I spent the last week of August on the Pacific coast of Mexico at the exquisite St. Regis Punta Mita. My review can be summed up in one word: Go. From the cascading beachfront pools to the impeccable service to the lush tropical grounds, everything combined to make our stay feel like paradise.
My brother, sister-in-law, and I arrived in Puerto Vallarta on a Monday. We were greeted by a driver, whom we had arranged in advance through the resort. The drive took about forty-five minutes, and then we pulled into Punta Mita, an enclave shared by the St. Regis, Four Seasons, golf courses, and residential properties. We were immediately offered margaritas and asked to sit at a table overlooking a terraced fountain, which is also the resort’s ‘money shot’ view to the ocean. Check-in was slow, taking more than an hour, but finally we were shown to our ocean-view rooms.
Each room was spacious and had an outdoor patio. The bathroom came with a large tub, an indoor shower and my favorite, a private outdoor shower.
What followed was a week of swimming, sunning, and eating. There are three infinity pools, with one designated adults only. Even though we did not have any children with us, we ended up spending most of our time at Sea Breeze Pool. I liked that it was closest to the ocean, so you could feel like you were on the beach.
There are two islands near the coastline, and you can swim to them. By swim, I mean walk and slip and paddle across the water. I only went to one of the two, but Brother and SiL were more adventurous and made it to both—twice. Bring water shoes if you plan to go in the ocean. It’s rocky.
With the exception of our excursion to the Marietas Islands, I stayed on resort. I got a package so I could paddle board, and went out every day. I am used to paddling on flat water, and since there are rocks near the shore I stayed on my knees until I got to deeper water. I had never before swam in the Pacific, so didn’t know exactly what to expect, but the waves were not as rough as I thought they were going to be. I only fell a couple times.
One of my favorite parts of the trip was how few other guests were here. You know how when you go to resorts you have to plan to get up early to mark your chair, beg for an extra beach towel, and wait forever for beach service? This is nothing like that. Probably 75 percent of the beach and pool chairs were empty at any given time, and the minute you arrived at your lounger, someone was there to lay out your towel, bring an ice bucket with water, and take your food or drink order.
We ate lunch pool or beach side on most days. The prices were on par with what I am used to in Washington, and cocktails ran about $15.00. I am a vegetarian, but had no problems finding something to eat. One note: if you have any allergies, be sure to tell them. I am pretty sure that the day I was sick on the boat, it was caused by cross-contamination from shellfish the night before (I’m intolerant.)
We ate dinner both on and off resort. My favorite was the Carolina at the St. Regis, but I also enjoyed Tuna Blanca, especially the dessert served on a surfboard.
I’m ready to go back.
