I recently spent 19 days staying at the Brisas del Mar. This hotel has very recently undergone an ownership and management change, and when I stayed in late October, they were about halfway through a major renovation to update the rooms and facilities. You can get to it either by the lower level gate that opens onto Amapas (involves ramps and stairs, not for the faint of heart or those with respiratory issues), or a 30 peso taxi ride from the south side to the front door, which is located off Hwy 200, behind the Condominios Manzana. If your taxi has trouble locating it, tell him it is the same turnoff as the main entrance to the Torre Malibu.

The rooms at the Brisas are all suites - all have a full kitchen with full size fridge, stove, toaster, coffee maker, utensils and cooking pots/pans, dining table, small sofa, and separate bedroom in the back. Each room has a terrace balcony that face the ocean, and the rooms on the 3rd and 4th floor have full unobstructed views of the whole bay looking out over the top of the Playa del Sol condominiums on Amapas. Air conditioning in the bedrooms and kitchen/sitting area, as well as ceiling fans.

I stayed my first week in a second floor unit as there was a large group booked into the top two floors. Mark, the manager, couldn't have been more accommodating - he had reserved us (my friend and I) into 2 units on the fourth floor, but because of the last minute group booking, moved us to the 2nd floor and gave us complimentary breakfast and happy hour drinks for the first week. While the room was clean and functional, I could see it was definitely going to be better when Mark updated the interiors. When the group went home, he moved us to the fourth floor.

The newly redone rooms are spacious and very nicely appointed, with a soft tangerine colour on the walls, and lovely colourful art. And a first in Mexico for me - a truly comfortable bed! It was a huge king size with wonderful new fluffy pillows, a large closet and dresser, two nightstands and a tv. The bathrooms were large, with a good sized shower. Hot water was spotty some mornings but if I let it run while I brushed my teeth, within a few minutes it was fine. The bathrooms could use some updating (maybe another coat of paint, new shower door and lighting) but they were ruthlessly clean. I've been in nicer hotels where the bathrooms were worse, so it's not much of a complaint.

The pool is the perfect size to laze on a float, and dip to cool off. It has a charming little footbridge over it, and is surrounded by a massive - and I mean MASSIVE - pool deck, that has a ton of sunshine, as well as shady areas if you've had your fill. There is a small palapa style bar and restaurant, which gives you a stunning view of the bay in the mornings.

While the hotel wasn't without it's hiccups, I took into consideration there was an awful lot of work being done to make it a better place. The staff are wonderful and speak excellent English (except the housekeeping staff, but they are learning). I was given an excellent deal to stay there even though it was only about half done, so I knew what I was letting myself in for, no surprises. The hotel also shares their pool deck and entrances with the condominiums below them, which are also being renovated and available for rentals.

This is an "all persons welcome" hotel, and all are welcomed with open arms. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to friends, and I can't wait until next October when I see the finished product.