Tag Archives: Mexico

Going Solo, Guadalajara, Mexico

Piedra Viva Spa: An Urban Oasis

story and photos by Kayte Deioma

Whether you want to fit in a quick yoga or tai chi class before or after a day of business meetings or escape for a day of pampering away from the bustling crowds, Piedra Viva (Living Stone) Spa in Zapopan is just a quick taxi ride to paradise.

The pool at Piedra Viva Spa in Guadalajara, Mexico.The only spa of its kind in the Guadalajara area, Piedra Viva’s non-prepossessing grey exterior shelters an oasis of tranquility. Zen inspired treatment rooms on two levels open onto a glass-enclosed greenery-filled atrium sheltering an aqua blue pool with several gentle waterfalls. You can enjoy this tropical outdoor garden pool even in the pouring rain. In a separate, open courtyard is the Temazcal or traditional adobe sweat lodge.

A treatment room at Piedra Viva Spa.Piedra Viva offers an extensive menu of massage techniques from around the world, hydrotherapies, aromatherapies, vinotherapy (wine based treatments), body wraps of mud, algae or chocolate (to name just a few), exfoliations, facials, manicures and pedicures. The Jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath and pool are also available to clients before and after treatments. An on site restaurant offers a light menu to keep you going between treatments. Salads, sandwiches and omelets are the featured fare.

The lobby at Piedra Viva Spa.The Spa manager, Alejandra Padilla, speaks fluent English. The receptionist also speaks enough English to schedule your appointment, but if you need to discuss all your options and get recommendations, ask for Alejandra. The concierge at Quinta Real (or most other hotels) will be happy to make the call for you. If the hotel does arrange the treatment for you, they can also arrange for the Spa to cover your taxi.

Piedra Viva Spa is located at Xochitl 3709, Ciudad del Sol. Zapopan, Jalisco 45040. From within Mexico call (33) 3122-2280 for information or reservations. Reservations can also be made online atwww.piedravivaspa.com.

 

Guadalajara, Mexico, If You Go

Guadalajara: Hotels and Restaurants

If You Go…

Guadalajara Flights:

Mexicana Airlines

Guadalajara Hotels:

Quinta Real Hotel

Av Mexico 2727, Col Monreaz

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

33-3669-0600
Guadalajara Resaurants:

Quinta Real Gourmet Restaurant $$$

Av Mexico 2727, Col Monreaz

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

33-3669-0600

Note: Ancient Mexican recipes keep company with international fare.

 

Bodeguita del Medio Cuban Bar and Restaurant $$

Av. Vallarta 2320 Col. Obrera

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

(33) 3630-1620/21

gerenciagdl@gruposon.com

Note: This Mexican franchise of the 60-yea-old Havana restaurant is known for its 2 for 1 Mojito happy hour and strolling Cuban musicians. Everything on the menu is a la carte and there are no prices.

Guadalajara, Mexico, Rainy Day Links

Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Guadalajara, Mexico

Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Guadalajara

Featured articles:

Rainy Day Guadalajara

Globo Children’s Museum (Spanish only)

Trompo Mágico Interactive Museum (Spanish only)

La Quina Real Hotel, Restaurant & Bar

Zapopan Museum of Art (Spanish Only)

Metro Guadalajara has an abundance of wonderful museums and cultural centers for all tastes, including the Guadalajara City Museum, the Huichol Art Museum at the Basilica in Zapopan, the Journalism and Graphic Arts Museum in the Guadalajara Historic Center, the National Ceramics Museum, the Big Game Hunting Museum or the Army and Air Force Museum. Unfortuantely most Guadalajara museums do not yet have their own website, or have only a Spanish version. The State of Jalisco has a partial list of museums and galleries in the Guadalajara Metro area as well as the rest of the State in English at http://visita.jalisco.gob.mx/ingles/museum.html

Additional Museum and Attraction information can be found at: http://vive.guadalajara.gob.mx