Cuixmala
At this coastal estate, which is part of a 25,000-acre federal nature reserve, you'll find a slice of untouched Mexico, as well as a little piece of Africa. There are tangled jungles and private beaches, crocodiles and turtles, and vast plains dotted with zebras, gazelles, and antelope.
The quirky menagerie at Cuixmala reflects Goldsmith's sincere passion for wildlife, and his family has continued in his tradition. The animals roam freely (the non-native ones don't disturb the local ecosystem), and you can observe them by taking a horseback ride through the reserve. Every night from July to March, you can also join the hotel's resident biologists on the beach to dig up sea turtles and return them by hand to the ocean, which protects them from natural predators (have the camera on hand for the moment a turtle hatches in your 4-year-old's hands). The protection program doesn't just feel like it's being done because guests are here, either—it would happen regardless. That's the sense you get about everything: You aren't being pandered to; you're just tagging along on someone else's very cool ride.
The accommodations consist of nine 1-to-3-bedroom casitas, each decorated with Oaxacan fabrics and furniture made by Mexican artisans and featuring a screened-in porch that overlooks the palm-tree groves. (You can also spring for a four-bedroom villa, which comes with its own staff and pool.)
While the casitas aren't right on the water—though eight additional beachfront ones will open next year—a 15-minute drive through a jungle takes you to a private beach, which has a bathroom, a shower, tables, and palapas for shade. The manager, Maria—who will be "Tía Maria" by the time you leave—will also arrange a picnic lunch (ceviche for the parents, chicken sandwiches for the kids) and make sure the sand is raked and the hammocks are slung before your arrival. The calm, swimmable cove is straight out of The Blue Lagoon, yet, in that perfect Goldsmithian way, your family will feel both pampered and blissfully isolated.
getting there
The closest airport is in Manzanillo, an hour's drive away. The road is winding, so bring an elixir if you or your kids are prone to carsickness.
cost
From $400 a night for a one-bedroom casita, which can comfortably fit three people, to $2,500 for a three-bedroom staffed villa. Cribs and roll-away beds are available. For casita guests, meal plans (three daily) are $85 a day per person ages 12 and up, $48 a day per child ages 6 to 11, and free for children 5 and under.
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