Honeymoon hotels: Five romantic resorts in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit
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Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit shares the same latitude as Hawaii, and has the same balmy climate, lush vegetation, white-sand beaches and laid-back vibe. Like the Aloha State, this makes it perfect for honeymooners. While the overarching ambience of Riviera Nayarit’s 192-mile strip of coastline on the Pacific Ocean is romantic to the core, there is still lots of variety, making it a good choice for honeymooners with varied interests. Romantic-minded couples can choose among a selection of secluded five-star resorts, boutique beach town hotels, or classic Mexican accommodations. During a recent visit to the region, I was able to overnight at a range of romantic resorts, each with its own distinctive appeal.
W Punta de Mita
W Punta de Mita is one of the newest builds in Riviera Nayarit. The resort brings the hip W style to the region, and sports the vibrant and whimsical design style of Revolución Del Sueño, a design studio famous for their boutique in the Riviera Nayarit surf-centric town of Sayulita. For example, my room at the resort had a poster of Mexico’s iconic artist Frida Kahlo as a shorts-wearing skateboard girl.
There’s an Away spa, an onsite surf school and a huge pool with cabanas and DJ. On the beach are six private cabanas emblazoned with mermaid murals.
Dining is a highlight at the resort and includes Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Spice Market, inspired by the chef’s travels through Asia; Chevycheria, a beachside eatery fashioned from a 1950s Chevrolet truck; and Mesa1, where the 12-seat table made of a single piece of parota tree trunk offers sea views and extra-attentive service. Mesa1 can also be booked for a single couple.
Best for: Couples looking for cutting-edge style, first-rate dining and a beachfront location.
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
Punta Mita is a gated peninsula in Riviera Nayarit that delivers accommodations at five-star resorts, along with the extra measure of security a limited-access peninsula provides. A standout resort is Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. During my stay, I was struck by how the Four Seasons brand had loosened up — I can’t imagine that they would have named anything “The Shack” in years past. The Shack is a relaxed beach bar venue where guests can order light snacks and drinks, including the resort’s own signature Cora beer.
High-style romantic experiences at the resort include the option for private dinners on a promontory called “The Rock,” guided stargazing and a Hakalo couples’ massage in an open-air spa cabin. The massage is based on indigenous Indian techniques and utilizes sage and tequila body lotion. Honeymooners should consider booking one of the One-Bedroom Oceanview Suites, which have their own hammock and private plunge pool.
Best for: Honeymooners who value top-notch service and amenities, and can afford them.
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Hotel Garza Canela
Hotel Garza Canela in the historic city of San Blas in northern Riviera Nayarit is a good choice for those couples who want to rise with the sun and get out into the mangroves for primo birdwatching, or for those who want to eat their way through the celebrated menu at the hotels’ restaurant El Delfin, overseen by celebrity chef Betty Vasquez. Couples will also enjoy a night on the town, where one no-frills restaurant after another beckons with fresh seafood. Part of the charm of a stay at the hotel is the family of Vázquez González sisters who own and operate the property, and who have a knack for making guests feel like part of the family.
Best for: Couples who put birding and fine dining on their travel wish list.
Hotel Cielo Rojo
San Francisco (called San Pancho by the locals) is transforming from a sleepy beach town into one lined with trendy boutiques, bars and restaurants, while still retaining its Mexican character. The main street of town leads right into the most popular beach, which is lined with informal open-air restaurants serving seafood and cold beer.
The six-room, two-villa Hotel Cielo Rojo offers a home-away-from home vibe, where in no time at all you’ll probably be on a first-name basis with the owners of the hotel and the friendly chef in the onsite Bistro Organico. Enjoy a selection of artisanal tequila, wine and cocktails in an airy garden patio.
Best for: Couples who value affordable eco-conscious accommodations right in the middle of a hip beach town.
Imanta
Imanta is practically a destination in itself. If a couple is looking for an accommodations experience that is almost other-worldly (and I mean that in the best possible way) then they should book one of the villas or suites at Imanta. Suites and two- and three-bedroom villas have private terraces providing jungle or ocean views. For a romantic dinner, book one of the five al fresco tables in the resort’s Observatorio, where dinner is accompanied by amazing ocean and jungle views. Imanta also has a pool and spa. As secluded as it seems, it’s actually convenient to the beach towns of Sayulita and San Francisco, as well as the five-star resort restaurants in Punta Mita, making it easy for guests to get out and explore the region.
Best for: Couples looking for over-the-top romance in a sophisticated, quiet setting.
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