Upon entering the lobby at The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, you immediately know you’re in for a special experience. The open-air space abuts an infinity pool, where a tiered palm-lined fountain seems to jut out underneath it for miles and spill into the Pacific.
It’s a mesmerizing scene, especially at sunset, when the blue sky transforms into a watercolor of reds, oranges, pinks and yellows and the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel conducts its complimentary daily ritual — sabering a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. It doesn’t get better than sitting on the terrace, sipping a flute of champagne, watching the swirling colors and letting the warm air kiss your skin.
Step inside to see even more reasons why the hotel is such a hot spot right now.
A Mexican Icon
The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort continually proves it’s one of the preeminent destinations in Mexico’s Pacific coast. Not only did it retain a Five-Star award for its second consecutive year, but the Riviera Nayarit hotel ushered in its 10th anniversary in December.
It marked the occasion with a Midnight Supper, a tradition that dates back to St. Regis matriarch Caroline Astor. After a show at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1898, Astor invited 400 of her friends back to her home for a midnight meal and the concept was born. The lavish affairs included 10-course dinners and ballroom dancing among the city’s high society.
The Punta Mita hotel threw its own birthday soiree at Carolina restaurant. Elite movers and shakers from all across Mexico and some U.S. VIPs gathered to dine on dishes like Jerusalem artichoke puree with fresh turbot, yellow mole and truffles.
Before the multicourse dinner, the hotel unveiled Mrs. Caroline, a limited-edition handbag made by Mexican designer Armando Takeda for the anniversary (it’s for sale at the hotel). The surf-and-sand-inspired bag plays with textures, layering blue cotton canvas, bright “King Cole Red” and white netting. Takeda added a local element: a furry pompom with blue beaded feet represents the blue-footed booby, a bird native to the neighboring Marietas Islands and the Galapagos. The embroidered beadwork showcases the art of the area’s Huichol culture.
During the day, it can be worn as a slouchy shoulder bag, but a frame-like wooden handle (made by a 3D printer) and removable strap allow it to transform into a folded-over clutch at night.
Remarkable Rooms
You’ll stay in impressive accommodations: the property landed on Forbes Travel Guide’s Verified List for the 2019 World’s Best Rooms. The 120 suites and rooms coax you to bask in the tropical weather, as each comes with an outdoor shower, a terrace and Pacific or garden views.
When you need a break from the sun’s rays, retreat to the expansive indoor spaces, which start at 600 square feet. The rooms have terra-cotta-tiled floors, exposed wood ceilings and a calming cream palette, including an ivory marble standalone tub.
Though rooms come packed with amenities (walk-in closets, Remède toiletries, 42-inch flat-screen LCD televisions), the butler service trumps the rest. Your personal steward will fetch you a pot of coffee to revive you after a long flight. He’ll pack and unpack so you can spend every free minute on the beach, and press up to two garments a day. The butler also will arrange for anything else you might need, whether it’s a dinner reservation or help planning an excursion.
Active Pursuits
Whether you prefer land-based activities (like golfing on the Jack Nicklaus Signature courses or zip lining through the jungle) or in-the-water pursuits (scuba diving, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming in three pools), you’ll find it at this beachfront hotel.
Either way, make time for some rejuvenation at Four-Star Remède Spa Punta Mita. Before your treatment, sprawl out on a lounger outside to hear the rushing water of the plunge pool’s small waterfall. For some shade, duck under the alfresco canopy onto the cushy pale blue sofa with a glass of guava punch tea.
To further unwind, start off with flotation therapy. The St. Regis declares that it’s the only resort in Mexico to offer the 60-minute service, where you enter a pod with 10 inches of water carrying 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt. It’s not for those who are claustrophobic — while the pod is roomy, when the lid closes, it’s just you confined with the warm water illuminated green.
The pod removes any stimuli to help you relax as you lay atop the water. The distraction-free environment supposedly helps boost creativity or problem-solving skills, but also provides neck, back and joint pain relief, and aids in muscle recovery.
When we began our session, it took a while to stop wondering about the pod itself and what we were supposed to do in there. But eventually, our minds drifted and we fell into a deep sleep (don’t worry — your head rests on a flotation device). The pod loudly alerted us when our time was up.
You’ll be groggy afterwards but make your way over to a cream-filled treatment room for a facial. No matter if you choose the anti-aging Ayuna or a basic option, every service is customized to your particular skin — a wonderful perk. There’s no one-treatment-fits-all mentality in the spa or anywhere else at the Five-Star hotel.
