St. Regis Punta Mita: The Newly Reopened Luxury Location For Holidaymakers

The St. Regis Punta Mita occupies a prime address on Mexico’s dreamy Pacific Coast. Following a two-year renovation, the hotel reopened in December 2023 under the eye of Guadalajara-based Bibiana Huber of Huber Design. Despite its lengthy renovations, The St. Regis Punta Mita retains a distinctly traditional feeling with comfortable hacienda style and sharp service. Lauren Ho pays a visit.

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Review: St. Regis Punta Mita, Mexico

STAY

Located just north of the Bay of Banderas, Punta Mita is a gated headland home to a handful of prestigious hotels and two golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus. The St. Regis Punta Mita stretches across 22 acres with 120 rooms, suites and villas to choose from, with facilities including three swimming pools, tennis courts and a spa.

Fresh pineapple margaritas served in the hotel’s lobby under antique French chandeliers set the scene, with views out to the surf. Meandering down the palm-lined paths towards the sea, the traditionally-styled villas are sheltered beneath climbing plants and delicate mimosa trees.

Inside the casitas, terracotta floors, cream walls and heavy wooden doors lead to large bathrooms with rainforest showers, deep tubs and thick towel robes. All the artworks are local, with ceramics from Encrudo and textiles by Caralarga. The beachfront category rooms are particularly desirable – some with private plunge pools – as you can pad across soft grass lawns straight onto the sand.

Families are well catered to, with the designated family-friendly pool and a Children’s Club encouraging ages five to twelve to head off on nature walks and art-inspired picnics, or join in painting classes.

At the two-tiered adults-only infinity pool, waiters slip between sunbeds delivering boozy iced tea and canapes. Service is relaxed rather than stiff, with the St. Regis butler service available to guests via WhatsApp.

DO

Wellness is taken seriously here, with the newly renovated spa offering ample opportunity for movement and rest – and treatments including facials, massages, scrubs and wraps. One of the more recent additions to the menu is a Temazcal experience, which will take you through a ceremonial purification ritual steamed in indigenous herbs and warmed with volcanic stones said to boost healing of the body and soul.

The hotel’s fitness centre is packed with Peloton bikes, Technogym treadmills and weights as well as a studio for private yoga lessons, Surfit classes and TRX. One of the golf courses is just next door, and you can watch golfers take a swing from the beach – or book a slot with your butler. There are also bikes and tennis courts on the property, and Mexican cooking and cocktails classes for those so inclined.

For exploring a little further afield, there are coveted scuba diving sites just offshore among the Marietas Islands Marine Reserve, whale watching (humpback season runs from December to April), jungle canopy tours and spearfishing.

EAT

The St. Regis Punta Mita has a number of dining choices (including room service), so there are plenty of options to keep your palate stimulated. The newest addition to the fold is Mita Mary, which was the winner with its relaxed feet in the sand setting, grilled meats with homemade chimichurri and fresh seafood.

Prop up the bar at Las Marietas for a fruity cocktail with a salt rim at sunset, before coming back in the morning – this is also the hotel’s prime breakfast spot – where you can order omelettes with a Mexican twist and locally sourced produce a la carte.

Sea Breeze serves Mediterranean cuisine on the beach, whilst up at Altamira Cantina Gourmet it’s all about bold Mexican flavours, with plates like crispy shrimp tacos and confit suckling pig in a low-key setting.

FINAL WORD

With its relaxed feel, big waves and aromatic gardens dotted with crimson hibiscus flowers, The St. Regis Punta Mita is a supremely relaxing spot for a swish getaway with a good dose of natural beauty and wellness under the Mexican sun.

BOOK

Rates from £748 per night not including breakfast. marriott.com