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Las Alamandas Resort — Costalegre


Km. 83 Carretera Federal #200, Quemaro, Costalegre, Jalisco, Mexico


Travelers in search of space and secure seclusion by the ocean will be seduced by this stylish, colorful resort hideaway that attracts Hollywood's hottest and those who arrive in their own plane.

Las Alamandas Resort review Mexico

While you may not arrive at Las Alamandas like the multi–millionaires do (via the resort's private landing strip), you'll appreciate the same remote splendor and personalized service offered at one of Mexico's most exclusive destinations. You can hire a car service for the roughly two–hour trip from either Puerto Vallarta or a bit less from Manzanillo, but adventurous types may choose instead to drive a rental car, with the last stretch along an unmarked road through a few scattered pueblo houses before reaching the vast estate. Once inside the guarded gates though, you'll discover a spectacular oasis situated on approximately 2,000 acres of lush gardens, lagoons, forest, and pristine shoreline.

Las Alamandas is a thoroughly Mexican hideaway with a colorful sense of place and a laid-back romantic elegance that is hard to top elsewhere in the country. This self–proclaimed "Paradise Found" is the creation of Isabel Goldsmith-Patiño, granddaughter of Bolivian tin king Antenor Patiño. He staked his claim on this coast long before anyone else was interested and as a result this beach resort has the kind of footprint that newer contenders can only dream about. The resort's exclusive reputation and naturally distanced location has made it a favorite haven among royalty, supermodels, and celebrities wanting to get away from the crowds and photographers.

The expansive grounds include four stunning beaches, an orchard, organic gardens, a lake, and river. Eight villas contain 18 suites of various sizes, all decorated with Oaxacan pottery, embroidered fabrics, and custom talavera tile, accented in a vibrant array of pinks, yellows, and reds. Villas facing the ocean have the most dramatic views, though the ones set back a bit offer more privacy on their rooftop terraces.

With a maximum occupancy of 45 guests, this discreet Costalegre luxury resort offers a secluded Latin American atmosphere for everyone. It's so secluded, in fact, that workaholics should try to tie up all loose ends before going on vacation. You'll find fast Wi-Fi in the TV lounge room and bar area if you really must answer that important e-mail to close the deal, but you're expected to untether yourself and unwind the rest of the time. There's no signal in the suites except in the Presidential one. The resort grudgingly added TVs to the suites a few years ago, but thankfully the sound of crashing waves usually drowns out the noise from other rooms if someone turns one on. This is a good place to read a book or converse instead, to play cards or study the constellations while away from city light pollution.

las alamandas luxury suite

The Presidential Suite boasts the best ocean view and is the most versatile of the distinctive villas: it sleeps six, but can be divided into a studio and a suite. It has its own large rectangular plunge pool with a view of the waves. The next categories facing the water are the Ocean Front Suite with more than 1,000 square feet and a whirlpool tub, or the two-bedroom Ocean Front Master Suite with twice as much space. With the two-level villas, the lower unit features an outdoor whirlpool and the upper has a private roof terrace.

The resort has gone through several renovations over the years, upgrading soft goods and occasionally adding another suite or two. The newest ones have double showers and walk-in closets. The suites and villas are so distinctive—all making great use of Mexican handicrafts and textiles—that it's best to browse around the website or call for guidance to choose the best option. Unless you're just going to go for the best or you're the bride to be. Then book the expansive presidential suite for a truly memorable experience.

Pacific coast luxury resort Mexico

Las Alamandas prides itself on privacy, to the point where I was told, "You can check out late, but you must be out of here by 1:00 because we have a VIP guest coming." When I heard the private plane descending toward the airstrip, I knew it was time to hit the road. The crew filming a high-end tequila brand commercial with models posing by colorful backdrops packed up as well. A-list Hollywood celebrities have been staying here since before the days when Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston were a couple, with a long list of Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy winners checking in at Las Alamandas multiple times. Plus a few billionaires flying in from Silicon Valley and a few from the other side of the globe that have arrived by yacht.

Costalegre Resort dining with a view

There's just one restaurant on site since suites and other infrastructure are clustered in one section of the estate. The on–site meal plan can be a smart choice, given the seclusion, but the food, served on colorful Mexican pottery, is easily outshined by the stunning vistas. Meals are offered at a covered oceanfront terrace, on an open-air patio under the palm trees set further back, at the Oasis dining room in the main building, or at your own private suite. Or you can order lunch by the pool or at a lounge chair looking out at the waves.

Dining areas stay with the traditional Mexican theme when it comes to dishes, glassware, and furniture, but the menu veers into international territory to offer variety. The dinner menu tends to change each night depending on what's fresh. The resort has an extensive organic garden and orchard, plus they buy what's on offer from local fishermen. The dinner choices when I stayed included red snapper in almond sauce, nopales (cactus) stuffed with grilled vegetables, a New York strip steak option with potatoes, plus multiple soup, salad, and appetizer options.

oceanfront dining organic lunch

If you want to stay active on your beachfront vacation, there's plenty to keep you occupied exploring the area. You'll find a single tennis court, boogie boarding, kayaking, mountain biking, yoga, horseback riding, and boat excursions to keep you busy. Plus there's a small gym on site and a long beach to stroll.

Staffers can give you a tour of the grounds by ATV. But it's perfectly acceptable (and suggested) to pass on diversions in favor of poolside lounging under the shade of a thatched palapa. If you go on a walk in the interior or along the beach, you're sure to encounter some wildlife. You may spot a spoonbill, ibis, or heron along the shore, a leatherback sea turtle laying eggs, a deer or a raccoon-like coati on land.

With the proper arrangements, this is a rare North American resort where you can really have a whole beach all to yourself. The resort can pack you a picnic lunch and then block off access to your own private beach—one of four—for couples or families in search of true seclusion by the sea.

Mexico resort on private beach

Not that the main beach ever gets crowded, however. Even if the resort were at capacity and everyone rushed to the surf at the same time, you could stretch yourselves out 50 meters apart and not cover the expanse. It takes more than 20 minutes to walk from one end of the main beach to the other at a steady clip.

We first visited Las Alamandas around Luxury Latin America's launch in the late '00s and since that time it has gotten steadily more luxurious and pampering. It never feels stuffy here, however, and prices for food and cocktails don't feel rapacious like they can at the big chain resorts Las Alamandas competes with in Jalisco and Nayarit. Few of those more expensive resorts can match Las Alamandas' spacious landscapes, true sense of place, artistic vision, and personal service. Staff members will bring you a cocktail no matter where you may be relaxing on the grounds, they'll arrange special romantic dinners on a distant promontory, and point out the calmest waters along the breathtaking beachfront.

Mexico luxury beach resort sunset

This harmonious and romantic beach resort in Costalegre is an ideal spot for those who want to spend quality time together in an uncomplicated, expansive setting. You'll receive stellar custom service while enjoying the simple pleasures of your own near-private paradise with one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios on the Pacific coast. If your timing is right, you may even get a Hollywood star's autograph on a bar napkin or a photo with the latest supermodel doing a magazine cover shoot. Here they make you feel like a celebrity though even if you're not one yourself.

Web Address: www.alamandas.com or book online at Hotels.com
Total Number of Rooms: 18 suites in eight villas
Published rates: $377 to $2,865 plus taxes

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Mexico resort on private beach

Review and photos by Timothy Scott


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