WHAT: Perched on a cliff overlooking a 2-mile-stretch of Pacific coastline and surrounded by dense jungle, this Mexican retreat offers the ultimate in seclusion and luxury — no wonder it was a favorite of Gwyneth and Chris before the uncoupling. Accommodations number just a dozen: The 10 spacious casas (from 1,900 to 2,500 square feet) are crafted from native stone and hardwoods and feature amenities such as private plunge pools, outdoor showers and lush gardens, while the two sprawling three-bedroom villas boast such perks as an infinity pool, rooftop terrace with Jacuzzi and outdoor dining areas. The Relais & Châteaux property also has two on-site restaurants.
WHERE: About 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta International Airport, on 250 private acres in Riviera Nayarit, next to a nature preserve.
WHY: In a popular resort area dominated by mega-hotels and all-inclusives, the boutique Imanta property is a breath of fresh air.
WORKING WELL: You’ll be hard-pressed to leave your exquisitely designed, open-plan casa, especially if it’s one with an ocean view and plunge pool.
KEEP IN MIND: The hotel’s cliffside setting is beautiful but the steep stone stairs aren’t ideal for children or anyone with walking/climbing difficulties. Also, the ocean in this part of Mexico is quite rough, so swimming and other water activities can be very limited.
MUST TRY: At lunch, arrive barefoot at the casual beachfront Catch of the Day restaurant and order the fresh daily ceviche — it could be snapper, it could be octopus, but it’s always excellent.
DON’T MISS: Sunsets here will make your Instagram followers insanely jealous; head to the Observatorio rooftop bar (we recommend snagging the table under the stone portico), order a cocktail and some tasty tapas and let the sun do his thing.
DETAILS: From $800; imantaresorts.com