VALLARTA PALACE

Vallarta Palace combines contemporary luxury and style with a traditional Mexican ambience, thanks largely to its location in a quaint old fishing village, full of shady streets, terracotta tile roofs and colourful stucco walls, and the friendliness and service ethic of the staff.

The rooms are top drawer - large, stylish and very well equipped, with sundries like marble baths with separate shower and bath, stocked mini bars, satellite TV, cosy bathrobes and double Jacuzzis all provided as standard. Most come with a spectacular ocean view, too, plus a turndown service and 24-hour room service.

The resort itself offers a huge array of facilities to keep even the most hyper-active on the go, if that's what's required. In addition to golf at the nearby classics - Marina Vallarta and Vista Vallarta, which has an 18-holer by Jack Nicklaus and another by Tom Weiskopf - there is deep-sea fishing, snorkelling, sailing, horseback riding and world-class shopping are all at hand, as is a gym, volleyball and basketball courts, and night tennis on a lighted court. There's also a Kid's Club with supervised activities.

The four restaurants provide a huge array of international cuisine while there's also a snack bar and three atmospheric bars.