The Hotel Encanto, a 44-suite, luxury hotel on one of the highest cliffs of the Punta Diamante area of Acapulco, opened recently.
The independently owned and -managed hotel was designed by Miguel Angel Aragones, a well-regarded Mexican architect who used a white color scheme throughout the exterior and interior. The suites, decorated with custom-designed furniture, have oceanfront terraces; 22 of them have their own private pool. Rates start at $375 per night.
The Hotel Encanto is the latest in a flurry of luxury development in Acapulco, which in the 1950s was synonymous with glamour and famous as a getaway spot for Hollywood stars. The Banyan Tree Cabo Marques resort also is scheduled to open in the coming months.
"Acapulco is experiencing a rebirth with the development of the Diamante Zone. Hotel Encanto is proud to serve as the cornerstone of this revival by bringing with it a new level of world-class accommodations to the destination's most exclusive area," Mariana Aragones, the Hotel Encanto's general manager, said in a statement.
Monica Patino, a chef who made her name in Mexico City, joined the Hotel Encanto as the executive chef for the property's three dining establishments.
Flor de Mar 360°, the hotel's signature restaurant, features a menu spotlighting local cuisine that incorporates Asian flavors. Other dining options at the hotel include the Lounge, which affords views of Acapulco and Puerto Marques Bay, and La Tienda, a food shop that sells treats created by Patino, including chocolate-covered fruits and unique jams.
The hotel also features a fitness center, library, movie theater, business center, pool, meditation garden, spa and two spaces for wedding ceremonies that have views and can accommodate up to 700 people. The Hotel Encanto has already gained membership in Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Hotel details can be found at www.hotelencanto.com.mx/inicioss.html.