The other day, I saw an ad for Las Brisas in Acapulco for $97 a night. I stopped traveling south long before the pandemic hit so I don't know what the hotspots are in Mexico these days. I am fairly sure, however, that Acapulco is not the fashionable destination it was when John and Jacqueline Kennedy went for their honeymoon in 1953. I never hear a word about the town. At least no good words. I have heard the words violence and gangs and crime. According to Wikipedia, it was the seventh-deadliest city in the world in 2019.
That was not the case in 1953 when the future president and his wife stayed at Las Brisas, a luxury hotel on a hill overlooking Acapulco Bay. Las Brisas was known for casitas each with a beautiful view and private pool. Every morning the invisible hand of an invisible staff member would float flowers in your pool. If you wanted to, you could avoid seeing anyone after a golf cart transported you and your luggage to your private cottage. Everything about Las Brisas screamed romance.
I'd always wanted to stay there. In the 1980s, I didn't have a honeymoon to plan or even a steady date to invite. I did, however, have a business trip to Mexico City and a friend whose husband's job entitled her to flight benefits and a discount rate at Las Brisas. She would meet me there. Granted it wasn't going to be a romantic experience, but I would get to enjoy Las Brisas.
There are some downsides to flying on buddy passes. You don't get to sit with friends and family. You don't get the exact flight you want. You don't get any flight. And that is what happened to my friend when she went to the San Francisco Airport to catch a plane to Acapulco. Every plane was full. I had already checked in to the hotel.
My weekend at Las Brisas was never going to be full of romance. Now I knew it was going to be full of solitude. At least, I thought. But then I was joined by bad menstrual cramps. I lay in bed, floated in the pool and looked at the view. As I recall I ate most "meals" out of the mini-bar.
I must have ordered room service at some point, but basically, I saw no one. And, I thought, no one saw me.
On the morning I was due to check out, the phone rang early. Possibly before 8am. A male voice with a light Mexican accident was on the other end of the line. (There were lines then.)
"Mrs. Kelly?"
"Yes."
"Are you checking out today?"
"Yes."
"Did you enjoy your visit?"
"Yes." Beginning to think this is good customer service.
"When do you leave for the airport?"
"Not until 11am." Expecting specific customer service.
"You are traveling alone?"
"Yes." Beginning to think this was too much customer service.
"You are very beautiful."
"I need to go." Catching on that this was not Customer Service.
"So, you would not like me to come to your room for a few hours before you leave?"
I would not.
Apparently, the service was more comprehensive than I expected.
NOTE: My friend lost a deposit and all she got "a lousy cap" that I sent her. I think there was one in the room. I don't remember a gift shop.
NOTE ABOUT THE FLIGHT HOME: The taxi driver who came to Las Brisas to take me to the airport was very proud of his city. He didn't take me far out of my way but he did slow down often to point out the sights. I was cutting it close when he dropped me at American Airlines. As I approached the desk, the woman called out to me, "We've been waiting for you!" They wanted to upgrade me to First Class. I loved the days of Frequent Flyer Miles.
FINAL NOTE: You loved first class but the woman in the next seat had brought her dog onboard concealed in a carry-on bag. That would have been nice if you weren't allergic to dogs.
© 2022 Jane Kelly
