Villa Rentals: Tropical Trio

Three villas in Punta Mita’s Ranchos Estates enclave offer different points of escape.

text by: Kim Fredericks and Audrey Davidow

April 1, 2008

CASA PAPELILLOS

Set 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



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