October 30, 2007

If you find yourself with five hours to kill in Puerto Vallarta, have the internal fortitude to endure an ultra-aggressive sales-pitch, and enough flexibility that you can return to PV on just a few weeks notice, we recommend signing up for the time-share presentation at the Sheraton Bouganvilias Resort.

We did on our way south (back in April) and it led to us having one of the nicest - and cheapest - sun "vacations" either of us could remember.

Given that we had spent most of 2007 not working and in hot, exotic locales, it may not make sense at first why we would enjoy a week at the Sheraton so much.

But traveling generally (as opposed to vacationing), and living in a VW van in particular, can make for trying times; every facet of our day-to-day living - from how we prepared our meals, to how we stored our clothe, to how we went the bathroom in the middle of the night - was a lot more challenging than it is in the condo back at home.

We knew from inviting ourselves to the Sheraton's pool on afternoon on the way down that it was fairly high end, but as we hurried up the Pacific Coast we tried to keep our expectations in check to avoid being disappointed.

It was, after all, a time-share presentation freebie.

(Technically speaking, we had been given a "burn week" through Holiday Systems International).

Or at least close to it, at $265/7 nights.

Thus, when we opened the door to a fully stocked kitchen - the kitchen was an extra deftly negotiated by Adrienne - a balcony overlooking the pool, and a view of the ocean - we were pretty excited.

Throw in the A/C, a comfy bed, and a clean shower that had hot water with lots of pressure, and we felt like we had been given court-side tickets to Game 7 of a LA Lakers playoff series.

Given this luxury, it should come as no surprise that, other than a few brief outings to the nearby Commercial Mexicana grocery store, the taca stand, and the internet lab, we didn't leave the hotel for the first four days.

We were content to lounge by the pool, read the USA Today, work out in the fitness facilities and use the blender to prepare frozen, boozy tropical drinks.

Key Facts & Figures:

-Sheraton Buganvilias Resort: $37.85/night