Relish the royal treatment at the Four Seasons Punta Mita
Abrisk, 45-minute drive north of Puerto Vallarta brings you to the lush, exclusive enclave of Punta Mita, a beachfront village that is home to residential communities, private villas and luxury resorts like the Four Seasons and the St. Regis. The gem of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, Punta Mita is an easy getaway, and with average winter temperature of 75 degrees, consider packing your bags for the holidays.
The Four Seasons Punta Mita is fit for a king, with guests given the same royal treatment. Handed fresh mango margaritas upon arrival, a stunning ocean view welcomes you in the lobby. With white-sand beaches in every direction, no wonder the resort is a top destination to visit while the dollar is strong. Reserve an oceanfront casita and take advantage of the empty morning beaches.
Go for a stroll on Manzanillas Beach, while room service delivers breakfast to your terrace in advance of your return. Drink coffee to the natural soundtrack of waves crashing, birds chirping and the occasional iguana peeking down from the treetops. Another delicious breakfast option is Ketsi restaurant, where a daily buffet of Mexican classics like machaca or chorizo and eggs is served with an elevated view of the turquoise sea from an open-air thatched palapa.
Yoga is offered daily at the fitness center, but if pampering is more appealing, book the Punta Mita tequila massage at Apuane Spa and let the local spirit cleanse you from the outside in. Afternoons offer something for everyone. A day trip to the Marietas Islands provides a perfect site for snorkeling and exploring the sanctuary of a complex marine ecosystem that includes dolphins, sea turtles and giant manta rays.
Meanwhile, back at the resort, children will delight in options like floating down the Lazy River in inner tubes, making piñatas at the Kids for All Seasons club and building sandcastles at the beach.
Service is incredibly attentive and the moment one heads in the direction of a lounge chair, a Four Seasons staff member is rushing over with towels and cold, bottled water to quench one’s thirst. The beachside menu is everything you would expect it to be in Mexico—fish tacos, cilantro margaritas and the most amazing, gluttonous serving of fresh guacamole one can imagine.
Whether lounging poolside or at the beach, servers come by with something to whet the appetite every hour or so. Perhaps it might be a mango smoothie sprinkled with tajin; a coconut popsicle, or a scoop of cappuccino ice cream… all simple, yet thoughtful treats to reinforce a Four Seasons brand built on luxury service.
In the evenings, one might find live music in the lobby or jazzy beats from the bar hut on the beach or in a secluded cabana, the perfect locale for retiring with a sunset drink. There’s also Bahia by Richard Sandoval, a restaurant that enjoys a prime spot amongst giant manzanilla trees on Las Cuevas beach and the food is phenomenal.
This fall, Four Seasons Punta Mita will host professional photographers Robert Caplin and Peter Lockley, known for their contributions to leading publications including The New York Times and National Geographic, who will offer guidance during daily photography adventures through Punta Mita’s most scenic natural settings.
They will lead outings to charming places including the vibrant town of Sayulita, the incredible nature preserves of San Blas, the energetic fish markets of La Cruz, and Punta Mita’s best secret surf spots.
“The workshop is created for photography enthusiasts of all skill levels to fuel their passion for finding beauty and magnificence through the lens of their camera, and we are positive they will find that here as they discover the wonders of Punta Mita,” says John O’Sullivan, General Manager Four Seasons Punta Mita.
If photography isn’t of interest, guests can trade in their cameras for mixing spoons and learn historically-inspired indigenous cooking techniques in the Iku Garden outdoor kitchen; try their hand at customizing their own tequila during a hands-on tasting and blending experience; or, depending on the season, learn about sea turtles and help release them back into the ocean—a highlight for the whole family.
The beauty of staying at Four Seasons Punta Mita is that guests never even need to leave the resort. With a myriad of activities, four restaurants on property, multiple bars and areas, the whole family is covered. This fall, two new suites consisting of four and five bedrooms will open, providing the perfect home away from home to sit back and have a drink while enjoying the serenity of the scenery.
Photos Courtesy of Four Seasons Punta Mita
