Want the buzz of Puerto Vallarta, but also tranquillity and comfort? Then look no further: Hacienda del Mar is a ten-minute drive from the cobblestone town centre, yet ensconced within Sierra del Mar’s gated community. That contains a small beach club, while the villa’s heated infinity pool commands fine Bay of Banderas views over palm-tree fronds.

Flanking its other sides are manicured tropical gardens, lending colour. Beside that pool is a sundeck; behind, open-sided sitting areas deliberately blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Deeper inside, lounges feature beamed ceilings, terracotta-tiled floors and lots of dark wood – a comfy, colonial-style belying the state-of-the-art technology. Look out for handsome salvaged dressers, plus a dining table modelled on antique Mexican church doors. Upstairs, all five large bedrooms are ensuite and air-conditioned; one has a deep soaking tub and the smallest converts to twin bedrooms – one reason why this home suits families as well as groups of friends.

Another is the dedicated staff, including a chef who’ll cook two full meals a day (at an extra cost) if desired. Equally, you may choose to eat downhill at that beach club, having visited its adjacent sandy shore, Las Gemelas. At other times, investigate Puerto Vallarta's sport-fishing charters, trendy nightclubs, LBGT scene and romantic malecón boardwalk. Or venture further up beautiful Riviera Nayarit for distractions from golf to horse-riding and scuba-diving.