Local Love and Thalasso Therapy

Posted by Staff in Live Reports, Mexico

Today I had the chance to tour some residential neighborhoods, just five minutes away from the strip of high-rise hotels that dot the shore. Though less than five miles from the coast, these homes are nestled in winding, hillside streets, lush with flora brought on by the rainy season.  Quiet, peaceful, and far different from the typical expectations of life in a resort town, Ixtapa has bike paths, well-paved roads, gorgeous views of the ocean and mountains, a crocodile estuary and ecological reserve, Parque Aztlan.

By lunchtime, clouds were threatening to put a damper on the afternoon, but after about 2 hours, and some heavy rain,  the sun was peeking through again. I had a light lunch of ceviche while I waited for the storm to pass and then headed to test the waters at Loma La Mer, a luxury boutique hotel that has the only open-air Thalasso spa in all of Mexico.

Thalasso, from the Greek word thalassa, refers to the ancient therapeutic use of seawater. Loma La Mer has a pool filled with the stuff, and is set up with individual hydro-tubs and forceful jet streams aimed right at your most tense areas for an effective hydro massage. The hotel has only 16 luxurious suites that overlook gardens, waterfalls, an adjacent golf course and nature reserve. A gorgeous spa and restaurant make this property one of the most impressive in all of Ixtapa. It will open to the public as of November 1, 2009.  For more information about Loma Del Mar visit www.lomadelmar.com.

~Vanessa Torres, reporting live from Ixtapa