Las Alamandas

Exclusive beach resort with a handful of colourful villas, lush gardens and excellent facilities, set on a vast private ecological reserve

Wonderfully isolated, Las Alamandas is set on a sweeping bay on Mexico's Pacific coast, 2 hours south of Puerto Vallarta. The rural province of Jalisco is tequila country, where fields of cactus cover the arid landscape. A dirt track leads from the coastal highway to the resort, passing ramshackle villages and sleepy farms before opening into an oasis of verdant manicured gardens. Hidden amid the palm trees, 7 villas painted in vivid hues of pink, orange and blue house just 16 exquisite suites. Private Jacuzzis and sun terraces add to the sense of seclusion; 2 of the most luxurious suites even have their own pools.

Owner Isabel Goldsmith (daughter of the late Sir James Goldsmith) ensures that every whim is catered for by professional and friendly staff, from a romantic picnic on a private beach to a family fishing trip on the San Nicolas river. There is also horse riding, surfing, yoga, spa treatments, cliff-top hikes and salsa dancing, but the atmosphere is so peaceful and soporific that you can't help but just want to laze around soaking up the sunshine. This intimate hotel is the place to come to get away from it all, and where you may well find yourself sharing the pool with movie stars.

Highs

• Low-key luxury melds with a warm and colourful Mexican feel
• The 5* facilities include a private airstrip, and Jacuzzis in most suites
• It's private, peaceful and relaxing; with just 16 suites in 1,500 acres you may never see another guest
• The service is very attentive - there's a staff-to-guest ratio of 10 to 1
• The attention to detail - from hand-embroidered towels in the bathrooms to crochet-fringed parasols by the pool - is excellent
• It's surrounded by pristine nature, including deserted sandy beaches, lush tropical gardens and hidden lagoons rich with birdlife

Lows

• Powerful, unpredictable currents and crashing waves make swimming in the ocean unsafe at times
• Harmless racoon-like tejones invade the restaurant at meal times, but if you don’t feed them they won’t bother you
• The isolated location may not suit all - don't expect nightlife, shopping or sightseeing nearby