Nestled on the Pacific coast of Mexico is a tropical oasis called Punta Mita. Surrounded by white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and lush jungles, the resort is home to fabulous golf, tennis, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. It began as a picturesque little fishing village on Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit. It has become a hot destination for both families and romance seekers.
Make no mistake about it; while there are cultural pursuits to be had, staying at the St. Regis or Four Seasons in Punta Mita is all about the pampering, luxury and magnificence of their pristine resort enclaves.
Rather than battling aggressive taxi drivers and people trying to take us to time share presentations when we arrived in Puerto Vallarta, we took the civilized approach and had the St. Regis organize our airport pickup and the Four Seasons are return. We were greeted with cool towels by our driver and that set the tone for an easy 40-minute drive to the hotel.
The St. Regis
We planned our trip to occur in the middle of the hot summer. It was the only time we could get our family together. With plenty of pools and a white sand beach, we weren’t worried about the weather. More cool towels and drinks awaited us when we arrived at the beautiful Altamira Lobby of the St. Regis. Nice touch.
Accommodations and Butler
We were escorted to our beautiful pavilion style rooms. They didn’t have connecting rooms available during our visit, but our teens had deluxe accommodations just down the lushly landscaped walking path. There were no safety issues that concerned us. Everything was private and well secured.
The ocean view rooms are worth the extra cost. Each pavilion is large at 600 – 640 sq. ft. (There are also a variety of suites and beach villas should you desire more space.) They all feature their own private terrace with a sun-bed and a private outdoor shower. I guess the outdoor shower is romantic once, but I prefer taking my showers in the great indoors. The décor is quite nice inside featuring an assortment of Mexican art and hand-crafted items throughout. Of course, there were all the modern conveniences like a large flat screen TV, iHome alarm clock radio, wireless Internet ($19 per day), a well-stocked mini-bar, 24-hour room service, robes, slippers, and soft Egyptian cotton sheets. The bathroom had another TV, double sinks, my indoor shower and Reméde toiletries. As with many St. Regis hotels, we were provided with a butler to make sure every possible need was tended to. Our boys asked our butler for an adapter for one of their new iPhones. He found one and had it to our room in minutes.
Lots to Do
The resort is a recreational wonderland. Besides the two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses (Pacifico and Bahía) and tennis center housed in a palm grove, there is the Las Marietas family pool, Beach Club pool, and the Adult pool. Even the family pool has a level of sophistication to it, but it’s also fun! Pool attendants supply an array of pool toys for the kids, and offer sunscreen for protection from the strong rays. There are also sun beds and chairs at the beach.
The St. Regis activities coordinator arranged some beach volleyball games that provided us the opportunity to meet other families. We also saw guests playing soccer and a variety of other games on the vast areas of poolside turf.
There are many complimentary activities scheduled throughout each day. Our family had a blast at the guacamole class near the main pool. Our teacher was a true guacamole connoisseur. According to her, no true guacamole should ever have garlic in it. There are also Mexican cocktail classes, bike tours, Spanish lessons and salsa dance classes.
The La Tortuga Children’s Club is for children aged 5 – 12 years. Along with fun things to do like making piñatas, treasure hunts, and discovery walks, there’s even a children’s spa and multi-use court. The concierge can help arrange in-room babysitting when the parents have a romantic dinner by themselves.
Spa
The 10,000 square-foot Remède Spa is a peaceful sanctuary offering sauna and steam rooms, a well-equipped fitness center, a Jacuzzi, plunge pools, and indoor and outdoor treatment options. Our teens used the fitness center every night. Cold towels and ice-cold water were always available. Fruits and natural beverages are brought in as snacks.
Food
The food at the St. Regis Punta Mita is one of the hallmarks of the property. The Restaurant Carolina is a AAA Five Diamond Award winner. It’s stylish and refined, but not at all formal. The views are spectacular. The food is a combination of international cuisines with a contemporary Mexican flair. It leans toward the gourmet side, but our children had no difficulty finding dishes that appealed to their palates. It was a memorable experience.
We had more traditional Mexican cuisine at the Las Marietas Restaurant & Bar where we dined under open palapas. Once again, the food was delicious.
We dined twice at the Sea Breeze Restaurant & Bar. The menu was inviting with its regional influences; everything from pizzas and empanadas to steaks and seafood.
Keeping a St. Regis tradition alive, be sure to attend the champagne sabering in the lobby at sunset every Friday! Kids don’t need to drink the champagne to enjoy the show.
The St. Regis has an excellent discounted flat-rate all-inclusive dining program available for kids 12 and younger. It saves money and allows your children to try some more adventurous foods with no risk. Be sure to inquire about it.
St. Regis Summary
The St. Regis is luxurious in every way. The atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried, but far from boring. Bring your family and enjoy a remarkable vacation in scenic Punta Mita, Mexico.
FOUR SEASONS
After several days at the lovely St. Regis, we were a bit concerned that the Four Seasons Resort just down the beach might be a letdown. It absolutely was not! It has its own vibe and its own interpretation of luxury.
We were greeted by managers and staff upon our arrival. They knew we were coming directly from their friendly competitor, and they wanted to make sure we were welcomed properly. Before we were transported to our beautiful rooms, we window shopped at The Boutiques at Punta Mita, located close to the lobby. Some very cute stores of all types, including a gourmet shop with local products. We would definitely be heading back to buy some gifts for our friends back home.
Accommodations
The recently renovated rooms are located in larger buildings at the Four Seasons. They call it casita-style, with furnishings and accents much like those found in expensive Mexican beach homes.
Up to two children 18 or under can share a room with two adults at no extra charge. They will also allow three children under 12 to share a room with their parents, although we would suggest getting a connecting room for a much more comfortable stay. Another option would be the private residences available on the property. The three to five bedroom residences, some with private plunge pools, work well for multi-generational vacations, as well as for a few families traveling together.
Even with only 173 guest rooms and suites, the resort is quite expansive. The person taking us to our room gave us a property tour on a golf cart, allowing us to get our bearings and a sense of where everything was located. We found it easy to walk wherever we wanted to go, but a simple phone call would summon a cart from the bell station 24-hours a day.
Lots to Do
The Four Seasons and St. Regis share the same fabulous golf courses, but both resorts offer different activities that go beyond the links. The Four Seasons has its own 556-foot private yacht available for charter. It’s a wonderful way to explore the Marietas Islands and the Pacific coastline with a small group of friends or relatives.
There are three pools to choose from; Nuna, Tamai and Lazy River. The resort’s main pool is Nuna, with a spectacular view of the ocean below and a walking path connecting it to one of the resort’s two private beaches. The infinity-edge pool appears to overflow into the ocean below. There are plenty of comfortable lounge chairs around the pool, but we preferred those just beside the pool under a shaded pergola. Drinks are served both inside and outside the pool! Pool attendants cater to guests with towels, cooling facials, icy fruits, and hourly amenities. An ice-cream cart gets rolled out every afternoon for free frozen snacks to please the kids…and the adults.
The Four Seasons has its own lazy river pool where guests are carried by a gentle current through some lush foliage and around the resort. For younger kids who never want to leave this attraction, the Oasis building with 23 rooms is located next to the pool entrance.
The Tamai Pool Complex is for adults only. There are 10 private cabanas in a romantic setting. These are not your typical cabanas. They include a 42-inch TV, special sound system, wireless Internet, and lots of amenities. Several spa treatments, including the margarita foot massage, are available in the comfort of your own cabana. Choose from an infinity lap pool, a trellis-shaded pool, plunge pools or the whirlpool. Soothing music is played both under and over the water. Yoga and Pilates activities are often scheduled in this area of the resort.
The kids will enjoy the 2,400-square-foot game room with game consoles, ping-pong, air hockey and foosball tables. Snacks and drinks are always available there at no charge. There are lots of other complimentary activities including 10 tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, kayaking, T-shirt painting, salsa dancing and arts and crafts creation. Beach toys and games, Frisbees, snorkeling equipment, board games, books, DVD’s, and PlayStation video games are all available for guests without additional charges.
Do take advantage of the snorkeling here. It’s fantastic! Seasonal whale-watching excursions should not be missed. Surfing is also world-class in Punta Mita. Other fun things the concierge can arrange include beachside horseback riding, stand-up paddling, sailboat and power boat charters, fishing trips, and swimming with dolphins. Parents might enjoy The Ultimate Tequila Tour or the helicopter trip to the Jose Cuervo distillery for a private tour and gourmet lunch.
There are many complimentary cultural programs at the resort, including lectures, food and tequila tastings, and art tours. Our teens joined us for the Mexican gastronomy lecture held in the gourmet food boutique. It was a nice diversion before evening cocktails.
Like most Four Seasons resorts, this one is very family oriented. There are age-appropriate amenities for each child, children’s menus in all restaurants, babysitting services (fee for this service), and the included Kids For All Seasons program located in a dedicated building with activities designed to take advantage of Punta Mita’s natural environment. When there are five or more teens on property, there’s also a program designed especially for them.
Spa
The Four Seasons Fitness Centre & Spa is an important part of the resort. The Apuane Spa is 14,200-square-feet in size, yet you feel a sense of intimacy and privacy. Signature massage treatments are amazing. The spa is open every night until 9:00 PM. My wife loved having her treatment just before a late dinner.
Food
The Four Seasons matches the St. Regis in offering some of the best restaurants in Mexico. In fact, they are among the best anywhere.
Aramara is a dining experience. But don’t go straight to your table. Begin with a drink, maybe a sake, in the Asian inspired Aramara Lounge. Then proceed to the indoor or outdoor verandah with views of the Pacific Ocean and infinity pool area below. The décor is minimalist, but classy. Three days a week, guests can join the chef in selecting their own fish directly from the fishermen’s boats in the afternoon and then have it prepared especially for them in the evening. This was perfect for my wife. I’m more of a beef enthusiast, so I tried the Hot Rock, which allowed me to cook thinly sliced seasoned steak right at our table. Delicious!
Bahia by Richard Sandoval is located on the beach. Its focus is on local seafood. Ketsi is the place for Mexican modern cuisine. This was a family favorite! It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is located under a traditional thatched palapa near the Nuna pool.
There’s also a restaurant open for breakfast and lunch on the upper level of the golf clubhouse called Tail of the Whale. We didn’t get to this one during our trip, but people by the pool were telling us that their fresh salads were among the best they had tasted.
The hotel can also arrange a most romantic and unforgettable private dinner for two on “The Rock” at a secluded location at La Manzanillas Beach. Another option available through the concierge is a special private family dinner for up to ten people at the beach, including tiki torches and a fire for roasting marshmallows. Flowers and entertainment can be arranged if your budget allows.
Comparing the St. Regis and Four Seasons
So which do you choose? The St. Regis or The Four Seasons in Punta Mita? It’s an almost impossible choice. If you can, try them both. If not, choose the one that best suits you and your family. Our impression is that the St. Regis is a bit quieter, while the Four Seasons with its river pool might have a slightly greater appeal for families with young children. The dining experience will be terrific at both. In fact, no matter which resort you stay at, try to eat at both. Your tummy will thank you!
Our family thoroughly enjoyed the Punta Mita experience at both resorts. They each offered the kind of vacation our family enjoys; a perfect combination of fun and relaxation.
AROUND PUNTA MITA – SIDE NOTES
While it is hard to drag yourself away from either of the 5-star resorts, there is plenty to do in and around Punta Mita.
Places to visit:
Visit Punta de Mita Village – Just 0.6 miles from the resort. Some cute Mexican restaurants, bars and shops worth a few hours during your trip.
Visit famous Puerto Vallarta – 50 minutes from Punta Mita. Shopping, restaurants and colorful colonial streets.
Visit San Sebastián (Huichol Villages) – In the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains, this little mountain enclave (elevation 4500 ft.) and former mining town is not very far from Puerto Vallarta.
Visit The Marietas Islands – Situated at the northern end of Banderas Bay, the Marietas Islands provide a sanctuary for diverse marine and bird life.
Your resort concierge can assist you with arranging:
Marine Safari at Marietas Islands National Park and its surrounding waters. See dolphins, manta rays and angelfish. Explore caves while stand-up paddling.
Scuba Diving excursions with top instructors with personal knowledge of the local waters. PADI Certification classes are available to divers 8 and older.
Whale watching adventures from December to April.
Canopy zipline eco-adventure tours on a beautiful biological community. You’ll jump from platform to platform, 90 feet from the forest floor.
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