Las Brisas Acapulco

Constructed
in the 1957, Las Brisas has become a local institution over the decades as well
as a symbol of Acapulco’s Golden Era glamour. Past guests at the hotel have
included everyone from Frank Sinatra and Natalie Wood, to John Travolta and
Denzel Washington. Many of the hotel’s celebrity guests are immortalized in the
lobby, their handprints set in pink cement and framed on the walls. Despite its
substantial history, the hotel doesn’t feel like some stuffy old grand dame. Instead it exudes a laid-back whimsy with its pink-and-white color scheme and retro-chic style. Wicker chairs are topped with pink cushions and placed on stone floors in the lobby. Staff
dressed in pink-and-white uniforms whiz around in matching jeeps, shuttling
guests across the 40-acre property or delivering room service orders -- deftly
balancing platters out of jeep windows on one hand while driving with the
other.The property is located in
the hills above Acapulco Bay, and every area is designed to make
the most of the exceptional views. The
hotel is built on a former Mexican fort, with stone walls lining the hillside
and antique cannons can be spotted here and there. Rooms that can accommodate children are
clustered in a single area of the property, helping to preserve the calm,
romantic ambience elsewhere for couples.

Las Brisas is set in a relatively isolated location, a
20-minute drive from Acapulco’s main tourist strip. Its neighbors include
other hotels and restaurants, but few are within walking distance of one
another. After five miles, the same road
transforms into busy Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán, which is packed with
restaurants, bars, and shops.The beaches of Playa Puerto Marques and Playa Condesa are
located about a 20-minute drive away in opposite directions. Acapulco International
Airport can be reached in a 20-minute drive. The Chapel of Peace viewpoint is
less than half a mile away from the hotel. 

Guest rooms
at Las Brisas feature the hotel’s signature pink-and-white color scheme. Plantation
shutters, wicker chairs, and pink-trimmed pillows impart a ‘50s ambience, which
is balanced by modern flat-screen TVs and clean-lined furniture. Wet bars are
found in wall-to-wall closets, or in cabinets out on the terrace. Rock-tiled
walls and lamps made from driftwood add an intriguing earthy element. This earthy
theme is picked up by the neutral-toned marble lining the walls and floors of
the large bathrooms. All bathrooms include basic showers and Neutrogena
bath products. Some suites feature rainfall showerheads and step-down baths,
along with additional rock wall tiling that creates a secret grotto-like
feeling.All rooms
offer terraces with private or semi-private plunge pools (semi-privates are
shared with one to three neighboring rooms). Housekeepers sprinkle hibiscus
blossoms into the pool water daily, and all terraces face towards Acapulco Bay
or the Pacific Ocean. The area is furnished with pairs of loungers as well as
tables and chairs shaded by simple tents. Terraces in some suites include large
outdoor seating areas and jetted tubs. 

Las Brisas has luxurious features that are in keeping with the rooms and views. On-demand
shuttles transport guests to the hotel’s La Concha Beach Club, which is located
less than a five-minute drive down the road. The club encompasses two enormous
saltwater pools (one of which was closed for renovation during our visit), which
face Acapulco Bay, as well as a freeform freshwater pool. There’s a
swim-up bar in the freshwater pool, in addition to a small snack shack. The
club also usually offers dining at La Concha restaurant, but it was closed
during our visit. The pool area is surrounded by a concrete deck dotted with
soft lounge chairs shaded by white beach umbrellas. The whole space is large enough
that it rarely feels crowded, even when the hotel is busy.Tiny open-air Sunset Bar is open for a few hours each evening
during sunset. There are some high-top chairs set along the small bar, but most seats
are lined up to face toward the Pacific Ocean. The views are equally
spectacular on the large terrace of Bellavista Restaurant, which overlooks
Acapulco Bay. Open for dinner and drinks, the chic interior area of the
restaurant features large windows that take advantage of the beautiful views.
Breakfast is typically offered at El Tulipan, but the restaurant was closed
during our visit. Bellavista offered breakfast service in its place.Room rates
include a daily continental breakfast of coffee and sweet rolls. Breakfast is
delivered to the magic box, a small two-door compartment outside the casita
that allows guests to pick-up deliveries at their convenience and without having to speak to staff. Many room rates
also include a welcome bottle of wine as well as hors d’oeuvres delivered to
the magic box at the evening of arrival. Free
Wi-Fi is available throughout, and the hotel’s meeting spaces can accommodate
groups ranging from 10 to 280 people.There’s a
moderate-size business center with leather couches, a few personal computers, and printing
facilities.The hotel’s cozy little spa
offers facials, massages, and body treatments. Next to the spa is a modern
fitness center with a universal gym, cardio machines, and lovely views over the
surrounding hills.