This tranquil and indulgent hideaway is one of our favorite locations for a weekend escape with a loved one.  It has all the ingredients for a perfect getaway - sumptuous rooms with wood burning fireplaces, cozy terraces and an exquisite and very romantic restaurant.  

Alamos itself is a colonial town of great character with a history of silver mining, revolution and ghosts.  There are a number of colorful fiestas and plenty of natural and cultural attractions - excursions available include river trips to Mayo Indian villages, bird watching and tropical forest tours.  The proximity to the incredible Copper Canyon, home to one of the world's most scenic railroad journeys, also makes the Hacienda an obvious choice for a vacation combining sightseeing and pampering.

This is the perfect hideaway for those who prefer a more cosmopolitan ambience over total seclusion.  The location is fairly remote - a pretty cove with lush forest surroundings on the undeveloped Costa Alegre - and with the maximum number of guests at around 100 or so, it isn't a large resort.  Yet there's usually a buzz of activity around the attractive terraced restaurant, and the irregular array of red tiled roofs and balconies give the air of a Mediterranean village.  There's even a small selection of boutiques and a deli.

We also like the range of accommodations at the Careyes; the junior suites are spacious and indulgent enough to envelop honeymooners for a week or more, whilst the luxurious casitas can accommodate a family in comfort.  And the facilities are surprisingly child-friendly; the pool is big enough for everyone to share, baby sitting services are available and there's a good range of activities for all ages.

The rich and famous head to Las Alamandas for its seclusion and privacy - with a maximum capacity of 30 guests in a paradise of 1,500 acres, you may never even see any other visitors.  The hotel  is the creation of Isabelle Goldsmith, granddaughter of the Bolivian 'Tin King' Don Antenor Patino and daughter of the British financier Sir James Goldsmith.  On inheriting from her grandfather the ecologically rich reserves where Don Patino had planned a mega-resort, Miss Goldsmith visualized a discrete hideaway of exquisite taste.

The results are quite extraordinary.  With vast financial resources and a distinguished background, Miss Goldsmith might have created the type of resort where jewels and couture were flaunted by day and night, and where guests were insulated from any kind of local culture.  Instead, with a skilful eye for color and an instinctive appreciation of Mexico's indigenous crafts, Las Alamandas was conceived as a very relaxed, very Mexican retreat.

This secluded resort is a perfect blend of rusticity, romance and sheer indulgence.  The Tamarindo is set in two thousand acres of rainforest; an area of breathtaking natural beauty where wooded ravines meet the palm fringed Pacific shores.  The attractions include one of the most spectacular golf courses in the country, several secluded beaches and an enticing clear blue sea.

With such inspiring surroundings the last place guests will want to spend time is in their room.  In response, the Tamarindo's villas offer a rare treat of expansive, private and sublimely comfortable outdoor living spaces - huge palapa topped verandahs opening out from stylish interiors and just steps away from a private plunge pool or Jacuzzi.

Some villas have ocean views, others are hidden amongst dense pine groves higher up the hillside.   Although tropical in appearance, the villas include all modern amenities, including air-conditioning, refrigerators, direct dial telephone and oversized bathrooms.  

The luxury of Casa Velas Hotel Boutique might be a surprise to many.   Hidden away just back from the ocean, the tranquillity and intimacy of the property together with the superb facilities make this a welcome change from the high rise hotel zone.

Formerly known as the Quinta Real, the property has always had an excellent reputation for its cuisine.  The Casa Velas is now an all-inclusive property yet it maintains the same high levels of food and service.  Children are no longer accepted in the main seasons, so it is a complete contrast to most of the other all-inclusive properties in the region.

The recent addition of a private Beach Club, with infinity pool, restaurant and air-conditioned TV lounge, plus a full-service spa had already elevated the property's appeal and it remains our top choice for charm and luxury in Puerto Vallarta.

Desert island hideaways don't get much better than idyllic Majahuitas Resort.  The hotel's 18 acres are actually part of the mainland, but because there are no roads to the area the only access is by sea.  And so your vacation begins with a leave-your-worries-behind-you boat trip along the stunning coastline of the Bay of Banderas.

Away from Puerto Vallarta, the sea becomes clearer and blue-green. Twenty minutes later the boat arrives at one of the most picturesque coves on the coast. Seven casitas cling to the shoreline and slopes of the one third of a mile long beach, each casita having a perfect sea view.

To describe the resort as simple or rustic is deceptive.  While it's true that there are no televisions, telephones or air-conditioning (in fact the hotel is mostly solar powered), the resort boasts gourmet food and extraordinary service.

We'd highly recommend Majahuitas for romantics and honeymooners (the hotel has also hosted complete wedding ceremonies). It's also one of the best places we've found for pure relaxation.

The Four Seasons' newest Mexican property lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty.  Secluded, pristine beaches and unusually calm and clear ocean make swimming and water sports especially enticing.  These beaches are the nesting grounds of several species of marine turtle, and whales, dolphins and manta rays are occasional visitors.  For the moment this is the only resort in the area, although more are planned, and the relatively small scale of the resort adds a sense of exclusivity and privacy.

We recommend the resort to couples looking for some serious pampering - a world class spa and breathtakingly scenic golf course may be reasons enough alone for a visit.  Punta Mita is also a great place for families.  The surprisingly child friendly facilities and the "Kids for all Seasons" club mean that parents have time for some private relaxation.  But don't worry if you want to escape the family environment - there's plenty of space for everyone and even during the busiest holiday season, it's still possible to find a secluded beach of your own.