DECEMBER 2011……

Words cannot describe the joy and anticipation of spending our first Christmas with “Charlie”,

who, by the beginning of December had reached  the grand age of 1 month..!

However…! At 3.15a.m. on the 16^th December our little cottage in London burst into flame.

With us in it!!  A very harrowing experience, not to mention frightening… The good old London

Fire Brigade were fabulous, we were whisked off to hospital where most of the staff at this time in the morning were still enjoying a pre Christmas party…There we were, covered in smoke and in borrowed clothes, not hurt but very unhappy, the Nurses and doctors did their best to cheer us up whilst checking us out for carbon monoxide poisoning.

We were determined to put it all behind us somehow and enjoy all the festivities that Christmas brings: vowing to “revisit “the situation later; and Oh what chaos “Later “brought; not to mention despair at the realisation as to what we had lost.

In particular I who over the years have gathered a mass of Mexican mementos, from paintings to precious objects, to clothes and one of the most important things in my life. .My Cookery Books!!

 I have a great friend adored friend in Acapulco, Susanna palazuelos, her book “The Beautiful Cookbook” has sat by my sofa for many years for me to turn the pages whenever I felt in need of comfort and some Mexican solace!  The book is exquisitely written with gorgeous pictures of food and places.  Now it is no more!!. I will have to go thru to Amazon to re purchase!!

 The situation has been helped by the efficient, smooth and still very encouraging services offered by CHURCHILL insurance, and CRAWFORDS their loss adjusters. I have nothing but praise for these Companies and their caring staff.

We are currently residing in a Hotel with no immediate signs of returning home… (More on this later)…!

Reservations, special itineraries and general enquiries for Mexico have surged during January, almost like the “old” days…..Long before the “Internet” which I personally loath!!  Clients would call to ask questions and then plan their holiday, honeymoon, business trip or whatever... We have always fitted the programme around the Clients’ specification, rather then recommend a Hotel because we “had a good price”

 Or/because it was an easy booking situation, or “  it was in the computer” and all of that stuff!  It has always been like putting a patchwork quilt together piece by tiny piece and I am so very pleased to say that these situations seem to be coming back.

Trailfinders, Travel Counsellors, and fellow Tour Operators plus  specialised travel Agents are all hungry for knowledge .

There is nothing I like better than to talk about “My” Mexico!  Although I am somewhat computer illiterate , I am a fan of

“Trip Advisor” and do spend time comparing  notes ,which normally  tally with our findings.

Belize, Guatemala and Cuba are getting a lot of attention… Cuba for the obvious reason that Havana still remains virtually the same, but perhaps not for long… at the moment they are full until April!! Everyone should visit this fabulous place at least once in their life!. The Gorgeous MELIA Beach properties are hard to beat…if not the best!!

Belize and Guatemala are quite often now combined with Mexico. Clients can be collected from Tulum and driven to Chetumal for entry into these two fabulous destinations…..

Back to MELIA we  had  Clients staying at the new Playa del Carmen resort  over Christmas..

We had people at AMARTE [www.maromahotel.com]another of my personal favourites  with my good friends Jose Luis and Sally the original creators of Maroma (Now owned by Orient Express)  Amarte is situated  next door to Maroma……PLEASE VISIT IT IS TRULY BEAUTIFUL…

Maroma is actually a stretch famous Beach so the other “Maromas” ( AM resorts or Orient Express)  along this piece of coast line make life difficult sometimes in identifying things.  

We had yet more reservations for my adored PUELBLA……    I hope to visit during my next trip..

This planned trip is to Puerto Vallarta ! The famous Travel Market TIANGUIS has been held in Acapulco for many years but this year, first time ever

Destination is changed… I love my Acapulco and LAS BRISAS…. I will miss staying here…..

I will however be spending some days at LAS ALCOBAS in Mexico City…..I did promise in my last Blog ..More information so here it is…..

The Art of Hospitality, defined…… How true this is ..!!

So apply this to Las Alcobas in every way.!!

I spend a lot of time always in the  fashionable Polanco district of Mexico City. This beautifully designed hotel is simply sumptuous.

35 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furnishings and the finest bedroom linens

A two-bedroom suite and three penthouses featuring  terraces overlooking the city.

Total mini spa bathroom environment with rain showers, whirlpool and steam jets in each guest room; suites and penthouses include the above plus steam room in shower area.

Personalised Alocabas “experiences”.

State-of-the-art technology available in every room.

Marble and glass lobby with ambiance of a cascading water fountain.

Exclusive location near designer boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs along Polanco’s chic Presidente Masaryk Avenue

Shopping, shopping,  and more shopping!! And I should know!! From Zara to Valentino!!

Award-winning chef Martha Ortiz specialising in festive and traditional Mexican food in two venues, Dulce Patria and Barroco.   

Personalised host service for every guest. (To me this is personal concierge….   . 

Office news….

Yurena is back from maternity leave… Anna has left on maternity leave (one in, one out!!)….Anthony our “Star” intern just gets better and better under our tutelage!!!  

 What would I do without our stalwart colleagues at Steamond …….. Marcio (Bless him) Rowland (adored!!) Darryl (a genius!!)………  I must also give a very special mention to MR. RAY BLOCK.!!  IBERIA/BRITISH AIRWAYS !! Thank you Ray for all your help…. Always…

We are currently staying at the GRIMSDYKE HOTEL. [www.grimsdyke.com]. Peter works here also one day a week… This lovely countryside property  set in acres of woodland is just a joy… The original home of W.S. Gilbert of Gilbert & Sullivan Opera fame.  The rooms are beautifully decorated, the gardens and birdsong just make it a privilege to be a guest here. As one who never eats in the mornings... I have voted this the best breakfast in the World (Excluding Mexico of course!!)

More to Follow…..