From Casual to Elegant Riviera Nayarit Lodgings Greg Shillinglaw - Travel Pulse
go to original January 1, 2016

Hotel Garza Canela in is owned by Mexican celebrity chef Betty Vázquez and her family. (Photo courtesy of Hotel Garza Canela)

Hotel Garza Canela is the definition of a family-run business. Located in San Blas, a beachfront town on Mexico’s west coast in Riviera Nayarit, this property has grown to 45 rooms and has been in the Vázquez González family since the 1970s, passed down from one generation to the next.

On a normal day, Betty Vázquez, a celebrity chef seen on television sets across Mexico, is at the stove in the hotel’s kitchen. Nearby, one of her sisters is seating guests in the dining room as another hands out room keys at the reception desk. Indeed, five siblings have been involved with the hotel’s operations over the years, not to mention their mother, who has tended to the garden and gift shop.

The family has come a long way since their father, who passed away several years ago, first bought the hotel, getting out of the bookstore business to try his hand at something he didn’t have much experience doing.

Now his kids are carrying on the family legacy with a property they say has attracted a following of loyal patrons, including a mix of bird-watchers, surfers, beach bums and families.

Garza Canela is just one of the dozens of properties in Riviera Nayarit, a region that has quickly earned a reputation for its beaches and wildlife. From internationally recognized hotel brands to mom-and-pop properties like Garza Canela, there’s a wide range of accommodations to choose from.

Here’s a quick look at some of the top hotels and resorts in the region:

Hotel Cielo Rojo

One of the most impressive things about this property is the staff. From just a quick conversation at the front desk, you can tell they really know San Pancho, the small beach town where this nine-room boutique hotel is located. On short notice, they can arrange anything from tequila tastings to Spanish lessons to impromptu bike tours.

During a walk about town, guests can come across local fisherman selling red snapper and lobsters, streets dotted with brightly painted murals, and a local community center full of children.

Part of the local charm includes roosters that moonlight as alarm clocks. As for in-room amenities, you won’t find TVs or mini-fridges, but there are Wi-Fi and Mexican-made soaps. The staff can arrange in-room acupressure, reflexology and Swedish massage treatments...

Read the rest at Travel Pulse.