It’s still chilly outside, but many are already looking forward to heating things up for Valentine’s Day—and beyond. What to do to knock your loved one’s socks off, so to speak? Flowers, wine, music… Sure, but why not go the extra mile? Why not flowers, wine and music in MEXICO! We call them flores, vino and música, and they are just the beginning of a romance to remember.

Whatever the size of the budget, Mexico delivers en grande. Think about it: it’s certainly foreign, it’s more than exotic, the cuisine is absolutely delicious and it’s all practically in your own back yard. Why spend ten hours (or more) on a long flight to Europe when you can marvel at architectural wonders a couple of hours away? Take, for example, the gorgeous city of Morelia built with pink granite, or the exquisitely reconstructed historical center of Mexico City, one of the world’s grandest and designed in the style of Madrid and Paris.

But what about the flores? They are everywhere in colonial Mexico: fuchsia bougainvillea spilling over garden walls, bright orange, pink and yellow pa ask? p flowerers in the marketplace, potted geraniums blooming on every windowsill… They’re impossible to miss and a delight to the senses. What’s more romantic than walking hand in hand down a cobblestone street, sitting on a park bench under a shady tree, stealing a kiss in the aptly named Callejón del Beso (Kiss Alley)? Perhaps a stay at a turn-of-the-century mansion might top the list? There are plenty to choose from: lovingly restored, beautifully furnished and with a service that rivals any European hotel!

We haven’t forgotten about the música: candlelit dinners are certain to be found, but add to that a spin around the plaza to the music of the marimbas, a traditional midnight serenade with a real mariachi band or an evening of bohemia as they call it in Mérida, where local singers—and there are many with very fine voices—sing to the goddess of Love. And the vino? Why, it’s everywhere! Mexico has become quite the destination for award-winning vintages with labels from Monte Xanic and Bodegas Santo Tomás, among others. You will be, we promise, quite pleasantly surprised next time you raise your glass to your media naranja (the “better half”, or so they say!)

We welcome you to experience the wonder and romance of our Mexico through our many beautiful member hotels—it’s an opportunity to create a new tradition with your loved one that will bring a smile to your face for years to come.

Hacienda de los Santos is romantic just on its face: a gorgeously-restored hacienda, lovingly decorated with hand-picked antiques, meandering paths, fountains, flores hither and yon and a level of service that’s hard to find these days. To top it off, they boast Jamie Swickard, who is the Queen of Weddings (no joke). Married to a Mexican national (at the Hacienda, of course) she has embraced both her husband and his culture 100 percent. As the resident wedding planner, she tailors each celebration to the bride, weaving in her own magic to create an unforgettable event.

For example, a burro might put in an appearance, carrying tequila for a traditional Mexican wedding. Rides in horse-drawn carriages, barbecues at the Rancho de los Santos, float trips or horseback rides are among the many options. Taking a page from Mexican tradition, the bride carries candles and stops at the hotel chapel on the way to the ceremony to send up a prayer for a happy new life. And instead of simply waiting in the pews the guests participate, walking after the bride from the chapel to where she meets her groom. Some brides even eschew the pomp and circumstance, opting for vibrant colors, a 10-minute ceremony and a casually elegant feast with fine wine and gourmet food.

As for proposals, Jamie has that covered, too. Case in point: she recently prepared a very special picnic for a couple under a fabulous tree in the arroyo. Set on an Asian carpet and covered with beautiful parasols, a fantastic gourmet feast awaited the unsuspecting bride-to-be, who arrived on horseback…

Hacienda de los Santos is also the site for the Annual Valentine’s Ball, a spectacular event that brings together both guests and locals for music, gourmet dining and romance. This year, guest chef Judith Baigent, CCP (Certified Culinary Professional) and the owner of Culinary Concepts will be joining them. And in addition to Los Hacendados (the on-site musical group), a 5-piece salsa and bolero musical group will be entertaining guests in the Hacienda Theatre.

We have great news! Tamarindo has once again joined the Mexico Boutique Hotels family. We are very happy to welcome them back, as many of our guests were eager to repeat their exceptional vacations in this gorgeous retreat. Located in the heart of Tenacatita Bay, Tamarindo is now under the ownership of Yellowstone Club World, renowned among the world’s wealthiest vacationers for its exquisite holdings.

The ultimate in intimacy and elegance, this resort is comprised of luxury villas set amongst private gardens and plunge pools, combining the beauty of nature with every amenity your heart desires, from a signature 18-hole golf course, to aquatic excursions, tennis and nearby polo fields, to wildlife observation programs and then, upon your return, a full-service spa and exquisite gourmet dining. Each of the 29 villas features ample marble showers for long, sensual showers, teakwood floors, the softest linens, outdoor living areas and a private Jacuzzi and plunge pool for those mid-afternoon interludes. Outside, you can lounge about on your cama (bed) with a book (or not), or rock in the hammock beneath the starlit sky. What more could you possibly need?

Requiring a minimum stay of two nights, Tamarindo’s romance package includes:

• Welcome cocktail
• Luxury villa
• Daily breakfast at the restaurant or in the privacy of your villa
• Tropical fruit plate in your room upon arrival
• One 30-minute massage per person, per stay
• House bottle of wine upon arrival
• Complimentary use of the tennis courts (day games only)
• Complimentary use of aquatic sports equipment (Kayaks & Snorkel)
• Includes taxes and service charges

Rates start at $715 per room, per night, good through April 30, 2007. Subject to change and blackout dates.

Ah, the mariposas… Those beautiful Monarch butterflies that fly thousands of miles, gathering in the millions on the pine trees in the sanctuaries in Michoacán. The sight is amazing, unforgettable. Villa Montaña in Morelia, a colonial city that lives and breathes culture and beauty, has put together a package that can whisk a couple away to experience this yearly event.

Convert their Monarch Special into your own personal romantic getaway by adding it onto a longer stay—the hotel is known for its view of this city of pink granite, its lovely surroundings filled with restored antiques and European touches, and its ample suites that include a fireplace to warm hearts and bodies after a day in the cool forests of Agangueo.

A two-night stay under this special includes accommodations, daily Villa Montaña breakfast (one of the chef’s many specialties!), a welcome cocktail and fruit basket), and a tour of the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. Couples can take their kids, who can stay for free if they share their room (up to two, please), but it might put a damper on the romance. Just a thought. Rates start at $550 for a standard room up to $1,100 for a Master Suite with two bedrooms. Some restrictions and blackout dates apply.

Yes, you read correctly. A romantic vacation in Mexico can definitely be a sultry, sensual experience. In fact, some of our members have made “racy” and “sexy” a part of their daily vocabulary.

At Hotel Básico in Playa del Carmen, Polaroid cameras in every room help you “capture the moment”—without leaving a trace. You can either take them with you or post them in the guest book chained to the bed in every room. Bathing also takes on a life of its own, with Omelette soaps especially created with peppermint and marijuana extracts. And each room is named after a beautiful woman...Patricia, Sofia, Paulina... Nearby at Deseo [Hotel + Lounge], the nightly amenity includes a box labeled FOR FUN with a discreetly packed condom plus a stick of incense.

In Mexico City, Condesa DF offers pole dancing classes and a SEX KIT designed by Hector Galvan of Omelette: a brown velvet box with a policeman’s hat inside and a compartment labeled LIKE A SEX MACHINE filled with marshmallows, cuffs, garters, condoms and a small box for Viagra or birth control—your choice. There are also cold bottles of champagne (Pop, Pommery, Moët and Krüg) as well as Pedialyte in fridges in every room—known locally as a hangover remedy. Elsewhere in the city, Habita Hotel has it’s own INTIMACY KIT, filled with fun tidbits for your pleasure.

Villa Ganz (Guadalajara)

Romance is high on the list at Villa Ganz, where you’ll feel like the Master and Mistress of a turn-of-the-century mansion located in one of the city’s finest neighborhoods. This intimate inn combines the best traditional features with life-simplifying amenities, and the hospitable owner made each of the 10 spacious and beautifully detailed guest rooms as unique and interesting as the people who stay here.

A beautifully decorated Master Suite awaits the couple that embarks on the Mexican Romance Escape, a four-day, three-night getaway that allows you to experience amor a la mexicana in this most Mexican of cities. You will be welcomed with signature Margaritas, and enjoy a daily breakfast served in the privacy of your own room. During your stay, you will also receive a bottle of the Mexican aphrodisiac liqueur, Damiana, and a CD of romantic bolero music. You will also be upgraded to a Grand Master Suite (subject to availability) upon check in. Taxes and service charges are included.

Valid through December 15, 2007, because romance happens all year round. Package rate is $880 per couple.

You do have to take care of número uno, too, you know. So, along with loving your better half, make sure you get the royal treatment as well. Take both of you on a four-night package to the exquisitely restored 18th century Hacienda Xcanatun, set on the outskirts of Merida and the royal archaeological site of Dzibilchaltun.

This season, their resident Maya therapist has introduced the highly therapeutic Sobada Massage, a technique she mastered through studies with a noted healer, or sobador.Called Ancient Sites & Rejuvenation, the package highlights the new treatment and reflects a savings of over $330 per person. Available from January 7 to September 30, 2007, and includes:

• One Sobada Massage or Maya Stone Massage, and an Aura & Chakra Cleansing per person, (Additional treatments available for approximately $60 each)
• A full day excursion in a private sedan with bilingual guide to the recently excavated, Ek Balam, known for its human-size sculptures or to Uxmal or Chichen Itza.
• A tasting and gastronomy experience at Vista Alegre to sample traditional rum and liqueurs made from nance, lime, guayaba, and sour orange, and a four-course lunch at Hacienda Teya showcasing fine traditional Yucatecan specialties.
• Double occupancy accommodations for four-nights in a Deluxe Suite opening onto a terrace with an outdoor hydrotherapy tub.   Continental breakfast, hotel service charges and transportation from the Merida airport are included.  (Taxes and restaurant gratuities are extra.)

Mexico Boutique Hotels is a collection of upscale member properties categorized by their intimacy, high level of service and outstanding attributes. A group of small, independent hotels within Mexico that offer a unique vacation experience for guests, Mexico Boutique Hotels are typically less than 50 rooms and often serve as destinations unto themselves.

Each offers a unique theme that sets it apart from other accommodations and provides top service and cuisine through a personalized experience. Mexico Boutique Hotels are chosen by a team of travel and hospitality professionals with many years of experience in Mexico. For more information or to make reservations, please visit www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com or call 1-800-728-9098 (US and Canada).