The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort

I have been meaning to write this review from our stay in October of 2024. We stayed at this lovely, renovated resort for 6 nights. We had a wonderful time. Everyone was so kind and attentive. We thoroughly enjoyed breakfast at Las Marietas. I would like to give a shoutout to the breakfast chef, Ramon and all the restaurant staff; Arturo Robles, Jovany Garcia, Manuel Moreno, Jonathan Munoz, Alfredo Mora, Jesus Becerra, Ismael and Elena. Every single one of these mentions went above and beyond for our two boys, and my mother-in-law who was recovering from chemo during this trip. It was such a joy to see the staff every morning at breakfast. The beach and pools were really nice. Kids enjoyed the kids club and we even booked a babysitter for an all adult dinner at Carolina. Food there was really good, and also excellent service. We would happily return. Thank you everyone for your excellent hospitality!

A close friend raved about this property a couple years ago; ever since, I've been trying to find time to get there with my elementary school-aged daughter.  We booked a room just shy of 24 hours before arriving in Puerto Vallarta.  To say the least, the decision to stay here was one of the best vacation-related decisions I've made as a parent and for myself. We spent a total of five nights at the resort; from the moment we checked in, everything was a combination of pure "ahhh", "bliss", and "wow". *Check In* There isn't a front desk to check into.  Instead, you're escorted to an amazing ocean view and comfy chairs, handed delicious hibiscus tea welcome drinks (with or without alcohol), and asked to relax as check-in paperwork is handled.  After having driven from Puerto Vallarta on roads that aren't exactly in the best condition, this was a phenomenal way to begin transitioning from "work is crazy and I need to separate and spend time with my kid" mode to "actual rest and quality time" mode. *The Butler Service* We were so fortunate to have Ricardo, Nancy, and Jose as our butlers.  All I can say is that I hope as they walk this earth, people treat them with as much care, kindness, and understanding as they showed me and my daughter.  Every request big and small was met with an optimistic, can-do, gracious attitude.   *Birthday Service For My Daughter* My kiddo turned nine just before this trip.  When the hotel learned of my daughter's birthday, staff decided to make the next day her birthday again!  The day started with staff at Marietas (the breakfast restaurant) presenting her with an Oreo cheesecake and a St. Regis Bear, followed by another cake in our room that afternoon, followed by a birthday banner being hung over her bed, along with an amazing display of gold and silver balloons.  And then, a few days later, another belated birthday present -- this time a stuffed bird of some sort -- was presented to her.  Another family we met on-site shared a story of their daughter also being presented with a bear, along with a story of how the bear became friends with the stuffed animal the child brought to the hotel from home.  Beautiful and the stuff memories are made of. *Stretch Class with Johnny + Gym Equipment*I took a few morning stretch classes with Johnny, who works at the gym.  Amazing classes (and included in the rate), plus, when I wished out loud for another class off-schedule, Johnny simply asked me to connect with my butler to make it happen, and magically, another cost-free class was created.  So kind. Gym equipment is also top-notch. It would be amazing if the resort added morning yoga classes as similar properties do, like Pelican Hill in Socal.  Johnny mentioned that a number of new activities might be added to the menu in the coming months. *Meals* All of the meals we had were outstanding, from the pizzas at Sea Breeze (the best crust I've had) to the potato churros at Mita Mary's and the breakfast tacos at Marietas -- everything was excellent.  Also, special props to the joy-filled taco and omelette preparers at Marietas, Jonathan at Marietas for introducing me to mamey fruit (thanks for cutting it up!), all the people who sourced morning Sudoku puzzles for me at Marietas, Sai for finding space for us at Mita Mary's, and Hugo for his patience with my kiddo's taste in food one night. *Paddleboarding* I really appreciated being able to hop onto a paddleboard right from the property's beach.  Bring cash to pay a reduced rate. *Tide Pools* Be sure to spend time exploring the on-site tidepools during low-tide.  They're full of nearly-fluorescent red hermit crabs, starfish, and other amazing creatures to observe. *Kids Club* This was the most average aspect of the hotel.  It really aims at a younger demographic than my nine year old, though my daughter made a close friend during one of the cooking classes, which was lovely.  It would be amazing if the property adopted options for older kiddos, perhaps science-based programming similar to what Bacara and the Laguna Niguel Ritz do.   *Last But Not Least, The Outdoor Shower* Our room was equipped with both indoor and outdoor showers.  I'm not 100% sure if all rooms have the outdoor option, but if you visit this slice of heaven, take advantage of it.  Just imagine waking up to a warm sunrise, crystal blue skies with white puffy clouds, tropical birds singing their melodies in the background, and then a calm, warm (or cool!) waterfall in that setting.  By the end of the trip, to keep things quiet for my kiddo while she slept, I used this space to meditate in the morning.  Perfection. ******** I travel the world for work and leisure -- Japan, India, and everything in between. I usually stay at Marriott properties....  I've simply never experienced a place like this.  Can't wait to return.  Thanks to everyone on-property for the rest, magic and memories.

Generally speaking...exceptional experience, with some caveats. I'll also say this right out of the gate: we visited the Four Seasons Punta Mita as well, and this is just a better resort. The Four Seasons property is chaotic and definitely not worth the uplift in price. We're late 30s and well traveled...have a taste for the nicer things...when doing the research, a lot of the reviews made it seem like this property was without any vibe and energy...that's not true. It's just less chaotic. I love energy (within reason) at the resorts we visit...but the layout, the tons of buildings, the overstacked etc stuff going on at Four Seasons feels poorly planned and like someone did a continual add on. The St Regis property is well planned and makes sense, easy to get around, etc. It appears that there are only 4 rooms in each villa/building max, rather than the swaths at the Four Seasons. It feels more exclusive. There were always plenty of seats at all 3 pools. The kids areas were spread out enough to not encourage a lot of noise or volatility. My wife and I, enjoying some time away from our littles, were happy to sit at any of the pools...although mostly opting for the adults area anyway. The ratio of patrons to space is well managed. The visitors were generally courteous and there was almost no stuffy vibes compared to other properties we've experienced in this price point. There were, of course, a couple of pain points. First of all, the spa needs better basic upkeep. No overhaul necessary, but the sitting areas outdoors (at least on the guys side) had grass ripped up, irrigation exposed, and so forth...it felt very unmanaged and quite outside of the St. Regis brand. At $500 a massage, you'd expect a little better experience. There were some such bizarre maintenance things going on....and other small not well thought out items (such as some sort of weird radio antenna attached to the top of one of the villas and other like visually chaotic elements that seem like easy reductions of the horizon noise that would otherwise make this experience feel more polished). Cocktails...were mediocre at best. I think the expectation from high end Mexican resorts is that sophisticated overseas drinkers want to avoid sugar at all costs...but...this is just not the case and a mixologist should be brought in to fix things such as the basic margarita (we're lucky enough to own a cocktail lounge that was produced by world class mixologists...we understand that not everything will be that level of experience...but the other guests were noting that generally, a $24 margarita should probably taste like more than tequila and lime with a splash of coin). The other St Regis resorts we've experienced have a very polished cocktail menu that I'd put on par with proper mixology experiences, so that one threw me a bit. The rest of the dining was well executed...although we found no traditional Mexican food which was a bit of a disappointment. The Mita Mary, which appears to be renovated from the boat bar that you see on youtube, was a lovely upgrade and probably much more appropriate for the property. All in all, I believe this to be the best property on the Pacific side of Mexico, things like One & Only's and so forth that we've visited included. I'd much prefer this over the Four Seasons. The vibe feels closer to Maui than Cabo...so if you're looking for a sliding scale there...this is much more towards "grassy, semi-lush" than "all rocks and boho". The beach is relatively unswimmable, however, although we didn't find ourselves longing for ocean time as the pools were fantastic. Expensive, yes...but the room prices were worth the penny (especially since Four Seasons was 25-30% more). Some of the on-prem expenses were excessive...but...its part of the reality these days. There are plenty of all-inclusives that avoid this nonsense...the StR doesn't...so just be prepared. Our total on prem out of pocket eclipsed the room reservation itself. All in all, thank you StR Punta Mita...the staff was world class as expected!

Our experience at the St. Regis Punta Mita was a nightmare. The most significant issue was an injury my wife suffered due to a poorly designed step outside the Marietas hot tub. As she exited the hot tub with our two young children, her foot slipped off the unexpectedly small step, causing a severe fall. She injured her knee and, more seriously, broke her foot—an injury confirmed upon our return home. The hotel is full of steps everywhere but this one was small and hidden and very dangerous. Additionally, our room thermostat was malfunctioning from day one, swinging unpredictably between extremely hot and cold temperatures. We reported this immediately, but the staff repeatedly dismissed our concerns, insisting nothing was wrong and implying we didn’t know how thermostats work. Only after three days and escalating to the manager did they acknowledge it was broken! Ridiculous they didn't just believe us to start. Other disappointments: Food quality was mediocre other than Sea Breeze. Room service sucked. Carolina was good but not worth the price. The wine list was CRAZY expensive (only 1-2 bottles at $150, everything else higher). It wasn’t clear during booking or check-in that the main pool and the Japanese restaurant were adults-only, we were with kids. The internet connection was consistently slow and unreliable. Maybe we had an unlucky experience and I acknowledge that, but the attitude from the management staff is inexcusable.

I’ve always been captivated by the serene beauty of Punta de Mita, a peninsula steeped in both luxury and natural wonder. Nestled along this stunning coastline are a few resorts that truly capture the essence of this paradise, but none quite like the St. Regis Punta Mita. While there are many resorts that promise luxury, the sweeping, iconic views here set it apart—it’s a place where every glance feels like a postcard. When I visit a resort, two things I always look for are exclusivity and exceptional service. At the St. Regis, even though families, couples, and friends gather here, there’s something about the way the resort is spread across its expansive 22 acres that makes you feel as if you’re in your own private world. It’s a delicate balance they’ve mastered, and the result is nothing short of magical. The attentive staff was one of the highlights of my stay. Having a dedicated butler service was such a treat—I could simply send a text, and within minutes, my every need was taken care of. It added a layer of personal attention that made me feel completely at ease. Dining at the resort was a standout experience. With two bars and four restaurants, including the Sakana Bar and the Altamira at St. Regis Bar, there’s plenty to explore. However, Carolina and Marietas were my personal favorites. Carolina offers a more formal, intimate fine dining experience, perfect for a special evening. Marietas, on the other hand, is a casual spot by the beach—ideal for relaxing in resort wear while you take in the sunset with a delicious meal. As someone with a discerning palate, I was pleasantly surprised by how exceptional the food was across the board. Each dish felt thoughtfully prepared, and I can confidently say I didn’t encounter a single disappointment, which says a lot! One of my favorite moments was lounging in a cabana during the early afternoon. There’s something about hearing the ocean breeze, the birds, and the gentle lapping of the waves that creates an almost meditative experience. It’s hard not to feel completely at peace. For those looking for activities, the resort offers a golf club, various aquatic adventures, and even a sunset cruise—all of which can be arranged by the concierge. These were some of the highlights for me, but there’s plenty more to explore. My room was a sanctuary in itself—spacious, comfortable, and beautifully designed. I especially loved the combination of the indoor and outdoor bathing options, with a terrace shower surrounded by greenery. It was such a unique touch that I found myself reluctant to leave the room! In the end, what truly sets St. Regis Punta Mita apart is its unwavering commitment to exclusivity, service, and the guest experience. From the moment you arrive, you can feel the thoughtfulness and care that goes into every detail. They’ve mastered the art of hospitality, ensuring that your time here is not only memorable but transformative. If you’re searching for a resort that offers the ultimate escape in Punta Mita, the St. Regis should be at the top of your list. I’ve lovingly coined it as Punta Mita’s “escape to exclusivity.” I’ve attached some photos that I hope give you a glimpse of what I experienced firsthand—the views, the food, and most importantly, the feeling of being in a world of your own.