THE FACTS ABOUT CASA DEL AGUA

Mexico Yucatan

This four-bedroom house feels more like a private villa, particularly as you may end up with the place to yourselves. Originally the home of eccentric Mexican artist Manuel Orvaņanos, the traditional, round dwelling has a 10-metre-high palapa roof supported by thick sapodilla beams and pillars. The property takes its name from the stream that flows through the house, cascading into showers and trickling along waterways carved into the floor. The four rooms are simple yet distinctive, arranged over three floors and featuring cavernous bathrooms and double showers. A shady terrace with a plunge-pool gives onto the beach; there are kayaks and snorkelling equipment for those wishing to explore. The house is hidden among trees in the older, residential part of the resort town of Puerto Aventuras. It is private but not isolated: the beach is shared with neighbours, and the centre of the resort, a planned development that attracts US and Canadian condo-owners, is a five-minute walk away. Here you can eat 'steak'n'lobster' in surroundings somewhat reminiscent of Florida. The breakfasts are superlative: the hosts, Swiss-German couple Max and Barbara, provide coffee, a mixed mango-and-melon juice, a carefully arranged plate of tropical fruit, yoghurt and granola, followed by a choice of French toast, waffles, banana-and-nut pancakes, eggs in any style and a range of Mexican specialities. Having worked as a guide around Central America for seven years, the owner Max is very knowledgeable about Mesoamerican cultures. CONTACT Casa del Agua, Punta Matzoma 21, Puerto Aventuras (Tel/fax: 00 52 984 873 5184; www.casedelagua.com). Doubles from US$220 B&B