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LOCATION The southern shore of Banderas Bay has been spared the high rise hotels, shopping malls and haphazard development of the north because the highway turns inland at the little seaside village of Boca de Tomatlan. From here access to the coast is provided by water taxis which can accommodate groups of people as well as cargo of substantial size. What has been preserved is an oceanfront jungle paradise that stretches from Boca, past Yelapa to Cabo Corrientes, with several deserted and pristine beaches of palm trees and white sand.Villa Maroc is one of the few privately owned homes on this stretch of the bay and is located on Los Colomitos, the first bay closest to Boca.
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Villa Maroc
ACCESS The closest airport is Puerto Vallarta. From there it is a 45 minute taxi ride to Boca and a 10 minute water taxi to Los Colomitos beach where the Villa is located. We can arrange airport pick up and door to door transportation, as well as equipment transfer. Flights with early arrival times (before 4.30 pm) are preferred as by the time you clear customs and get to Boca it is starting to get dark. Late pangas can be arranged.
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THE VILLA “ Almost 2 acres of Beachside jungle is home to an architecturally authentic Moroccan Villa and a separate Casita with spectacular views of the bay. It is unique and special in so many ways, truly a slice of paradise. It is both luxurious and eccentric and we affectionately call it Salty Towers �.
Villa Maroc
The Villa The current owners purchased the property 2 years ago and it has taken that long to restore it to its current glory. During that time solar electricity as well as a battery/ inverter system was installed to ensure an uninterrupted supply of power even during the dramatic electrical storms that occasionally cause blackouts in Boca during the 4 month rainy season. The internet has been upgraded to high performance internet for both the Villa and the Casita. The water retention system has been tripled in capacity. A pool heater was installed so that the pool can be enjoyed all year round. A proper septic system was installed that converts sewerage into water that is usable to maintain the garden. The jungle had taken over the “garden� due to many years of neglect. Hard work has exposed a spectacular vista of enormous granite rocks and, by the planting of hardy but beautiful tropical plants, we are slowly building grounds to complement the Villa.
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LIVING ROOM
and entertainment The main Villa, a palatial 4,500 sq ft, is built in authentic Moroccan style. It has a comfortable, rustic charm with deep heart and soul. The Great Room has a vaulted 40’ ceiling and is surrounded by 6 massive Moroccan doors that open up to bathe the room in natural light and connect indoor with outdoor living spaces. The house has a total of 5 separate dining tables with seated dining for 40 guests.
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Villa Maroc
Expect the unexpected. In addition to the genuine Moroccan pieces, an anthology of the owners artifacts collected from all over the world decorate the house.
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GOURMET
KITCHEN
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A brand new gourmet kitchen has been added and all the bathrooms upgraded. While the Villa has a sense of grandeur, it is essentially a luxurious beach house and is intended for low maintenance, casual living.
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The Great Room of the Villa boasts an enormous gourmet kitchen, a separate tea and coffee room which includes a breakfast table for 8, an elegant round dining table surrounded by 8 Philipp Starke dining chairs, a comfortable down filled sectional as well as an 8’ long glass and lucite table that can be used for dining or as a desk space.
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OUTDOOR
Areas
The Villa has a wonderful indoor/outdoor living arrangemen doors opening onto a 55 sq m terrace with 2 day beds a stun and bar area.
The terrace is adjacent to the pool which is surrounded by an outdoor fridge, bar area, a dining table that seats 8-1 smaller table that seats up to 6, there is both a gas and a c
In the lower garden there is another hammock and seating is very pleasant to enjoy a sundowner and the many specta
nt with massive nning hammock
y pool loungers, 10 as well as a charcoal BBQ.
g area where it acular sunsets.
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Villa Maroc
OUTDOOR
LIVING
The space has been designed to include generous spaces for outdoor living. It affords spectacular views and the sunsets are breathtaking. The terrace is a magical space, and to be honest where most time is spent. Here you can enjoy a sundowner at the bar, catch one of our spectacular sunsets, enjoy cool breezes in the evenings and just generally relax.
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ACCOMMODATIONS Within the main floor of the Villa, there are 3 master bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and a lower level with 3 Queen size beds.
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FEZ BEDROOM Fez is the smaller of the rooms and the most romantic. It has been painted “pomegranate pink�.
SUITE AMENITIES All of the bedrooms have air conditioning, good wifi reception and safety deposit boxes. The beds have quality mattresses, linens and pillows to ensure a blissful night of sleep.
BATH AMENITIES The bathrooms have beautiful fragrant products, as well as hair dryers.
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CASABLANCA
BEDROOM Morocco is a melting pot. It sits at the crossroads of many cultures and civilizations. The late King Hassan described Morocco as a tree with roots in Africa, its trunk in Morocco, branches in the Middle East and foliage in Europe. It is exotic to say the least. In keeping with this concept, the bedroom CASABLANCA, in addition to the Moroccan elements has magnificent elements from the Silk Road. A pair of “ancestor doors� from China and a beautiful hand carved rosewood desk. The stunning Suzani tapestries were purchased in the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul. There are two queen sized beds in this room.
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MARRAKECH
BEDROOM
This is the largest of the three bedrooms and it’s massive Moroccan doors open onto the pool. It is painted the colour of Ashraq, or sunshine to go with the original yellow and red tile work. There is a spacious walk-in closet, a king size bed with high quality mattress, linens and pillows and a spacious double bathroom. In addition to the Moroccan elements, the room features pieces inherited from the owners mother who was a passionate collector of global artifacts. The fact that it is located away from the other bedrooms offers a greater level of privacy.
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SOUK BEDROOM
Is located downstairs with its own separate entrance and has 3 queen sized beds.
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PRODUCE We care about your health as well as sustainability. We have cultivated a great herb garden of rosemary, thyme, several different types of basil, oregano, arugula and cilantro to ensure we have it always on hand. We are constantly adding to our selection, currently dill, sage and chives. Asian ingredients include Thai basil, Kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass.We also grow our own fruit; Persian lemons, cumquats, coconuts (duh), bananas, mangoes, passionfruit and avocados. We are planning to add a citrus grove at the back of the property.
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THE CASITA Casita Colomitos is a separate but charming little cabin with full amenities, located a short distance from the main Villa. It has a unique character modelled after the now famous Moroccan “blue village� of Chefchouen. It has an upstairs bedroom with a queen sized bed as well as a day bed in the living room. There is a powder room on the main floor and an outdoor shower that emits a generous flow of hot water out of a giant shell.
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Villa Maroc
Like the main house the Casita is full of interesting cultural items and artifacts. It has a well equipped kitchen including a dishwasher and Nespresso machine. The Casita is air conditioned for the humid summer months and has a delightful terrace and bar with a spectacular view over the beach and ocean beyond. Casita Kitchen*
Casita Shower*
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Location Shoot
In October 2018,Villa Maroc was home to a 5 day shoot by internationally renowned fashion photographer Cameron Hammond for Hanalei Studios, a line out of Byron Bay Australia.
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These stunning photos of model Bianca Mihoc reflect the versatility and majesty of the natural environment surrounding the Villa, and the many possibilities for shooting film or still images.
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Wedding Shoot
Former model Tara Lyons chose Villa Maroc as the location for her stunning photo shoot on the occasion of her wedding to Franck Beaulieu. The bride looked exquisite in her custom Vivienne Westwood wedding gown and it was a pleasure to share such a special occasion with this charming couple.
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FOOD
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Food Given our
UNIQUE LOCATION And with limited groceries available at Boca, considerable planning goes into meal preparation and presentation. We offer the opportunity for you to cook for yourselves (in which case we will do a grocery shop for you in advance.) If you choose this option there are a couple of fun shopping experiences in Vallarta where you can stock up on local produce. If you wish to engage a cook, we ask in advance for meal requirements and food preferences and provide both Moroccan, Mexican, European as well as other ethnic foods. Speciality diets can be catered to. The quality of the food served at the Villa receives excellent reviews, it is seasonally fresh and ingredients are traditionally sourced at local farmers markets and fish markets.
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CHEF MANZIE Paige Manzie loves a diner party. Spending a year of high school in Italy, sparked a passion for food and entertainment at a young age. Over the last few years her love of cooking and presentation has transitioned from hobby to career. If you have the budget we are affiliated with chef, recipe developer and food stylist Paige Manzie and she can be flown in subject to her availability, to provide some added dash. Her fee is negotiable depending on the number of guests and must include a return airfare from Vancouver.
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“We are located right next door to one of Vallarta’s most popular restaurants.” The Ocean Grill, also accessible only by boat. They serve 3 seatings of lunch; 11.00 am, 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm only and we can assist with reservations.
A few bays along is the charming beach side bar, Maraika’s, a lovely place to sit and enjoy an sundowner cocktail and light food. One Bay further is the elegant Hotelito Mío which will prepare an exclusive gourmet lunch on the beach with advance notice. The hiking trail (45-1 hour) will take you to Las Animas, a rather touristy beach strip where touts will try to lure you to their place that pretty much serves the same food as everywhere else.We can show you the good ones.
MERCADO DEL MAR SEAFOOD MARKET
The fish market in the northern section of Centro is fascinating. There is a wide variety of fish and you are likely to find many that you have never heard of, let alone tried. The vendors are very knowledgeable, helpful and quick to offer advice on the best methods of preparation. It is definitely worth a half day trip for inquisitive “foodies”.
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Villa Maroc
ADVENTURE
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Explore the unspoiled Southern reaches of Banderas Bay
After Boca, there is no road access to the pristine southern beaches of Banderas Bay. A boat tour south of Los Colomitos will take you past some of the prettiest jungle scenery you will ever see as welzl as the occasional stunning resort and little seaside villages such as Yelapa and Quimixto where you can stop for lunch or a swim and an icy cerveza.
Dolfin and Whale watching Whale watching season is approximately mid December to the end of March. Special tours can easily be arranged but it is not uncommon to see the famous Humpback whales breaching and playing on any panga tour during these months or even from the deck of the Ocean Grill Restaurant if you’re lucky. Swimming Villa Maroc is located on a beautiful little protected beach with clean, warm water that is safe for swimming. If you are into distance swimming for exercise there are several pleasant locations further south that you can swim to and provide “predator free” swimming in comfort. Snorkeling We are a short panga ride to the famous Los Arcos snorkeling area and we would be happy to arrange a tour. If the sea is calm and therefore clear, snorkeling right in our bay is excellent and our manager will lend you equipment.
Hiking
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The property is located right on the famous Boca to Las Animas hiking trail, a path that is well maintained by a group of locals including us. This trail connects to several other hiking options which we would be happy to show you. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the hike from Boca to Los Colomitos. Las Animas beach is another hours walk, and offers a strip long of inexpensive beachside restaurants to explore.Barbara Crompton is a friend to the Villa and she offers guided hiking tours and yoga. It is a nice way to meet some locals https://larryschuh.wixsite.com/pvhikes
Dining There are a few world class dining options located nearby including our neighbour The Ocean Grill, one of the most popular restaurants on Banderas Bay. Other options ( all accessible by panga or walking on the trail) include the hip and funky Mariaka bar, a fun place to enjoy an afternoon or evening cocktail or a light lunch. It occasionally offers a DJ in the evenings and we can help make arrangements to get you home. A little further, Hotelito Mio offers some very fine ( and expensive) dining if arranged in advance. Just around the corner is the famous Las Animas, a strip of palapa covered, rather touristy casual Mexican restaurants on a long white sandy strip of beach.
Yoga A yoga platform is under construction overlooking the beach.
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The Vallarta Botanical Gardens Is just 20 minutes away by bus or taxi and is one of the most highly rated Vallarta experiences on Tripadvisor.
Bird watching Our own bay of Colomitos is rich with bird life and home to one of the largest populations of the endangered Guacamaya parrots ( or Military MacCaw). Hear the screech, look up and you will see these stunning bird, usually travelling in pairs, because they mate for life.
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We have only included activities close to us. Once you get here we doubt you will want to go far.
Fishing The fact that Puerto Vallarta and many of the smaller villages on Banderas Bay were originally fishing villages, augers well for fishing enthusiasts. There are many knowledgeable outfitters who will cater to your fishing whims.
Saturday market One of our favourite adventures in Puerto Vallarta is the Saturday market where a wide range of locally made gourmet food and farmer market veggies are available as well as the quality work of local craftsmen. It is worth the trip. We are familiar with the best vendors and would be happy to familiarize you with what is available or shop for you. The Mexican market, Emilio Zapata is also a fascinating experience as well as the large local fish market the Mercado del Mar on the north end of town in the 5 de Diciembra neighbourhood. While you are there pause to check out the cemetery which is across the road. A photographers dream. Saturday market is open early November to the end of April
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CORPORATE RETREATS PHOTO SHOOTS FAMILY REUNIONS YOGA OR HEALTH RETREATS COOKING SHOOLS SMALL DESTINATION WEDDINGS
Let your imagination guide you.............
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“ We
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guarantee you will be sad to leave”
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Villa Maroc
CREDITS Peg Steley created the beautiful homes, Diana Guzmรกn Created the beautiful webpage, Petr Myska, Cameron Hammond and Heather Ross @naturaleclectic took some beautiful pictures, Paige Manzie creates beautiful food. www.myskaphoto.com Nature did the rest. Visit: www.villamaroc.mx : villamarocmx
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