W Punta de MitaEST. 2016

Perched on the ocean in the heart of one of Mexico’s most gorgeous beaches, the new W Punta de Mita invites you to immerse yourself in a truly remarkable hotel experience.

Our property pays homage to the area’s profound cultural history. Here, Colonial grandeur blends seamlessly with the extraordinary artistry of the indigenous Huichol people. These elements exist in harmony with a very modern sensibility that extends throughout the resort, setting the stage for an unforgettable visit. Light-filled rooms and suites provide a sophisticated oasis on the shores of the Pacific. Laze on a lounge chair at WET Pool and Deck as you enjoy a cool ceviche, or indulge in some “me time” at Away Spa. Celebrate the sensuality of South Asian cuisine at Spice Market, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s imaginative restaurant concept. Let our W Insider or concierge help you book an exciting excursion – or slip away to the beach and enjoy the fine art of doing nothing.

Designed by ASET/AOMA in collaboration with Oakland-based design firm Mister Important Design, and Starwood’s award-winning design team, W Punta de Mita is inspired by the local bohemian surf culture found throughout Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Steeped in historical, social and spiritual context, the design of the hotel conveys: colorful Mexico; the blues of the bay and the coast surrounding Bahia de Banderas; traditional patterns of the Huichol people (indigenous people of Nayarit); images of traditional Mexican celebration; sensational sunsets over the beach; vivid handcrafts with ancient roots and the amalgamation of Spanish and indigenous cultures all of which are brought to life throughout the hotel’s luxurious and stylish villas, public spaces, and buzzing bars and restaurants.

When designing the property, careful measures were put in place to ensure that the natural surroundings – the ancient fig trees and natural springs – were not disturbed during construction. Many of these natural features are showcased throughout the hotel’s design including the reuse of spring water in the reflection pools and within the spa.

Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a cheeky and oversized 9-foot Huichol statue standing in a reflection pool, along with a fleet of colorful Tuk Tuks with artwork customized by Revolución Del Sueño, a Sayulita based design studio, that whisk travelers from the main entrance to the Welcome area and Living Room (the brand’s take on the hotel lobby), as well as around the grounds. Backdrops behind the Welcome Desks, are reimagined versions of Papel Picado, a traditional Mexican folk art that hangs in villages during community events and celebrations and evocative of being welcomed into a Mexican fiesta. Mexican wrestling masks (Lucha Libre); historical figures with surfboards; mariachi instruments; candy skulls, evoking death; and sayings such as “Mexico es Amor” and “Canta y No Lllores” translating to Sing and Don’t Cry (a line from a famous local song which highlights the culture’s upbeat disposition) are artfully embedded into the hotel’s design.

W Punta de Mita offers five distinct dining spaces where guests can mix and mingle including one of the most exclusive restaurants in the world, Mesa1. Privately situated on an island in the middle of a spring-fed lake, this “restaurant” can accommodate only one seating daily. A gastronomic experience unlike any other, guests arrive on stepping stones that emerge from the water and disappear once everyone has been seated. A massive Parota tree trunk from the local forest was repurposed to create the spectacular dining surface. The evening is then topped off with a seven-course customizable tasting menu prepared by one of W Punta de Mita’s private chefs.

A bright blue and green mosaic “Camino Huichol” walkway, stretching over 450 feet, acts as the central nervous system of the space, with restaurants branching off. The walkway guides guests from the Welcome area, through the Living Room and onto the center walkway of the WET deck (pool area), finally jutting out over the beach for that Insta-worthy view of the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Comprised of more than three quarters of a million individual tiles, the colors and scenes depicted within the design are inspired by the Huichol people who are indigenous to this area of Mexico. The pathway is also a representation of the Huichol life journey, highlighting the ups and downs of life, with the goal to achieve spiritual ascension (as you may over the ocean at the end of the path).