St. Regis Punta Mita – A Luxurious Place to Meet
By Tim Cotroneo
When you first take in the setting that is St. Regis Punta Mita, the last word you would choose to describe what you see, and feel, is “simple.” But the English to Spanish translation for the words “Punta Mita” is exactly that.
When this 1500-acre development opened in 1999, the Spanish saying for a “place to meet” seemed like the simple, yet perfect phrase for vacationers seeking luxury, seclusion, and unforgettable ocean views. When the St. Regis hotel collection discovered 22 acres that were available on Punta Mita’s legendary Banderas Bay, they didn’t hesitate to stake a claim.
Since their opening in 2008, St. Regis Punta Mita’s mission is to deliver a resort guest experience that both surprises and exceeds expectations. Their latest raise the bar enhancement showcases a multi-million-dollar renovation, to be unveiled in 2024. This investment highlights every aspect of the resort’s room, culinary, bar, and beach sense of place.
Welcome to Our World
The 10-minute drive as you enter the St. Regis Punta Mita enclave offers a feeling of unspoken excitement that you’re about to experience a back-to-nature environment of palm trees, serenity, and quiet elegance. A half dozen St. Regis team members await to welcome you as your transportation pulls up to their stylish half-circle entrance. Smiles abound, and guests can’t help but be drawn to the reach out and touch someone ocean view just beyond the lobby.
As a staff member offers a chilled welcome drink, a first wow moment occurs as you gawk at an infinite view of tiered-pools flowing down to the beach and Pacific Ocean. The staff preps you on what to anticipate during your stay, and that your butler is on call for 24-hour service. There’s a calm assurance that you’re now in the hands of a team trained to turn your barefoot luxury vacation into an only in Punta Mita kind of escape.
When the golf cart pulls up to your luxury accommodations, you shift from “wow” to “ooh” while inspecting your spacious suite. The plush bedding, custom Mexican furniture, cozy terrace, and spacious bath with indoor/outdoor shower, all serve as a sweet introduction that you’re the beneficiary of an extensive two-year resort renovation. General Manager Gonzalo Guelman Ros is thrilled with the today and the tomorrow of what’s happening at this resort positioned on the shores of Banderas Bay.
What a Breakfast Moment
When staying within the Punta Mita gated development, there are certain times of day that feel like a pinch yourself memory in the making. Breakfast is certainly one of those St. Regis time capsules that only an oceanfront resort can deliver.
The morning quiet is interrupted only by birds chirping and the gentle murmur of ocean waves. Your first sip of coffee, near perfect temperatures, and exceptional al fresco hospitality create a sense of renewal.
For guests choosing the breakfast buffet at the Marietas Restaurant, a premium list of lattes, Frappuccino, abulitas, and espressos are available. Top off your morning favorite with Baileys, Kahlua, and Grand Marnier. At the St. Regis Punta Mita you’ll come to the realization that you’re indulging in a sky’s the limit retreat.
The Golf, The Whale, The Academy
With your day in ahead of you, St. Regis Punta Mita offers a wealth of experiences and Nayarit region keepsake views to make the most of your day. For many, a St. Regis Punta Mita reservation is the ultimate vacation for simply decompressing, enjoying the beach, and taking advantage of the resort’s 5-star service.
For others, the 1500-acre Punta Mita luxury development offers an opportunity to see the sights, make a memory, or play two of the best golf courses on the planet. Punta Mita is home to the Jack Nicklaus designed Pacifico and Bahia Golf Courses.
The Pacifico Golf Course delivers views of the Sierra Madre Mountains and eight ocean holes positioned along the Pacific. This 7,000-yard championship layout is also home to the Tail of the Whale, the course’s 19th hole in which golfers attempt a 180-yard shot over the ocean to an island green.
The Bahia Golf Course features five ocean holes, and the venue is an awesome vantage point for spotting humpback whales. Either before or after your round at Pacifico or Bahia, you may want to fine tune your game at the Punta Mita Academy. After a sublime golf experience, relax while enjoying a cocktail at the new Deck alfresco restaurant positioned next to the driving range.
Tradition, Sunset, and Sabering
A century-old sunset tradition takes place each evening at St. Regis Punta Mita. Guests gather at the Altamira Cantina Bar to experience a magnificent sunset and the art of sabrage ceremony.
For a century, guests at the St. Regis hotels throughout the world come together for the 6:30 pm transition from day to night. A special guest from the crowd does the honor of opening a bottle of champagne using a saber.
This ritual is enhanced by the visual of watching the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean. The cork pops, the crowd roars, and you bask in the thought that your next move is enjoying one of St. Regis Punta Mita’s bounty of evening dinner options.
Your Dining Pleasure
In 2024, the guest dining experience is a priority that GM Guelman Ros and his St. Regis team are excited to share. In addition to enhancing their entrée and cocktail selections for all five of their restaurants, the Mita Mary and Carolina restaurants will showcase complete renovations.
Carolina is the only AAA Five Diamond restaurant in the entire Punta de Mita development. The Carolina interior will exhibit a fresh look to include a new interior design, artwork, and Executive Chef.
For guests looking to explore beyond the St. Regis grounds, there are several indoor and outdoor dining options. Oceanfront beach clubs, golf course dining, and restaurants featuring musical entertainment are all within Punta Mita’s serene 1500 acres. The St. Regis concierge, or your butler, can help guide the dining option that best suits your palette.
Future is Now at St. Regis Punta Mita
2024 is an exciting time for St. Regis Punta Mita and their guests. After two years of construction and a multi-million-dollar renovation, the St. Regis team is ready to unveil a new paradise found chapter in their extraordinary hospitality story.
If a vacation featuring 5-star service, amazing views, and barefoot luxury sounds like the perfect retreat, then St. Regis Punta Mita is just a 50-minute drive from the Puerto Vallarta Airport. Anticipate premium accommodations, round-the-clock butler service, championship golf, a new spa, and the finest oceanfront dining.
Close your eyes and visualize the 10-minute palm tree-lined drive to the resort entrance. You’re here. You’ve arrived at St. Regis Punta Mita. What a wonderful “place to meet.” https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pvrxr-the-st-regis-punta-mita-resort/overview/