapulco sunlight … eye popping. And the color does wonders for the staff’s complexion.  Ever see an army of olive skinned Mexican men with jet black hair wearing pink tunics and white pants everywhere you turn? Talk about eye candy, girls! And all of them are utter professionals at your service; it’s almost like having a team of personal assistants.

 

But that’s just the tip of the (pink) iceberg. You’re whisked up the hill in one of the pink and white jeeps named after celebrities (our favorite was Keanu Reeves) to your private “casita” hideaway, a little house with a pink and white striped roof that you’ll settle into quickly. Designed with a nod to nature, the 251 casita suites are fitted out with cool masonry walls and flooring, Carrera marble baths, wall to wall closets, plantation shutters and all white furnishings. Lamps fashioned from driftwood with big rectangular shades anchor wall to wall built-in king sized beds adjoining a hot pink wall. Wicker seating with pink cushions and lampshades trimmed with pink complete a perfect picture of cool resort décor. That is, except for white linens piped in pink, throw pillows embroidered with pink hibiscus and a fully stocked wet bar and refrigerator behind a corner closet door, a nice touch if you’re thinking about an impromptu cocktail party.

 

And you may want to do just that once you step outside on your massive terrace and check the view. There’s nothing else like it in Acapulco. Las Brisas is touted as the only Acapulco hotel with a full view of the entire Acapulco Bay. And if you’ve ever seen that bay, that is some view. Why not slip into a suit pronto and have a soak in your flower strewn private pool because (no kidding) Acapulco is HOT, and I mean all year long. Hard to believe, but the grounds of the hotel which is perched on five levels, harbor a total of 210 swimming pools!

 

When sunset calls, call for Keanu and head straight for the Sunset Bar with alfresco seating facing that view and the show.  En route you’ll discover the stunning grounds, an enclave of chic hillside bungalows surrounded by a medieval wall of epic proportions, dotted with pink and white turrets and guard houses and landscaped with mature palms. It’s dreamy and even more so when you have the bar’s signature pink margarita in hand.

 

After the multicolored spectacle has left you breathless, stroll down to your casita to find a tray of canapés waiting in your Magic Box, a secret compartment adjacent to the entrance with latched glass doors on both sides. There, every morning, a butler will have quietly deposited a pot of steaming coffee and a basket of fresh baked sweet rolls. Never have I been so happy to wake up (especially with a morning swim in the pool beckoning).  Las Brisas has thought of everything; now if only you could convince them to leave your mark in pink cement. Talk about a photo for your Facebook page!

 

A few words about the extra perks:

 

• Las Brisas has a bayside beach club a 10 minute shuttle down the cliff, constructed on the water making it both natural and luxurious.  Here you can lunch on ceviche, fresh fish and Mexican specialties at La Concha and even at the swim-up bar in the salt water pool. And don’t forget to pop into the adjacent “Pink Shop” and pick up a copy of their fabulous coffee table book, LAS BRISA ACAPULCO, HISTORY OF AN ICON.

 

• A full breakfast is served at El Tulipan, the property’s sky high restaurant adjacent to the tennis courts with a spectacular view of the bay.  Order one of the (6) amazing power juices.

 

• Every bath at the hotel includes a loaded amenities basket with a natural loofah sponge and even a toothbrush. Wow!

 

• Nightly turn-down with chocolates, of course.

 

*When reserving, think about grabbing one of the 15 Master Jacuzzi Suites.  These are duplexes with outdoor Jacuzzis, double the living space and newly renovated baths with double rain showers set under full size skylights.  Because nobody really likes showering alone.