Hacienda de San Antonio

Hacienda de San Antonio's coral walls glow in the afternoon sun against the backdrop of Mexico's most active volcano. From the boutique hotel's upper suites in the two-storey wing, a volcanic-stone staircase leads down to the ground floor and access to the gardens. Inspired, as so many are, by Spain's famed Alhambra, the gardens are irrigated year-round by an aqueduct. The precision of the groomed grass and topiaries provides breathtaking contrast to the rugged beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Once you've explored the back of your eyelids, on a poolside bed for two, Colima's Hacienda de San Antonio offers you myriad opportunities to explore around the estate. For those as active as puffing volcanoes, enjoy the excursion to the local cone. Closer to home, the resort conducts tours of their organic coffee plantation and cheese factories. The tours elucidates why the picnic hamper from the Hacienda's organic restaurant - packed for your horse trek around the lake - tastes so good.