Punta Mita

Punta Mita, Mexico

We heard Punta Mita was a hot-spot for celebrities. And with the St. Regis’ reputation for luxury and service, we thought why not give it a try! The resort is located in Nayarit, only 40 minutes north-west of Puerto Vallarta International Airport. What we found most memorable about this resort was the incredibly warm hospitality, the hot and humid atmosphere and the stunning sunsets.

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Dream

The area of Punta Mita is a spectacular 1,500 acre gated resort and residential enclave, with luxury vacation homes, two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses, and the St. Regis and Four Seasons hotels. Located on a peninsular surrounded by the Pacific, the resort is renowned as much for its extreme privacy as its stunning scenery. Entry into the resort is via numerous security checkpoints and gated roads. Not coincidentally, the Mexican President was apparently in residence during our trip!

St. Regis Punta Mita Resort: Arriving at the St. Regis, we were welcomed by majestic wooden gates reminiscent of entering Jurassic Park. Once inside, visitors journey up the long driveway to the main building. The resort has 120 exquisite Spanish-style casitas providing views of the spectacularly landscaped grounds or turquoise blue ocean. The smallest casitas are 600 square feet, larger than most NYC apartments. Amongst the many luxurious amenities, each room features a private spacious terrace and outdoor shower. And of course you may summon your own personal St. Regis butler at any time, even by text message!

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita: Another luxury option within the community gates, the Four Seasons is somewhat less intimate than the St. Regis, with 140 rooms, but appears equally as impressive. So staying at this resort would make a great alternative.

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Dine

The St. Regis offers an extraordinary selection of five restaurants and bars. We sampled the following:

  • Sea Breeze Restaurant & Bar: This casual outdoor/indoor restaurant, serving lunch and dinner, is where we ate most of our evening meals. The menu has a wide range of options including lots of fresh fish, and the service was impeccable.

  • Las Marietas Restaurant & Bar: Outdoor palapa-style restaurant serving breakfast and lunch by the family pool. The menu includes Mexican favorites like the Marietas tacos, our favorite, as well as great salads. Our regular lunch spot.

  • Mita Mary Boat Bar & Bistro: Uninterrupted ocean views at this restaurant, with a food truck mobile-dining concept, on the beach down by the ocean. There are nine or ten wooden tables set on the sand, and the bar is actually a boat! With live music in the evenings, this is a great spot for a fun night.

The resort has two more dining options that we didn't try:

  • Signature Carolina Restaurant: AAA Five Diamond Award winning fine dining option open for dinner only. Serving modern Mexican cuisine crafted from local ingredients.

  • Altamira Cantina Gourmet Bar: Lobby cocktail bar, also serving snacks, some main courses and deserts.

Right outside the community gates, by the beach on the Avenue El Anclote, Punta di Mita, there are a number of local restaurants. The resort will arrange round-trip transportation for guests. We opted for classic Mexican cuisine at Si Senor. On arrival we were met by a detachment of armed guards accompanying the President of Mexico dining just a few tables away. It was good enough for the President, and it was good enough for us, with fantastic made-at-the-table guacamole, great tuna sashimi, and enormous first-rate Don Julio margaritas! All while enjoying the ocean views and local artisans walking the beach selling their wares.

Bahia Restaurant by Richard Sandoval, at the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita:  About a 15-minute drive from the St. Regis, the patio dining at this beachfront grill and restaurant provided beautiful sunset views with a cooling sea breeze. We had a delicious meal and even better margaritas. The resort has a number of other restaurants, so it's a great way to see the property and more of Punta Mita.

Do

  • Pools: The St. Regis Resort has three infinity pools, each equipped with complimentary sunblock stations, ready with a seemingly endless supply of prerequisite factor 50.

  • Spa and sports: If you are tired of sun bathing, get pampered at the Remède Spa, a 10,000 square foot spa and fitness center. Golfers can choose from two par-72 Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses; the Bahia course and the Pacifico course. Or if you prefer tennis, visit the Punta Mita Tennis Center, with ten lighted courts nestled in a palm grove.

  • Running: The private community has a paved trail, and a jog to the nearby Four Seasons is a great way to elevate your heart rate.

  • Beach sports: As you would expect from a luxury beachfront hotel, the St. Regis provides all you need for a wide range of beach sports and activities. It was at this hotel that we first tried snorkeling, and got a taste for stand-up paddle boarding.

  • Sea excursions: The nearby Marietas Islands Marine Reserve provides the perfect opportunity for scuba and snorkeling excursions. We took a boat trip to the famous Hidden Beach, set inside a crater open to the sky. The beach is reachable only when the tide is just right, by swimming through a cave.

Your next vacation awaits.