Exclusive Mexican Getaway

5 stars on a tiny island

by Julie Hawrishok

Nestled between lush coastal hills and the Pacific Ocean rests one of Mexico's best-kept secrets. The Grand Bay Hotel Isla Navidad Resort is a magical place that beckons travelers who appreciate luxury, privacy and above all - exclusivity.

The five-star hotel is the centerpiece of a 1,200-acre private island. Visitors can reach the immense hotel by a single, well-guarded road or by water taxi from the nearby town of Barra de Navidad. Only hotel guests may step foot on the island; there are several guards dressed in crisp white uniforms to keep curious onlookers away.

The hotel is protected by gentle hills on one side, while surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and a lagoon on the others. Acres of coconut-filled palm trees, exotic fruit trees and sprawling bougainvillea line the adobe-bricked roads, reflecting the rich culture and history of the area while also providing spectacular scenery from any vantage point. Three outdoor pools dot the landscape, each connected by a waterslide. The uppermost pool is reserved for children and their parents, leaving the other two free for exclusive use of the hotel's more mature guests. The bottom and biggest pool features a sun-drenched deck for relaxing and if there's a thirst to be quenched, the swim up bar is a mere paddle away.

The hotel grounds offer tranquil spots for relaxation and reflection. Lush green lawns and footpaths lead the way to natural fountains, private beaches and abundant gardens. A stroll along the property can transport guests from the luxury of the hotel to the serenity of these hidden gems. Boating and fishing enthusiasts can take advantage of the hotel's private marina. Guests can charter one of the hotel's yachts or harbour their own. The marina has 207 slips and offers complete service facilities. Deep sea fishing is available and very popular. Regular catches include marlin, sailfish, tuna, mahi mahi, tarpon and snook.

Once inside the hotel, the lavishness is apparent. Built in traditional Mexican hacienda style, the floors are laid with traditional tile while above, the ceilings are domed in brick. Guests can stay in any of the hotel's 158 over-sized luxurious guestrooms or one of the 42 suites. Every room has standard features, including air conditioning, separate shower and bathtub, toilet, bidet, telephone with an in-room modem and satellite TV.

The standard rooms feature either a king sized bed or two double beds. The interior of all such rooms is the same, the only difference is the view: "superior standard" rooms offer ground level or mountain view, "deluxe standard" rooms offer pool view and "luxury standard" rooms offer marina or bay view.

There are 15 Parlour Suites, each with a separate bedroom with a king sized bed and adjoining balcony. A living and dining area, wet bar and powder room accent the suite, bringing it to 992 square feet.

The 12 Executive Suites are much like the Parlour Suites, though 500 square feet larger, with each marble bathroom containing a steam room. For guests who intend to stay in the area for extended periods of time, the hotel offers eight Marina Suites. These suites, as their name implies, are located just in front of the marina and include a full kitchen, living room and dining room with extensive balconies.

Each of the three Master Suites is similar in layout to the other suites, with a few key differences. Each Master Suite has a large dining room with a separate service entrance. But perhaps the shining point of the Master Suite is the hydro-massage bathtub. Or perhaps it is the balcony with Jacuzzi.

What could be better than indulging in a Jacuzzi dip while being outside?

The two Governor Suites are great for guests who want to entertain. In addition to the king sized bedroom and hydro-massage bathtub, these suites have a spacious and elegant dining room which can seat 12. A separate entrance allows room service to enter the dining room without traipsing through the living areas. At almost 2,000 square feet, the Governor Suites allow ample space for the guests' needs.

And of course, what five-star hotel would be complete without a Presidential Suite? The Grand Bay Hotel has one extensive, bi-level Presidential Suite. The first level contains one bedroom with a king sized bed and a bathroom with a hydro-massage bathtub. The living and dining room areas seat 14 guests and feature a 400 year-old piano, wet bar, kitchenette with service entrance, wrap-around balcony and powder room. The second floor holds two bedrooms, each with a king sized bed and private bathroom. The master bedroom has a small foyer with sitting area, bathroom with a steam room with a hydro-massage bathtub and a large balcony with an outdoor Jacuzzi. At almost 4,000 square feet and $2,500 USD per night, this is the perfect choice for those with extravagant taste.

Not surprisingly, there is more than just the exceptional rooms that make the Grand Bay Hotel stand out among its competition. Three restaurants, a world renowned tequila bar (with over 200 types of tequila), a pool side bar and the lobby bar provide guests with an array of dining options. Antonio's is an intimate and cozy option for in-house dining, offering select international and regional cuisine from the dinner menu. There is a "smart casual" dress code. The less formal Grand Café offers picturesque views of the bay and the lagoon, while presenting guests with colourful and ornate breakfast and dinner buffets. La Plazuela's, nestled under palm-leaved palapas adjacent to the pool, offers fresh Mexican cuisine in an open-air surrounding. The varied menus and ambiance in each restaurant allow for each guest to find something appealing to them. And of course, 24 hour room service is available.

Guests of the Grand Bay Hotel who would like to indulge in some recreation and relaxation are offered many options. The hotel features three nova-turf tennis courts, all lit for night play. The main court features a grandstand to accommodate up to 125 spectators. Games of beach volleyball pick up in a designated sand pit and newcomers are always welcome. A four-cabin spa offers a wide variety of relaxation and esthetical services including full-body massages, facial treatments and salon specialties, all in serene surroundings.

For golfers, the Grand Bay Hotel has one of the best golf courses on the continent. The 27-hole championship course is one of only two in Mexico to win Golf Magazine's Gold Medal award. Featuring spectacular views with greens carved into ocean dunes against a backdrop of mountains, renowned golf architect Robert von Hagge has designed a course to challenge players at every level. The hotel is currently working to add nine more holes to the course, which will make it one of the most elite 36-hole courses in the world. Anchoring the course is a breathtaking Spanish-colonial style clubhouse with a restaurant, fully-stocked tequila bar and Cuban cigar humidor, offering panoramic views of the course. The clubhouse features elegant dressing areas, separated for men and women as well as boys and girls. In the adult section, Turkish baths and private marble massage areas are also available.

The Grand Bay Hotel is awe-inspiring in beauty and in service. Located in a remote yet majestic setting, it is the perfect getaway for discerning travelers who appreciate attention to detail and the more luxurious things in life.

To get there: The hotel is a 35 minute drive from Manzanillo's Playa de Oro International Airport. Manzanillo offers several flight connections to Canada. From Toronto, it is a 4.5 hour flight. For more information or to make reservations, call 1-888-GRAN-BAY