Las Alamandas

A two-hour drive from the Puerta Vallarta Airport is a hidden paradise. Drive past miles of palm trees and tropical jungle, and you will find yourself at Las Alamandas, a newly renovated luxury boutique hotel and romantic hideaway situated on 2,000 acres along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, known as the Costalegre.

After a quick three-hour flight from SJC to Puerto Vallarta followed by a two-hour drive from the airport to Las Alamandas, I was ready to begin my vacation. Once I arrived at the hotel, I was greeted post haste with a cool towel and promptly escorted to my gorgeous room. My four-poster bed was adorned with hibiscus petals spelling out “Bienvenidos.” But nothing made me feel more welcome than the fresh coconut, served in its shell, to be sipped while admiring the ocean view – amazing! If the view from my room wasn’t enough, I was shown to a private rooftop terrace where there was the added surprise of an outdoor bed and jacuzzi. The view from up there was brilliant and would later become the perfect spot for some midnight stargazing to the rhythm of crashing waves.

That evening I had the pleasure of chatting with Ms. Goldsmith, the owner of the property, over a dinner of what may be the best red snapper I’ve ever eaten. Ms. Goldsmith was the ultimate hostess, taking time to speak with each guest. We talked about travel (or lack thereof over the past year) and how she built this place over the last 30 years from an empty beach to what it is today – a splendid resort.

The next morning, I woke up bright and early to set out on a short mountain bike excursion around the property. I sped up and down dusty trails listening to the wild birds. The vast variety of species in this aviary sanctuary makes this the ideal spot for any birdwatcher. I took my time on the trail stopping to check out any lookout points or hidden beaches along the way.

Later, I took a guided peek at the other rooms to see if they all held up to the same standard of my own master suite—needless to say, they did. For the ultimate retreat, the beautifully decorated presidential suites are directly on the beach and have corridors that can be opened or locked in order to house larger or smaller parties as needed. They all feature king size beds and a deck with a jacuzzi just feet from the sand. In total there are only 18 suites among a total of eight villas which keep the grounds intimate and serene.

As the day began to cool I gathered my camera and headed out to see the sights within the vast property. The photographer and I set out in the resort’s revamped antique jeep. We explored the laguna, a beautifully calm reflective lake speckled with violet water lilies and lined with pink blossoming Primavera trees. Beyond were the orchards of tropical fruits from which the restaurant gathered its fresh ingredients. Our final stop was to be the river, but we ran into some car trouble on our way. Fortunately for us, a local passerby and his two scrappy and affectionate dogs were kind enough to stop and help us out. After overcoming the language barrier with some very animated sign language, we were able to call the staff at the hotel and we were picked up within minutes. What an adventure!

The next day, I was back on the trails. This time on horseback. My ride was sweet and docile, and we took a slow and steady lap around the lagoon with the occasional stubborn pit stop in the shade. I couldn’t blame the horse for trying as it was pretty hot. Thankfully, my guide was quick to get us going again. We made it back just in time for my massage appointment. In retrospect this should have been the first thing I did when I arrived here. The Swedish massage completely left me feeling invigorated and absolutely euphoric. I finished off the evening with a sunset tour, and I was able to shoot some amazing pictures of the sun setting into the ocean.

Las Alamandas is a place to break free from the tethers of reality. Leave your screens and obligations at home. It is the ultimate destination for romance. This is not your stereotypical Mexican resort, here you will find true peace and solitude. The owner and the staff are impressively hospitable and will go above and beyond to surpass your expectations. The grounds and the villas are gorgeous, romantic, and feature unforgettable breathtaking views.

As the saying goes, “time flies when you’re having fun,” and at Las Alamandas time breezed by all too quickly. I’m going to miss falling asleep to the crashing of waves and waking up to a stunning ocean view. My time here was amazing and if you can make your way down here I’m sure yours will be too. If you’re looking for a quiet intimate getaway that seems like it was built for romance Las Alamandas is the paradise for you.