Manzanillo, Mexico: A Perfect 10

I'll have some Manzanillo with that Margarita, Por Favor!

I was looking for a place to relax and a quick getaway, when Manzanillo, and the gorgeous Grand Bay Resort, dropped into my lap. I hadn't thought of Manzanillo. I had remembered it from the movie, "10," with Beau Derrick. Remember the famous scene of her running on the beach... welcome to Manzanillo!

Where is Manzanillo?

Mexico! A quick getaway to somewhere exotic and tropical. Approximately 2 1/2 hours down south into Mexico, with direct flights from several major west coast cities. I left LAX and within no time, was walking on this amazing beach, with a cocoa loco in hand. Manzanillo lies in between Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta.

I arrived on a Friday-early evening. I had taken the direct flight from LAX into ZLO (Manzanillo) and gained 2 hours. It was an easy flight and the landing has to be one of the most amazing around... the airstrip sits within 10 feet of the beach, so as you land parallel to the ocean, you see this beautiful water on one side, and a lush forest on the other. Unlike Cabo, it is extremely tropical.

I had remembered it from the movie, "10," with Beau Derrick. Remember the famous scene of her running on the beach... welcome to Manzanillo!

Their system of checking your bags, lies with a simple button that looks as if you're about to launch a missile test. If the light buzzes green... it's a go, and they don't ask to check your bags. If it buzzes red.. guess what... some very polite airport official, asks that you open a bag or two. It is a very laid back area, and right away, you feel as if you have left civilization miles away.

Heaven on Earth... The Grand Bay Resort

I was greeted by David from the Grand Bay Resort, who escorted me into the van and off in the opposite direction of Manzanillo proper. We were heading to an area called Barra de Navidad, where the Grand Bay Resort is located. Twelve hundred acres of pure heaven! Larry King, Lynn Swan, Stevie Wonder, Seal, Joe Thiesman, Robert Conrad, Randy White, are just a few who have signed their guest book.

The 20-minute drive to the resort was awesome. Miles of Mangos and Coconut groves lead the way to the entrance of the Grand Bay. Another 5 minutes from the guard tower, a winding road takes you upwards over a hill and past one of the vastest golf courses I have ever seen. For all you golf lovers... I'll come back to that momentarily.

We drove around a curve and there it was... This majestic hotel, built into the lush hills and surrounded by a marina with yachts, is situated on a pretty little island called Isla Navidad (Christmas Island). I had arrived at sunset, and the view was amazing!