Villa Eden, Cozumel West Coast

Villa Eden is for a group of ten who want to be as close to the Caribbean as a house allows. Every one of the five bedrooms faces the ocean. Two wooden decks sit on the rocky shore with short ladders straight into the water, which is about four feet deep at entry over a soft sandy bottom and suits snorkelling from the house. Several sandy beaches are within a five-minute walk for the days a beach is wanted.

The pool is the other reason people book: 32 feet long in a lush backyard, looking out over the ocean, with a handmade hot tub beside the palapa. Above, a rooftop garden with lounge chairs faces the sunset, and Cozumel’s west coast delivers one every evening.

Inside, stone walls and designer furnishings give the house a tropical but upscale character, modern and comfortable rather than showy. A fully equipped kitchen with a Nespresso machine and filtered drinking water, a smart TV with HDMI ports, air-conditioning and Wi-Fi cover the everyday.

The bedrooms all have king beds, ocean views and their own shower rooms. The two ground-floor rooms open onto the pool; the three upstairs, including the master, each have a balcony over the water. Safes are in three of the rooms.

Kayaks, paddleboards, beach towels and parking for two cars come with the house. Daily housekeeping and pool maintenance are included, and a chef, grocery pre-stocking, concierge planning and sports and adventure activities can be arranged at additional cost.

The villa is nine miles south of San Miguel on the west coast, far enough for quiet water and close enough for dinner in town. For snorkellers and sunset people, this is the house. Enquire for availability.

For groups of up to 22, this house and the adjoining Villa Sara can be booked together as Villas Alma, with both pools, both kitchens and the shared sea deck.