Hasta La Ideas

An eco-luxurious getaway hidden along Mexico’s Pacific Coast

If you’re after a secluded, otherworldly experience on your next vacation, look no further than Verana, an intimate boutique hotel on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Tucked in a remote hillside jungle just thirty miles south of Puerto Vallarta and accessible only by boat, Verana boasts indulgently private accommodations, a blend of old-world and modern designs and a philosophy of simple luxuries—all set against a backdrop of stunning water and mountain views.

The enchantment begins upon arrival, when guests disembark onto the hotel’s small, private pier. A few stone steps lead to the full-service jungle spa, which offers aqua-therapy, scrubs, massages and the like, many of which incorporate locally grown plants. Next to the spa, the first of the hotel’s two restaurants provides lunchtime service overlooking the bay, a perfect spot to enjoy the sights (on a recent visit, I saw a whale nursing her calf in the water below), while enjoying a stellar chef’s menu, updated daily. (A weekday menu might include fresh-baked bread with roasted smoked eggplant puree, guajillo chile-encrusted octopus, and caramelized pineapple with fresh strawberries and yogurt citrus sorbet.)

From there, it’s a 15-minute hike through the jungle, up winding stone steps to the hotel proper. Along the way, guests pass by a dramatic, eight-foot-tall urn, as well as rustic busts made in the likeness of Verana’s owners. (Meanwhile, mules stand-in for bell-boys.)

Beautifully simple, the nine individually-designed villas dotting the hillside combine the traditional architecture with modern design, also marrying the indoors with the outdoors. The hotel’s lush natural surroundings inspired the overall color palette, and its decor (all of which had to be brought uphill by man or mule) mixes streamlined, contemporary pieces with artisan-made furniture and Mexican handicrafts, carefully selected by owners, former movie set builder Heinz Legler and set decorator Veronique Lievre. The couple originally began construction on Verana intending it to be their dream house—even sleeping in a tent the first year during construction—but soon realized they wanted to share the beauty of this locale with others in an intimate hotel setting. Describing the remote estate, Lievre says, “Verana is really about the outside setting with the option to go inside.”

Guests can choose from open, tranquil palapas with traditional thatched roofs, few to zero walls and rock floors, or more modern, enclosed rooms with dramatic walls of steel-framed windows overlooking the bay. The hotel’s second restaurant and spa location blend in up here as well, where guests meet nightly for a casual cocktail hour at the outdoor bar, enjoying contemporary designs and stellar service, followed by impeccable dinners—yes, once again, overlooking the bay. (Taco Tuesdays are particular standouts at Verana, with a salsa offerings fit for the spice novice or the fiery masochist.)

If you somehow tire of lounging by the spring water pool while taking in 180-degree views of the mountains and ocean on your personal terrace, or have had enough of all those pesky, relaxing spa treatments, Verana also offers private and group yoga classes, kayaking, whale and bird watching excursions, an outdoor couples starlit bath (as good as it sounds, lit only by the heavens and candlelight) and the like. The nearby town of Yelapa is just a twenty minute hike away, with a long, lovely beach and a local celebrity of sorts—”the cake lady” who walks up and down the beach carrying delicious cakes and pies on her head for sale. Plan accordingly though, the trail between Yelapa and Verana is impassible when the tide is in.

For those looking for the perfect getaway, Verana’s rooms for two include three daily meals, taxes and boat transportation. Verana is open to the public 1 November-31 July each year, rack rates start at $380 a night. To reserve, contact Verana.

A Mexican getaway offering peace on the Pacific

Down a winding mountain road, about five minutes outside the center of Zihuatanejo on Playa la Ropa, lies the The Tides hotel. A Viceroy property that underwent a major re-branding in 2006, it’s a slice of paradise on the west coast of Mexico, located about 150 miles north of Acapulco and conveniently 15 minutes from the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo airport.

The staff at The Tides greeted me by name upon arrival, escorting me past check-in to a beach-front suite with a private infinity pool, an outdoor seating area lined with sofas, a huge outdoor bed, and a view of the entire bay of Zihua (as the locals call it or just Z, because it’s not any easier to say it in Spanish). From there you might even be able to watch an endangered turtle crawl up the beach and lay her eggs in the guarded area the hotel’s set aside to protect the eggs until they hatch.

After getting situated, I was given a tour of the property by my very gracious host, Elia Alcazar. There are three pools, two restaurants (one Mediterranean, the other Mexican/Pacific), a spa, a gym, and the beautifully cozy Coral Bar where you have your choice of 110 tequilas. The bar offers tequila tastings and a two-for-one happy hour as part of the hotel activities—in case you aren’t the sporting type who wants to take part in the wind sailing or other water sports on offer. For food-oriented visitors, there are cooking lessons or a trip to the local markets with the chef, private dinner on the lagoon island, dinner in the wine cave (they feature almost 1300 new-world labels), and lunch or dinner on the beach.

I asked Elia about yoga on the tour, and when I got back to the room after a swim there was a basket complete with a yoga mat, blocks, towels and extra water—the beginning of what would be four days of impeccable service, where the word “no” is rarely uttered. When I asked about the hours for the gift shop, I was told it opens at 10am but they would open it for me at any time. Service doesn’t end at the beach either. Raise one of the orange flags next to the beach chairs and someone appears almost instantly—a convenient feature since I spent almost every minute I was there on a beach chair, head supported by a Tides neck pillow (similar to what some people use on a flight), reading my Kindle.

Before I left, I asked to see some of the other rooms. The architecture, with thick adobe-inspired walls and staircases painted white in most of the interiors, is somewhat Flintstones-meet-Jetsons. Rooms boast flatscreen televisions, iHome iPod docks and WiFi, along with all the other luxuries you would expect. After the beach suites, my favorite rooms were the more modern lagoon suites. A stay in the Presidential Suite (like Britney Spears did a couple years ago) comes with a butler service they call VIP Mayordomo for pre/during/post stay planning and assistance.

Apart from beach cushions that required doubling-up and breakfast-stealing birds, it was nothing short of a small piece of paradise.

Rack rates start at $355 depending on season and size. Reservations can be made online through The Tides website.

For Santas behind schedule, 12 gift ideas that you can still find at local brick-and-mortars

If the season of giving seems to have snuck up on you this year, we put together a few ideas that you can still pick up at a local retailer. Since you’re probably not the only one scrambling, it’s always good idea to call ahead to make sure it’s in stock.

Packing high-tech audio in a compact speaker, the Audyssey Audio Dock fits live-work lifestyles with its monolithic sci-fi looks and sound design to match. It sells at most Apple stores around the U.S. for $400. For the more serious gamer, the new Playstation Move integrates next-gen graphics with motion sensor controls for an exciting interactive gaming system. Sold as a PS3 and Move bundle for $400 or on its own for $100, both can be found at Best Buy.

To slowly cook seasoned, vacuum-sealed foods in warm water at very precise temperatures, the Sous Vide is an excellent at-home appliance for amateur and experienced cooks alike. A healthier alternative to traditional methods, the Sous Vide can be purchased at Sur La Table for $500. An ideal gift for the caffeine junkie in your life, the Mypressi hand-held espresso maker allows you to make single or double shots of espresso anywhere. Easy to clean and requiring no electricity, the Mypressi sells from Sears for $150.

Last-minute pampering doesn’t always mean a gift card to a local day spa. We love the smell of Kobo’s 39 Siberian Cypress candle, emitting a relaxing aura of woodsy, citrus smells. With 80 hours of burn time, the candle sells from the CH for Gap pop up or at a host of Kobo retailers for $38. The ultimate at-home cleanse, Clarisonic’s holiday set for Sephora includes the rotating brush for body and face, as well as an array of professional-grade cleansers. Exclusive to Sephora, the set sells for $225. Like a tropical vacation for your (winter) weathered hands, Malin+Goetz Rum and Lime Handwash makes a perfect everyday soap with its hydrating formula and mojito-in-a-bottle scent. Also available at the CH for Gap pop up, the set sells at department and specialty stores around the U.S. for $40.

Little ones will will delight in the Funny Face Mirror, an all-in-one combo of attractive colors, fuzzy stuffed animal and reflective mirror. Pick it up from Skip Hop retailers or the CH for Gap pop up for around $9. Keep your beloved baby warm with Cozy Mittens, a set of soft fleece gloves that stay secure with a string. Available from Zutano retailers for about $12.

A two-player crossword race from the makers of the award-winning game Bananagrams, Zip-It, a fast-paced word game, entertains for hours. Pick it up at toy stores around the U.S. and U.K. for $15. Recapture your youth or teach a little one the game of baseball with Wiffle‘s classic yellow plastic bat and ball, available from the CH for Gap pop up or at Dick’s Sporting Goods for around $5.

Kitted with Shimano cranks and more, the lightweight Cannondale Quick 1 bike is as beautiful as it is fast. A consistently fantastic producer of sport bikes, we’re longtime fans of their performance and quality. The Quick 1 sells from select bike shops around the U.S. starting at around $1,500.

Have a bleak holiday with the dark humor of these photo greetings

An exhausted, pajama-clad shopper sprawled on a snow-covered lake may seem like an exaggeration, but it’s arguably not far off on the lengths many go to during the holiday frenzy that seems to begin a bit earlier each year. This card, along with one boasting a soon-to-be holiday dinner turkey come from cinema-scapist photographer Aaron Hobson, whose dark and complex works have caught our attention before.

This is dark holiday humor at is best, taking on a slightly cynical attitude during an otherwise saccharine time of year. To order, use the online form courtesy of the 7444 Gallery, which has put the whole thing together.

The cards sell for $10 each, but for an additional $5 they’ll include a personalized message with hand calligraphy from graphic artist Gail Brill. They’re taking orders now, but you’ll will have to hurry if you want it to get out in time.

Philanthropy is sexy this season with Pact’s new underwear that gives back.

The new Festive Holiday Underwear Collection from Pact brings light not just to your skivvies but to those who need it most. Featuring three festive patterns designed by Yves Behar and his team at Fuseproject , with every purchase the brand donates a handheld, solar LED lantern to Haitian earthquake victims in Port Au Prince.

Over half of Port-au-Prince’s inhabitants report that they feel unsafe at night, in part a result of Haiti’s lack of streetlights and general energy scarcity. Pact’s lantern donations will increase the security of Haitian families, especially women living in the city’s more vulnerable areas.

“We could not imagine a more worthwhile cause this holiday season than helping provide access to a basic resource—like light—to the people in Haiti,” said Jason Kibbey, CEO of Pact. “The fact that a Pact underwear purchase can directly provide a family in Haiti with a solar lantern, and all the benefits light provides, is an honor.”

The Holiday Collection is the result of a partnership between Pact and the non-profit Earthspark and Citizen Effect’s Light Up Haiti Campaign.

The collection ranges from $18-$26 on their Pact’s site.