The World's Most Personal Resort
By J. Walman & Nancy Preiser
Las Alamandas is located one hour and 45 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta and one hour and 30 minutes north of Manzanillo. By land: Transportation to and from either airport can be provided by Las Alamandas staff in a privately- chauffered car (air-conditioned). Other options include car rentals and taxi service. From/To Puerto Vallarta $183 each way + 15% tax and 15% service. From/To Manzanillo $183 each way +15% tax and 15% service. By air: The resort also features its own asphalt Runway (3,300 feet in length) capable of accommodating small aircraft such as a Lear Jet 28, King Air turbo prop, etc. Landing arrangements must be made in advance through the reservations office at the time of booking. Charter plane rental information presently provided by Transportes Aereos de Ixtlan. ISLANDER (45-minute flight from PV) Twin engine plane $1,292 Dlls. + 15% tax + $10 Dlls. airport tax per person (each way). CESSNA 210 (45-minute flight from PV) Single engine plane $646 Dlls. + 15% tax + $10 Dlls. airport tax per person (each way).
The resort is owned by Isabel Goldsmith, the daughter of British financier Sir James Goldsmith and granddaughter of "Bolivian Tin King Don Antenor Patiño The first sound you hear as you drive into Las Alamandas is the soft spray of sprinklers on brillant palm-studded lawns that roll right up to the Pacific Ocean. And the first thing you see is a blaze of Mexican pink on sun-drenched adobe walls. Las Alamandas is the ideal hideway for seekers of beauty and the privacy of endless broad white sand beaches where the only footprints are your own. Serenity is the keynote. There are no discotheques, or jet-skis to disturb the harmony of nature.
The four-villa hideaway (which has only 11 rooms to accommodate a maximum of 22 guests) is managed much like an elegant, private estate where guests may feel completely at home. The villas have high-pitched tile roofs, shaded terraces and white ceramic floors. Walkways decorated with stones mosaics wind through lush gardens. Each room is decorated in the jewel-like colors chosen by owner/developer Ms. Goldsmith. Furnishings are a pleasing mix of designs, fabrics, and arts & crafts selected from all over Mexico.
Rattan sofas, upholstered in canary yellow or shocking pink, hold
brightly-colored embroidered cushions on which to take a siesta.
Mexican folk-art and hand-painted artifacts enliven each room.
Accommodations include large, hand-painted, Mexican tile baths
featuring oversized tub and shower, bidet, double sinks and large
open shelving, as well as private terrace and full-sized living
/ dining area. In addition, each villa features a fully-equipped
kitchen and honor bar.
Winter Season:
Oct 16 - May 31
Summer Season:
Jun 1 - Oct 15
Entire Villa: 1 Presidential Suite, 2 Junior Suites (6
persons). $2,248 $2,788 $1,520 $2,060
Presidential
Suite: Beach-front
villa with veranda,
living room,
fully-equipped
kitchen, large
bedroom (king bed)
and bath (2 persons).
$1,050 $1,230 $680 $860
Junior Suites:
Beach-front villa with
bedroom (2 queen
beds) private terrace
and bath (2 to 4
persons). $599 $779 $420 $600
Plan A (no meals included)
Plan B (includes all meals; drinks not included)
Our suite (we were the only guests on the resort) was the incredible Casa del Sol. Accommodating 3 to 6 persons & Located on the main (mile-long, private) beach, Casa Del Sol's decor is highlighted in bright, sunny yellow. Each of its suites has its own private entrance, large bedroom, bath and private terrace.
The main part of the villa contains two private (junior) suites, separated by a patio, each with individual mini-bar and private entrance. The main living area of Casa del Sol opens onto a large shaded terrace furnished as an outdoor sitting room with private dining area in which to enjoy meals al fresco. It also features a fully-equipped kitchen and honor bar. Children under 6 years or under in the same suite, on request: $100 Dollars with or without extra bed, plus $20 Dollars per meal. All rates are quoted on a per night basis, based on single or double occupancy per bedroom. Rates are quoted in US dollars and do not include 15% V.A.T., 2% State Room Tax and 15% Service Charge.
The food is excellent in the main Oasis Restaurant. A Sample Menu might include: Ensalada Tartara de Zanahoria y Tomate (Fresh Carrot & Tomato Tartar Salad), Ceviche Manzanillo (Shredded Fish Marinted in Onion, Chile, Tomatoes and Lime Juice), Gazpacho Sevillano, Crema de Calabacita (Cream of Zucchini Soup), Camarones Rellenos con Queso (Cheese-Stuffed King Prawns) & Sorbet de Jamaica (Hibiscus Flower Sorbet) for dessert.
All ingredients are fresh: fish and seafood are brought in daily
from local fishermen; eggs and chicken are free-range; pastries
are prepared daily by the chef; and many of the fruits and vegetables
are grown organically on property. Upon request, the Oasis Restaurant
will prepare an elaborate dinner buffet, complete with mariachis
and bonfires, to serve you on the beach.
La Palapa Beach Club An oversized, thatched palapa, situated by
the beach, is adjacent to the fresh-water swiming pool and serves
as a welcome retreat from the sun. Guests relax in its shade after
tanning on one of many sun beds or sway gently to Pacific breezes
in a palapa-shaded hammock. La palapa also serves as a beach bar
and ideal place to enjoy lunch in your bathing suit.
The beautiful fresh-water swimming pool, equipped with massage
jets, is located right next to the ocean and Palapa Beach Club.
Poolside chaise lounges are shaded by white handmade lace-trimmed
beach umbrellas.
E-mail: alamanda@zonavirtual.com.mx
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