Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa

A resort hotel of ultimate pleasure and fabulous fun  

Review by Nancy Snipper

 When booking your vacation to Ixtapa, most of us go for the all-inclusive package, but let’s face it, wearing that silly colored wrist band makes you feel more like an inmate than cherished guest. Then there’s that inevitable line-up to get a beach towel and be given a number (don’t lose the number or you pay for the towel), and finally, the frenzy and fighting over lounge chairs at the beach. As for eating, you have to reserve a table hours in advance at the hotel’s restaurant and then line-up as the person checks your name while your stomach is growling. Sound familiar? Indeed, all these annoying glitches can turn what is supposed to be your care-free marvelous vacation into a mini nightmare.

So, here’s the great news. Sunscape Dorado Pacifico, a unique and remarkable hotel in Ixtapa, is operated by AM Resorts (they know all about bringing excellence to large hotels), so this slickly run innovative hotel has done away with all that childish nonsense.  Most importantly, the place is brimming with genuine hospitality, oodles of supremely fun activities, entertainment and innovative events. As one guest at the pool told me: “It’s impossible to get bored here.”

I was about to find this out.

 

Variety is the spice of Sunscape’s life

I spent an entire day enjoying the“Sunscape experience”, and it was sensational!

First of all, I was struck by the immense and airy spectacular white interior. The regally spacious lobbies make you feel sublimely special. It seems that no matter where you turn, you enter a world of sensual and stimulating vitality; it’s yours for the taking.

The hotel’s 285 rooms – all renovated four years ago face the ocean. 

They seem to float overead above the lobby area,as long green vines descend from floor to floor like a verdant cascade of nature. There are 11 floors, and one is devoted to four conference rooms. Marble floors add to the beauty of it all.

Time to relax, play and rejuvenate

Taking two towels, I was then escorted to the beach by charming employee Fernando who moved a lounge chair under one of the wonderful Brazilian wood covered aberca shelters that feature white drapes on each side for privacy and further shade. 

        My view was Palmar Bay beach with the   powerful waves of the Pacific Ocean

I also met Ramiro, the activity and entertainment Director who introduced me to the day’s events. They’re written up every day on the Sundial activity and entertainment page. For starters, there was morning yoga and a bicycle tour at 9:30; there were Spanish lessons and beach volleyball. I was still pondering my prize view. And then it got real hot.

At 12:00 I jumped into the pools (two sections to the swimming areas) to take an aqua gym class run by Himer. It was so much fun. Sure,  the kids were having fun in the other pool at the two water slides, but I was having just as much fun. What a wonderful way to get in shape. The water was a perfect temperature too. I then witnessed poolside a mini cooking class of tiritas – sliver thin raw pieces of dorado, onions coriander and lime. It was delicious. I put a bit of bottled spicy Buffalo sauce on my savory sample to make me feel like a real Mexican who knows her food. It was then I realized I was hungry.

Feasting on more fabulous fish at Bluewater Restaurant

If you fancy fish, step inside Sunscape’s Bluewater Restaurant. That’s what I did. The enormous palapa keeps you perfectly shaded in this wonderful open-air lunch area, and the stunning view to the sea is second to none. It sets the free-feeling atmosphere in this spacious restaurant.

The lunch menu features an impressive choice of fish creations along with eight remarkable appetizers: Peruvian Ceviche, ceviche toasts and tiritas (slices of fish, onion and avocado in a tasty marination of lemon and other herbs).  I opted for the Peruvian Ceviche that hit my palette like a piece of heavenly magic. It was spiced perfectly, and the green chili, parsley and orange enhanced the taste. I also took the chicken salad mixture that arrived at my table looking like a piece of culinary art. The presentation was as exceptional as the delicate taste: two big purple grape halves encircled the savoury chicken salad mound along with two placements of sliver-thin shredded carrots.The chicken sat on a soft swirl of pink tomato. Looking much like a moat, this notable number was layered; at its pinnacle and perched on a toothpick was an olive. 

I went for more fish for the main course. The tuna was terrifically tender, and I have never tasted such impeccably prepared rice. It was butter flavoured, and tiny flecks of mushroom and carrots added colour. A big green broiled zucchini, chayote and carrots accompanied the two tender, yet thick pieces of tuna.

 

My dessert included coconut ice cream – made right on the premises. It sat beside a demure fruit tart encapsulated with soft yellow custard. The pastry crust was also home-made. Sweet and satisfying, it had that subtle buttery flavour of French pastry. Sublime!

Chef Antelmo Limón: master of the culinary arts

When AM Resorts took over Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa, they wisely installed one of their stellar chefs: Antelmo Limón.  He was head chef at two of their other hotels – Dreams Puerto Vallarta and Dreams Villa Magna, and Secrets Capri Riviera and Dreams Tulum in Riviera Maya.  With over 14 years of experience, Chef Antelmo oversees Sunscape’s four other sizeable restaurants. 

     

    Eating with seaside view

They are: Windows – for breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets (I had a wonderful Italian pasta dinner here where you choose from the five types of pasta, the fillers and the sauce you want, and then watch as it is cooked in front of you);Tamarindo – for Mexican food; Da Mario – an adults-only, formal-dress attire Italian restaurant; Bluewater International – an a la carte Restaurant open for lunch & Dinner, and Barefoot – a poolside yummy snack place for grilled hamburgers, hotdogs and more. 

By the way, the various outdoor bars offer tropical drinks, including the day’s special. I imbibed sweet ones made by Clemente who’s been mixing drinks at Sunscape for 32 years here! You’ll flip over the 15 names of these bebidas: Sex on the Beach, Bahama Mama, Dirty Banana, Miami Vice, and the list continues. 

For coffees, croissants and sweeter goodies, 24-hour Coco Café greets you as soon as you step inside the lobby. Everything is free. Buen provecho!

Tennis anyone?

I had made arrangements to play tennis at the entertainment and sports poolside kiosk, but I was not only without my racket, I also had no partner. First, Rodrigo, one of the young chaps at the kiosk was elected to play with me. After he missed returning my first ball, he admitted had never played tennis. But I thought him an awfully good sport to even try. So along came another guy from the entertainment kiosk, and he was better, but he told me I should be playing with the pro, Alexandro, who after 20 minutes happened to pass the tennis court area on his way to his English class (given free by the hotel). I insisted he play just a bit with me; that was the deal in the first place. I should have known better, for as soon as he got on the court, he began slicing the ball; I could barely return it. He certainly had a great strategy for cutting my game short.  What a hoot!

Kids Explorers Club

A gamut of activities keeps children busy from morning to night. There’s painting, theatre, all kinds of games, competitions, a climbing wall by the tennis courts and even a release event of turtles at the beach.  No adults allowed!

Pure Spa Pleasure

One of the most coveted features of Sunscape Dorado Pacifico is their luxurious spa. I found it a perfect way to end my day. As soon as you enter the Zen interior, all the exuberance from the day’s activities melts into body bliss. Attached to the premises is a full-scale hair and beauty salon – a much needed facility after spending endless hours in the sun. Of course, manicure and pedicures are offered.

I had a wonderful relaxing neck and back massage here. Itzel, my masseuse, applied special wine oil on my aging body. Her hands were remarkably strong and skilful. I felt a release of age-old knots and aching tension. 

The spa offers more than 30 different types of massage therapies and anti-aging treatments, including facials, wraps, cellulite, and exfoliations. Water lily, seaweed and aromatic salts are used here for body treatment, and there are products that smooth, tone and diminish sun damage. The line they use is by Pevonia. An array of products is also on sale to take home.

Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa is extraordinary.

It is a world unto its own, and it’s one I did not want to leave. I shall return.

For information and reservations, visit:

www.sunscaperesorts.com and www.amresorts.com

Call 1-866-sunscape.

Sutton’s Diamond in the Rustic

     

Auberge des Appalaches

by Nancy Snipper

Auberges des Appalaches is far away from Ireland – the country where the owners of this darling inn met: John Kostuik and Patricia Gérard. He was head chef for twelve years of a prestigious inn: Rathsallagh House in County Wicklow, and she was head of housekeeping.  In 2008, tall John from Toronto and petite Patricia from La Bresse married in her home town in France. Two years later, they bid adieu to the emerald isle, and opened up their own inn in yet another strikingly green region – Sutton, in Quebec’s Eastern Townships.

 Is it any wonder they painted the inn’s pine and stucco façade in green! 

But, this down-to-earth duo not only gave their Alpine-style auberge a new external face, which included putting in a swimming pool and a wrap-around red cedar deck for relaxing within the 2-acre verdant vista  of mature trees and a gorgeous garden.  

 They also refurbished the interior with country charm. They knew Appalaches’ 1970s décor was longing for a loving make-over, and they responded whole-heartedly to their “baby”– as Patricia calls it.  

Uniquely crafted art pieces that feature the whimsy and talent of local artisans and painters blend in with the charming provincial style furniture and vintage objets d’art. Many come from John’s family.

 

                              Authentic and homey warmth fills the place.

   Feeling at home   

Eleven cozy rooms grace the premises – nine upstairs and two spacious ones downstairs, due to a sensible renovation that turned four rooms into two. I stayed in the luxurious Queen Patio room that had its own walkout. It offered a table and chairs for me to enjoy the expansive back view of the grounds, birdsong and stunning sunsets.  This natural cocoon became up close and personal to me because of the room’s sleek sliding glass doors. White and natural pine spilled throughout the room blending the rich brown and charcoal colored wood. 

All beds offer a highly supportive Serta mattress.

  

There are no TVs in rooms; I didn’t miss mine. I fell asleep shortly after my head hit the super comfy pillow. Just another way for you to feel calm during our stay. Wi-Fi is here, so you can stay connected – if you want. My gleaming white marble bathroom with its sumptuously thick towels, double sinks and exquisite shower with accessories made me feel like royalty.

 

                                        ****************************

Folks from near and far flock to this rustic gem year-round for ...

 summer fun

 foliage festivities

 

 winter skiing

As well, from October 18^th to November 22^nd, Auberge plays host to Sutton en Blues. Musicians stay here, and at night, fans filter into the inn to hear the great music performed by some of Canada's best blues artists.
The Swiss National Day at Mount Sutton, August 2, attracts many, and its Federation members stay at Auberge des Appalaches.  

Many come just for the food, as Auberge des Appalaches is one of Sutton’s few inns with a world-class restaurant.It’s manned by John – a great guy who just happens to be one of the region’s most prized chefs. He spent almost seven years in Toronto with his mentor – the stellar chef Michael Potters, at Winston's Rosewater, Left Bank, not to mention his experience as top chef in high-end restaurants in England and France. 

The menu has his signature: freshness and irresistible taste 

                                   with a presentation to  match.

At 5:30 a.m, John is often puttering around Appalaches’ garden, 

picking out herbs that will help him accomplish awesome results. 

This freshness is enhanced by John’s personal dedication to utilize the cornucopia of local produce from the area. John is designated a Chef Créateur; not surprisingly, Auberge des Appalaches is on the gourmet circuit route – a popular Townships’ event. 

 John’s genius lies in his ability to use fresh fruit and herbs to create sweet and savory flavors.  This was immediately evident during my first dinner of  three.
The halibut dish with grapefruit pieces added citrus sweetness as well as exciting contrast to the accompanying baby bok choy in parsley and arugula.

 I was both stunned and amused to hear this humble chef confess that his favorite dish to cook is fish: “It’s so delicate and easy to screw up that I love the challenge of cooking it.” 

I marveled at his wonderful entrées.  Only a cuisine wizard can create a crispy perfectly circular covering that turns the mundane into a gourmet goodie that offers a hidden delicate surprise: a poached egg! This delectable number, fittingly called, Crispy Egg,  was a first for me, and I wanted another one.   

Likewise, the salmon starter with fennel and arugula put my taste buds in greed mode, so I was elated when the main dish arrived – incomparable cannelloni. He made the pasta himself. Inside, a divine combination of soft local goat cheese from Caitya du Caprice Caprin, tiny bits of red peppers, onion and spinach seduced my taste buds. Arugula added punch to the sliver thin pieces of parmesan cheese resting under the three huge cannelloni. 

The wine paired with this winner was the 2012 Rose: Val Caudalies – Domaine Brésée – Vignoble de l’Orpailleur from Quebec. 

The rack of lamb offered a rapturous finale to my stay here. Wow! So tender, the stand-out lamb, topped with silky zucchini slices of immeasurably superb seasoning,  rose like a boastful beacon above a surrounding potato puree from which peeked out a thin moat of local honey suckle (camerise in French). The layered look has arrived in food!    The combination coalesced to form subtle flavor heaven.  The knock-out meal was a perfect match to the starter: grilled shrimp with garden coriander. John revealed that 20 ingredients made up the Thai salad in which the huge savory shrimp sat.  I had already tasted his lovely lovage soup, but by the time I finished the meal, I was ready to kidnap the cook!

There is a kind of magic in his cooking; nothing is saturated in sauce, gooey cream or grease. No matter the dish, each one had its own subtle flare. 

Including desserts

For breakfast, the same holds true:  from blueberry pancakes to smashing omelets - they are edible prologues of pleasure for starting your day. 

                                                  *****************************

Working off calories comes easily outside Auberge des Appalaches. Mont Sutton’s Nature Preserve Park offers a matrix of 52-kilometre trails that traverse this magnificent mountain. 

  

Trails are terrifically marked. Some provide panoramic views.

Others lead to little lakes nestling in the mountain’s nether regions.
I hiked up to Spruce Lake whose trail started 520 meters up the mountain. The hour-long hike was well worth the view.

                   Connecting routes eventually lead to other Eastern Township areas.

 I drove to this starting point, but the day before, I took the lower climb whose point of origin was just off Réal Road. I hiked up alongside a rushing stream and ended up at Pecan Falls. 

 
At the end of this climb, the entrance kiosk was located where one pays a small fee. There, you'll be greeted by Micheline whose warm manner and encouragement helps you start your climb. Thanks to her and the map, I didn't get lost. 

 Thanks to Patricia, I was told me where to drive to get to the park's kiosk; she patiently provided accurate directions. Patricia is helpful and able to multi-task with class and proficiency.  Her astuteness reflects the professional training she received at one of France’s best hotellerie institutes: Cours hôtelier de Besançon.

Patricia is not only famous for her help inside the inn, her sparkling smile, genuine interest in you and impeccable ability to help you navigate outside her Appalaches inn are so appreciated. Her knowledge is vital to enjoying the Eastern Township experience.  

With this in mind, she revealed a fantastic new Sutton3 (cubed) event. It consists of a 3-day/3-night package that not only includes Auberge des Appalaches’ breakfasts and a dinner, but also an exciting variety of Sutton-and-beyond outstanding experiences. The choices appeal to sporty types and those who enjoy the finer pleasures of life: food and wine.  
As a bike-it-hike-it-bite-it-sip-it affair, you have a choice of five cycling routes with food and wine tastings on the way. Plus, if cycling is not your thing, there are hiking excursions and wineries you can visit. The program offers you instant access to price reductions on 14 gourmet wine and food products in the Agroalimentaire part of Sutton3. The information on this 3-day/3-night outdoor pleasure activity program – organized in conjunction with the Tourist Office of Sutton is available at the inn.  

Here's another perk: for less than $20, Patricia will hand you a wine route transport, from Kava Tours, where you can have 4 to 6 wine tastings at each one.  Can you believe it, but the price includes tastings for two people! The six wineries are all within 20 minutes from the Auberge. There are two different area passports which feature three wineries in each.  The passport also includes all kinds of price reductions on your favorites.

The website is: www.auberge-appalaches.com

For more information, call: 1 (877) 533-5799

or email them at: info@auberge-appalaches.com