The 51-room luxury boutique Hospes Maricel is the kind of place where one might expect to find a modern doppelgänger of Cary Grant lounging by the pool. It is timeless and timely; marvelously classic in parts, and strikingly contemporary in others. Views of the sapphire ocean waters are ubiquitous, as are views of the mountains and gardens. The variety of rooms offered -- from opulent classics to more minimalist, eco-friendly rooms with stone walls -- is impressive. Service is reportedly not always up to five-pearl standard, however, and there have been issues with a limited hot water supply. A nearby competitor that is also worth checking out is the Hotel Nixe Palace; its views are just as supreme, with the added advantage of a sandy beach.