The
first thing that strikes you upon entering Las Alamandas,
a little corner of heaven on Mexico’s sunny Pacific
Coast, south of Puerto Vallarta, is the profusion of colors:
parakeet-blues, canary-yellows and flamingo-pinks. The distinctive
setting almost guarantees an “anything is possible”
vacation. Richly appointed villas (six in all) blend perfectly
into 1,500 acres of exotic trees, palms, flowers, wild birds,
lagoons and endless white-sand beaches. The hotel’s
private grounds are large enough so that each guest can enjoy
regal calm and privacy. Owner Isabel Goldsmith, daughter of
the late British financier Sir James Goldsmith, inherited
this plot of paradise and supervises everything to accommodate
your needs. You will feel as though you’re staying at
a private estate. The resort could feasibly serve hundreds
but caters to 28 only at capacity, meaning you can go your
entire visit without seeing anyone other than your waitstaff.
Las Alamandas is also an easy getaway: A private asphalted
landing strip accommodates small aircraft that can be chartered
from Puerto Vallarta.
If
one had to choose a single word to describe this luxurious
hideaway on Anguilla’s southwest coast, that word would
be magical. Picture white Moorish-style two-story villas with
arches, domes, turrets and parapets, set off by a white powder
beach, azure sky and aquamarine sea. It’s intimate,
romantic and aims to please with oversized bathrooms (double
bathtubs in most), private sunning terraces, indoor/outdoor
showers, and butlers trained by the UK’s Ivor Spencer
School. Pool villas offer a private pool and sundeck and include
golf carts for transport around the property. But for real
relaxation, there’s the spa, with its array of international
therapies including the Cap Juluca Ritual for Two, Javanese
Lulur Royal Ritual, Balinese and Thai massage, regression
therapy, kinesiology and more. Group and private yoga sessions,
personal training, meditation and massage can also be arranged.
The wellness program has been expanded to include a Mind,
Body, Spirit plan that includes spiritual astrology, shamanic
work, psychospiritual work, intuitive healing and energetics.
New experiences await here, including a gastronomic package
(good through 2005), in coordination with the hotel’s
executive chef, which highlights celebrated American and French
chefs and noted vineyards.
JEANNE
MUCHNICK
Cap
Juluca
Rates, approximately $780 to $5,725 per night
Maundays Bay, Anguilla, BWI
888-8JULUCA www.capjuluca.com
