The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort
Photo Courtesy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc
Nestled within the gilded gates of the secluded beach community of Punta Mita on the golden shores of the Riviera Nayarit, stunning Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort is the very word in coastal Mexican luxury. Located just 40 minutes from Puerto Vallarta, the resort is a magnet for Hollywood A-listers looking for an exclusive, private stay.
Here are five other things that make the St. Regis Punta Mita an exceptional escape for celebrities and affluent travelers who appreciate being treated like them.
The rooms
Designer Roy Azar describes the décor as Provençal chic adapted to the Pacific Coast. Step into one of the 89 rooms or 31 suites on the property’s 22 acres, and it’s obvious that he’s captured the essence of the Mexican seaside with his design. Heavy, hand-carved wooden doors open to reveal spacious rooms tastefully decorated in pale shades of white, cream and jute, accented with pops of fuchsia and green. Romantic wisps of white gauze are draped in a canopy pattern above a bed that’s so comfortable, you won’t want to get out of it in the mornings.
Deluxe Ocean View Room, Photo Courtesy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc
A lush, gorgeously landscaped private terrace is perfect for the mornings when you’d rather stay in and get room service delivered by your butler.
And the bathrooms are nothing short of fabulous. Decked out in floor-to-ceiling travertine and stocked with fragrant toiletries from the property’s Remède Spa, the spaces take a page out of Architectural Digest with an outdoor shower, an indoor rainfall shower and a freestanding soaking tub big enough for two.
The dining
One of the great things about this luxury property is that it takes dining seriously. Executive chef Manuel Peruyero oversees the entire operation, which is committed to sourcing the freshest local seafood and seasonal organic produce. There are seven distinct eateries spread across the property to satisfy your hunger pangs.
Want casual oceanfront dining? Head to Las Marietas for a stellar buffet breakfast spread or to the Mita Mary Boat Bistro for an afternoon repast filled with fresh caught seafood right on the sand. Need a snack in the evening? Try the newly launched Altamira Cantina Gourmet for elevated Mexican fare like rabbit in banana leaf or bone marrow tacos, paired with a refreshing local beer, mezcal or tequila.
For ocean-to-table fare, attend the Friday morning catch-of-the-day ritual at Sea Breeze. Watch as local fishermen bring their catch to the executive chef, then select your dinner as it comes in fresh off the boat.
Gourmands wanting fine dining need not worry, either. José Meza, executive chef of the resort’s signature fine-dining restaurant, Carolina, has worked under some of the finest chefs in the world, among them René Redzepi of Noma (Copenhagen) and Enrique Olvera of Pujol (Mexico City). Using cutting-edge techniques combined with ancestral cooking methods, he creates Instagram-worthy, innovative contemporary Mexican cuisine exemplified by dishes such as his incredible green pozole ceviche, made with the catch of the day, or his ingenious cacahuazintle heirloom corn and fish chicharrón.
A Splash of Resort Magic, Photo Courtesy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc
The infinity pools and private beach
Golfers might want to spend their time on one of the two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses on the property. Tennis players may elect to use the on-property tennis courts and water sports enthusiasts might go snorkeling, diving or whale watching.
But seriously, when you come to The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, you may want to spend the most down time at the pool or beach — just you, the water, the sun and a frosty cocktail. If the pool is your first love, the property has three infinity pools to choose from, including a family pool for the kiddos and another for adults only. Each is equipped with an ample number of lounge chairs with umbrellas just waiting to be occupied (cabanas are available to rent, as well).
If catching the ocean breeze and general sea gazing is more your thing, a private stretch of soft white sand beckons. Your waterfront paradise comes complete with cabana boys stationed to assist with everything from draping towels over your lounge chair to positioning your umbrella exactly where you want it. They will also come by periodically to refresh your ice water, take orders for food, and keep you happily satisfied with complimentary goodies (see: popsicles, popcorn and beef jerky). Paradise found, si?
The spa
There comes a time when you need to let your mind and body go free. When this happens, Remède Spa, a 10,000-square-foot sanctuary tucked away on the resort grounds, is the answer. With private his-and-hers relaxation areas equipped with an outdoor gazebo, Jacuzzi, plunge bath and outdoor showers, your inner zen will begin to emerge well before your treatment session begins.
Remède Spa Lounge, Photo Courtesy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc
Plan to book one of the cool new alcohol-based treatments designed specifically for the property. For the ladies, there’s a 90-minute Champagne Ritual, which starts with a pre-treatment glass of Veuve Clicquot to help you relax and is followed by an invigorating Vichy Shower deluge before a therapist kneads away all your worries with a champagne body lotion infused with essential oils.
For the gents, a Beer Brew Massage is in order. Using St. Regis’ own custom microbrew, the 60-minute treatment relies on beer hops for exfoliation and live yeast cultures to hydrate and reinvigorate the skin.
The festivals
As a service to its loyal guests, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort hosts several exceptionally well-run, immensely popular festivals each year. Designed to guarantee a long weekend filled with merriment and unforgettable memories, each of the celebrations is unique in its offering and is packaged for incredible value.
The first and most popular event is the Punta Mita Gourmet and Golf Classic. Held in partnership with neighbor property the Five-Star Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita Mexico, the festival recently concluded its sixth successful run, with three days of unforgettable golf amid nonstop gourmet food and drink prepared by an impressive roster of international chefs and beverage professionals.
The second event, which had its debut this past December, is the Punta Mita Music, Food & Wine Festival. The tune-filled spectacle welcomed guests with Bluebird Café–style country music performed by some of Nashville’s most talented songwriters. Dates for the 2016 installment hadn’t been announced at press time.
Last but not least is the Punta Mita Beach Festival. The fourth-annual festivities will take place July 7 to 10, 2016. Over the course of three fun-filled days, the resort will hold special culinary events to complement a myriad of beach activities and competitions, including surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkeling, beach volleyball, yoga, and sandcastle building for the young ones.