Along Mexico's Pacific Coast, just south of Puerto Vallarta, a new hotel has attracted the attention of the international press and the rave reviews of its initial guests. Hotelito Desconocido, or "the little unknown hotel", is a place unlike any other you have seen. Built with respect for the surrounding environment and in harmony with nature, it also imparts an unerring style of romance, and an immediate sense that this is a magical place.

Hotelito Desconocido has five rooms, 11 rooms on the beach, five suites and three master suites, situated within the 24 palafitos. Inside each of the 24 rooms you’ll find weighty white cotton sheets, thick oversized bath towels and gauzy mosquito nets draped seductively over the beds – needed or not. Owned by Italian designer, Marcello Murzilli, this hotel is his inspired dream, and love letter to Mexico. At sundown, the housekeeper performs a ritualistic turn down service, when candles are lit throughout the room. They also have an inventive system for morning room service – from the comfort of your bed, pull a rope and a flag is hoisted, signalling that you’re ready for your coffee.

The air is cooled by ceiling fans, and water is solar-heated. In addition to the beach snack bar, where lunch is served, the Hotelito has a palapa-topped restaurant and bar overlooking the lagoon that serves a sumptuous breakfast buffet and elegant dinners. Numerous birds nest among the estuary's wild vegetation, while the Pacific beachfront here is a noted nesting ground for sea turtles from June to January. Looking back east from the beach, the landscape is completed by gentle foothills that lead up to the distant mountains.

It’s easy to disconnect here – in fact it’s mandatory, with no electricity, no phones, no neighboring restaurants, nightclubs, or shopping – only delicious tranquility for those in search of seclusion.