If you’re looking to rent a luxurious getaway for a big celebration, a large group trip, or family retreat, securing the perfect accommodation is vital. Finding it, though, is never easy.
You want somewhere elegant, somewhere with elite amenities, somewhere that stuns when you first see it and continues to delight throughout your stay. Plus, you need things to do… and lots of them. You need to keep everyone entertained while still being able to relax yourself. If all that sounds like a fantasy, two ultra-luxurious hotels on Mexico’s Pacific side – both within a comfortable car ride from Manzanillo Airport – are your dreams come true.
Hacienda de San Antonio
The first heavenly property is Hacienda de San Antonio, a gorgeous 25-suite estate completed in 1890 by German immigrant Don Arnoldo Vogel and his Mexican wife, Doña Clotilde Quevedo de Vogel.
Sitting at the foot of an active volcano in the state of Colima, it started life as a highly respected coffee plantation, sending its arabica beans to both the New York Waldorf Astoria and the German Imperial family. One hundred and thirty years later, however, and its grandeur, sprawling grounds, and jaw-dropping beauty put it among the elite for getaways in Mexico.
The number of activities to enjoy is practically limitless. Active members of the group can get competitive on the tennis courts, test their balance by stand-up paddleboarding on a sparkling lake, trot through the Mexican countryside on horseback, or test themselves against the elements with an ATV ride.
Those with an understandable aversion to exercise on a luxury vacation can take it slower, unwinding with a private picnic at Epazote Lake or by enjoying an expertly led painting or mixology class. For children, every day brings a new adventure, including exploring the magical gardens, playing in the games room, and getting creative (and making a mess!) with a wonderful baking class.
When it’s time to bring everyone together, Hacienda de San Antonio shines. During the day, guests can congregate in the tree-lined swimming pool or among acres of manicured lawns. In the evening, majestic shared spaces, such as The Yellow Bar and the Club Room, offer a beyond-sophisticated meeting spot for drinks, chatter, and merriment.
Completing the experience is the flexibility of Hacienda de San Antonio, meaning individual suites can be rented for smaller groups and families or the whole property for large groups, celebrations, and other big occasions.
Cuixmala
Its sister property sits just three hours’ drive or 40 minutes´ flight away. Cuixmala is an ultra-luxurious eco-retreat set within 30,000 acres of UNESCO-protected nature reserve. The estate is vast, with accommodation spread across the grounds.
Casa Cuixmala, the grand building of the estate, sits on a lush hill overlooking the ocean and contains four suites and six freestanding bungalows. There are also three four-bedroom private villas with private pools, plus one-, two-, and three-bedroom ‘casitas’. As with Hacienda de San Antonio, accommodations can be rented individually, or the property can be rented as a whole.
The once-private estate, owned by the Goldsmith family, offers a breathtaking array of habitats, from the Río Cuixmala, which marks its southern border to the hilly northern boundary via ocean, coconut plantations, bamboo groves, and mango trees.
Unsurprisingly, that biodiversity leaves plenty of space for an adventure or two. Dreamy days can be spent at any one of the three beaches: Playa Cuixmala, Caleta Blanca, or Playa Escondida. Watersports and beach activities include snorkeling, sea fishing, sailing on the property’s 42-foot Mercury, and whale watching over the winter period.
Guests can also visit the on-site Marine Turtle Sanctuary, the Zebra and Eland Animal Reserve, and the organic and biodynamic farm, as well as go horseback riding, play tennis, bike, and take an ATV tour. In other words, no matter how many guests you bring, there’s more than enough entertainment to keep everyone grinning from ear to ear.
Secure your stay with Journey Mexico
What both properties offer is a grand sense of occasion. Their beauty is undeniable, and their settings equally so. Both are considered among the very finest luxury resorts in all of Mexico, a country blessed with many fine retreats.
And organizing a large group getaway or family vacation at Hacienda de San Antonio or Cuixmala is easy. Simply head to our Plan Your Trip page, tell us what you would like, and we’ll organize every second of the vacation – from the moment you touch down in Mexico to the moment you leave. A big celebration, a large group trip, or family retreat has never been simpler.
