Set on a secluded peninsula near the town of Punta de Mita, an hour from central Puerto Vallarta, Iberostar Playa Mita is an upscale, all-inclusive mega-resort offering 452 polished rooms and suites on lush grounds with palm trees and tropical plants. Rooms come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-bars, and balconies. Suites add living areas and kitchens, and some units have ocean views. There are five restaurants, a 24-hour cafe, and seven bars, including a lively swim-up bar in the massive two-tier pool. A huge, beautiful beach offers water sports. Other amenities include a golf course, a lovely spa, a fitness center, a kids’ water park, a billiard hall, and regular entertainment and activities. Wi-Fi and valet parking are free, but some wines cost extra. Guests who want to be closer to downtown might consider Now Amber Puerto Vallarta.
Set on a secluded peninsula near the town of Punta de Mita, an hour from central Puerto Vallarta, Iberostar Playa Mita is an upscale, all-inclusive mega-resort offering 452 polished rooms and suites on lush grounds with palm trees and tropical plants. Rooms come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-bars, and balconies. Suites add living areas and kitchens, and some units have ocean views. There are five restaurants, a 24-hour cafe, and seven bars, including a lively swim-up bar in the massive two-tier pool. A huge, beautiful beach offers water sports. Other amenities include a golf course, a lovely spa, a fitness center, a kids’ water park, a billiard hall, and regular entertainment and activities. Wi-Fi and valet parking are free, but some wines cost extra. Guests who want to be closer to downtown might consider Now Amber Puerto Vallarta.
La Tranquila wows at first sight: The lobby is huge and airy, with high ceilings and oversized furniture, and the pool complex is arguably one of the most stunning in the region. High-end rooms are all suites of one, two and three bedrooms, and feature sleek, sexy bathrooms with separate showers and deep soaking tubs, as well as large terraces with plunge pools and striking ocean views. The beach is long, sandy, and surrounded by nature, so guests have it to themselves. In terms of features, there’s little more than a Greg Norman golf course, a tiny fitness center with a few machines and a plunge pool, and a spa in the works,tag:revisit 9/1/2013 so this is a better pick for those who are looking to relax in the sun than for those who want to stay active.
La Tranquila wows at first sight: The lobby is huge and airy, with high ceilings and oversized furniture, and the pool complex is arguably one of the most stunning in the region. High-end rooms are all suites of one, two and three bedrooms, and feature sleek, sexy bathrooms with separate showers and deep soaking tubs, as well as large terraces with plunge pools and striking ocean views. The beach is long, sandy, and surrounded by nature, so guests have it to themselves. In terms of features, there’s little more than a Greg Norman golf course, a tiny fitness center with a few machines and a plunge pool, and a spa in the works,tag:revisit 9/1/2013 so this is a better pick for those who are looking to relax in the sun than for those who want to stay active.
The Four Seasons is one of the grand dames in Riviera Nayarit. It’s been around for over two decades, but still wows with its manicured grounds, elegant rooms, outstanding restaurants, and slew of activities both for adults and kids. Its location in exclusive Punta Mita means guests won’t get to experience much of the local culture, but the hotel is a short drive from quaint little villages full of Mexican flavor.
The Four Seasons is one of the grand dames in Riviera Nayarit. It’s been around for over two decades, but still wows with its manicured grounds, elegant rooms, outstanding restaurants, and slew of activities both for adults and kids. Its location in exclusive Punta Mita means guests won’t get to experience much of the local culture, but the hotel is a short drive from quaint little villages full of Mexican flavor.
Sitting on 22 lush acres of beautiful oceanfront land, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort is a luxury property offering 120 refined rooms and suites with butler service. Air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, balconies, and bathrooms with huge outdoor showers also come standard. High-end suites include private pools. There are six restaurants and bars, including a beachfront bar, an oyster and Champagne bar, and a fine dining Mexican restaurant. There are kid-friendly, adult-only, and public beach club areas, each with their own outdoor pool. A huge white-sand beach offers water sports, hammocks, and cabanas. Other luxurious amenities include a spa offering floatation therapy, two world-class golf courses, and a tennis center. Wi-Fi and parking are free. The nearby Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita offers more kid-friendly amenities, but lacks butler service.
Sitting on 22 lush acres of beautiful oceanfront land, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort is a luxury property offering 120 refined rooms and suites with butler service. Air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, balconies, and bathrooms with huge outdoor showers also come standard. High-end suites include private pools. There are six restaurants and bars, including a beachfront bar, an oyster and Champagne bar, and a fine dining Mexican restaurant. There are kid-friendly, adult-only, and public beach club areas, each with their own outdoor pool. A huge white-sand beach offers water sports, hammocks, and cabanas. Other luxurious amenities include a spa offering floatation therapy, two world-class golf courses, and a tennis center. Wi-Fi and parking are free. The nearby Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita offers more kid-friendly amenities, but lacks butler service.
Rancho Banderas has a privileged location on a bluff above a beautiful sandy beach on the northern shore of Banderas Bay. It features 49 one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with kitchens and furnished terraces, almost half of which have great ocean views. The restaurant boasts gorgeous views of the Pacific, but many guests feel that the all-inclusive option, though inexpensive, isn't worth the money. This property is a solid pick for families and groups, and offers great whale-watching December through March. But there’s a fee for Wi-Fi and those who plan on exploring beyond the resort should note that there’s nothing within walking distance.
Rancho Banderas has a privileged location on a bluff above a beautiful sandy beach on the northern shore of Banderas Bay. It features 49 one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with kitchens and furnished terraces, almost half of which have great ocean views. The restaurant boasts gorgeous views of the Pacific, but many guests feel that the all-inclusive option, though inexpensive, isn't worth the money. This property is a solid pick for families and groups, and offers great whale-watching December through March. But there’s a fee for Wi-Fi and those who plan on exploring beyond the resort should note that there’s nothing within walking distance.
The Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa is an upscale, all-inclusive resort occupying a verdant swatch of manicured jungle with an alluring private beach, about a 45-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta. All of the 420 rooms have jetted tubs and furnished terraces -- though not many have ocean views -- while Master Suites add outdoor whirlpools. There's a lot going on at this large resort, including an on-site zoo, plus plenty more to keep kids entertained (including kids' clubs and a kids' pool with waterslides). There are also three regular pools (one with saltwater), plus a spa, fitness facilities, and a theater with nightly entertainment. Five restaurants, four of which are a la carte, are on offer. For something more luxurious, travelers might want to check out the nearby W Punta de Mita or the Iberostar Playa Mita.
The Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa is an upscale, all-inclusive resort occupying a verdant swatch of manicured jungle with an alluring private beach, about a 45-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta. All of the 420 rooms have jetted tubs and furnished terraces -- though not many have ocean views -- while Master Suites add outdoor whirlpools. There's a lot going on at this large resort, including an on-site zoo, plus plenty more to keep kids entertained (including kids' clubs and a kids' pool with waterslides). There are also three regular pools (one with saltwater), plus a spa, fitness facilities, and a theater with nightly entertainment. Five restaurants, four of which are a la carte, are on offer. For something more luxurious, travelers might want to check out the nearby W Punta de Mita or the Iberostar Playa Mita.
A budget hotel in a ritzy resort area, Hotel Meson de Mita offers great value in a prime location. This colorful property has 16 rooms with varied layouts, but the decor could benefit from a little updating. Meson de Mita has a small pool with thatched roof palapas and a hammock-strung pergola with a sandy floor. The hotel is located in front of a tiny beach, behind a popular local restaurant, but the beach isn’t anywhere you’d really want to swim. With neighbors like the Four Seasons, The St. Regis, and the W, there aren’t many other affordable hotels in the area. Budget travelers should head north to San Pancho, where cute boutiques like Hotel Casa San Pancho and Hotel Cielo Rojo are slightly pricier, but have nicer rooms and amenities.
A budget hotel in a ritzy resort area, Hotel Meson de Mita offers great value in a prime location. This colorful property has 16 rooms with varied layouts, but the decor could benefit from a little updating. Meson de Mita has a small pool with thatched roof palapas and a hammock-strung pergola with a sandy floor. The hotel is located in front of a tiny beach, behind a popular local restaurant, but the beach isn’t anywhere you’d really want to swim. With neighbors like the Four Seasons, The St. Regis, and the W, there aren’t many other affordable hotels in the area. Budget travelers should head north to San Pancho, where cute boutiques like Hotel Casa San Pancho and Hotel Cielo Rojo are slightly pricier, but have nicer rooms and amenities.
The W brand has a reputation for eschewing the typical, blending vibrant decor and bold architecture to create an aesthetic that feels both outrageous and luxurious. Luckily for W fans, its 119-room Punta de Mita outpost is undeniably on-brand. Inspired by local Huichol folklore, the atmosphere here is spirited and playful. Turquoise-hued rooms feature surfboard headboards and neon Acapulco rockers, plus high-end amenities. The scene-y Wet Deck hosts weekly DJ sets and guests ride scooters around the property. Additional amenities include outstanding globally inspired restaurants, a relaxing spa, modern fitness center, and surf school. The W appeals to well-heeled millennials looking for a good time, while others may find the hotel a bit too funky or loud. The quieter, more traditional Four Seasons Punta Mita is better suited to older couples and families with kids, though rates are pricier.
The W brand has a reputation for eschewing the typical, blending vibrant decor and bold architecture to create an aesthetic that feels both outrageous and luxurious. Luckily for W fans, its 119-room Punta de Mita outpost is undeniably on-brand. Inspired by local Huichol folklore, the atmosphere here is spirited and playful. Turquoise-hued rooms feature surfboard headboards and neon Acapulco rockers, plus high-end amenities. The scene-y Wet Deck hosts weekly DJ sets and guests ride scooters around the property. Additional amenities include outstanding globally inspired restaurants, a relaxing spa, modern fitness center, and surf school. The W appeals to well-heeled millennials looking for a good time, while others may find the hotel a bit too funky or loud. The quieter, more traditional Four Seasons Punta Mita is better suited to older couples and families with kids, though rates are pricier.