January 13, 2011 update: Kat here - Joseph and I locked in Rolex Bob's from March 18-23 and Casa Potosi at Barra Vista as our honeymoon casita for March 25-28. Casa Potosi is still available before that, as are several of the other casitas on this gorgeous property. It's still spendy at the discounted rate of $125/nt, but pretty frickin' magical. And as long as a few of us are there, EVERYONE can use the pool... Both places have nice big kitchens, common areas and pools, so come hang out!

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All of the recommended accomodations are along the beach within a 25 minute walk of the enramadas. There are wonderful options for every taste and budget.

Options range from private houses, to bed and breakfasts to fancy little casitas. Prices range from camping for free, to $35/night rooms, to super luxurious houses with private swimming pools from $90/night to $600/night.

For about $50/night, you'll get something clean and comfortable that has a fan or AC, a way to keep mosquitos out and your belongings secure. And you'll probably have a pool. Access to the glorious quiet 10 mile beach is a given.

For $100 a night, you will end up on pretty grounds, probably with a really nice breakfast every morning, a very beautiful pool and garden and a room you'll want to take pictures of and helpful staff.

For more than that, you're looking at all of the above + a staff cooking for you on demand & catering to your every whim, and a truly beautiful and romantic experience which may well become one of your life's treasured vacation highlights.

To see where the places are in relation to each other and the enramadas (the restaurants) and town, visit Otto's useful website below. Roll over the names of the places and it will show you where they are on the beach.

http://barra-de-potosi.info/en/WhereToGo/

Or here's a map showing the places we recommend in relation to each other - it takes 20 minutes to walk from Barra de Potosi to La Casa Serenata.

You can click on the names of the places on this map to see their description in the chart below.

Accommdations Map

You can see some pictures of our trip down there and some of the accommodations below here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kpetunia/sets/72157625301033025/

Below is a handy dandy chart, showing our findings

If you are ready to book, please contact the owners directly via their websites, listed below.

Name Description Sleeps No Kids Super Romantic (1) On the Beach (2) Kitchen (3) Includes Breakfast Rates (4)

$: $25-$50/nt
$$: $50-$80/nt
$$$: $80-$125/nt
$$$$: $125-$400
Pool Our Grade
(* - ****) (5)
Owner or Manager speaks English (6) Website Address
Barra Vista Gorgeous architecture, close to barra and the enramadas - two pools, one two bedroom houses, and 4 additional 2 person one bedroom casitas. Kids could be comfortable sleeping on couches here as they are big and well appointed. Kat and Joseph might stay in one of these with the kids 2-4, 2, 2, 2, 2
total of 8-14 people could stay here comfortably + a few kids
    The four gourmet palapas are $125/room/nt each;

The exquisite Casa Madera (2 bedrooms) is $300/night;

$1050/night for all 5 houses

$$$$
10

****
http://barravista.com/
http://sendasdelmar.com/

To book, contact Barbara Erickson (barbara[at]erickson-mail.com) and tell her you are coming for Kat and Joseph's wedding to get the quoted rate - it is discounted from the rates listed on their websites.
Casa Puesta del Sol 2 duplexes + one bungalow, duplexes share a kitchen, good for two couples travelling together as bedrooms are separate and kitchen is shared. Owners are Canadian couple who may be helpful and available when making arrangements for additional activities. clean and nice, a little dark and may get stuffy 2+2, 2+2, 2-4     can be arranged

$75 for bungalow, $110/duplex/night

$$$

 

7.5

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http://casa-puesta-del-sol.com/
Hotel Hotel 4 level hotel on beach with big but rather unappealing swimming pool. Concrete rooms lack charm but 16 of the 40 rooms do have balconies looking out onto the ocean. There are double king bedrooms with views for $550/night, no view for $450/night and little rooms with no windows for $350/night 2-4.      

$35, $45, $55/night

$

5

**

? http://hotel-barradepotosi.com/
Hotel Valparaiso Next to Hotel Hotel, which may get loud if there are a lot of guests there. Ocean front rooms and back front rooms are available. Kitchens, clean, pool is decent. Conveniently located. May be one of the best budget options. 2-4/room      

$40 without view, $60 for ocean front rooms

$

7.5

***

 

http://hotelvalparaiso.blogspot.com/

Tel: 045 755 113 4472

e-mail: valparaiso2009@live.com.mxs

Our House Bed and Breakfast owned by friendly British woman and American man. Our House offers camping facilities with hookups, bathrooms, showers, as well as a few bed and breakfast sleeping options. Handicapped accessible 2, 2, 4    

$95/night, camping: $20/night

$$$

 

7

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http://www.ourhouse-zihua.com/index.html
Amoblado Garcia Authentic, rustic, sweet place owned by locals. 9 rooms total, no pool. Nice yard, quiet, on the beach. Clean enough but not ancy 2-4/room      

$50/night

$$$

 

7.5

***

  They don't have a website or phone number, but if you just show up, they should have space for you. Nice people and a fantastic deal.
La Casa de la Luna Shared kitchens, no pool, cute artsy funky style. Two cabins, two rooms, two palapas. Right on the beach 2-3 per cabin/room/palapa      

$90/night

$$$

 

7.5

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  http://www.casadelaluna-barra.com/
Solecito Luxurious high end cabins, gorgeous grounds, includes breakfast, pristine pool, on the beach, quiet, adults only. Four one bedroom king size units with full kitchen, dining area, one two bedroom unit with king size beds and a recreation room and dining area, four one bedroom suites 2-4 per unit

$120 - $140/night

$$$$

10

****

http://www.bungalows-solecito.com/
Playa Potosi Resort Nice if somewhat awkwardly laid out bungalows and complex with lap pool, beach access, seems very kid friendly, kitchen included, nice outdoor hangout area, two individual bungalows w kingsize bed ✓ one two story complex which sleeps 3 on the bottom sotry and 3 upstairs 2-6      

$100 individual bungalows, $120/night two story complex

$$$

7.5

***

  http://www.playapotosi.com/rates.html
La Vispera two little bungalows set back from beach access on beach side of the street - will be quieter than those right on the beach (farther from sound of the waves), nice kitchens, sweet layouts, good for a family of 3-4 people as master bedrooms don't close completely to offer privacy from other rooms. There is a two bedroom house in front of the bungalows which is also for rent. If the entire unit (2 bungalows ✓ front house) could be rented out altogether, you would get a very good deal and could make a great scene for 3 couples or families to share. Pool is big and property is well cared for. you will feel at home and comfortable here. 2-4 per unit, 6-13 people total would be comfortable here       3  

$135/bungalow, $500/night for the three buildings and whole property/night

$$$$

3

9

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  http://la-vispera.com/en/index.php
House next to La Vispera Giant house with big pool with 3 big bedrooms, a tiny upstairs bedroom and a tv room and downstairs couches which could easily sleep more people. Great for kids. The best kitchen we have seen on the beach with large stove, modern everything. Your own tennis courts. Lots of community hangout space. on the beach. high ceilings, grand scale. Includes daily cooking and cleaning service. up to 20     can be arranged

$650/day

$$$$

10

****

  http://www.paradise-properties.com.mx/rentals/playablanca2.html
Villa Don Manuel ~9 units total, some kings, some double queens, beautiful grounds, nice owners, good for families, quiet and comfortable, excellent breakfasts - many members of our family like tostay here when they are visiting 2-4 X ~9 unites total      

$100/night

$$$

8.25

***

e-mail: villadonmanuel@gmail.com

You can find them and see more pictures on Facebook by searching for Villa Don Manuel

Bernie's B&B 3 units on the beach, pool, kitchen, breakfast, sleeps 2/room, kids only if whole place is rented out 2,2,2 3

$110/night

$$$

8.25

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http://www.zihuatanejo.net/playacalli/
Playa Blanca Casita two story house with one upstairs bedroom, one downstairs bedroom, no pool but on the beach 4     all cooking can be arranged for $25/day fee

$135/day

$$$$

 

7.5

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http://www.paradise-properties.com.mx/rentals/playablanca3.html
Villas Tuparaiso This is a good option if you want to be in barra de potosi but a little away from the action of the town. Owner is a german man named Norbert. four unites total. Small kitchens and larger shared kitchen. People seem to come here and stay for a while. 7th night is free if you stay 6 nights. a good option for budget travelers. loft beds upstairs and 2nd larger beds downstairs, big bathrooms, small kitchens, shared screened in porch 3,4,4,5        

$55/night/two people

$

 

6.5

**

http://villas-tuparaiso.com/
Casa del Encanto owner started the village library. You will get connected and interested in the village living here. It is a sweet artsy little place with 6 rooms, all with inside and outside private areas, private baths, 4 with queen bed, 2 with king beds 2-4 per room        

$70-$100/night

$$

 

7

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http://www.lacasadelencanto.com/
Casa Frida French-Mexican couple, Anabella & Francois own this cute artsy place, dedicated to Frida Kahlo complete with an altar to her life in the common room. Very fun decor. 3 double rooms and a house that accommodates up to 4. Has a treehouse feeling. Right behind the enramadas. Shared kitchen areas, some have private sun porches. Small pool. 2-4 per unit     shared, house has a kitchen of its own  

$80/night

$$

8.25

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http://casafrida.net/
Villa la Barra Betsy Johnson, the zany fashion designer, built this place and used to come down with her entourage and little dog for a week at a time. It is right behind the enramadas in front of the village, so you can stumble over for breakfast easily. Betsy Johnson sold it and it is now a rental. we did not go inside this one and are waiting to hear how much it rents for. Fun decor, 1-2 pools, pretty private gardens, very private, at least two rooms, right on the beach. Very unique Betsy Johnson style. 4+         ?

7

***

  http://villalabarra.blogspot.com/
Rolex Bob's House This is where Kat and Joseph are staying. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Sleeps 6-8    

$350/night, $2450/wk

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10

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  http://www.vrbo.com/321811
Casa Serenata Kat's uncle John built this place and Kat has stayed in it for weeks at a time. It is wonderful. The new owner has kindly offered us a terrific deal on the property for the week. 3 bedroom/2.5 bath oceanfront beach house on almost an acre of lush landscaped grounds. Architecturally beautiful and private. Terrific pool and tropical gardens. Large great room with kitchen, dining room, living room and fantastic views. 6     Super low family special deal: $100/night 9
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvTXRmru0zs
Las Palmas This is the most luxurious resort on Playa Blanca but it is about 5 miles walking from Barra de Potosi. It looks and feels like staying at a top end resort in Hawaii with impeccable service, delicious food and soft sheets included. There is a nice swim up bar, welcome margaritas involved, private beach, infinity pool, etc. very nice and fancy but far away from everything 2 per suite  

$300-$500/night

$$$$

10

****

http://www.hotellaspalmas.net/

1 Please note, none of the places here are unromantic - they all have genuine charm and we recommend all of them. But some of them have made romance their focus, which is how they get the 'super romantic' ✓
2 Note that the beach in this area is public, so being on the beach means in most cases that you should be able to see it when you either look out your window upon waking up or step outside your door and certainly look at the water while having coffee in the morning. If the house is not on the beach, you will still have easy access to the beach - within 5 minutes walking
3 Unless otherwise noted, this means private kitchen in the unit.
4 Prices quoted are per night unless otherwise specified. My guess is that all of these places would offer a 10 - 20% discount on a 7-night stay and suggest you request it from the owner.
5 Take these grades with a grain of salt - what you see here is a 100% subjective by-the-seat-of-our-pants type thing, based on Khamoor and Kat's combined gut responses, nothing more. We recommend all of the places on this list and think you will be happy at any of them. Please visit the websites to get a sense of the place and see if it fits your personal style.
6 If the owner does not speak English, and you do not speak Spanish, please do not be put off. A) They will find someone who does and you will work it out. B) Mexicans in general are some of the nicest, friendliest people on earth and you will be able to communicate despite a language barrier.

 

 

accommodations chat registry the big day how we met rsvp safety Casa Serenata