A Review of the Uncommon Grounds Buddha Lounge, Puerto Vallarta

Uncommon Grounds Buddha Lounge

Ave. Lázaro Cárdenas 625
Col. Emiliano Zapata
Puerto Vallarta, Jallsco, Mexico 48380

Puerto Vallarta, or PV for short, is a beautiful resort city in Jalisco, Mexico. Nestled along the Pacific Ocean's Bahía de Banderas, Puerto Vallarta attracts many visitors who return to the lovely location every year. Indeed, I happen to be one of those PV regulars and 2008 marked my ninth stay.

My location of choice is the Zona Romantica (Romantic Zone). Nine years ago, when I first experienced the friendly people, the quaint cafes and shops on cobbled streets, the charming architecture and breathtaking Los Muertos beach, I knew I'd never set foot in the big, modern, touristy resorts that exist in the other sections of PV.

An exquisite addition to the Romantic Zone is Uncommon Grounds Buddha Lounge, owned by Anne Bryant and Lydia Damato. It's like a sanctuary that you'll never want to leave. A friend of mine, who also returns to PV every year, enthusiastically recommended the spot, and I'm so glad she did.

When you walk into Uncommon Grounds Buddha Lounge you are immediately struck by the lush, eclectic decor. You'll find antiques, velvet, oriental rugs, beautiful statues, Indian print fabrics, all creatively combined. Everything is mixed within splashes of deep color like the purple walls and the purple ceiling made of material that allows a bit of sun to seep through. My personal favorite is the green bathroom decorated with a print of Warhol's Marilyn.

What does Uncommon Grounds Buddha Lounge offer? It offers everything to make your visit one of the most relaxing. You'll find a cozy cafe where you can order appetizers, salads, wraps, assorted teas, creative alcoholic drinks, desserts and more. I ordered an excellent piece of cake that was so moist it seemed to melt in my mouth.

There is handmade jewelry and original clothing available for purchase. I bought my girlfriend a pair of earrings handmade by one of the local Mexican artists.