Taxco Treasure Hunt: Uncover the Best Western's Hidden Gems!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into Taxco Treasure Hunt: Uncover the Best Western's Hidden Gems! This isn't your meticulously curated travel brochure review. This is the real deal, my unfiltered, sometimes-rambling, and hopefully hilarious take on this Best Western in the silver city of Taxco. Prepare to encounter the good, the bad, and the gloriously mediocre.
First, the SEO stuff, because, well, we gotta get found! (But I promise it'll be sprinkled with personality.)
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Accessibility: The Real Deal (and Some Potential Hiccups)
This is HUGE for a lot of folks, and I'm going to be honest, it's one of those categories that can be a minefield. Officially, Taxco Treasure Hunt ticks the boxes: Elevator (thank goodness, Taxco is all hills!), Facilities for disabled guests, and you can hope for Rooms sanitized between stays. But let's get real. Mexico, in general, can be a bit behind the curve on true accessibility. I didn't personally test the wheelchair accessibility, so I can't give a definitive thumbs up. However the presence of an elevator is a huge win considering the topography. I’d advise calling ahead and specifically asking how wide doors are, and if there are any major thresholds. Look for any Exterior corridor options, that's usually a plus. On the plus side, Front desk [24-hour] is a lifesaver for any last-minute needs.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Not explicitly noted, which means you NEED to ask. Double-check door clearances, and the layout.
Internet: My Love/Hate Relationship
Okay, let’s talk Internet access. The ad claims to have Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Internet [LAN]. This is a gamble, folks. I've stayed in places that promise the internet, and it's about as reliable as a politician. Expect slow speeds. Pray you can at least check your emails. I found the Wi-Fi in public areas to be more usable, but still, don't plan on streaming the latest Netflix blockbuster. The Internet thing seems like a double-edged sword, you can get it, but the quality… shrugs. Air conditioning in public area could affect your internet experience, so you may need to find a quiet, air-conditioned corner.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Bliss or Bust?
Alright, let's break this down. The official checklist boasts:
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Nice! If you're craving a workout and want to offset all that amazing Mexican food.
- Massage, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Sauna, Foot bath, Body scrub, Body wrap: This sounds amazing. Pure relaxation. I may have, or may not have, spent a solid afternoon in the sauna after a brutal day of silver shopping. Ok, confession: I did. And it was GLORIOUS. The Pool with view? Yes, please.
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: A refreshing dip after a day navigating the cobbled streets of this city.
- Terrace: To soak up the sun, or gaze at the starry nights.
Anecdote Time!
I was craving a deep tissue massage. Went to the spa, and the masseuse… well, let's just say she knew her stuff. Honestly? Maybe it was the altitude. Maybe it was the margaritas. But by the end, I was transformed. It was the ONLY way to end my day! Then, a dip in the pool at sunset. Pure, unadulterated bliss. Yes, I'm gushing. Sue me.
Cleanliness and Safety: Covid-Era Reality Check
Listen, we're all a bit paranoid these days, right? Here's what Taxco Treasure Hunt claims to offer:
- Anti-viral cleaning products.
- Daily disinfection in common areas.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Hygiene certification.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services.
- Room sanitization opt-out available.
- Rooms sanitized between stays.
- Safe dining setup.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items.
- Staff trained in safety protocol.
- Sterilizing equipment.
- Cashless payment service.
- Shared stationery removed.
Now, that's a lot of bullet points. The reality? Observe. Ask questions. Trust your gut. I was personally pleased with cleanliness during my stay.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fiesta or Famine?
Okay, food! This is the meat of any hotel experience. The official list:
- A la carte in restaurant.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant.
- Bar, Poolside bar.
- Breakfast [buffet] (YES! I love hotel buffets, even if they're sometimes a bit underwhelming).
- Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant. This means, you have options.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop. Essential!
- Desserts in restaurant.
- Happy hour.
- International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant.
- Restaurants, Room service [24-hour]. HUGE for those late-night cravings.
- Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant.
- Snack bar, Vegetarian restaurant.
- Western breakfast.
- Bottle of water, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service.
Anecdote Time #2: Breakfast Bliss (and a minor mishap)
I'm a HUGE breakfast person. The Breakfast [buffet] was… okay. Not the best, not the worst. The coffee, however, was strong. Like, "can't-sleep-for-hours-after-drinking-it" strong. Which, depending on your needs (and tolerance for caffeine) might be a good thing! The A la carte in restaurant was definitely worth exploring.
There was one incident that I won't forget. I may or may not, stumbled into the bar for a late-night snack. And I may or may not have been wearing my pajamas, it was 2 AM, the staff was incredibly accommodating.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Luxuries
Here's the breakdown:
- Air conditioning in public area, Air conditioning.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Meetings, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meeting stationery, Outdoor venue for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
- Cash withdrawal, Concierge.
- Contactless check-in/out.
- Convenience store, Gift/souvenir shop, Facility for disabled guests.
- Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping.
- Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, (did I mention they had an Elevator?).
- Essential condiments, Food delivery.
- Indoor venue for special events, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, On-site event hosting.
- Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area.
- Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events.
Taxco Treasure Hunt offers a good array of services. They've thought of almost everything.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly? Maybe.
- Babysitting service.
- Family/child friendly.
- Kids facilities, Kids meal.
I didn't personally travel with kids, so I can't give you an expert opinion.
In Your Room: The Essentials (and Maybe Some Extras)
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning.
- Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains.
- Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water.
- Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box.
- Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless.
- Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom.
- Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower.
- **Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries,
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-organized travel itinerary. This is a hot mess express of a trip to Best Western Taxco, Mexico. Consider yourself warned.
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and the Awkward Embrace of Altitude
- Morning (Actually, Late Morning): So, the flight! Arrived in Mexico City. Already I'm sweating. Not the glamorous, sun-kissed kind. More like the "did I pack enough underwear?" kind. The airport's a whirlwind of hurried Spanish and questionable coffee. Finding the pre-booked transfer to Taxco… let's just say it involved a lot of pointing, confused smiling, and a near-miss with a charging luggage cart. Finally, success! We're in a sweaty, slightly cracked van with tinted windows, heading into the actual country. "Mexico here i come"
- Afternoon: The drive. Oh. My. Gawd. The roads are insane. Hairpin turns, sheer cliffs, and a driver who seems to think "brake" is merely a suggestion! I grip my seat, white-knuckled, muttering prayers to anything that will listen. The scenery, though… stunning. Taxco starts to peek around corners, it's a riot of red-tiled roofs and whitewashed walls clinging to the hillsides. Arrival at the Best Western. Room? Fine. View? Breathtaking. Now I'm starting to think this trip might be worth it.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Check-in complete, finally! After a few moments to take in the breathtaking view from my hotel room, I stepped outside. The altitude? That's hitting me HARD. I'm panting like a dying goldfish just walking across the lobby. Suddenly, a wave of panic washes over me, I am completely alone. I'm also starving, the food from the airplane was tasteless, and its going to get dark. Oh, no. The day has already gone off the rails.
- Evening: I'm in the hotel restaurant, I am still alone, with no one to eat dinner with. The restaurant is beautiful, the view is wonderful, but I am getting a cold wind blowing on me, and the waitress with the serious face just stares at me. I eat a really nice dinner, a plate of enchiladas, the best I've ever had, but there's no one to share it with. The food is good, the view is good and the atmosphere is good, but I am totally alone. I go back to my room, feeling a mix of awe and utter loneliness. Maybe this whole "solo travel" thing wasn't such a great idea after all.
Day 2: Silver, Steps, and a Silver Linings Playbook Moment
- Morning: Taxco is all about silver. Obsessed with exploring I stepped in the neighborhood. So I went to explore the town. Holy steps, Batman! My legs are already screaming. Every street is a hill, every hill is a staircase. I've never felt so out of shape in my life. I stumbled upon a little silver shop, run by a jovial old man with a twinkle in his eye. He showed me some amazing pieces. Fell in love with a ring. Haggling? Not my strong suit. Walked out feeling like I'd gotten completely ripped off, but also strangely charmed.
- Afternoon: Church. I went to the iconic Santa Prisca church. The exterior is gorgeous, a baroque masterpiece. Inside, the light, the gold, the sheer grandeur… it's overwhelming. I'm not particularly religious, but I'm deeply moved. I sit in a pew, trying to wrap my head around the history, the artistry, the sheer faith that built this place. Maybe it's the altitude getting to me, but I feel a weird sense of peace.
- Late Afternoon: The silver shops. The market is a cacophony of noise, smells, and dazzling silver. I'm starting to feel overwhelmed. Then, I stumble upon a tiny, hidden workshop. A young woman is hammering silver, her movements precise and graceful. We talk, some English, some Spanish, a lot of pointing and smiling. She makes me a bracelet, personalized, unique. It's my "Silver Linings" moment, a reminder that beauty can be found in the everyday, and that connection, even in a language barrier, is possible.
- Evening: Feeling brave, I venture out for dinner alone again. Tonight, I hit a little "taqueria" down the street from the hotel. The tacos are messy, delicious, and the price? Ridiculously cheap. A family is having a party, laughter and music drift from the doorway. I feel less alone, more connected. Maybe, just maybe, I'm starting to get the hang of this.
Day 3: The Struggle is Real… and the View is Worth It
- Morning: Okay, so I woke up with a massive headache. The altitude's definitely winning now. Dragging myself out of bed, I vow to take it easy. Until I spot the cable car. The thing is, I'm terrified of heights. But the view is supposed to be incredible. After some internal debate (and a shot of adrenaline), I get in. The ride is… well, let's just say I spent most of the time with my eyes squeezed shut, clinging to the handrail.
- Afternoon: I opened my eyes. I did it. The view is breathtaking. Beyond description. The entire town, a sea of white, cascading down the hills, the mountains in the background. Its magical and horrible. It's enough to make you cry. I try to focus on the beauty, but my stomach's doing somersaults. I stay up there as long as I can, just drinking it in.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: A massage? Yes, please! The hotel spa claims to be "relaxing." I'm doubtful, I hate being touched, but I give in. The masseuse is tiny, but her hands are magic. My muscles finally release the tension. I feel human again. Then! I get a serious sunburn on my arms.
- Evening: Dinner from my hotel. I decide to have room service. I can relax on the balcony, watch the sun sink behind the mountains. Dinner is pretty good. As I sit, I feel content with my life.
Day 4: Leaving Taxco, Leaving My Heart
- Morning: After I checked-out of the hotel, I take one last walk. The streets of Taxco, for some odd reason start to feel familiar. I am going to take everything with me, all the joy, all the pain, the beauty, the chaos, the steps.
- Afternoon: Drive is over. I am back in Mexico City. The journey back to the airport is surprisingly smooth.
- Evening: I get on the plan, finally, I am going home. The place is beautiful, the people are beautiful, and I am leaving Taxco, but I am leaving my heart.
Final Thoughts (aka the Rambling Epilogue):
Well, there you have it. My Taxco trip, in all its messy, imperfect glory. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, from abject terror to giddy joy. I made mistakes, I doubted myself, I sweated buckets. But I also saw beauty, met amazing people, and discovered a tiny part of myself I didn't know existed.
Would I go back? Absolutely. Maybe with a better grasp of Spanish, a less terrified attitude towards heights, and maybe a friend. But even if I went alone, I'd go. Because that's what travel is all about, right? Embracing the chaos, the uncertainty, the moments that make you want to laugh and cry all at the same time. And the tacos. Don't forget the tacos.
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Taxco Treasure Hunt: Uncover the Best Western's Hidden Gems! ...or at Least, Try To. (FAQ Edition)
Look, I'm gonna be honest, this treasure hunt thing? It's...well, it's an experience. Let's dive in, shall we? And brace yourselves, 'cause I'm about to spill the beans, the silver, and probably a little bit of my sanity.
So, what *is* this whole "Treasure Hunt" thing, anyway? Because, honestly, the brochure was a little…optimistic.
Okay, picture this: you're in Taxco, a town that's basically a postcard come to life. Cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings, the whole shebang. The Best Western (or, well, *a* Best Western) promises a scavenger hunt. They hand you clues. The clues lead you to…well, *things*. At least that's the idea. I envisioned Indiana Jones, finding ancient artifacts. I ended up feeling like I misplaced my car keys…repeatedly. More on that later, much later. Think of it as a (highly) unconventional way to explore the city. Expect to sweat. Expect to wander aimlessly. Expect to question your life choices. It's a journey, alright.
What kind of "treasure" are we talking about here? Actual gold? Silver? Mysterious ancient scrolls?
*Sigh*. Let's temper those expectations, shall we? No gold. No silver…unless you count maybe a promotional pen. And definitely no ancient scrolls. The "treasure" is…stuff. Think… local shops. Views of the city. Maybe, just maybe, a free drink at the hotel bar (fingers crossed!). It's about the **experience**, they say. The journey, not the destination...blablabla. Though, truth be told, after the third clue that sent me to the *exact same* silver shop, I started to think maybe the destination was the gift shop's return counter. I'm still not over that repetition.
How difficult are the clues? Are we talking brain-teasers or "find the red door on the corner of the square" type stuff?
Okay, the clues… they're a mixed bag. Sometimes, they're straightforward, thankfully. "Visit the church with the big bells!" (Relatively easy, assuming you can climb the hill). Other times, well, other times they’re like trying to decipher a cryptic message from a caffeinated squirrel. Vague descriptions. Sometimes, even outright *wrong* directions. I spent a solid half-hour chasing a clue about a "sculpture near the fountain," only to discover the fountain was dry and the "sculpture" was, uh, a particularly lumpy rock. I developed a twitch. And a deep, simmering resentment towards whoever wrote those things. Seriously, my brain felt like scrambled eggs after the first few clues.
Is it worth the time/hassle? What's the *real* payoff? (Besides the free drink, hopefully...)
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Alright, here’s the cold, hard truth, mixed with a generous helping of personal experience: If you're looking for a structured, perfectly organized activity, skip it. You'll likely end up more frustrated than a cat stuck in a box. However, if you're up for an adventure, a bit of exercise, a good laugh at your own expense, and a possibly flawed, but *very* Taxco-centric experience, then... maybe. The *real* payoff? Honestly, it's the memories (and maybe a slightly better understanding of the city layout). And the story. Oh, the *stories* you'll tell. I'm still recounting the time I got hopelessly lost trying to find a clue involving a "singing rooster" statue. Apparently, the rooster had a *very* quiet singing voice, or maybe I was just looking in the wrong place. It's a gamble, but it's a Taxco gamble!
Let's talk about the "clue repetition" you mentioned. Was that a recurring theme? Did they just *really* like the same shops?
Oh, the repetition... It was a *feature*, not a bug! Okay, maybe a bug. Two clues sent me to the same silver shop! Twice! I felt like I was on a silver-shopping groundhog day. The first time? Fine, I browsed. The second? The shopkeeper recognized me. He probably thought I was stalking him. I started wondering if the clue writer got a kickback from this particular shop. It felt... rigged. And BORING. It completely killed the momentum. It's like they ran out of ideas halfway through and decided to just recycle the same spots. Ugh. I will be honest, that repetition *may* have contributed to the twitch mentioned earlier. Or maybe it was the sun. Or the fact that the "reward" turned out to be a discount on said shop's merchandise. Yep. That was a gut punch.
Were there any *good* clues? Did you have *any* fun? Or was it just all doom and gloom?
Okay, okay, I'll own up to it. There were *moments*. One clue led me to a tiny, hidden plaza with a spectacular view of the city. I just sat there for a few minutes, taking it all in. That was pretty magical. Another, a slightly less tricky clue led me to a local bakery with the most amazing pastries. My blood sugar levels surged, and I was suddenly feeling *much* more optimistic. So, yeah, there were fleeting moments of joy. And the walk itself, wandering those beautiful, cobbled streets... that was the real treasure. But let's be real: remembering those moments requires a bit of selective recall. I still have PTSD from the second trip to the silver shop.
What's the most important thing to bring with you if you attempt this Treasure Hunt? Besides a healthy dose of cynicism.
Seriously? Okay, here's the *definitive* list: 1. **Comfortable shoes.** Taxco is built on hills. You will climb. You will descend. Your feet will scream. 2. **A good sense of humor.** Because you'll need it. 3. **Water!** Dehydration is a real possibility, especially in the midday sun. 4. **A fully charged phone.** For taking photos (which you'll need for "proof" of finding clues, because the organization on that end is also messy). And, most importantly, for Googling "how to find the singing rooster statue". 5. **A good, hard-working, and possibly bribable translation partner, especially if your Spanish is, shall we say, rusty.**. 6. **Patience.** LOTS AND LOTS OF PATIENCE. 7. And yeah, maybe a little bit of cynicism. But don't let it overtake you. There's beauty to be found, even in a slightly flawed treasure hunt.
