Big Sur always immediately comes to mind when people ask for recommendations on where to stay in California for nature and amazing views. As soon as the words “Big Sur” come out of my mouth, I quickly follow it up with an outburst of excitement recounting my incredible experience glamping in Big Sur at Treebones Resort. The yurt life is most definitely the life for me. Well, when it comes to camping that is.

The rugged coastline of Big Sur stretches about 90 miles from San Simeon (Hearst Castle) to Carmel by the Sea just before Monterey. And lucky for us, the most recent road closure due to a mud slide from storms is expected to open up on April 23^rd so travelers will now be able to visit via Highway 1 from both the north and the south!

Ok, back to glamping in Big Sur. Treebones Resort is the place to be to experience the raw beauty of Big Sur from the comfort of a yurt (and beyond), to eat delicious, locally sourced food, and to disconnect from our hectic lives even if it’s just for a weekend. Trust me, you’ll come out of this vacation refreshed and rejuvenated ready to tackle whatever comes at you come Monday. 

How to get to Treebones Resort

Treebones Resort is reachable by driving in from either the south or north via Highway 1. If you’re flying in from out of state, the closest airports will be Monterey Airport, San Jose International Airport and San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport. You would then need to rent a car to make the drive to Treebones Resort.

I decided to take a little California coast road-trip and drive in from San Diego. The drive from San Diego is about 5 ½ hours which is totally do-able in a day but I decided to break the drive up and spend the night in Santa Barbara. Plus, I love Santa Barbara so it was a win-win situation.

Now keep in mind, once you’re officially in Big Sur territory, the roads do get pretty windy and it’s only two lanes so take your time around the curves! We don’t want any accidents before the fun begins! But man, the views on that drive are some of the best I’ve seen in a while. You’ll find your mouth hanging open in awe as turns open up to views of rugged cliffs and the expansive blue Pacific Ocean.

Treebones Resort is located not too far off of Highway 1 so it’s not difficult to find. The highway is actually viewable from many parts of the resort, but it is not loud and there’s actually not as much traffic as you would think. I hardly noticed it at all and don’t worry, it doesn’t take away from the stunning views from all corners of the resort.  

Yurt Accommodations

Like I mentioned before, Treebones Resort is a little village of yurts scattered across the property. If you’re wondering what in the world a yurt is, a yurt is a round tent covered with a strong protective fabric. They even have real life doors that lock! The yurts at Treebones Resort start at $340 a night and include a super comfortable queen-sized bed (king-sized if you book the full ocean view yurts), a small table and chairs, a couch and a sink vanity. Each yurt also has a deck with big chairs to enjoy Big Sur’s sprawling beauty. I was so impressed with how well equipped these yurts are. I honestly could stay weeks they’re that comfortable!

Along with traditional yurts that offer full or partial views of the ocean and accommodate up to two guests max (yes, they’re very strict on this), Treebones also offers two Autonomous Tents that can accommodate up to 6 guests. These bigger and more extravagant tents start at $645 a night and each have their own private ocean view. I’ve only seen pictures of these tents, but they look beautiful and I’m definitely eyeing them for next time.

Don’t want to spend a minimum of $340 a night to experience Treebones Resort in Big Sur? Don’t worry, they offer campsites starting at $105 a night. These campsites have incredible views and are ready for you to set up a tent and whatever else you bring.

Treebones Resort is also home to the famous Human Nest and Twig Hut campsites. The Human Nest starts at $195 a night and has expansive uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean. Yes, people actually take their sleeping bags up to the nest and sleep in it! Brave souls. Starting at $235 a night you can experience a campsite with a Twig Hut. The hut is two storied and even has a full-sized futon for your comfort! Both the Nest and Twig Hut are not waterproof so if it’s raining, make sure to bring a tent that you can pitch nearby.

I mean for some, glamping in Big Sur is a once in a lifetime opportunity so we went almost all out and reserved a partial ocean view yurt and enjoyed every second of it! We were given yurt 10 and the views of the ocean were almost uninterrupted. We had a little stove fireplace in the yurt that we turned on when it was chilly in the mornings and at night before bed. Otherwise, for it being March, we were quite comfortable and warm for the duration of the night with all the blankets that were provided.

I do recommend packing plenty of layers. The mornings and evenings are chilly and sometimes foggy and then all of a sudden out of nowhere, the fog clears and you’re sweating. So definitely layer up when staying here as the weather can sometimes find it difficult to make up its mind. 

Luckily, all of the yurts have lighting and outlets so charging devices was not an issue. However, there isn’t any cell service on camp and there is only WIFI in the lodge area so make sure you plan accordingly.

Apart from the Autonomous tents, the yurts and campsites do not have a toilet or shower inside of them. There are communal bathrooms and showers just a short 2-3-minute walk from your yurt or campsite. Make sure to pack a flash light or lantern in case you have to go at night!  

Dining at Treebones Resort

Going into this trip, I knew glamping in Big Sur would be much more luxurious than camping (hello queen-sized bed and functioning toilets) but I was not prepared for how luxurious the food options would be at Treebones Resort.

No matter which accommodation you choose, you will have access to the free self-serve breakfast offered each morning and first priority for reservations at the two restaurants on property, Wild Coast Restaurant and The Sushi Bar.

Wild Coast Restaurant boasts a menu full of locally sourced items that also includes vegetables from their very own on-site organic garden! The lunch and dinner menu offer a great variety of cuisines ranging from American, Asian and French so you’re bound to find something that will satisfy your craving. The food is honestly top notch and I thoroughly enjoyed the more French-influenced dishes myself. Pair your meal with a nice bottle of local wine and it’s pure bliss I tell ya. 

I don’t even know where to start with The Sushi Bar. It blew my damn mind. The Sushi Bar offers an Omakase (chef’s choice) experience that is coursed out over several dishes. For $120 a person, your taste buds will be in for a trip of a lifetime. The Sushi Bar is currently open March-November (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) and has three nightly seatings at 4:30pm, 6:00pm and 7:30pm. Reservations are needed and they do not offer any customized, vegetarian or vegan options. I highly recommend making your reservation as soon as you book your accommodation!

Those that are not staying on property are welcome to make reservations at both Wild Coast Restaurant and The Sushi Bar, however keep in mind, those staying on property do get priority. 

Camp Activities

Treebones Resort has quite a few options when it comes to on-site activities. They have a pool and jacuzzi that has views of the ocean so definitely bring your swimsuit! They are also offering 70-minute massages now. Talk about ultimate relaxation. They only have one massage studio so they highly recommend making a reservation a couple of weeks in advance to ensure you get a spot.

In addition to the pool and massage studio, Treebones also offers yoga classes several times a week for a small fee in the mornings and afternoons. The yoga classes and massage studio weren’t available when I stayed a few years ago but these new perks make me excited to go back and enjoy more of the amenities!

Exploring Big Sur California

Many people visit Big Sur not only for the views and to be surrounded by nature, but they also come for the incredible hiking trails. There are tons of trails to choose from with different levels of difficulty. Some take you through the beautiful redwoods, some take you along the rugged coastline and beaches and some take you to incredible waterfalls. There’s so much out there to explore and see!

Since we didn’t have much time to do a full-on hike, we planned two scenic views that you could easily pull over and take in rather quickly. We decided on McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Bixby Creek Bridge. Our first stop as soon as we checked out of Treebones Resort was McWay Falls.

When you enter Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, there’s a large parking lot to park in. Once parked, you’ll see signs pointing you to McWay Falls. From the parking lot, it is about a 10-minute walk to the falls. It is a super easy walk and doesn’t require any hiking skill as it is mostly flat terrain. 

I highly recommend getting there in the morning to beat the crowds. Now, most likely when you first get there, it will be foggy as is normal in northern California, but just be patient and the fog will slowly start to break (it broke at about 10am for us) and the view will open up to beautiful turquoise waters, an empty hidden beach and a large waterfall falling down the cliffside. It is such an incredible and iconic view. 

After roaming around McWay Falls for a little while, we continued North for some lunch. I had heard of the amazing views from Nepenthe Big Sur and needed to come check it out for myself. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Try and snag yourself a table at the outer-edge on the outside patio for maximum ocean views. The food wasn’t anything to write home about but the views, oh my goodness the views. Totally worth it!

After lunch, we finally made it to Bixby Bridge for some photos. Bixby Creek Bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in California and rightfully so. It is huge and beautiful! We somehow got lucky and it wasn’t too busy so we were able to easily park on the side of the road and take some photos. I suggest finding another couple who needs photos and offer to take each others photos for maximum efficiency.

I must say, I have gotten quite lucky in the glamping department. First, glamping in Zion National Park with Under Canvas and then now, glamping in Big Sur with Treebones Resort. I’m definitely a glamping convert! Forget regular camping, I’m a certified glamper now haha. 

If you’re looking for a peaceful getaway where you can unplug and enjoy the rugged beauty of Big Sur, then glamping at Treebones Resort should be your accommodation choice. Staying in a yurt itself is an experience but combine that with everything else Treebones has to offer, you’ve got yourself a pretty magical place.

Have you stayed at Treebones Resort before? What did you think about the experience? If you haven’t but have been glamping before, what’s your favorite camp??

Thank you for reading!

Related Posts:

Glamping in Zion National Park

Paso Robles: A California Road Trip

San Diego to Carmel: A California Coast Road Trip

Glamping at Treebones Resort in Big Sur

The post Glamping in Big Sur California appeared first on A Blonde's Eye View.

I couldn’t have been luckier that my first glamping experience was with Under Canvas in Zion National Park. Glamping has changed the game! I’m officially spoiled and I’m not sure if I can ever go back to the traditional tent and sleeping bag routine. This is your official warning, keep reading and you too might get drawn to the other side. 

I grew up in Central California so camping in Sequoia National Park was a regular occurrence. It usually involved a tent or my father’s tent trailer, sleeping bags and peeing in the woods. When I noticed glamping starting to take off in 2016 and 2017, I couldn’t wait to experience it myself. Man, was I blown away at all what Under Canvas Zion had to offer.

How to Get to Under Canvas Zion

There are two ways to get to Under Canvas Zion. Driving, if you’re within a drivable distance or flying into one of the nearby airports McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas, NV) or St. George Regional Airport (St. George, UT). Once you’re at camp, you’re only about 20 minutes from the entrance of Zion National Park.

The drive from Las Vegas is about 3-hours to camp and the drive from St. George is only about 45-minutes. I took a bit of a longer route and did a little road trip from San Diego. San Diego is about a 7-hour drive. A little pit-stop in Las Vegas for lunch or dinner and you’ve got yourself the perfect little day road-trip.

Funny story, after we stopped at one of the casinos for a bit before finishing the last few hours of the drive, it crossed our minds momentarily to stay the night there and continue the drive in the morning. Las Vegas sure knows how to suck you in! In the end we decided against that and I’m so glad we did. I would have been bummed missing out on a night glamping in beautiful Zion National Park. 

When we checked in at Under Canvas Zion, we told the front desk agent that we almost stayed the night in Las Vegas. He laughed and said we wouldn’t believe how many people forfeit their first night to spend some time in Vegas. I tell ya, that place will get you.  

Glamping Options at Under Canvas Zion

Under Canvas has many accommodation options to enjoy your time glamping in the amazing Zion National Park. I settled on the Deluxe tent which has a king-sized bed, an actual functioning toilet, shower and sink, a wood-burning stove and your own private deck with chairs to enjoy the beautiful views.

They also have options for suites, stargazing tents and even tents for children. The deluxe room is actually pretty spacious and very well decorated to reflect the tones of the beautiful park which is viewable right from your room. The king-sized bed was very comfy and the shower and sink actually had decent water pressure which surprised me. Also surprising was the fact that they offered daily housekeeping! I thought this was a nice touch and really emphasized the glamping aspect. 

Now take note, the tents do not have air conditioning, power or wifi. I stayed at the camp in October so the lack of air-conditioning didn’t really bother me. It would get quite warm during the day time but would cool down to a comfortable sleeping temperature at night. I was out exploring the park during the day and I can’t imagine too many guests hang out in their tent all day. 

The rooms do have battery operated fans and lanterns for your use. The lanterns have USB slots in them so you can charge your cell phone. I would highly recommend bringing your own battery bank to charge electronics or at least bring a couple as back up. I’m not sure how long the batteries in the lanterns last. 

The lack of wifi was probably the hardest amenity to live without. Some cellular services have a bit of service in the area but of course I have AT&T and they literally don’t have service anywhere. It’s even terrible in San Diego. Every once in a while, I would get a bar and rush to text my family that I was fine and didn’t have wifi. Other than worrying about my family worrying about me, it was actually quite nice to disconnect for a couple of days. 

Finally, the tents do not lock. There are two layers, the hard canvas layer that zips as well as a mesh layer that zips up behind that. But don’t worry, the site is extremely safe and there is always someone in the lobby area 24/7 keeping an eye on everything. I would recommend, out of precaution, that if you leave during the day for adventures, to take your valuables with you if you’re anxious about anything happening.

Dining at Under Canvas Zion

The camp only has one restaurant located in the lobby area that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at an additional cost. Now let me tell you, we may be camping, excuse me, glamping, but the food was next level. I went in expecting simple camp-like meals but oh man, we got much, much better. They have steaks, burgers, tacos, curries, etc. This is definitely not your usual camping cuisine and I am here for it!

They also offer grab and go options to take with you on your adventures during the day. After hiking in Zion, I had planned to stop at one of the cute restaurants right outside the park afterward so I did not purchase a grab and go meal so I can’t comment much on those.

When dining at camp, they have seating inside as well as a beautiful outdoor area to enjoy your meal. The outdoor section has twinkly lights and they even have live music some nights which adds just about a million bonus points. Add that to the already incredible ambiance of gazing out on the outer edge of Zion National Park and you’ve got yourself the perfect night!

Many of the tables are communal and we ended up meeting so many interesting people during our stay. People from all different areas of the US and abroad and they all had different reasons for staying at Under Canvas Zion. Some were road tripping to the east coast and just staying for a night to enjoy the property, some were there for hiking adventures and some had jumped on the glamping train and wanted to see what it was all about! Everyone was so friendly!

Camp Activities

When I stayed a couple of years ago, there weren’t too many on-site activities offered at the time but after looking at their website recently, I noticed they offer quite a variety now. They have everything from smores, which were offered when I was there and was quite a nice night cap, to yoga, to beach volleyball and much more!

Hiking in Zion National Park

Obviously, one of the main reasons people are glamping at Under Canvas Zion, is the close proximity to Zion National Park. With it only being about a 20-minute drive to the entrance, it makes sense many people chose this accommodation as their post. I only had enough time for one day in the park and I tried my best to make the most of it.

With it being October, the park was still quite busy with tourists so I decided to avoid the most popular hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows. I ended up hiking a very underrated trail called the Watchman Trail. I couldn’t believe my eyeballs once I reached the top. Zion is BEAUTIFUL! It was an amazing experience. 

After hiking the Watchman Trail, I drove around the park as much as possible (which isn’t much) to soak in as many views as I could. I wish I had more time to do more hikes but I’ll just have to come back another time. Staying at Under Canvas Zion of course!

So, tell me, have I convinced you to go the glamorous side of glamping yet? I hope this post has peaked your interest and if you’re looking for a good spot to try it out, I highly recommend glamping in Zion National Park. This particular camp is open from March-November. I actually recommend any of the Under Canvas locations, they have glamping dialed in! Under Canvas has locations in Moab, Lake Powell, Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Acadia, Yellowstone, and Glacier. I definitely plan on making future reservations at some of these locations.

Have you ever been glamping? Tell me where you went and what your favorite part of the camp was. I’ll be writing a post about glamping in Big Sur at the beautiful Treebones Resort. Keep an eye out for that one!

Thank you for reading!

Related Posts:

Paso Robles: A California Road Trip

A Weekend at the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs

San Diego to Carmel: A California Coast Road Trip

Glamping in Zion with Under Canvas

The post Glamping in Zion National Park appeared first on A Blonde's Eye View.

I recently had the opportunity to stay at The St Regis Punta Mita Resort in November 2020 and I thought I would compile my experience into a comprehensive review. I hope you find this helpful and inspires you to visit the beautiful St Regis Punta Mita in Mexico! It really is a magical place. If you have any questions about the resort please leave a comment below.

I’ve had The St Regis Punta Mita on my list for quite some time after seeing Punta Mita trend for a bit on Instagram and then seeing Marriott Bonvoy advertise the property in emails, Instagram, etc. However, I didn’t really know much about the area so I never really made it a priority to visit.

Fast-forward to July of last year when I got an email from TravelZoo and The St Regis Punta Mita Resort was one of their featured deals! We had been discussing finding somewhere in Mexico to go for Thanksgiving so when this popped up in my email, I knew it was fate. We quickly purchased the 3-night deal and emailed the resort with our desired dates. Luckily they were able to accommodate us and within no time, we had the resort booked!

Another quick email to the concierge and we had transportation set up from the Puerto Vallarta Airport. The reservation and the concierge teams made the booking process so easy. That’s just a small glimpse of the St Regis hospitality we all know and love.

How to Get to The St Regis Punta Mita

The easiest way to get to The St Regis Punta Mita Resort is by flying into the Puerto Vallarta Airport. Coming from San Diego, we flew a direct flight on Alaska Airlines. From the airport you can either take a taxi, rent a car or have the resort pick you up.. 

The resort is about a 45 minute to an hour drive from the airport depending on traffic. The drive is so beautiful as you make your way out of the city and into the lush jungle with terrific views of the ocean at every turn.

Resort Overview

The Resort sits on a huge property development called Punta Mita, (now keep in mind, the actual name of the town is Punta de Mita), that they share with The Four Seasons Punta Mita, two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses and a few small residential communities. It was nice seeing some of the residents whipping around in their golf carts after a round of golf or a day at the beach. We also saw a few of them pull up for dinner at the resort. I believe you have to be a member of some kind to do this.

We were also told that we too could rent a golf cart in town for the duration of our stay but we decided to hold off until next time as a taxi drive into town was only about 5 minutes and wasn’t much of a hassle. 

Guest Rooms

The St Regis Punta Mita Resort has a total of 120 guest rooms ranging from their base Deluxe Guest Room with a garden view to a three-bedroom Beach Front Villa with a whirlpool and plunge pool. There are many options between those two categories so you’re bound to find a room perfect for your stay.

I bought the TravelZoo voucher with the base Deluxe Guest Room with a garden view. Because of my gold status with Marriott Bonvoy, they graciously upgraded me to a Deluxe Guest Room with an ocean view.

The views from the balcony were stunning. Our room overlooked the Arecas adult only pool and just past that was the beautiful twinkling ocean. The sunsets were incredible to watch from the balcony each night.

Each room has a walk-in closet which I found to be a great touch as it was easy to keep all your belongings organized instead of stuffed in random corners. Every room also has a marble tub (located inside of the huge shower room) and an outdoor shower! 

I had read several reviews that the rooms were very outdated and needed a major overhaul. While I could see where these people were coming from, I thought the room was very charming. It was a good mix of Mexican decor and modern chic furnishings. Yes, the rooms could use a fresh coat of paint, the wood a fresh coat of stain and they should definitely get rid of the white pleather benches in the room. They were pretty ugly. However, I loved the Mexican tile on the ground, the big comfy chair, the luxurious wood outdoor furniture and the huge bathroom layout. I still definitely think it’s worth the price tag per night.

Pools

There are three pools guests can enjoy on property and the beach stretches the entire length of the resort with plenty of lounge chairs and hammocks. 

Las Marietas Family Pool

The family pool is located next to the Las Marietas Restaurant. The two-level pool is heated and they offer pool toys and floaties for the children. This pool is perfect for those traveling as a family with little ones. This pool was closed during our trip in November due to COVID.

Arecas Adult Pool

The adult pool was my favorite of the three pools. It was the quietest and had an upper level infinity pool that had amazing views of the ocean. There are also Cabanas available for rent with many special amenities. 

Sea Breeze Pool

The final pool is located next to the Sea Breeze Restaurant. The location to the restaurant and beach made it an ideal location. The infinity edge made for great views of the ocean as well. Since the family pool was closed during our stay, this is where the families with children came to hang out for the day.

Beach

In front of the Arecas Adult Pool is also the adult only section of the beach. We split our days between the pool and the beach soaking in the sunshine. The service at both the pool and beach was incredible. The cushioned lounge chairs were very comfy and staff went above and beyond to meet your every need. 

We never once had to flag someone down to get a refill. They really are on top of their game here and checked in with you pretty frequently which I appreciated. When we would first set up camp, we would get a bucket of waters and they never let that ice melt all the way. It was incredible that our waters never got warm.

The beach attendants would also come by time to time with different refreshments for you to try. Ranging from fresh cut fruit and Tajin to homemade mini popsicles. They were definitely welcomed mid-day treats.

Restaurants

During our stay at The St Regis Punta Mita, only three of the six restaurants were open. I completely understood since we visited during COVID so I can’t wait to go back and try the others!

Sea Breeze Restaurant & Bar

This is the only restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The breakfast here is top notch. They offer an a la carte menu or a breakfast buffet which includes an omelet station and a homemade quesadilla and taco bar. During COVID, the breakfast buffet was still open but only the servers could handle the serving utensils. A server walked you through the buffet and made your plate as you picked out items.

Lunch and dinner were equally as good in a more casual setting. They had dishes from all parts of the world ranging from ceviche to empanadas to pizza to Argentinean style steaks. Everything was executed perfectly although it was a bit pricey considering it’s their more casual restaurant on site. We particularly enjoyed sitting in the outdoor bar area where we had some of the best margaritas and were able to catch some of the football games on Sunday.

Carolina

Carolina is the resort’s fine-dining Mexican restaurant. In fact, this restaurant is the only AAA Five Diamond Award for dining experience in Punta de Mita. I was very bummed as we had planned to dine there Sunday night but when I called to make a reservation, they informed me they were closed on Sundays. I wish we would have known that at check-in as I would have changed our plans to eat there Saturday night instead. I guess just another reason to come back!

Mita Mary Boat Bar & Bistro

This was a fun little casual spot to grab some lunch or dinner. The bar is inside of a big boat and the tables are set up in the sand so going barefoot is a must! Their menu was simple with choices of fresh tacos, quesadillas and ceviche. My shrimp tacos were definitely tasty however, we left still hungry as portions are small. We ended up back at Sea Breeze for more food. This restaurant is first come first serve and as it is a very small restaurant on the beach, I would recommend getting there fairly early in the evening.

Las Marietas Restaurant & Bar

A casual Mexican restaurant located next to the family pool. They are open for lunch with a casual dress code. This is one of the restaurants that was closed during our stay.

Altamira Cantina Gourmet

This Mexican restaurant on property was also closed during our stay. From what I could tell, the resort was currently using the space as the lobby area since it’s open air. From the pictures online, the restaurant looks beautiful especially at sunset as you can see the ocean from almost every seat. Yet another reason to come back!

Avocado Vegan Bar

This vegetarian restaurant is the newest of the restaurants on property. I didn’t even see it set up when we were there in November. But according to the resort website, they serve organic and plant-based options daily from 12pm-5pm.

Remede Spa

Wow, the Remede Spa here at the St Regis Punta Mita is stunning. It really is a relaxation haven. The spa has 10 treatment rooms including 2 couples’ treatment rooms and even a luxury suite for those wanting ultimate seclusion. They also offer outdoor treatments that are shaded.

Other amenities include a Spa Dining menu, a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, cold plunge pools and relaxation gardens. There’s also a salon for manicures and pedicures. 

I visited the spa for a massage and found myself to be the only one there. I had the whole place to myself and it was so blissful. Their relaxation gardens and waiting room were my favorite part as you could lounge on a sun bed soaking in nature or relax in the covered area on one of the sofas with a cup of tea.

The therapists were all so nice and professional. They explained all the precautions they were taking during COVID and made sure you felt 100% safe during the treatment. My massage was wonderful and I think I may have even fallen asleep a couple of times.

Fitness Center

I did not actually get a workout in on this trip but after a quick peek inside, they have everything you need to get a quick but effective work out in. They had treadmills, Stairmasters, bikes, elliptical trainers and free weights. There’s also private yoga and Pilates lessons available by reservation.

If tennis is more your style, they have the Punta Mita Tennis Center which has 5 hard-surface courts and 5 sand-filled synthetic grass courts.

Golf

Punta Mita boasts 2 courses designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus. Both Bahia and Pacifico Golf Course have made the list for the Best Golf Courses in Mexico awarded by Golf Digest in 2019. Pacifico Golf Course is best known for its island green called “The Tale of the Whale.” This green is the world’s only natural ocean island green.

Other amenities include the clubhouse, golf shop, restaurant, driving range and putting green. They also offer lessons as well as a golf program for juniors.

La Tortuga Children’s Club

The St Regis Punta Mita also has a children’s club on property. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance and they have all kinds of activities planned for the little ones. This includes treasure hunts, arts and crafts, board games and they even have a children’s spa. I can remember the days my brother and I spent at hotel children’s clubs. I wish one we stayed at had a children’s spa!

Other Resort Activities

In addition to lounging by the pool and beach and eating all the tasty food, the resort offers some other activities that might spark your interest. They have cooking classes, yoga, a baby turtle release program and SUP paddle boards and surf boards available for rent. There’s actually a good surf break out front of the resort so my boyfriend rented a surf board and caught a few waves!

St Regis Punta Mita Tips

• Bring water shoes! The beach is pretty rocky so save your feet and bring some if you plan on going in the ocean or walking on the beach.
• Don’t forget your bug spray. Punta Mita is technically jungle, so there are quite a bit of mosquitos at night.
• You don’t have to pack a ton of sunscreen to beat the prices of buying it onsite. The resort has sunscreen stations at all three pools for your own use!
• Bring cash for tipping! They do have an ATM in the lobby area if needed. We had zero issues tipping in both dollars and pesos.

Price

Marriott Bonvoy Points

The St Regis Punta Mita is a category 8 resort and the redemption rates are as follows:

• Off-Peak 63,000 points a night
• Standard 85,000 points a night
• Peak 100,000 points a night

Generally, in this part of Mexico, peak season is in spring and fall (after September) with the slowest time being summer when it is usually very hot and humid.

Cash Price

I’ve seen basic level rooms start at about the mid-$500’s range a night although this number has been known to sky rocket depending on the season, occupancy rate, etc. When I was booking our trip for November, I saw at one point the price per night got all the way up to the high $700’s and then as people started cancelling due to COVID, the rate lowered.

I would suggest trying a few dates you have in mind and see what works best for you price-wise. Even after booking, I still check prices for the dates of my stay, if I see it has lowered significantly I usually rebook at that price. This trick does not work if you booked a pre-paid reservation. I find it highly useful to book a flexible rate so you have more wiggle room.

Everything about The St Regis Punta Mita is executed perfectly. It is luxurious without being over the top and in your face. The staff is incredible and they somehow know what you need before you even do. No request is too little or too big and everyone seems to genuinely enjoy working there. The vibe is amazing here and I can’t wait to start planning our next trip back!

Related Posts

• Traveling to Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita During the Pandemic
• Where We Ate in Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita
• Traveling to Cabo San Lucas During the Pandemic

Have you been to The St Regis Punta Mita Resort? What was your experience like? If you haven’t been, has this review inspired you to do so? Let me know in the comments below!

Thank you for hanging out!

A Review of The St Regis Punta Mita Resort

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The Kimpton Rowan is located in the center of downtown Palm Springs with two restaurants, a lobby bar, bright and clean guestrooms and a stunning rooftop pool and bar. The location couldn’t be more perfect. We were walking distance to everything we wanted to do. Now if we actually walked to any of our destinations is an entirely different story…but it can be done! I’ve seen it with my own eyes!

I’ll let these photos of the décor do most of the talking but come on, this place is beautifully decorated. Me being born in the 90’s, am not used to this kind of décor so I found it extremely trendy and easy on the eyes. My mom however, kept getting flashbacks from her childhood. By the look on her face when she would say this, I don’t think she was quite as keen on the décor as I was.

The Lobby at The Kimpton Palm Springs

Accommodation

The rooms were bright and simple and had everything you could possibly want. We were upgraded to a spa suite thanks to some awesome friends and it was absolutely beautiful. The beds were comfortable and although I didn’t get a photo, the bathroom in this room type was a shower. Literally, half of the huge bathroom was a shower. How cool is that!?

Window Bar at the Kimpton Palm Springs

As one does once you check-in and get all of your belongings into the room, you immediately check out the lobby bar. I love lobby bars. I usually decide if I want to stay somewhere based on whether or not they have one, or at least in close proximity to the lobby. And it’s not because I’m desperate for constant access to alcohol, although that does depend on certain factors of a trip, it’s because it is what I like to call “home-base.” Feet need a break from site seeing? Lobby bar. Need to cool down when you’re somewhere hot and humid? Lobby bar. Group gets separated while out and about? Lobby Bar. Waiting for others to get ready for dinner? Lobby Bar. You get the jist. And honestly, it’s up to you if you want to get a cockatoo (cocktail) during each visit. But honestly, why not? You’re on vacation; you deserve that delicious cockatoo under every one of those scenarios.

Now that I’ve gone into great detail about my love for lobby bars, let me tell you about The Window Bar. Ok, first off, the décor is on point. Although the seating at the bar is extremely limited, there are multiple couches and chairs where one can lounge with said cockatoo. Bonus points if you have a cocker spaniel as well. The drink menu is diverse and very unique which I absolutely love. I hate when I go somewhere exciting and new and they have most basic drinks on the menu. BORING. My favorite was the One Blind Buck, which has absolute vodka, allspice, ginger, strawberry, lime and mint. UM, YES PLEASE.

The mixologists here are simply incredible. They are so creative and if you describe your favorite drink, they will make it for you but no less than 10x better than you’ve ever had. For example, my mom and brother are connoisseurs of chocolate espresso martinis. Everywhere we go, usually in place of dessert, they will order one. They’ve been on the hunt for the last couple of years for the best, and they thought they had found it back home in San Diego, until the mixologist here at the Window Bar was like, “hold by beer” and blew their damn minds.

Fun Story Time!

Another reason I love lobby bars is that you get the opportunity to meet some of the most fascinating people. As I approached the bar after we checked in, there was an empty seat next to a woman who was just absolutely radiant. She had the best smile, and this may be really weird, but she also had the best set of teeth to match that smile. Like you could tell she had never had to get any permanent teeth removed. I on the other hand, have had multiple removed so I guess this is why I notice such things. This lady was an absolute hoot. We first bonded over living in the same area (Visalia), but what made me love her even more was when she said, “It’s a great place, but my dreams were far too big for that town.” I hung on every word after that. She told me about her days singing and performing in Reno and Las Vegas and then moving on to Palm Springs where she has performed for the last 20 years. You could tell she has lived her life by her own terms and she looked incredibly happy. She was actually one of the residents of Palm Springs that protested the building of the new Kimpton Rowan because of the height of the building. When it opened she entered the bar and immediately told the mixologist exactly what she thought about this new establishment. This was nothing these magicians of mixologists couldn’t handle. They promptly won her over with their amazing drinks. She is now a weekly regular. When she had finished her One Blind Buck, she signed her bill, turned to the rest of the bar and sang a single line, “The time has comeeeeee,” smiled her radiant smile and floated out the exit. I was in awe. I’m still in awe.

Roof Top Pool and Lounge

If my sources are correct, I believe the Kimpton Rowan is home to the only rooftop bar/pool in all of Palm Springs. I am LOVING the cushions on the lounge chairs! Every chair has a good view of the surrounding mountains and it is quite an enjoyable place to nurse a hangover. With the stunning views and comfy lounge areas, I am not surprised The Kimpton Palm Springs makes the list for one of the best hotels in Palm Springs. The pool menu was ok. I wish they had more options for sandwiches besides a burger and a lobster roll. Their fries were bomb though, which lets be honest, that’s all that really matters anyway.

Restaurants at the Kimpton Palm Springs

We didn’t get a chance to eat at the top floor restaurant, 4 Saints, which looked beautiful, but we did try the downstairs café. Juniper Table is a cute little café/coffee shop. We came down here for lunch from the pool since we weren’t too keen on the pool menu. Their veggie sandwich was absolutely delicious! Although they don’t advertise it, we asked if they could add some chicken to the sandwich and they happily catered to our request. It seems like a cool area to hangout with friends/family. They had corn hole set up as well as jumbo jenga and some other fun looking games. The outside patio looked out into the busy streets of Palm Springs so it would also be a good place to people watch.

Museum Trail Hike

I’m sure as soon as you check into your room and look at the view, you’ll see a giant mountain. You’ll look closer and actually see people hiking UP the damn thing. Naturally, we had to try it. The hike is called the Museum Trail and the entrance is just a short walk from the hotel just past the art museum. We had it in our heads that this would be a nice leisurely walk up the mountain but we quickly realized you had to actually work for this hike. There are a lot of rocks and the path is very narrow so make sure you are wearing proper hiking shoes on this hike. While we didn’t make it up to the very top, we got pretty far up and the birds eye view of the Kimpton Palm Springs and downtown is absolutely incredible.

Palm Springs Restaurants

Now for more food talk! For our breakfasts, we got room service at the hotel. The menu is actually pretty good and the overnight oats were AMAZING. A few other Palm Springs restaurants I recommend are:

Copley’s – Once Cary Grant’s guesthouse, this restaurant has been converted into a restaurant serving up delicious classic cuisine. Try and get a table on the patio, the ambiance is so romantic! Copley’s is definitely the go-to spot for a nice dinner in Palm Springs.

Bootlegger Tiki – Looking for a place for some fun drinks after dinner? This is your spot! However, beware. When they say on the menu, “Limit 2 per Person” they mean it. Those suckers are strong!

Le Vallauris – A wonderful French restaurant just a short walk from the Kimpton Rowan. Hands down the best meal we had while in town!

Norma’s – Located in the insta famous Parker Hotel in Palm Springs, this is the spot for brunch! The vibe in itself should be enough to get you to come hang out and have some brunch cocktails but the food is also pretty yummy.

After such a great weekend at The Kimpton Rowan, I will definitely be back! If you’re looking for a place to stay for your next trip, I highly recommend this hotel. The Kimpton Palm Springs is definitely one of the best hotels in Palm Springs.

Please let me know if you’ve stayed here or plan on staying here! I would love to hear your experience and stories!

The post A Weekend at the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs appeared first on A Blonde's Eye View.