Las Alamandas is a magical place situated on a private nature reserve on the Pacific Coast of Mexico between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo on what is known as the Costalegre.
On a stressful day, somewhere between deadlines and balancing my time chauffeuring the kids and trying to run a successful business, I try to take a few minutes and mentally escape to a different place. If I just close my eyes, I can still picture the peaceful serenity of my stay at Las Alamandas and the magic that I have found in very few places since.
It is difficult to put into words the Las Alamandas experience. You have to be there to believe it in all its peaceful wonder. The magic isn’t about the rooms despite the fact that they were designed and decorated with grace by owner Isabel Goldsmith-Patino— each with their own individual colour scheme, quaint Mexican art and unique style. It’s not even about the delicious contemporary Mexican cuisine created from the freshest local incredients. The splendour created by Las Alamandas goes far beyond these important qualities. There is a certain state of being that envelopes you as you sip a freshly made margarita by sunset and lulls you to sleep with the sound of the ocean just a few metres from your room.
Set on 1,500 acres of pristine, beachfront property, Las Alamandas is an Oasis where discreet yet personalized service and one of the most beautiful, natural environments of any resort create a secluded haven and one of the most romantic places on earth. My perfect days started by waking up to the sounds of birds chirping and waves lapping and choosing whether to have breakfast on my private terrace or at the restaurant overlooking the ocean cooked to order. (Tip: Don’t miss the cafe con leche and the pan de chocolate fresh out of the oven.) I would meander through the paths of inlaid pebbles and stones through gardens fragrant with the alluring scents of jasmine, gardenia and the vivid yellow Alamanda (the flower for which the resort is named) and contemplate how to spend my day… Maybe today it’s a morning hike through one of the many trails on the resort that ends on an absolutely pristine private beach where a private gourmet picnic awaits. Or maybe instead I should opt for a relaxing massage on my own private beach hideaway where the only sounds are the Pacific Ocean. There are four remote and expansive beaches to choose from and the resort is only more than happy to help you organize the activity of your choosing. The vast property gives a feeling of a private playground and the freedom to explore is yours. Feeling adventurous, one day was spent exploring the unique flora and fauna with a hike on some of the many nature trails on the property and then kayaking through the lagoons shaded by flowering trees that provide habitat to multi-coloured birds. Other options to enjoy the scenery are by mountain bike or horseback.
When I got over feeling guilty for not exploring, I was able to settle in for a relaxing day sunbathing with a good book and an afternoon siesta in my hammock enjoying the ocean breeze. However I spent each day, I found a contentment that only this type of exclusive retreat can provide.
After just one day at Las Alamandas I remember feeling that I had never been more relaxed or at ease. Each of my glorious days were topped off with a specialty cocktail while stargazing on the rooftop Bar Azul. This was followed by a wonderful seafood dinner caught fresh that day. I dined under the palms sometimes serenaded by a local band at the restaurant and sometimes chose the privacy of the private terrace of my room by moonlight. Every night I wondered how it was possible to feel such a world away from the normal day-to-day life. Though the key that unlocks the secret to the appeal of Las Alamandas is difficult to pinpoint, one distinctive factor is that it is managed like an elegant private estate, offering its guest’s luxury, comfort and the highest standards of personalized hospitality while making them feel right at home. It’s no surprise that Las Alamandas’ guest list includes celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, Cindy Crawford and Robert de Niro (to name a few) as well as some of North America’s top CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. The best part is that the cost of living like a celebrity isn’t as steep as you may think and the investment that you make on this vacation will give you an R.O.I. that you would never have imagined. The relaxation and peace found in one day at Las Alamandas has to equate to a minimum of three days somewhere else.
Although Las Alamandas is perfect for a romantic getaway and fabulous beach weddings, family gatherings and corporate groups are also very common. The resort even offers the option of a “buy out” which with only 17 suites in seven villas makes the takeover of this resort very feasible for some. The hotel can design special activities for your group along with a special menu and will even organize bonfires on the beach. It makes for great family bonding and a productive corporate retreat. If you are looking to truly get away from it all and disconnect with the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life and your idea of a beach vacation is not setting your alarm in order to secure a small spot on the sand to spend the day, then stop searching for the perfect place as Las Alamandas is just what you have been looking for. Whether it is just a couple of nights or longer, a stay at Las Alamandas will definitely recharge you, refresh you and leave you with memories that will never fade.
How to get there
Accessible by private jet or luxury transfer
Located 120 km from Puerto Vallarta and 110 km from Manzanillo.
Driving time from Puerto Vallarta Airport to the property takes around two hours and from Manzanillo Airport is around one hour and 40 minutes. (Tip: If you are renting a car, drive during the day to make it easier to find the resort.) Alternatively private ground transportation to and from either airport are provided by the hotel.
Las Alamandas’ private airstrip accommodates small planes from five to 14 passengers. Flight time from the Puerto Vallarta airport is 25 to 30 minutes.
Tammy Cecco
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