TROPICAL ESCAPE: IMANTA RESORTS PUNTA DE MITA
Mexico
Punta Mita, a peninsula on the Riviera Nayarit, grew in the last decade as a popular alternative to neighboring Puerto Vallarta’s overdevelopment. Perhaps that’s why Imanta Resort bears its name—but is actually six miles north of the peninsula, in Higuera Blanca. The hotel, however, is unlikely to face the threat of development. Located within a jungle preserve bordering the Pacific Ocean, this Relais & Châteaux estate is impossible to view from the road, let alone access except via a single road.
With 250 acres around you and only 14 suites, Imanta feels like a step back in time. The main lodge, capped by the stellar Observatorio lounge, resembles a Mayan pyramid rising from the jungle. You can see the entire coastline and appreciate the dense jungle around you. A cluster of bungalows below contains the suites, the smallest of which is 1,900 square feet. Six casas, including a glorious treehouse and a 10,000-square-foot manse, provide even more space.
Imanta brands itself an eco resort—solar power provides electricity and heats the pools—but it doesn’t skimp on luxury. With a pristine beach, it’s easy to go surfing or diving from the resort, and the concierge can arrange golf outings at nearby properties. But you’ll want to stay on-site for dinner. The restaurant, Tukipa, is excellent, and the resort can prepare a romantic meal for two on a cliff as the sun sets over the ocean.
Starting rate: $790 per night
Contact: [email protected], 855.247.2599, imantaresorts.com
