The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort: Paradise Found
Mar 25, 2019 09:52AM ● By Fran Miller
BY FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER
Glamorous. Romantic. Serene. With a mere 125 rooms and suites located amongst three vast swimming pools and lush gardens, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort affords its guests with tranquility not readily found in today’s crowded world. Situated on a spear-shaped peninsula at the northern tip of Mexico’s Banderas Bay, and nestled between the majestic Sierra Madre mountain range and miles of pristine beach fronting the turquoise waters of the Pacific, The St. Regis and its prime Punta Mita location are nearly a throwback. Here there is room to breathe and space to ‘be.’
You’ll know this place is special upon arrival when offered a choice of grapefruit margarita or fresh juice. Check-in takes place overlooking tiered pools that flow towards the ocean. In the evening, this vantage point becomes a gathering spot – Altamira Cantina Gourmet - where guests commune over crafted cocktails and small bites. If it’s a Friday evening, a ceremonial bottle of champagne is sabered and shared as part of The St. Regis Champagne Ritual, a tradition originated by St. Regis founder John Jacob Astor IV to celebrate the transition from day to night.
A hallmark of a St. Regis stay is bespoke butler service. Summon your St. Regis Butler to unpack your belongings and press your clothing. Schedule morning coffee and afternoon tea delivery. Inquire about available spa services and request restaurant recommendations and reservations. Don’t be shy; your St. Regis butler is at your service 24/7 and can help to make your stay luxuriously indulgent.
While favored by romantics, the resort is also ideal for children; a large grass area filled with lawn games fronts the wide sandy beach and a menu of activities and experiences for all ages is offered daily: beach volleyball, yoga, snorkeling, kayaking, salsa and merengue classes, golf, and tennis. And for those seeking nothing more than rest and relaxation, empty hammocks sway invitingly in the breeze. Umbrella-shaded lounge chairs await, each perfectly positioned towards the Banderas Bay and Pacific Ocean waters on which the sun shimmers and sparkles by day, and sets at dusk in a blazing display of pink, orange, and purple – by far the resort’s best daily entertainment offering.
Don’t miss a visit to the spacious and sumptuous Remède Spa where upon arrival you’re encouraged to select a small stone engraved with one of a number of motivational words. Place the stone in your robe pocket and post-treatment surrender it to the lobby’s central vitrine. Whatever your treatment – facial, massage, or vibrational therapy - your relaxed state can’t help but allow your ‘word’ and its meaning to resonate. (Punta Mita’s indigenous Huichol Indians believed Punta Mita to provide spiritual renewal – and once you’ve experienced a Remède Spa treatment, you’ll be hard-pressed to deny this tenet.) The 10,000 square-foot space features all the elements one requires for ultimate indulgence: sauna, steam room, fitness center, salon, Jacuzzi, cold plunge pools, and relaxation gardens.
If your tropical dreams have long taken you to other beach resorts throughout the world, as have mine, and Mexico has never been on your radar, try The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort. This idyllic paradise (just a 40 minute drive from Puerto Vallarta) stirs the soul with its stunning vistas, impeccable service, and rejuvenating spaciousness. I'm a convert. You will be too.
Tip: Southwest Airlines flies direct daily from Oakland Airport to Puerto Vallarta - about a 3.5 hour flight. For a minimal fee, the St. Regis Punta Mita Resort can arrange private transportation to and from the airport.
Photos: Punta Mita Resort
