W Punta de Mita

We spent a lovely week at the W in late March for Spring break. The resort, food and service were all wonderful and exceeded expectations. The spa experience was so peaceful and relaxing and the massage therapists were very strong and skilled. We thought we'd take some day trips but ended up spending all but one day on the beach and by the pool with drinks and snacks. Rubra was a highlight.

The W Punta Mita overall was a good stay, with a few caveats. To begin, the location and overall design of the hotel (rooms, lobby, pool and beach) were excellent, all working together to create a relaxing and secluded experience. I would recommend the lagoon facing rooms, but try to stay away from 1101/1102 as those rooms do not feel very private due to the nearby lobby and walking path. Moreover, the beach felt private and the included lounge beds at the pools were great. Finally, the food at the pool and at the spice market restaurant were both excellent, albeit very expensive. However, I can’t say the same for Venazu, which was very expensive for food that was okay borderline bad (and again very expensive). More, during our stay, both hot tubs were barely functioning, which was a disappointment given the high price tag. If you want a luxurious and relaxing vacation, choose the W. However, for the price of the rooms plus the crazy high prices for food and drinks, I would recommend looking into the nearby all inclusive resorts which seemed just as nice for a cheaper price tag.

It was our first time at the property, and we were well taken care of by the staff at the W. At arrival we were upgraded to a lake view room with a beautiful view of the lake (albeit a fake one!) where you could watch the local birds frolicking about, we were also given complementary breakfast with our status, which was a nice surprise. The property is beautifully maintained and is lush with greenery. The gym facilities were great and clean, and I also attended a wonderful yoga class at the Away spa. We ate at all four of the onsite restaurants, Rubra, Venazu, Spice market and the Wet bar. Rubra probably needs its own review, but the food and concept of 'back to the roots' Mexican cuisine by Chef Daniella Soto-Innes was an amazing experience. The breakfasts at the Venazu was also very pleasant (including buffet on the weekends). And I would like to give a shout out to Dani for excellent service. I had one of the best moles from their dinner menu. Spice market offered asian fusion cuisine, which was good but not great. I do highly recommend the ceviche from the Wet Bar especially at lunch.

My stay at the W Hotel was truly unforgettable. The Equinox event was incredibly relaxing, creating the perfect atmosphere to unwind and reset. One of the highlights was the takeover by Brujas Bar—it was fun, unique, and added a special energy to the experience. The mixology class was also fantastic, offering an engaging and interactive way to enjoy the evening. The service throughout our stay was exceptional. Gustavo at the front desk provided outstanding hospitality from the moment we arrived. Marcos Montero, our bartender, was absolutely incredible—his creativity and attention to detail made every drink memorable. Fernando Arroyo, the restaurant manager, was also extremely helpful and attentive, ensuring everything ran smoothly. The hotel itself has one of the best atmospheres—luxurious yet deeply relaxing. Our ocean-view room with a private pool was simply out of this world, offering both comfort and breathtaking views. The sound healing experience was another standout moment, leaving us feeling completely rejuvenated. The spa, beautifully nestled among the trees, created a serene and natural environment. The different pools added to the experience, making it the perfect place to disconnect and recharge. Overall, the W Hotel delivers a perfect blend of luxury, relaxation, and unique experiences. I would absolutely return.

As a long-time Bonvoy member, I chose W Punta de Mita expecting a true high-end Marriott experience. Unfortunately, this stay fell far short of that standard — especially at approximately $800 per night for an “ocean view” room that offered only a narrow sliver of ocean visible from one angle. The room itself was inconsistent with what one expects at this price point. Towels were old and had an unpleasant odor. Housekeeping was unreliable — on 2 of our 4 days, the room was not cleaned despite multiple calls requesting service. Electrical outlets were concerning; several faceplates were loose and fell away when plugging devices in, exposing the interior wiring. The light and AC controls were overly complicated and extremely bright at night, requiring us to physically cover them to sleep comfortably. On a positive note, the pillows, sheets, and duvet were comfortable. Dining was one of the most disappointing aspects of the stay. Two of the three restaurants were closed due to the cartel violence situation in Puerto Vallarta, leaving only one dining option that offered a mandatory $60 buffet. Because the resort was effectively on lockdown and we could not safely leave the property, we felt forced into that option. After raising concerns, we were shown an à la carte menu — but told that half of our group still had to order from the buffet. It felt inflexible and unpleasant. On our first night, our group of 20 (with orders submitted two days in advance) was served by a single overwhelmed waiter. Orders were confused, some children received their meals after adults had already finished, and separating checks by room became unnecessarily complicated. Basic service standards were lacking — water was not brought to the table unless requested multiple times, and repeated follow-ups were needed before anything was addressed. The pool area and vegetation/trees in the 'resort' is beautiful and the beach has lovely sand. However, poolside service was extremely slow and staff were difficult to find. Even when approaching staff directly, responsiveness was minimal. The most troubling experience occurred when nine members (4 children) of our group checked out to fly home, only to have their flight canceled due to the ongoing violence situation. Despite having room availability, the resort refused to readmit them or even allow them back onto the property to stay with family members who still had rooms. There was no flexibility, no accommodation, and no goodwill gesture — nor any discount offered for the significant reduction in services during our stay. Entry key card had to be reprogrammed numerous times if it comes in contact with mobile phone, no other luxary hotel has ever had this issue. Our entry key pad at one point had to be reprogrammed and battery changed by personnel, font desk acted like this is first time this has happened. They do not have enough personnel. Bellman for checkout was going to take a longtime, we carried our luggages to front desk ourselves. To catch a ride to the front took a long while. Services not very optimized. The front desk management’s demeanor was indifferent and unempathetic. In a hospitality environment — particularly under challenging circumstances — empathy matters. This was not the level of service, safety, or professionalism I expect from a Marriott property in this category. I left deeply disappointed and would not return to this resort.