Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Taking the Waters at Ixtapan de la Sal...

Ixtapan de la Sal is a little spa town not far from Mexico City well-known for its curative waters ever since salt water was first discovered here centuries ago by ancient travellers on their way to Tenochtitlan (the first city where Mexico City is located today.) With nothing much to do other than to undergo spa treatments, massages, and bathe in the thermal pools, it is the perfect destination for a really chilled out, relaxing weekend; especially if you take advantage of one of the special deals at the Marriot Hotel...

The Marriot is an incredibly spacious hotel set deep into a hillside overlooking a beautiful green valley, with extensive gardens hosting all kinds of butterflies and humming birds. It has numerous terraces to sit and admire the view, plus a lovely quiet pool as the separate children's pool complete with pirate ship and water slides hives off any noise that may interrupt your relaxation. It doesn't at all feel like an anonymous, impersonal place to stay, as throughout the hotel are the most beautiful displays of rich Mexican folk art pieces...

Up the road from the Marriot you can visit the memorial garden dedicated to the town's benefactor Don Arturo Ramon who was responsible for setting up the Hospital, Spa and Water Park, and the Ixtapan Spa Hotel and golf Resort in the 1940's and 1950's. It is a lovely oasis and tranquil retreat complete with gardens and museum...

The town itself is a very ordinary little sprawling working-class Mexican town with churches, small businesses, lots of timber yards and carpentry workshops, taco joints and cantinas, plus brightly-coloured two storey concrete cube houses. There are also a lot of empty run-down vacant lots and makeshift shacks...

Most visitors come here to play golf, go horse-riding, attend conventions or weddings, or relax at the spa and water park. If you forget your inflatables for the water park, do not despair as there are hundreds for sale at the market near the entrance...


Ixtapan de la Sal is a two hour journey south-west of Mexico City. It can easily be reached by bus from Poniente (89 pesos) and buses run every hour on the hour. The Marriot deal is 99USD per night per room.

6 comments:

A Cuban In London said...

I just love your collages. They are amazing. And the spa looks fabulous, too. Many thanks.

Greetings from London.

Catherine said...

Thanks for the vote of confidence in the collages - I am of course helped by a wonderfully photogenic country!!

Fly Girl said...

Thermal pools and folk art? Sounds like my idea of paradise.

Álvaro said...

It seems to be a great place. Thank you for sharing.
Greetings from Spain.

Catherine said...

Hi Fly Girl - thought it might appeal - and this week I have posted the yellow and pink hotel just for you...

Catherine said...

Hi Alvaro - thanks for stopping by...do you know Mexico at all??