Designer Villa in Punta Mita

From the road there's almost nothing to see. The house sits low against the cliffs of Punta de Mita, folded into the natural topography so completely that it only reveals itself as you descend. It's an inverted structure. Arrival happens at the top, and everything else unfolds below you, level by level, until the ocean is all that's left.

Tatiana Bilbao designed the house around a central staircase that cuts down through the cliff itself. Living spaces are carved into the rock. Endemic vegetation spills between rooms and terraces, so the line between indoors and out stays loose. It's the only Bilbao-designed villa where guests can stay, and the architecture carries the experience from the first step.

That descent is worth understanding before booking. The house spans five levels, and stairs are part of how it works. An elevator serves every floor, but the central staircase, the winding garden pathways and the final stair from the pool down to the sea are where much of the house is actually lived. Guests who move easily will find this is the point. Those with limited mobility should plan around the elevator and know that the water itself is reached on foot.

At the base of the cliff, a heated infinity pool stretches toward the bay, with sun beds, loungers and a staircase leading down to a private beach tucked between rocky breaks. This stretch is known as the Windy Tunnel, a serious spot for surfing and kitesurfing. Boogie boards, surfboards and stand-up paddleboards are on hand. The white sand of Veneros Beach is three minutes away.

The views run 180 degrees across Banderas Bay, from Puerto Vallarta to Cabo Corrientes and out to the Marietas Islands. A dedicated sunset platform exists for exactly what you'd expect.

Six ensuite bedrooms are spread across the levels, some with plunge pools, others with soaking tubs. Two separate social areas each have their own dining and lounge spaces, so a large group never feels stacked on top of itself. There are two fully equipped kitchens and a wood-fired oven. A storm room with an 80-inch TV and a workstation handles rainy afternoons and the occasional call that can't wait. The indoor-outdoor fitness room has a Technogym bike and treadmill, dumbbells, assorted equipment and a yoga deck open to the garden.

The gardens are wild and tropical, broken up by modern courtyards and fragrant blooms. Sculptures commissioned specifically for the property sit along the paths. Inside, a private collection of contemporary Mexican and international art, including work by José Dávila, Alicja Kwade and Gonzalo Lebrija, hangs throughout the house.

A full staff runs everything: a chef, a concierge and a cleaning team, all on site. The concierge arranges land and water activities and has access to local experiences and equipment for surfing and other water sports.