by Nancy G. Howard

The Las Villas Hotel recently opened with raves as the latest expansion of the Las Villas boutique hotel at Estrella del Mar Golf and Beach Resort. Upon arriving you feel the richness of the heritage preserved while retaining the quaintness of the boutique hotel. Featuring 71-rooms, including two presidential suites, the new Los Delphines Restaurant and Bar, The Courtyard Café, pool side snack bar, dance floor, open court patio, luxurious spa and fitness center, two meetings rooms, a reading room, pool, children’s wading pool, and multiple hot tubs, all just steps away from the Pacific Ocean waves crashing in the background. Perfect for family gatherings, romantic getaways and picture perfect weddings, the newly completed hotel brings a new level of opulence to the gated golf and beach resort community. All of this, and with their own onsite water treatment plant, as well…so you can “drink the water in Mexico”.

Visit www.estrelladelmar.com for rates, click on accommadations or visit www.lasvillashotelandspa.com for vacations, getaways and golf or spa packages, starting at 4 days/3 nights for $425 which includes airport transfers, welcome margaritas, daily breakfast and taxes.

Breathtaking views, ocean waves at almost every hole and a Robert Trent Jones challenge you will never forget, on a course that changes constantly with the Pacific Ocean breezes, Estrella del Mar Golf and Beach Resort, in Mazatlan, Mexico is the perfect getaway and so much more. You never want to leave…and with each visit you hear yourself saying….just two more days!!

This visit I met associates from Texas to experience their first visit as well as others returning for their second visit (they couldn’t wait to return). This was my fifth visit! Were they nervous about all the bad publicity Mexico has been having with drug cartels? Of course they were, but let’s get this out of the way immediately, no drug cartel problems in this private, gated golf and beach resort community. Last year, my 15 month old granddaughter joined us for her first visit to a beach, this year she returned at 2½ years and helped the baby sea turtles run for the ocean. She’s an Estrella del Mar girl, for sure.

Our first visit to Estrella del Mar Golf and Beach Resort at Las Villas Hotel & Spa
by Michael Dowell and Anthony Pettit

Upon arrival in Mazatlan, after a short flight and a quick and painless trip through customs, we were met by David, the hotel shuttle driver who delivered us to the Las Villas Hotel & Spa 10 minutes later.

The lobby is lit by sunlight with open air, spacious and elegant. We could feel the ocean breeze and smell the salt air the minute we stepped out of the shuttle. We were off to an amazing start! The four star hotel is built around a beautiful central courtyard lined with colonnade and travertine tile. Our rooms were first floor corner rooms with patios overlooking the beautiful 3.5 mile secluded beach. The spacious rooms include: desk with high speed internet service, reading chair, wet bar, large closet with built in shelves and security safe, Armoire with satellite TV and plenty of storage. Large bathrooms were tiled floor to ceiling with travertine including the large walk-in showers, as well as large vanities with double sinks and separate garden tubs.

With patios as the perfect place to relax, read, have a drink and watch the sunset, relaxation was the name of the game. We left the doors open at night to listen to the ocean waves.

A short stroll down the beach lands you a great table at La Paloma Restaurant featuring amazing ocean and sunset views while dining on exceptional cuisine, inside or on the oversized patio. Shrimp is a local favorite and specialty of the house and is truly the best we’ve ever tasted! The service was excellent, from the shuttle drivers available to take you anywhere on the resort, to the friendly and knowledgeable front desk staff, prompt room service, friendly restaurant and bartending staff and impeccable housekeepers.

This resort offered everything we needed so there was no need to leave the property. The Las Villas Hotel & Spa at Estrella del Mar Golf and Beach Resort truly provides a luxurious and relaxing retreat in paradise.

We enjoyed our six days of tranquility so much, we are considering purchasing one of the beautiful beachfront condos available just down the beach from the hotel!

Our second visit to Estrella del Mar, best kept secret in Mexico
by Heather Dowell and Amber Davis

Our excitement was building as we returned to the pristine Mazatlan airport looking for a driver holding our names on a card. Once inside the shuttle, off we went for a short journey to arrive at what appeared to be a mirage. Out of the blue sky arose a stunning cobblestone entrance with St Augustine grass, palm trees swaying in the ocean breeze, and bougainvillea blooms surrounding us. What a beautiful site to behold. It was our first experience all over again, except we knew the haven we were returning to.

The golf course is the heart of the resort and visible the moment you enter through the guarded gates. The clubhouse was glowing like a golden beacon nestled in a grove of palm trees with the gol    age of Lagunita condos, Phase II, we jaunted to our condo to find we had been upgraded to the three- bedroom penthouse, which is offered for sale at $1.5M! Two words came to mind when we entered, “Stunning and Lucky Us! Glass doors lined the living room allowing you to look out from every angle. Outside was a huge patio with views to die for. The spacious bedrooms, each with its own bathroom had beautiful travertine, which was throughout the condo. An open, huge great room with high ceilings and light beaming through the colored class tiles in the middle of the living room roof, full kitchen and utility, the condo provided any and all the comforts of home, only more so. Then to my favorite part…the balcony. I slide the door open to hear the sound of the ocean and feel the breeze blowing through the large palm trees, and started to survey the grounds. This is an oasis! Tropical foliage leads you to the most amazing breathtaking pool. The mosaic tile work in the expansive, infinity pool constantly draws your eyes to it, and I remember stating over and over, “That is the most beautiful pool!” (Note: Believe I said that about the Phase I pool, last year.) To top that off, the backdrop to all of this is the beach, with the waves crashing and pelicans performing their wave flybys.

The staff at Estrella del Mar is impeccable! We used the shuttle, had food delivered, played golf, ate at the restaurant, had breakfast at the Las Villas beachside café, shopped in the clubhouse pro shop, and at every encounter with the staff, no matter how brief, they were outstanding. During our one full, glorious week, we made new friends with many of the staff and were graciously greeted by name. As special as we felt last year with the amazing service and kindness, it was even better this year when we were remembered and treated like friends and family, once again.

Walking down the beach, making our way to the restaurant for dinner, we came upon the baby sea turtles making their run for the ocean. We were elated and could not stop watching until the last little guy made it. Next evening we ventured back with our 2½ year old daughter and this time we waited near the Sea Turtle Sanctuary and were allowed to help release the new hatchlings and send them on their journey to start their life in the ocean. This is a once in a lifetime experience; something that most people never imagine experiencing. We will always remember and are thankful and impressed by the astonishing efforts made by Estrella Del Mar to help keep these creatures alive and grow more numerous. An experience to remember, always!

Estrella del Mar is a resort community for the entire family and all your friends. If you want to play golf there is a gorgeous, incredibly maintained 18 hole golf course. If you want to play in the ocean there is a powdery gold-flecked beach with warm temped water to play in, so grab your boogie board and hit the waves. If you want to read, rest or layout by the most gorgeous pools, or let the little one play in the wading pool..it’s there! Tennis? Yes they have tennis courts, and if you want to take a run the entire property is your course. Shopping? The pro shop offers the best of golf and casual clothes, as well as accessories, gift items and much more.

Fine dining? The restaurants have so much “fresh” to choose from and if you do not find what you want on the menu, they will do their best to accommodate you. We could go on and on about Estrella del Mar, however we would never be able to do this golf resort/community justice; you must experience it for yourself! And, once there, you will be stating, “Our first of many visits to come!”

Estrella del Mar is Mazatlan’s only gated, American master-planned community. The resort is located just 10 minutes from the Mazatlan International Airport, and just 40 minutes from the excitement and activity of Mazatlan’s Golden Zone. Guests and residents of Estrella del Mar totally enjoy the resort’s solitude and peacefulness, with 3.5 miles of pristine beachfront property on the Pacific Ocean on 816 acres.

The championship 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course is the only one of its kind in all of Mexico. With ocean backdrops and the sun setting in the horizon, this course spans across 178 acres of fairways and 20 acres of shimmering lakes.

Estrella del Mar has the third phase of its Village of Lagunita condominiums completed. This third “village” is comprised of 85 one-, two-, three-bedroom and penthouse condominiums that are now available for sale. The first two phases, or villages, of condominiums have already sold out!

From the 35 to 40 year old buyers viewpoint, this is an excellent investment that will grow while enjoying your investment at the same time. As Butler stated, “They aren’t building any more beachfront property on the Pacific Ocean. It will only increase in value through your years of enjoyment.”

Each of the Village’s of Lagunita condominiums sits on the beach offering spectacular views of the ocean, as well as easy beach and golf course access. With starting prices of $324,500, this is an incredible opportunity for people looking to purchase a second, vacation or retirement home in Mexico! Plus, lots begin at $89,900 and you can build for $135 per sq. ft.. Take a virtual tour on their website at www.estrelladelmar.com.

Estella del Mar Golf and Beach Resort, is definitely the gem of the Pacific Ocean. It’s an experience of a lifetime that you do not want to miss. You will fall in love again with Mother Earth…and this sparkling golf resort/community. And, you will make it a top priority on your life’s ‘list of wishes’ to return, over and over again.

For more information or to make reservations, visit www.estrelladelmar.com or call U.S. 1.877.629.2852 or 480.945.0480.