Editors' Picks

Imanta Resort

Intimate, romantic, jungle hideaway

Montenahuac Lote L, Bahia De Banderas, Higuera Blanca 63732

(52) 329-298-4200

See Website

At a Glance

Hidden at the end of an unassuming dirt road, the 12-suite Imanta Resort provides the kind of private retreat Aman regulars will adore.

Indagare Loves

  • Spacious suites with dramatic views and lots of privacy are perfect for a romantic getaway
  • Sundowner cocktails at the Observatorio rooftop bar
  • Eco initiatives keep the carbon footprint low (but the luxury level high)

Review

Although Punta Mita served as a luxury destination for years, it lacked the kind of hideaway resort that couples in search of charm and romance seek. Families and golfers adored Punta Mita; but more bohemian types found the gated community arrangement a bit corporate. So when Imanta’s owner, an alumna of Aman resorts in Bali, Phuket and Jackson Hole, decided to develop her family’s land just north of Punta Mita, she knew exactly which void she would fill.

Hidden at the end of an unassuming dirt road, Imanta provides the kind of private retreat Aman junkies will appreciate. The two three-bedroom casas and five one-bedroom suites, the smallest of which measures 2,500 square feet, occupy individual bungalows tucked away on top of dramatic cliffs where the jungle tumbles into the sea. The builders took great pains to ensure that the architecture incorporated sustainable materials and blended with the natural environment. Local quarry stones create the villa’s multi-meter-thick walls, roofs are patched with native grasses and indigenous woods were used throughout the interiors. The designers also incorporated other eco-friendly elements, from solar panels used to generate some of the resort’s electricity to smartly planned cross-ventilation in the suites that keeps air conditioning requirements to a minimum, even on the hottest of days.

But the green aspects in no way compromise the level of pampering. As in any five-star resort, high-tech amenities such as iPod docking stations and plasma televisions are standard as are high-thread count sheets, spacious bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and attentive service on call 24 hours a day. Meals are served in two restaurants: Catch of the Day, set on the beach, or Tukipa. Perhaps the most special dining venue is the Observatorio, a rooftop bar with views across the jungle and sea. Executive Chef Olivier Deboise, who is half Mexican and French, infuses his cuisine with elements from both cultures to create innovative dishes. Sunset drinks and snacks here are a must. Active guests can arrange for a private hilltop dinner, which is located just a short hike from the main resort. Imanta also has a small outdoor spa, although en-suite treatments or massage tables set up on the beach are recommended.

Who Should Stay

Travelers drawn to the beauty and surf of the Pacific coast of Mexico but who want an intimate boutique hotel experience.

Who Should Not Stay

Guests with disability issues will have trouble getting around the property’s steep stairs and inclined walkways. And while children are welcome, the hotel’s design is not geared to be particularly kid-friendly, nor are there children’s facilities, such as a kid’s club.

Written by Henley Vazquez

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