June 13, 2018

Introduction to Riviera Nayarit + Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico; things to do + hotel review + restaurant reviews

INTRODUCTION TO RIVIERA NAYARIT, MEXICO

Situated on the northernmost part of the Mexican Riviera coastline, the Riviera Nayarit begins at Nuevo Vallarta and extends almost 200 miles north along the coast to historic old San Blas.  It is framed by the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains and includes serene beaches on spectacular Banderas Bay.   
 
The region includes ultra-luxurious destinations as well as others that are quaint, traditional, and less expensive--including idyllic seaside villages that remain unspoiled.  This diversity sets the area apart.  You’ll find five diamond resorts as well as cozy inns and boutique hotels, and golf courses as well as treks on mules and whale-watching.

The resort towns of Punta Mita and Sayulita attract celebrities and are surrounded by the Pacific on three sides and  renowned for luxury and protected natural wonders.  

colorful flowers decoration at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
colorful flowers decoration at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico


Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita 

A prime example of the luxury resorts found here, the spectacular 177-room Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita resort on Banderas Bay is separated from the main road by two gates.  It stretches over 400 beachfront acres, and includes a Jack Nicklaus golf course with the world’s only island golf hole--known as The Tail of the Whale.  It also features excellent snorkeling, scuba diving, and surfing.  The warm staff are quick with a smile and happy to answer questions.  In fact, this resort reputedly has the highest guest and employee satisfaction of all the Four Seasons.  It also features the first woman sommelier in Mexico.

swimming pool at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
swimming pool at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico


beach lounge at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
beach lounge at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico


public art at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
public art at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico


Each guest room includes a spacious bathroom with deep soaking tub and a furnished terrace or balcony.  Guests have a choice of A.C. or a ceiling fan and can leave balcony doors open to the sounds of the surf and morning birdsong.  One-bedroom suites have a private outdoor plunge pool.  Though it is easy to walk the main area of the resort, it is handy to take the complimentary golf cart transportation when you are in a hurry or in the hinterlands.  Sprinkled in the various beach areas are a gelato shop, a pool where the waiters hop in the pool to serve drinks, and a bar with swings for adults.

Margarita fixins' at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
Margarita fixins' at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico


view from guest room at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
view from guest room at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico


But children are not overlooked.  Kids have their own pool, and teens have an indoor-outdoor area composed of trendy repurposed containers with graffiti on the gates and a “no adults allowed” lounge area.  Adults can enjoy free Tequila tastings.  Workshops include learning how to make the colorful beaded artwork of the local Huichol Indians and helping to release baby sea turtle hatchlings on the beach to begin their crawl to the ocean (more than 3½ million turtles are released in this area every year).  Meeting spaces include the Tuturi Room, which features ocean-facing windows and an adjacent Takua Terrace.

teen hangout at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
teen hangout at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico


chef prepares fresh coconut drink at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
chef prepares fresh coconut drink at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico


The full-service Apuane Spa features changing rooms for men and women, plus hot and cold pools, therapeutic ice fountains and cold showers, eucalyptus steam rooms and saunas, and luxurious changing areas with full amenities.  Facilities other than treatments are available complimentary to guests.  A separate state-of-the-art fitness center is adjacent.  Additional facilities include 10 tennis courts and a Lazy River.

relaxation room at Apuane Spa at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
relaxation room at Apuane Spa at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico


iced wash cloths and cucumber slices at Apuane Spa at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
iced wash cloths and cucumber slices at Apuane Spa
at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico


The three restaurants each have ocean views.  The open-air, thatched palapa-topped Ketsi restaurant is a special delight at breakfast.  You can hear the surf as you drink delicious Mexican hot chocolate and fresh green juice.

exterior of Ketsi restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
exterior of Ketsi restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico







omelette station at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
omelette station at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico


fresh fruit station at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
fresh fruit station at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico


Bahía is nestled among giant manzanilla trees on the resort’s Las Cuevas beach.  This contemporary seafood-centric beachfront grill and restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere with a sleek contemporary Mexican design.  At the adults-only Tamai Pool, the Sushi Bar offers a variety of refreshing cocktails, fresh sushi, caviar, tapas, and salads to be enjoyed poolside.  New throughout the resort’s restaurants is a dedicated effort to prepare interesting vegan menu options.

ocean-side dining at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
ocean-side dining at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico


chef presents whole fish at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico
chef presents whole fish at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico






More to do in nearby Puerto Vallarta.

More ideas for exploring Canada and Mexico.


images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

10 comments:

  1. Great article with wonder information and really inspiring. Thank you so much for this article. Check my article >>
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  2. I’ve been to the Four Seasons Punta Mita but totally missed the art as I was there just one night. Stunning! Love it

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  3. Lovely lovely resort at the Mexican Riviera! A week there would be luxurious!!!

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  4. Our first ex pat adventure was in owning a home in Bucerias, back when it was simply a fishing village to the north of Puerto Vallarta. So long ago that we used to visit Punta de Mita, the village when it was on the point now occupied by the Four Seasons and before it was moved for the construction. It ended up being a win-win for all, but we still marvel at this luxurious escape where once fishermen and their families lived in palapa huts. Brought back great memories with this one Carole!

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  5. Riviera Nayarit is an area of Mexico I have not yet explored. Thanks for this great post that gives us a glimpse of the excellent service and amenities at the Four Seasons Punta Mita. I'm sure I would enjoy a stay there.

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  6. We've always had great stays at Four Seasons properties. This one seems to be sited in an idyllic setting

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  7. The ocean-side dining at Four Seasons Punta Mita is quite special and unique - what a wonderful resort. I was there not too long ago and completely overlooked the art. It looks quite spectacular as well!

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  8. We love Mexico and it's been years since we've been to this part near Punta de Mita - it was just a sleepy fishing village back then. Does it still have a bit of that left? The Four Seasons always does it right and this property looks pretty amazing, especially the fresh food and that spa. But honestly you had me at free tequila tastings! How could you not love a place like that?! ;-)

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  9. What a magical experience!! The fresh fish and fruit looks mouth-watering delicious and I can imagine the spa is a wonderful respite from the heat. I've not explored this area before, but now definitely have a great reason to go! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Mexico is really building up its various coasts as tourist destinations. The Riviera Narayit looks like one of the new "in" places to get away from a Philadelphia winter.

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