New in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo on the Tropical Mexican Pacific:
LOMA DEL MAR HOTEL Inaugurates its Premier
Thalasso Spa and Wellness Center – the Most Extensive in North America
Terraced on a forested hillside (loma) above Ixtapa, Mexico, sixteen luxurious suites of the privately owned Loma del Mar Resort Hotel overlook the property’s gardens, waterfalls, swimming pools with lounge areas, palapa-topped bar and restaurant, and the adjacent Palma Real Golf Course and nature reserve.
A million-dollar enhancement completed in September 2008 has transformed this resort hotel into a premier Thalasso Spa and Wellness Center, designed in collaboration with one of Europe’s longest-established and most prestigious wellness spas with a concept engineered specifically for Loma del Mar. Wellness programs created and supervised by eminent European medical spa director, Jose Luis Guijarro, Doctor of Endocrinology and Nutrition, offer a selection of 1, 7, or 14 day stays focusing on rejuvenation, anti-aging and anti-stress therapies, exercise and toning, beauty treatments and customized diet.
The centerpiece of the extensive wellness spa facilities is the thalassotherapy seawater swimming pool. (Thalasso comes from the Greek word thalassa refers to the ancient therapeutic use of seawater. Spa is the acronym for Sanus per Aquam in Latin, meaning “health through water”). The cobalt-blue mosaic-tile pool, 68 feet long with 1,580 square feet of surface area, is outdoors, taking advantage Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo’s perpetually sunny tropical climate. The meticulously filtered crystal-clear pool is equipped with multiple therapeutic (and recreational) state-of-the-art equipment: four hydro beds for floating upon bubbles; four hydro massage seats, two tile-enclosed “volcano” chambers with underwater massaging air jets rising from the pool bottom, and a vigorous jacuzzi “island” within the pool. Distributed along the pool edge spouting water from above: four double-spout hydro jets. two gooseneck water jets, and two duckbill-spout waterfalls, all for various degrees of head, neck and shoulder massage.. Finally, five stationary neck rests offer support for in-pool repose.
A separate, smaller thalasso pool, round with a 40-ft diameter, contains a higher degree of salt concentration in the seawater for flotation therapy amid bubble jets.
Nearby, set between Andalusian-white walls of the hotel building, the 30-ft long “reflexology water path” is for walking ankle deep in fresh water over smooth white stones. The path is lined on both sides with continuous jets of water focused on the lower legs, and ends at a platform for standing under two soothing spouts pouring water from high above.
Steps away, two fresh-water showers of multiple horizontal rings encircle the body spray spraying thousands of needle-thin water jets.
In tree-shaded privacy, additional spa treatment facilities include two smooth stone massage-treatment tables, each with a row of Vichy showerheads above for head-to-toe spray. A separate hydro massage tub is adjustable for multiple treatments and therapies.
Most of this leading edge spa equipment was imported from Spain exclusively by Loma del Mar.
Al fresco in the garden, two retro claw-foot bathtubs are enjoyed for milk and flower baths, Cleopatra style.
Inside a separate spa building, a hallway with changing colors of dim light leads to the Temperature Contrast treatment alcove. A marble basin filled with crushed ice for rubbing on the body, and two large-head cold showers are for intense cooling before entering the adjacent sauna room on one side and a hamam-style Turkish steam bath on the other.
In addition to the thalasso and spa facilities, a separate 100-foot-long infinity-edge freeform freshwater swimming pool features two overhead fluvial duckbill spouts and two jet spouts for neck and shoulder hydro massage. At one end of the pool, a jovial swim-up bar has submerged barstools enveloped by thousands of tiny bubbles from gentle jets.
Loma del Mar’s chalk-white curvilinear architecture with red-tile roofs, inspired by both Mexican Pacific design and Andalusian whitewashed villages, graced the “chic retreat” cover photo of Continental Airlines in-flight magazine(December 2007 issue)
The hotel’s spacious one- and two-bedroom suites have living and dining areas, verandas, custom contemporary furnishings, and an array of luxury amenities.
From the wide terraces of their suites, guests enjoy views of the adjacent golf course, tropical forest, and the imposing backdrop of the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains, as well as morning sounds of songbirds and spectacular sunrises. Tree-shaded paths meander through the resort’s five-acre property. At night the grounds are illuminated with torches, a thousand tiny lights, and by the “chromotheraputic” changing colors glowing in all three swimming pools.
Ideal for couples and honeymooners are three one-bedroom penthouses, or the one-bedroom presidential suite with a private outdoor minipool adjacent to the terrace.
Especially appealing for families: “two-plus” bedroom suites have one bedroom with a king-size bed, another bedroom with two full beds, plus a small bedroom with two single beds, as well as two full baths, a large living room, dining area and kitchen. Just up the hill, next to a scenic zip line for adventurous guests, is a supervised kid’s playground with games and activities. Babysitters are available.
Loma del Mar appeals to golfers because of is location alongside the 14th hole of Ixtapa’s Palma Real Golf Course. Golfing guests receive special amenities and easy access to the course (a golf cart takes them to the nearby clubhouse for tee-off). There is no need to wait until the “19th hole”. Right there on the 14th hole they simply park their cart at Loma del Mar and enjoy drinks, ceviche and taco delicacies made with hand-made tortillas. Characteristic of its Robert Trent Jones Jr. design, this 18-hole, par 72 course harmonizes with its original setting: a former coconut plantation carefully transformed into a protected nature reserve with lagoons, tropical fruit trees, flowers, and wildlife including cranes, cardinals and other exotic birds, iguanas, and even alligators that live in certain water traps (they keep to themselves).
Appropriately, Loma del Mar offers three distinct niche-market Getaway Packages: Romance, Family and Golf: www.lomadelmar.com/packages.htm
For small meetings, the vast living rooms of the suites feature a wall-mounted 42-inch plasma TV screen to which a laptop can be connected (VGA cable provided) for presentations, internet projections (the entire resort has complimentary wifi), sales and think-tank usage, as well as international video conferencing capabilities. Next to the screen is a full home-entertainment multi-speaker audio-DVD system. Special seating can accommodate up to 20 persons for video-monitor viewing, and approximately 40 with customized setup.
The loveliest section of Ixtapa’s main beach, the south end of soft-sand Playa del Palmar, is a pleasant four-minute walk from the hotel along the edge of the golf course, or a quick ride via golf cart. A special beach lounging area is exclusively for Loma del Mar guests for swimming, sunning, sunset cocktails, and even weddings.
The poolside palapa-topped Luna de Shiva Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is known for both its innovative continental cuisine and high Mexican-Zihuatanejo-style gastronomy. Mint, cilantro and papaya are naturally grown in the resort’s own orchards. Catch-of-the day seafood and other specialties are innovatively prepared by Chef Jorge García.
Just up the hill, atop a 215-foot cliff overlooking Ixtapa’s coastline, the romantic Argentine-style Restaurant La Pampa specializes in choice cuts of beef and is open for dinner.
Room service is superb, whether breakfast, lunch or candlelight dinner.
Spectacular banquets and fiestas can be set up in the gardens or poolside, and staff wedding planners organize weddings on the grounds or on the beach.
Water skiing, parasailing, windsurfing and kayaking are available, and there is world-class surfing and bodysurfing both nearby and up the coast . The concierge arranges sportfishing, scuba diving, horseback riding, romantic sunset cruises, and visits to the charming bayside Mexican town of Zihuatanejo, just 4 miles down the coast.
Rates for 2008 range from $485/night Luxury Suite (Summer 6/1-10/1) to $763/night Presidential Suite (Winter 12/17-03/31), single or double occupancy, plus government tax and service.
Loma del Mar is one of Mexico’s newest members of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Sales and marketing for Loma del Mar are under the auspices of Miami-based VDS Marketing; 848 Brickell Avenue; Miami FL 33131; tel (305) 377-1375, fax (305) 377-4461. Contact director Michael Cojocea at mike@vdsmarketing.com (VDS Marketing previously owned and marketed the former Villa del Sol resort in neighboring Zihuatanejo.)
Executive Director of Loma del Mar is Jose E. Montilla III, C.H.A. jmontilla@lomadelmar.com
For reservations and information, contact Esperanza Rios, sales manager, at the resort: toll-free from USA: (866) 496-1082, or +52 (755) 555-0460; fax +52 (755) 55-0461 res@lomadelmar.com
Resort website: www.lomadelmar.com
LOMA DEL MAR is located in Ixtapa.
Address: Loma del Mar Hotel; Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, 40880 (Guerrero State), Mexico
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Media relations: Frank (“Pancho”) Shiell / Shiell Communications, New York; tel (212) 242-2204, fax (212) 504-2662 fshiell@verizon.net (Editors: high- and low-res photos available).
Oct 2008
LIVE WELL!
