From the moment I walked through the door of my terrace suite at La Casa Que Canta, I was feeling the love.
Reds, pinks, greens and yellows popped on the crisp, white bedding. Upon closer inspection, I realized that these hues were actually fresh flower petals, arranged delicately to form a beautiful swan. She, along with the bottle of tequila and fresh limes perched on my nightstand, seemed to welcome me home.
Spanish for “the house that sings,” La Casa Que Canta in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, is appropriately named. It’s quaint enough to make clients feel as if they’re staying in someone’s home and close enough to the water that waves can be heard crashing into the cliffs along Zihuatanejo Bay, singing — or rather, lulling — guests into sweet slumber.
Often grouped with nearby Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo has, until recently, been a sleepy fisherman’s village, with little to offer wandering travelers. (Some may argue the town first made its way onto the scene after a mention in “The Shawshank Redemption” — the film deemed it the getaway spot for characters Andy and Red.)
But movie buffs aren’t the only clients who may be interested in what this village has to offer. In fact, as more boutique and luxury properties begin to crop up in the area, Zihuatanejo is becoming a destination in its own right.
About 20 minutes from Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport, La Casa Que Canta is surrounded by exquisite natural beauty and the “small-town Mexico” that Zihuatanejo prides itself on. The hotel’s terra-cotta design exudes warmth and feels authentic.
The property, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, has 25 suites in five categories, as well as two family villas. Although I was traveling alone, I felt it had been designed with honeymooners in mind: Many rooms featured either private plunge pools or terraces that, while offering unparalleled views of the bay, were tucked away within high walls for privacy. The hotel also uses all-natural local materials from the area, including wood, adobe stone and tule.
While my suite did not have a private pool, I was happy to pass the time in the property’s expansive infinity pool. Guests can also enjoy a smaller saltwater pool and an outdoor Jacuzzi.
What really stood out during my stay at La Casa Que Canta, however, was the hotel’s cuisine. The property’s Mar y Cielo restaurant has stunning views of the sea and features contemporary Mexican dishes with a splash of French flair. Seafood is always fresh and locally caught, and meals incorporate organic ingredients. The seafood pozole was outstanding, but breakfast was even more divine. I often dined on my private, oceanview terrace, enjoying a piping-hot plate of chilaquiles (fried tortilla chips, eggs, red onions and cheese smothered in green or red salsa) or the hotel’s specialty — and my personal favorite — lime pancakes.
On my last day at La Casa Que Canta, I entered my suite to once again find my bed adorned. This time, it was all rose petals, perfectly placed to form a heart. It made my own heart sing.
The Details
La Casa Que Cantawww.lacasaquecanta.com
