Las Alamandas

Character and identity

Set on 1,500 acres of private coastal nature reserve along Jalisco's Costalegre, Las Alamandas is the personal vision of Isabel Goldsmith-Patiño, named after the buttercup-yellow flowers that grow across the land. Just 16 suites are scattered across the grounds, dressed in Frida Kahlo-bright palettes of salmon, pink and purple, with four private beaches between them. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member, the property runs on quiet, owner-led hospitality rather than corporate polish. There's a spa, a single restaurant, a private landing strip, and eco-conservation woven through the operation. Regulars include Cindy Crawford, Sting and Robert De Niro, who has his own custom-built gym on site.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What you're paying for here is space and seclusion: four private beaches, 1,500 acres, 16 suites and a coastline that almost no one else can reach. Book if you want to disappear with a partner and don't need a roster of restaurants or activities. Fly in via the private airstrip if you can; it sets the tone.