Villa Rentals: Tropical Trio
Three villas in Punta Mita’s Ranchos Estates enclave offer different points of escape.
April 1, 2008
CASA PAPELILLOSSet on three acres of beachfront that overlooks Banderas Bay, Casa Papelillos lures privacy seekers with its spacious layout and tight security. The home, which is in the gated neighborhood of Ranchos Estates in Punta Mita, Mexico, features its own electronic gate, 24-hour security patrol, and more than 19,000-square-feet of living space.
Mexican architect Diego Villaseñor, who designed the nearby
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, created two haciendas at Casa Papelillos. The
airy main residence has four bedrooms and a master suite that opens into the
living room pavilion, providing quick access to the top level of the home’s
cascading swimming pool. On warm nights, guests can sleep under the stars on the
outdoor king-size bed. The 3,000-square-foot, two-level Mariposa guesthouse
offers an additional four bedrooms and a roof deck with views of the property
and Pacific Ocean.
Comfortable furniture accented with lively colors highlights
Casa Papelillos’ Mexican theme. The home has a curvaceous layout that is ideal
for entertaining, and it comes equipped with a staff of 10 that includes a
personal chef and a bartender. Two vehicles with drivers are available to take
guests on excursions. A media room, gym, and beach pavilion round out the
amenities. Prices range from $10,000 to $15,000 per night. -Kim Fredericks
Casa Papelillos, 214.924.6427, www.casapapelillos.com
CASA BEIDISIA
When designing this six-bedroom
beachfront vacation home, Mexico City–based architect Jose Vigil strayed from
the traditional palapa roof design and instead opted
for a style that reflects the owners’ international travels. The sleek urban
interiors by Mexican designer Adriana Olmedo incorporate European and Japanese
influences, but she added warmth to the home with terra-cotta pieces, Oaxan
artwork, and other Mexican details.
Large windows let sunlight into the 17,000-square-foot home
while providing expansive views of Banderas Bay. Each of the six bedrooms
provides access to the outside through a private indoor/outdoor bathroom that is
linked by a limestone floor to the infinity-edge pool. Casa Beidisia also has a
gym, home theater, high-speed Internet, and concierge services. Access to golf
and Punta Mita’s private beach clubs are included, and Ranchos Beach—a private
stretch of white sand known for its surf break—is just a few steps away. Casa
Beidisia ranges from $10,000 to $15,000 per night and is available through Mita
Residential. -Kim Fredericks
Casa Beidisia, 877.561.1893, www.mitaresidential.com
CASA FAMILIA
With a name like Casa Familia,
this villa not surprisingly caters to an entire brood. The gate-guarded,
six-bedroom home can sleep 18 and includes a basketball court, an outdoor pizza
oven, and a fully loaded game room. However, though its function is predictable,
Casa Familia’s form is anything but. The modern palapa-style
residence combines a contemporary design with vibrant Mexican touches, resulting
in a family home that is unexpectedly sexy.
Set on a cliff on three acres guarded by a jungle thicket, the
12,000-square-foot home is located in one of the more secluded areas of Punta
Mita. After a dip in the villa’s hot tub or infinity-edge pool, guests can
meander down stone stairs to a secluded and swimmable beach (a big draw in an
area that has mostly rocky ocean floors), which makes an ideal setting for
watching the dolphins swim in the distance.
Inside, the four master suites have ocean views and indoor/outdoor showers, while the two bunk rooms each have sunken bathtubs. The villa also comes equipped with satellite televisions, wireless Internet service, and a staff of five that provides the attentive yet unobtrusive service that the best Mexican beach resorts are known for. Prices for Casa Familia range from $7,500 to $12,900 per night. -Audrey Davidow
Casa Familia, 248.731.9500, www.villapuntamita.com