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

The post The St Regis Punta Mita Resort Review appeared first on A Blonde's Eye View.

I recently wrote a blog post about my experience traveling to Cabo San Lucas during COVID-19 in both July and September. I included my experiences on flights, airports, snippets from the resort we stayed at and shared a bit of the downtown experience. I thought it would be interesting to compare my Cabo experience with my most recent trip traveling to Puerto Vallarta in November for Thanksgiving. Can you guess which destination I felt safest regarding COVID-19? Spoiler alert, it’s not the one you would think. 

Alaska Airlines San Diego to Puerto Vallarta

Like I mentioned in my Cabo San Lucas post, Alaska Airlines is my favorite domestic airline. Obviously I’m biased since I live on the west coast and Alaska Airlines is readily available for most of my needs especially when it comes to traveling to Mexico. They have it covered! From San Diego, the flight is about 2 hours and 45 minutes. It’s an easy peasy flight so it doesn’t necessarily make too much of a difference if you’re sitting in the main cabin, premium or first class due to how short the flight is. 

I booked my boyfriend and I a main class ticket for this trip. I’m currently MVP Gold 75K with Alaska Airlines so I knew my chances of getting an upgrade were pretty high. They are so good at upgrading their elite members. It’s very rare that I don’t get any kind of upgrade. After booking, I was upgraded to premium class right away. However, we didn’t get the upgrade to first class until we were literally about to board our flight. Even though it was nerve racking because I knew there were available seats, Alaska Airlines came through once again!

Because of such a short notice on the upgrade, they didn’t have enough breakfast meals loaded on the plane to give us one which we were totally ok with. From what I could tell, it looked like some kind of omelet however, I don’t believe it was served hot so I definitely wasn’t mad about missing out on it.

When snacks came around I was ecstatic to find it was their cheese plate which is hands down my favorite snack they offer in first class! On our way to Cabo, they just gave out Mediterranean tapas boxes which were just meh. Like the Cabo flight, all alcohol was in single serve bottles for first class and premium class. Beer and wine were the only options for this. No mixed drinks. Alcohol was also not for sale in the main cabin.

Puerto Vallarta Airport Arrival

After a quick flight, we landed in beautiful Puerto Vallarta! We deplaned and like Cabo, we were all shoved into a bus to take us to the terminal. Not exactly COVID friendly but everyone was respectable and kept their masks on. If you read my Cabo San Lucas blog post, you would have read about the chaos that ensued when health forms to nowhere were passed out as we walked down the stairs to the bus. I’m happy to report that this did not happen at the Puerto Vallarta airport. There was no health declaration passed out upon arrival.

Once in immigration, we quickly noticed how packed it was. There must have been a couple other flights that had just gotten in before us so there was quite a long line. There were social distancing stickers on the ground but, and I’m not sure if this related to COVID-fatigue or not, people were not paying attention to these stickers. Everyone was crammed in this small room and while we kept our distance from the people in front of us, I can’t say the same for the people behind us. 

As you wind your way through immigration, there is a temperature check with a big screen showing your body temperature as you walk by. The man standing by the screen wasn’t really paying attention so I’m not sure if there was someone with an elevated temperature walking though that he would even notice. There was no beeping to signify a difference and he never once pulled someone aside for further testing. I for sure thought out of all these people in that room that someone would need to be pulled aside for additional testing.

The line actually moved pretty quickly so once our passports were stamped, we were quickly on our way to baggage claim. Once bags were collected, we quickly made our way through the timeshare hallway of doom trying our best to avoid eye contact with anyone and everyone. I quite admire these timeshare agents’ tactics to get you to their desk. They’re ruthless!

Airport Transfer to The St Regis Punta Mita Resort

While in Puerto Vallarta, we stayed at two resorts with the first being The St Regis Punta Mita. We arranged private transfer through their concierge. We easily spotted the driver as he was in the exact spot the hotel said he would be waiting which is always a great way to start a trip. Stress-free!

As we always do in Mexico, we had the driver pull over for some road beers as the drive to The St Regis Punta Mita is almost an hour. We of course asked if he was comfortable with us removing our masks during the car ride and he had no objection. He kept his on the whole duration. We stopped at a small Corona store right outside of the airport and ran in for some beers. We were startled to find that we were the only ones in the store wearing a mask. Not the cashiers, not the shoppers, no one! I guess that should have been my first sign.

Hotel Arrival St Regis Punta Mita

The drive to The St Regis Punta Mita is beautiful. The landscape change from the city to the jungle is so different than the desert views in Cabo San Lucas. I was in awe. As we pulled up to the resort, we put our masks back on and started the check-in process. They put all of our luggage off to the side and sanitized the outside of it while we were directed toward some mats on the ground that disinfect your shoes as you walk over them.

Our temperature was also taken as well as a squirt of hand sanitizer. Once we were sterilized, we were offered a delicious complimentary margarita and the check-in process officially began. I will be writing a more in-depth review of The St Regis so stay tuned!

Hotel Arrival Grand Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta

The second resort we stayed at was the Grand Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta. Our arrival was pretty similar to our arrival at The St Regis when it came to COVID precautions. We walked on the sanitation mats, temperature check, used the hand sanitizer provided and we were whisked away to a special check-in area since my mom is a timeshare owner. A complimentary margarita was also given! I think this should be mandatory for hotels when checking in. It just makes the process so much more enjoyable.

Room St Regis Punta Mita

Upon entering our room, we immediately noticed a small zip bag sitting on the table that included two masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. The best part is that these are replenished daily if you decide to use them! Housekeeping here is optional. If you want housekeeping, you schedule it with the front desk at check-in. Just give them a preferred time and they will schedule it for you for the rest of your stay!

Room Grand Fiesta Americana

Housekeeping came as usual at the Grand Fiesta American Puerto Vallarta. There was no need to schedule but I’m sure if you wanted to opt out you could definitely arrange that and just call down when you need fresh towels, etc.

Restaurants St Regis Punta Mita

Restaurants were operating about the same as we were used to in California (at least at that time). You could sit either inside or outside, tables spaced out and masks worn until you’re seated. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the breakfast buffet was open in the mornings! The only difference was that you waited until one of the waitstaff was available and they walk you through the buffet and you just let them know what you would like! This way, they were the only ones touching serving utensils, etc.

Restaurants Grand Fiesta Americana

I wish I could say the same about the Grand Fiesta Americana as I did about the St Regis but restaurants were definitely ran a little more relaxed here. You could sit inside or outside, masks worn until seated however, tables were not spaced out much. This hotel definitely had a higher occupancy and the hotel didn’t hide that they wanted to accommodate everyone they could.

Their breakfast buffet was also open which was nice. Their approach was you stood back at a safe distance and kind of yelled at the person at each station what you wanted as you held your plate out. It was pretty comical yelling at each other from a distance with masks on. It made for some funny miscommunications but still safer than everyone handling the same serving utensils I would think.

Pools St Regis Punta Mita

The St Regis has three pools. Out of the three only two had service. The only one that didn’t have service was the family pool which caused people with kids to migrate over toward the pool located by the main restaurant. The pool closest to the lobby was an adult only pool which is where we spent most of our time as well as the beach where there was also plenty of service.

Pools Grand Fiesta Americana

There are also three pools at this property all located right next to each other. The first pool was what I would call the “party pool.” There were so many people crammed into this pool, drinks flowing, loud fist pumping music with many games and competitions throughout the day. This pool was definitely a breeding ground for COVID. We stayed far away from this pool and alternatively spent our days lounging on the beach on the opposite end of the COVID infested pool water.

Spa and Gym St Regis Punta Mita

I will admit that I did not make it to the gym this trip but it was open for guests as long as a reservation was made in advance. Masks are required while working out. It’s a smaller gym but there’s enough to get in a good quick workout to help balance out the delicious margaritas and food!

The Remede Spa at the St Regis Punta Mita is stunning. You thought lounging by the pool and beach here was relaxing? Just wait until you spend just a few minutes in the spa’s gardens and waiting room. I’m not sure if they are spacing treatments out to be COVID safe but I only saw one other guest the whole time I was at the spa and she was on her way out as I was on my way in. There were outdoor showers available and the jacuzzi and cold plunge were open for use as well.

The therapists wore masks at all times and they give you a few options to make sure you are comfortable. My therapist asked if I preferred if she wore gloves or not and left it up to me if I wanted to wear my mask the whole time or keep it off during the massage. I really appreciated them giving options as it can be tailored to anyone’s personal preference. I personally opted for her to not wear gloves and I did not wear my mask during my massage. 

Spa and Gym Grand Fiesta Americana

Again, I did not make it to the gym while here (shocker), but from what I saw by taking a quick peek inside, it had the essentials. Enough to get a quick and efficient workout in. I didn’t see anything about making an appointment, but I never saw many people in it whenever I walked by.

I also didn’t get a spa treatment during our stay at The Grand Fiesta Americana so I can’t really speak on what precautions they are taking. However, I imagine it is similar to the precautions resorts in Cabo and Punta Mita are taking.

Downtown Punta de Mita

Downtown Punta De Mita is so quaint and cute! We went into town on a Saturday night for dinner at DeMita and the streets weren’t very busy. The restaurant filled up pretty fast but once you step outside, it was dead. Many people, depending on where you’re staying, rent golf carts and cruise into town for meals and shops. However, taxis are readily available.

Downtown Puerto Vallarta

Downtown Puerto Vallarta is a whole different story than our trips to Cabo and Punta Mita. Downtown PV was a free for all. The streets were packed, restaurants were packed and bars were overflowing with people. I would have to say it was a 50/50 chance someone was wearing a mask or not. PV was definitely more relaxed on the restrictions. We even found out bars and clubs were allowed to stay open until 4am!! Quite the difference to our 10pm closures in California.

Luckily the two restaurants we chose for dinner in downtown Puerto Vallarta were adhering to COIVD dining guidelines and tables were spaced out, masks worn and hand sanitizer at your disposal. Our dinners at both The Iguana Restaurant and Café Des Artistes were incredible and I highly recommend both of them for different reasons. I will get a blog post up about the restaurants we ate at on this trip to go more into detail. I honestly had no idea Puerto Vallarta had such a good food scene! 

Puerto Vallarta Airport

The Puerto Vallarta airport is a bit bigger than the Cabo San Lucas airport and they seemed a little more technologically advanced. Checking in our bags at the Alaska Airlines counter was the first time we had been approached about health check forms. The nice part about their health declarations is that it could all be done online after scanning a QR code. Only one person in your party had to fill out the form for everyone. This saved some headache of four of us trying to scramble with using cellular data and filling out forms. 

The TSA lines were pretty long and once again we found ourselves in a room where no one was social distancing. However, masks were being worn. I think this took a bit longer because agents had to check your online health form submission. There were quite a few people that didn’t know about it and had to leave the line to fill it out.

Once we were through, we found there were quite a few spots for food. Right after TSA, there’s a small food court with different cuisines available. Tables were spaced out and masks were being worn. We were looking for a more sit-down style restaurant so we kept exploring the terminal. Surpisingly, the only sit-down restaurant we could find was good ol’ Bubba Gumps. I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised as Cabo’s airport only had one sit down restaurant as well. We didn’t even attempt the airport lounge as they aren’t quite as useful during the times of COVID. Service and food is severely limited. 

As I concluded with my Cabo blog post, did I feel safe in Punta Mita? 100% yes. Did I feel safe in Puerto Vallarta when it comes to COVID precautions? 100% no. Haha. Punta Mita is much smaller and I felt they did a great job with following COVID guidelines. Puerto Vallarta on the other hand is much bigger and I definitely felt like it was more of a free for all there. Life looked pretty much back to normal downtown. 

In terms of COVID safety precautions I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Cabo San Lucas and Punta Mita as travel destinations during this pandemic. Although all three destinations can be as secluded as you want them to be, I felt Cabo and Punta Mita’s safety was more effortless if that makes sense. I didn’t really have a moment where I thought, “Wow this is sketchy.” Where in Puerto Vallarta I had quite a few of those thoughts. My guess is that this is because Cabo San Lucas and Punta Mita are more secluded than Puerto Vallarta.

With more accessibility comes more people and then it just kind of all unravels from there. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed Puerto Vallarta and I would love to go back and explore more of the beaches and food scene, but I think I’ll be waiting until everything settles down before I head there again. As for Cabo and Punta Mita? I would go back tomorrow if I could.

Have you been to Punta de Mita or Puerto Vallarta during the pandemic? What were your thoughts?

Related Posts

• Hotel Review: The St Regis Punta Mita Resort
• Where We Ate in Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita
• Traveling to Cabo San Lucas During the Pandemic

Traveling to Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita Mexico

The post Traveling to Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita During the Pandemic appeared first on A Blonde's Eye View.

Since the COVID-19 Pandemic started in March, I have traveled to Cabo San Lucas twice. I also traveled to Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita in November. I will admit that I didn’t post anything on instagram or really tell anyone about my first trip in July as I was terrified of the backlash I would receive.

Although I took all safety precautions and felt very safe at the resort we chose, I didn’t want to face any criticism that others were starting to experience at that time for leisurely traveling during a pandemic. Unfortunately travel-shaming is definitely a thing right now.

However, as the world is slowly opening up to non-essential travel, I wanted to share my experience traveling to Cabo San Lucas so that others could get an idea of what it is like and make their own deicison on if they feel comfortable enough to do the same or to wait a bit longer for vaccines and what not. To each their own. I’m not one to judge.

Since I’ve been to Cabo twice now, I’ve mashed up both trips into this post as my experience was relatively the same both times.

Alaska Airlines Flight San Diego to Cabo San Lucas

Alaska Airlines has a very special place in my heart. They are my go-to domestic airline as I travel with them weekly for work and I always know they will consistently deliver the best service. Flying during COVID was no exception.

The flight from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas is only two hours so it doesn’t really matter if you’re flying economy, premium or first class, it’s a short flight so all seats are just fine. I booked a main cabin economy ticket but because I’m MVP Gold 75k, I got an email the night before that I had been upgraded to first!

This is pretty common on Alaska Airlines. They treat their elites so well! Unfortunately, my boyfriend and I booked on different tickets so he didn’t get the upgrade with me…I didn’t have much of a problem leaving him in economy though hehe.

Boarding went smoothly. I was one of the first people on the plane so it was interesting to see how flight attendants directed passengers during this time. The first thing I noticed was how ecstatic the flight attendants were to be back on their normal route.

They joyfully welcomed everyone on board and even recognized a few regulars (mainly boat captains) going back to Cabo for the first time since the marina opened.

I overheard one of the attendants reveal that she had actually cried when she saw the first passengers board on her first flight back at work. So dang sweet!

They also nicely reminded passengers to have their mask on. Many people tried to board with their noses exposed but the flight attendants at the door were on top of it. Everyone obeyed the rules and we luckily had no issues!

There are a few differences when flying during these times. Masks are to be worn at all times during the flight except when eating or drinking. They also made an announcement that they would give passengers sanitizing wipes to anyone who asked for one.

Meal service was extremely limited. First class got a light meal box and all drinks were in single serve bottles (wine, beer, soda, water, etc.). Premium class got a light snack and also choice of water or single serving alcoholic beverage.

Premium and economy service doesn’t make another pass through so if you want more than one drink, ask for more when they first serve you. Economy got a small snack and just a small water bottle I believe. There was no alcohol for sale on this flight. First class and premium has alcohol included in the ticket price.

The two hour flight went smoothly and after filling out our immigration forms, we anxiously awaited decent into Cabo!

CABO SAN LUCAS AIRPORT ARRIVAL

Arrival to San Jose Del Cabo is where it gets a little interesting. While deplaning, we were each handed a health check form that needed to be filled out before customs.

Now keep in mind we’re in the middle of the tarmac about to cram into a bus to take us to customs. Where in the world do we fill these suckers out?? Welp, let me tell you, watching people scramble (including myself) to fill out these forms on the short bumpy bus ride was a sight to see. I bet half of these forms were even eligible.

Once we got to the terminal there was a small room with tables to fill these forms out but definitely not enough space for a full flight that just landed. You also couldn’t continue on to immigration until an airport employee checked to make sure you had filled out and signed the health check form.

I really wish our flight had had these forms before-hand and could have given them to us along with our immigration forms. It would have made it less chaotic.

Immigration went smoothly enough once we got through the panic of filling out the health forms. The lines had social distancing stickers on the ground so everyone was six feet apart and we all still had our masks on.

Once your passport is stamped you again show an airport employee your signed health check form and you’re directed to look at this camera type thing off in the distance which I can only assume is a temperature check.

The camera man gives a nod, the employee circles your “No” answers to COVID related question and hands the form back to you and you continue on your way to baggage claim. That’s it. They don’t keep your health check form that you had just panic completed 20 minutes prior. I was shocked. Do we keep it just in case? Do we need it for the return flight home? Do we throw it away? To this day my questions are still unanswered.

The baggage area also had social distancing stickers and again, we all still had our masks on. This is about the time I got a big sniff down from the security dog which resulted in my purse getting searched.

Back at the San Diego airport, in order to get an alcoholic beverage, you have to buy some food as well. We chose the cheapest item and bought a banana with our beers and I shoved it in my purse on our walk back to our gate and completely forgot about it.

Well everyone knows you can’t bring fruit from one country to another so when the dog started sniffing my purse very persistently I was so confused as to why. Lo and behold the security officer pulled out that damn banana. Embarrassed was an understatement. He took my banana.

We collected our bags and ran them through the second security check and we were quickly on our way to the exit to meet the transfer to our hotel. When meeting your transfer company, follow their instructions and if they say meet them outside, meet them outside. Not in the impending corridor of time share doom.

These guys and gals try everything to try and get you to their desk and sell you time shares. They will even go as far as pretending to be your transfer service if you tell them which company you’re using.

Just keep walking until you get, you guessed it, OUTSIDE! Unless you’re into going to timeshare presentations then by all means counter hop in that corridor of doom.

AIRPORT TRANSFER TO PUEBLO BONITO SUNSET

We arranged private transfer through Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort and got a nice sedan. They also offer shared shuttles that were a bit cheaper but they weren’t available late in the afternoons which is when we landed.

As we always do when we’re in Cabo, we had the driver pull over and we picked up some road beers. Don’t forget to offer your driver something! Non-alcoholic of course. Our driver wore a mask the whole time and had plenty of hand sanitizer with him. We asked if he was ok if we took our masks off for the car ride and he didn’t mind which was nice. 

The transfer from the airport to Cabo San Lucas is about 45 minutes. We took the time sipping our Coronas and looking out at the beautiful desert landscape and of course the blue, blue ocean!

PUEBLO BONITO SUNSET CHECK-IN

Upon arrival, we put our masks back on and started the check-in process. A bellman took our bags and directed us toward a sanitizing station. Each guest upon arrival is required to get their temperature checked and then proceed into a closed chamber where it directs you to turn around in two complete circles while it sanitizes your shoes and clothing with a fine mist.

After they sanitize you, lol, you’re directed to the front desk. There are social distancing stickers on the ground keeping everyone 6 feet apart. Hotels in Cabo are not operating at 100%, so I never saw a line form at the front desk which was nice.

All employees are wearing masks and there are plastic shields separating you from the front desk agents. Check in was as normal as any other check in. They went over their current rules, closures, etc. on property. Each guest has to fill out and sign a health check form and unlike the airport, the hotel actually keeps yours and files it away.

After a quick and painless check in we were whisked to a golf cart to take us to our room! Pueblo Bonito Sunset Resort is a huge resort so golf carts are widely needed to get from one place to another. Luckily, the golf carts are in quite an abundance there and there’s never much of a wait for one.

PUEBLO BONITO SUNSET ROOM

The golf cart ride to our room was quite the adventure. The paths are full of hatchbacks and I was very impressed on how well these drivers were able to maneuver these big carts around the sharp turns. Even with oncoming traffic they knew exactly at what point to each turn so we narrowly missed side swiping each other.

Who needs Disneyland when you have these golf carts?? During COVID, the carts have a maximum of four people per cart when they can easily fit six. It’s configured as two long benches facing each other. In order to ride, the driver makes sure your mask is on and gives you a squirt of hand sanitizer before you climb on board. 

When we reached our room, there was a sign on knob letting us know our room was fully sanitized before arrival. This resort does offer daily housekeeping which I was extremely grateful for.

Resorts back home won’t do housekeeping until you’ve reached a certain number or nights. I don’t know about you, but I feel a daily sweep and mop is 100x more sanitary than leaving it for four days untouched.

At this particular resort, each room has a small kitchenette and while I was looking through cabinets at what was offered, I found that they had provided us with a bottle of Lysol underneath the sink. Of course, it was accompanied with a little card that nicely requested that you leave the bottle in the room and not try and pack it in your suitcase back home. I guess the shortage of cleaning supplies applies everywhere.

PUEBLO BONITO SUNSET RESTAURANTS

Restaurants on property are operated much like back home in San Diego. Masks had to be worn until seated at your table and all menus were accessible by QR code that are scanned by your phone.

Also, like back home, not all tables are available. Some are marked off to allow for proper social distancing between tables.

Again, all employees are wearing masks throughout your whole service. You also sign your check through your phone as well. When your meal is complete, the server comes by with a QR code you scan with your phone and you complete the transaction on your phone.

This includes adding tip and even signing! You receive a copy of your receipt in your email. Contact is definitely kept at a minimum here!

PUEBLO BONITO SUNSET POOLS

Only two of the many, many pools on property were open. The Sky Pool and the Main Pool. We wore our masks during the trek to the pool and once we got our chairs we took them off.

Lounge chairs are separated in pairs of two or in groups of four for families traveling together. Although only two of the pools were open, there was no need to wake up early and snag your chairs. There were more than enough for everyone!

Unfortunately, all swim up bars were closed. I was extremely bummed about this but I completely understood. It would definitely be the spot for everyone to accumulate and hang out. The pool menu is accessible by QR code and everything is ordered through your server. 

PUEBLO BONITO SUNSET SPA AND GYM

This resort has one of the best hotel gyms I’ve seen in quite a while. It is huge and has everything you could possibly need. There’s even a barbell and plates!

However, in order to access the gym, you need to make a reservation. You might also want to ask for a schedule as well because every couple of hours they close the gym for about a half hour to deep clean. They definitely don’t mess around here when it comes to cleanliness! 

The spa was also taking special precautions. When you’re directed to your locker, there’s a little note inside letting you know that your locker has been sanitized. I even saw one of the attendants cleaning a used locker and she really got in there. Sanitized to the max!

Like most spas here in San Diego, saunas and steam rooms were closed. However, the whirlpool and cold plunge remained open as well as showers. 

MARINA & DOWNTOWN CABO SAN LUCAS

We left the resort a few times during our trip. Since Pueblo Bonito Sunset is on the pacific side, you cannot swim in the ocean as it is way too rough so we took the free shuttle to their sister property Pueblo Bonito Rose to get a day in at the beach.

The same rules at Sunset applied to Rose. The beach was a blast although all the vendors are still there trying to sell you anything and everything. They were all wearing masks though!

Another night, we left to have dinner at one of my favorite spots Torro Latin Kitchen and Bar. Same rules applied as our resort and back home in San Diego. All precautions were taken. This is still one of my favorite restaurants in Cabo and I highly recommend it. It’s even more special when they have their live music and fire pits going.

Our last night in Cabo we decided we wanted to see how the marina was holding up. Driving through the usually packed marina was a sad, sad reality. It was dead.

There was hardly anyone walking the streets and many of the famous clubs and bars were boarded up. Some have managed to adapt and turn more into restaurants during the time being with some music. I mean, we saw people eating dinner at Squid Roe! How weird is that??

I mean I’m obviously happy they were able to adapt and stay open but it’s just so odd to see a globally known club becoming a lunch and dinner spot. 

During our trip down to the marina, we decided on dinner at Los Tres Gallos. This is now a new-found favorite!! This place is such a gem. Beautifully decorated and delicious traditional Mexican fare.

All precautions are taken with temperature checks at the door and there are sanitization mats you stand on to sanitize your shoes. Restaurants are relatively empty so the attention you get from the staff is 10/10. They’re honestly so happy to have tourism back. 

CABO SAN LUCAS AIRPORT

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. After a wonderful four-night escape (seven nights after both trips were completed), we packed up our luggage and headed back to the airport.

Upon arrival, there are security agents at all entrances to the terminal checking your boarding pass to make sure you’re on a flight for that day. Once we got to the Alaska Airlines desk and checked our baggage, we were given a piece of paper to fill out. Can you guess what it was?

You guessed it, another health check form! We laughed wondering what would happen to this one. We took the forms and filled them out before heading to security. It was set up similarly to immigration.

There was the temperature check camera thing and an agent checking your yes or no questions. Once again, our “No” answers are circled and the paper given back to us where no one ever asked for them again. Shocker.

There’s one sit down restaurant in the terminal called Corona Sports Bar. There was a line to get in as tables are limited to allow for social distancing. However, the line to get seated was moving fast.

There’s also a lounge we were able to get in to using my Priority Pass card. The food was ordered from a little placard on the table and came pre-packaged. Options were severely limited but at least there was free alcohol and football on!

The Corona restaurant would be a better option if you were hungry and wanted a hot meal but as we had just eaten before we left for the airport, the lounge was just fine for us. However, the upstairs portion was closed so it got a little cramped in the small main room.

So, the question remains, did I feel safe traveling to Cabo San Lucas during COVID-19? 100% yes. Cabo is handling the COVID pandemic similarly if not better than the US. We never ran into a situation that made us feel uncomfortable and we got extremely lucky that everyone at our resort was happy to follow the rules. 

Would I travel back to Cabo again during COVID? 100% yes. I love Cabo and have for a very long time especially since it’s just a short flight from San Diego. COVID does not change this and I would book another flight there next week if I could.

After speaking to many of the servers at our resort and at the restaurants in town, Cabo is extremely happy to welcome back tourists. They’re happy to be working again and it reflects in their attitude and service. I am so glad Cabo welcomed us with open arms.

I couldn’t have imagined a better place to go as the world of travel slowly opens back up. Although completely different than what we’re used to, I’ll take any version of travel we can get right now. 

Related Posts:

Traveling to Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita During the Pandemic

A Cabo San Lucas Vacation COVID-19 Style

The post Traveling to Cabo San Lucas During the Pandemic appeared first on A Blonde's Eye View.

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.