Casa Tres Leones in Ajijic

Walk about Ajijic, tour the village, walk the malecon, or just relax by the pool. Excellent reviews, great location for exploring the EXPAT centro of Lake Chapala.  Book a room on Hotels.com and collect your rewards for traveling. The best time to visit Lakeside is in January, February - or October and November. The photo on this post is NOT Casa Tres, but it is one of the beautiful brick homes you will discover on your local walk about through the village. Enjoy coffee down by the malecon, lunch at La Cocinera, and perhaps dinner at Tango on Colon in Ajijic. Meet expats from around the globe at LCS the "Lake Chapala Society." Simply ask "How did you arrive in Chapala?" You will be fascinated by the variety of people you meet over coffee at the LCS Cafe. Check the bulletin board at LCS for local music and cultural events. The climate is mild, less humidity and the mountains are green in October and November. During the second week of November is the annual "Feria" a fair that promotes the cultural arts of Mexico, with a fashion show. Pick up a local FREE paper called OJO DEL LAGO. A reasonable gargain at 2,689 pesos per nite. $134 USD. Click this link to view photos of this 10 star rated gem and request AIRPORT shuttle.  Casa Tres Leones

Hotel Del Pescador

This jewel is a local getaway to rejuvenate in the circling, clean water of a hot tub or pool. During my recent visit to Vida Sana in Guad for chelation therapy, the doctor recommended a week of sitting in hot mineral baths to open my pores so that I can sweat. I have driven by and admired the location and found a listing online on HOTELS.COM. Hotel el Pescador.  I like small places and the price is just right to take a week to reset my body. 1872 pesos per night is only $94 US per night.  To stay at Vida Sana without air conditioning, or a pool is $85 US per night. For security, once inside with your vehicle, you must inform the office to buzz the gate open. The cafe had OK reviews for Chilaquiles, however, the service is slow. It is my intention to bring my own food and an ice chest. When booking, make sure the room you get the A/C works.

Hotel Del Pescador Main amenities

• 39 guestrooms
• Restaurant
• Outdoor pool
• Free airport drop-off
• 24-hour fitness center
• Spa services
• Terrace
• 24-hour front desk
• Air conditioning
• Daily housekeeping
• Garden
• Multilingual staff

• Free WiFi and free parking

TLAQUEPAQUE BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Casa Armonia Hotel is a quaint local getaway in Guadalajara. It is perfect for a night stay near Vida Sana for a therapy treatment. "What a beautifully renovated Jalisco style boutique hotel with some of the nicest people to work with. The rooms were spacious and comfortable, the breakfast was well done, not your typical “free” hotel breakfast. The staff was very helpful and gracious...thanks Gabby, Alex and Blas and they all speak English if that is a requirement. I would want to stay here again if I ever get back to the area." Texas traveller, then a California traveller: "The hotel is very well located in Tlaquepaque, about a 3 minute walk from the main plaza. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. Our rooms (Alegria and Amor) were large, clean, comfortable and pretty, though not luxurious. The pool was cold in February, but probably incredible during the hotter months. Free breakfast in the morning was oftentimes our best meal of the day, really well done. Keep in mind that it is in a city and the street is busy, so even with the windows closed there will be some traffic noise at night." It is a short walk in a safe neighborhood for some amazing window shopping in Tlaquepaque. The price is reasonable and the reviews on Hotels.com and TripAdvisor are good. 1,100 pesos per nite or $55 USD - Hotels.com Casa Armonia   Information on Vida Sana in comments.

Imagine a week of Pampering

Stay at the Coxala for one night Monte Coxala Spa

Get a massage, manicure, pedicure

Dine in Ajijic at Cocinart

Ride a horse in San Nicolas 

Stay at San Francisco Hotel one night

Take a boat ride to Mezcala

Have lunch at Vista Del Lago Golf Club

Visit the museum at the Train Station in Chapala

Have brunch at Real de Chapala in La Floresta

Click on photos to enlarge

Manzanillo Beach 3.5 hour drive

La Floresta at Lakeside

Coxala Spa in Jocotopec at the Lake

Cruise the Malecon with friends

Take Rags for a walk at the blue park

Catch a view from a rooftop

Manzanillo Tesoro All Inclusive Hotel

Manzanillo is our favorite beach to Lakeside. Occasionally we enjoy staying at all inclusive hotels that offer an ocean view. Click this link to view rooms that are available and book online direct for the best cost. Hotel website  Tesoro Manzanillo   Again you can read reviews on TripAdvisor. The location is just up the hill from the Barcelo off the main drag in Manzanillo. If you simply want to plant yourself on a beach to read, parties around the pools with kids may distract you from your peace. Mike and I have never stayed at this hotel in Manzanillo, but we did tour the property. 2,400 pesos per night for an ocean view room.   The video says it all.

HM Hotel a Budget Hotel

A girls weekend on a budget! Three of my friends have stayed at the Dolphin Inn, then at Camino Real Hotel in Manzanillo. The Dolphin Inn was high up the mountain past Las Hadas. The A/C was not sufficient and you needed to be a goat to climb the hills. The Camino Real was sold and the new owner of Portazul has not kept up maintenance. For a budget weekend, the HM Hotel is centrally located in Manzanillo. Look it up on google maps, or Hotels.com. Mike and I stayed at the HM in 2015 when it first opened. Great infinity pool, WIFI, and A/C - at the time the hot water did not work in the shower, but hey it could be fixed by 2021!