We get the about the same simulation times with HSIM. We use therefore HSIM only for functional verfification. If the package is included spectre is getting faster but still in the week range. Some difficult to understand coupling issues are only discovered after a complete spice simulation. Because of this I think there is is much help in using AHDL to improve understanding, verification and reuse but sometimes your modelling are lacking effects which are vital to your system and are only be visible in full spice.
Parallel spice is still in research and CPU stops speed upturn now. So no bright sight from the tools. The good thing about that is that it emphasize the more experienced desginers. Not everything could be simulated and mask are cost are n*100k$.