Las Brisas

Much of the low-key glamor and exotic charm that made Acapulco the destination of choice for the beautiful people of the Fifties and Sixties has since been crowded out by a riot of speedy development. Today the seaside is alive with enormous megahotels and endless crowds. There are still a few pockets of the old Acapulco to be found, however — chief among them is Las Brisas, situated high on a hilltop overlooking Acapulco Bay, remote enough to provide a sense of exclusivity yet near enough to the action to avoid a sense of isolation.

That rarefied air is key to its charm, and Las Brisas is popular with honeymooners and other couples looking for a private and discreet escape, which in this case means leaving the kids behind. Its two-hundred-plus villas cover the hillside, with private pools between (almost one per room) and everything pink as far as the eye can see, from the interiors and exteriors of the casitas themselves to the jeeps that ferry guests about the property.

The rooms are handsome and well-appointed enough, but frankly they’re not the point — the point is the atmosphere, something most Acapulco hotels sorely lack. Facilities include not just the comical number of swimming pools, but a beach club as well, plus tennis, spa services and a pair of Mexican and international restaurants. As for nightlife, Acapulco’s main drag is close by — but if you’re like most Las Brisas guests, you’ll never see it.

How to get there:
Las Brisas is approximately a 15-minute drive from Acapulco–Alvarez International Airport.