Doug Orens

Getting to Punta Mita is so easy. We flew a short 2 ½ hour flight on Southwest Airlines out of LAX to Puerto Vallarta. That means no bag fees, no change fees, everything that has made Southwest a top choice for short flights. Checking in at LAX was a little different. We started at the Southwest counter, checked our bags, boarding passes, etc. Then they transferred us on the tarmac via shuttle buses to the International terminal. That means no long lines at International TSA, and better food choices and lounge options. Priority Pass update - as of June 2017, the Korean Air lounge only allows access to Priority Pass members between noon and 8 pm. After going thru immigration in Mexico, remember to keep your stub for the return flight as it’s an expensive lesson if you don’t! We arranged our ground transfers through the Four Seasons which was cost effective, prompt and clean. After a ride of about 45 minutes we arrived at the beautiful Four Seasons Punta Mita.

The 3 on-property restaurants were tasty and inventive. Ketsi, the casual spot, is where you’ll find the elaborate breakfast buffet with an egg station and Mexican cuisine station among other selections. Our favorite for dinner is Bahia which is right on the beach and serves mostly seafood. When I say right on the beach, I mean feet in the sand! On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings the fishermen’s catch of the day is displayed in a small boat on the beach. You can choose whatever fresh fish you like and then discuss dinner preparation options with the chef. Aramara is an Asian inspired restaurant complete with sushi. A great appetizer is Hot Rock, where you get to cook your own thinly sliced beef on a very hot, round stone at your table. Yummy!

There are three pools and two beaches divided by a point where outdoor yoga classes are held, or a private romantic dinner takes advantage of the view. The lazy river pool is a really fun to experience. We went around four times in the donut floaties that are sitting there for anyone to use! The adult pool is located away from the beach and offers a very serene setting with plenty of hammocks and lounges to take a nice pool-side nap. Try the floating checkers set. The main pool is centrally located on the beachfront edge of the property and features an infinity edge and stunning view. This is where we spent most of our time taking advantage of the amphibious pool service!

We loved all of the treats and services throughout the day while sitting around the main pool. Mini mango smoothies, fruit kebabs, mochachinos, Evian spritzes, cool scented wash cloths, sunglass cleanings, magazines and sunscreen at the towel hut. At 3pm the bell rings and the ice cream cart rolls up with freshly made ice creams and sorbets to be enjoyed! It's always fun to watch a bunch of adults get so excited for ice cream! There is full food and beverage service around the pool so you can have lunch, snacks and drinks throughout the day. When in the pool you get to take advantage of the amphibious waiter that swims over with your drink so you can stay in the refreshing water and enjoy the view! Most of these fun extras are at the beach and other pools too.

The gym and spa have both recently been renovated and have everything you’d expect at a full service resort. The spa offers a wide variety of treatments along with areas to just relax, while the gym has a nice assortment of equipment and classes. With all of the great food and drinks here, it's nice to feel like you're working some of it off in the gym. If you'd rather get your exercise outside, you can get take a nice long walk down the beach or on the path just out the front of the hotel that leads you to the small town of Punta de Mita.

Hawks, yes hawks, patrol the resort with their handlers. This helps keep starlings and other scavenging birds away from your food at Ketsi and while sitting around the pool area. The birds wear bells and fly back and forth between the handler and the roof tops around the pool, looking to scare off the other birds.

Warning – don't mistake the hawk bell for the ice cream cart bell!

Shoot an email to: doug@plazatravel.com if you have any questions or want more details about this, or any of my other trips!

Four Seasons Punta Mita, Mexico June 2017