Fairies-R-Us
A Moorish-style Fantasy

Those shiny particles in the sand, often said to be fairy dust, give this enchanted resort its name: Las Hadas, or "the fairies." Built to suit the vision of Bolivian tin king, Antenor Patino, this white-washed, Moorish-style fantasy of a resort spills down a bougainvillea-covered hillside to a palm-fringed beach.

A View of Las Hadas from the Greens

Designed by architect Jose Luis Ezquerra, and featured in the 1979 movie “10,” you could say that Bo Derek (in a bikini and braids) put Las Hadas on the map, for it quickly became a prized vacation destination for a worldwide audience and has remained so ever since. The kind of resort where they sprinkle bougainvillea petals on the beds during turn-down service, it's no wonder Las Hadas is a favorite with honeymooners.

The majority of visitors flies in to the little airport at Manzanillo and drives south another half-hour. Once on the property, there is no reason to contemplate leaving it, since Las Hadas truly is self-contained and offers a glistening beach and such amenities as a giant pool with a swim-up bar, five restaurants, lighted tennis courts and adjacent 18-hole “Las Hadas” championship golf course.

Moorish-style Architectural Detail	Thoughtful Touches

The hotel and its friendly staff have done a fantastic job keeping it in outstanding shape. One of the challenges is which specific accommodation to choose in one of the ten towers. The prime target among the 234 suites and rooms is a deluxe ocean-front room with its own pool, but for a view of the entire Bahia de Santiago, you may want to elevate yourself to one of the main towers.

Championship Golf	Tropical Palm-fringed Beach

Entertainment options include the Piano Lounge for great martinis, a Bedouin-style tent right on the beach and El Duende bar in the pool. The dining options are equally varied and include tropical and casual El Palmar, fine dining Legazpi, and for a traditional Mexican, very romantic meal by the water, Los Delfines.

More activities incorporate diving, snorkeling, kayaking, water-skiing and fishing. The village-like atmosphere of the resort encompasses shops, a beauty salon, a health club, massages, shiatsu and reflexology, and golf and tennis clinics.

Las Hadas delivers great luxury for a reasonable price and extends guests the chance at days filled with nothing but dreams and reveries.