Imanta Resort

Imanta is not just a hotel, it’s a true jungle experience -- an elegant, luxurious one at that.

Every part of this resort is subsumed by jungle just barely (and tactfully) kept at bay. Iguanas and other animals are often spotted. Wooden carved totem poles or stone statues replicating local tribal art are placed around the property, perhaps hiding behind a bush or tree, as to be a bit of a surprise when you happen upon them. Stone paths wind along the hillside and through the trees of the resort’s expansive 250 acres, though most of the amenities and rooms are located within a small area, and the staff is on hand to provide rides via golf cart, if needed.

Forget about room keys and towel cards -- the doors don't even have locks. The compound is very secure and remote, located down a two-mile-long private road. The ride to reach the hotel sets the scene: Guests travel on a twisting path through dense jungle to reach the dramatic, Jurassic Park-style entrance. The word Imanta means “magnetic” in Spanish -- which perhaps is what keeps the hotel’s elite guests coming back.

The main building of this Relais & Chateaux property is stacked in cobblestone and covered with ivy; it looks like its old even though the hotel has only been around for a few years. There’s a large guestbook in the main gazebo, and if one looks through it with a careful eye, they might spot some celebrity signatures. (Past guests include Charlize Theron, Eva Longoria, and Brendan Fraser.)

Most points on the property include fabulous views down to the private beach. The beach is a long, wide stretch between two points that jut out into the sea, which define the private landscape of Imanta. Look inland, and the view turns to jungle-covered hills. Guests can arrange to go on various hikes through the area, including to a nearby peak called Monkey Mountain. The staff is very knowledgeable about the wildlife, which includes a variety of creatures such as iguanas, geckos, lizards, crabs, raccoon-like mammals -- even foxes and deer can be spotted in the forest.

The resort is situated on 250 acres of jungle landscape in Punta de Mita. This region of Mexico’s Pacific coast is known as the Riviera Nayarit, with stunning beaches in close proximity to unique jungle adventures. Punta de Mita is on the coast, about an hour’s drive north of Puerto Vallarta. Imanta is just about  20 minutes past the small town of Punta de Mita. The small, charming surf town of Sayulita is another 30 minutes up the coast.

The expansive property makes for a quiet and isolated vibe for the resort, which sits on a bluff overlooking a long, sandy private beach. There are no markets, restaurants, or bars anywhere within walking distance of the hotel, and if guest are interested in reaching any, a car or taxi is necessary. It’s about an hour from the airport.

Each of the 11 unique rooms at Imanta is a completely separate house; there's plenty of space between each, making for maximum privacy.

There are two grand, three-bedrooms houses, each with its own large private infinity pool and sundeck. One of the grand houses, called Casona Los Templos, features a lovely living room, dining room, and kitchen in one building, complete with a full chef’s kitchen with stainless-steel appliances. The villa covers an expansive 9,000 feet. The decor involves vaulted ceilings, deep red walls and white furniture. Steps on each side of the private pool lead up to the bedrooms, each in a separate building. Next to each bedroom, there is an outdoor whirlpool on a balcony overlooking the sea. Atop each room, there is an additional private rooftop sundeck, offering great views all around of the jungles and mountains. One additional smaller bedroom is located downstairs, often used for a nanny, housekeeper, or additional member of the group.

Overall, the rooms at Imanta are spacious and airy, with all-white walls and clean lines. The furniture follows a very angular European-chic style. The decor includes bamboo and dark wood accents, with pops of color in the hand-embroidered traditional Mexican pillow cases. The beds often sit in the middle of the room, almost like pieces in a museum. Large sliding doors open onto a deck or patio with views of the sea. The flat-screen TVs are hidden at the foot of the each bed and manually pop up when needed. Each room includes a mini-fridge, iPod dock, and Nespresso machine. The huge, luxurious bathrooms -- with square footage that almost matches the rooms themselves -- feature bathtubs and separate walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. The towels hang on natural wood branches for a nice effect.

Rooms do not have locks, but they do have free Wi-Fi.

Imanta sits on a stretch of spectacular, private beach, about a five-minute walk from the rooms. There are private cabanas available, draped in white linens with day beds. Luxurious padded lounge chairs are also placed around in the sand. This beach is quite different from the vendor-mobbed ones in Puerto Vallarta -- it’s totally quiet, serene, and untouched. Sand crabs and hermit crabs will be the only neighbors that stop by your beach chair to say hello.

One of the property's two restaurants, Catch of the Day is located on the beachfront, offering casual, barefoot dining for lunch. The outdoor, open-air seating area is steps from the ocean under a large gazebo for shade. The resort’s main restaurant, called Tukipa, is open for breakfast and dinner. Offering a fine-dining experience, the restaurant is tiny with just five tables inside and five or so outside.

The tower atop the resort’s main building is the location of a lovely cocktail bar, Observatorio, where sunset cocktails are practically mandatory. Guests gather to take in the incredible views as the sky fades to rose pink and the sun disappears over the horizon. There is a gazebo tower with lounge chairs and a small plunge pool opposite the bar.

Each room at Imanta has its own private pool, but in addition, there is one small common pool in the main deck area near the restaurant. It is a long, slim rectangular infinity pool with views out over the jungle and down to the beach. It is small, and perhaps functions more as a visual element rather than a place for swimming. In the main building, there is an  upscale boutique shop featuring hand-crafted jewelry, clothes, bathing suits, handbags, and other luxury items. Downstairs, there’s a small, but well-equipped, fitness room.

The Jungle Spa is a unique experience and concept. This entirely outdoor spa has open-air treatment rooms that have no ceilings, leaving things open to the sky above. The intention of the spa is to allow guests to connect with nature and become immersed in the jungle, to hear nothing but the rustling of the palm trees and the chirping tropical birds. Each room has thatched walls made of palm fronds that offer privacy, and inside there is an outdoor shower, a large bath carved out of local natural stone, and a massage table.