Four Season Punta Mita

by Plaza Travel Vice President - Steve Orens, CTIE

Gail & I just returned from the Four Seasons, Punta Mita. It was so nice to actually go away and not have any meetings, seminars, just free time to enjoy the resort. The hotel is about 45 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta airport. We flew down on Mexicana Airlines. They were great in both directions, nice clean planes, nice service and on-time. We had pre-arranged round trip hotel transfers from the Four Seasons. The rate was for up to 7 people and for 45 minutes each way the $215.00 round trip price was great. The transfer was only for us, even if there were others on our flight, each group would still have their own vehicle.

When we checked in, we found out that the main pool was closed, which was a little disappointing, but there was nothing we could do about that (except to make sure next time, something everyone should always ask at every hotel, renovations?). We were taken to our room on a Golf cart, as the resort is pretty spread out, but you can get a nice walk if you choose to not call for a ride everywhere. The most it would take you is a little more than 5-7 minutes to go from one side of the resort to the other. There are 2 very nice casual restaurants at the hotel, Bahia, right on the beach for lunch & dinner and Ketsi, overlooking the beach for Breakfast, Lunch and dinner. The food and selection at both restaurants were great and we could have eaten at both restaurants 2 or 3 times each without feeling we had to order the same thing. The setting at both was great. We did not eat at the nicer restaurant, Aramara. This restaurant requires long pants, which I did not bring, since even in October the weather is warm & humid, not a reason not to go, but just make sure your clients are aware.

Since the main pool was closed, which I am told is one of the best parts of the resort (which I can believe, because it has an amazing setting), our other options were the adult pool, lazy river or either of the 2 beaches right in front of the hotel. The lazy river is good for families with small children. The river is not very fast and there is really no view from the pool, except for the lush tropical landscape around the pool. Most families are put in this area of the hotel. The adult pool also has no view, except for the tropical landscape, but it is very nice. There is soft mellow music playing, mostly couples, and some very nice private Cabanas, with a private part of the pool reserved for these guests, too.

Most days we chose to spend at the beach in front of the Bahia restaurant. They have these great lounges right on the beach that are given out on a first come basis. They are like a day bed, queen size padded lounge chair, about 3 feet above the level of the sand, with shades on each side so you can always keep the sun out. They give you an ice chest with cold water when you get there. They were great, and we found it odd that they were not full each day. What a great way to spend the day on this large lounge chair, big enough for more than 2, with the waves breaking on the beach and the ocean breeze blowing through.

The rooms were very nice, large rooms, great amenities (typical Four Seasons) and outside showers in some of the rooms. We were so relaxed for the 4 days we were there we never left the resort once; that’s exactly how we wanted it.

P.S. We did have one exciting moment, Gail & I were in the ocean and 2 Manta rays swam up to us. . .it was pretty cool, but you should have seen how fast Gail ran away. The rays swam up and down the shore for a few minutes, then they were gone as quickly as they got there.

Steve Orens