The bar experience at the FS was far less intimate and definitely much more commercial feeling. We could have been almost anywhere. The bar at Aramara was particularly non-charming, though the service was very good. The bar by the infinity pool was small and not with any view or sense of place...and service was a bit tedious. The bar by Bahia was the most interesting, but its bright lights and energy were more emblematic of a city nightclub than a seaside resort of this supposed caliber. It really felt out of place and like it’s trying too hard. This is in stark contrast to the StR with its wonderfully charming Sea Breezes bar and the spectacular and intimate Carolina bar, not to mention the airy and open Murrieta’s bar with incredible and inviting ocean views. Or the Moët and Chandon champagne bar by the adults only pool at the StR. All of the StR bars looked and felt like we were actually in Mexico...unlike at the FS.

We also walked around the FS and again were reminded how large and sometimes more commercial-feeling it is compared to the more intimate (and more authentic) StR. With almost 3 times as many rooms and guests, the FS definitely feels and is bigger. It also was apparent that there were far more children and teenagers at the FS, at least for our visit. Yet even with 3 times as many rooms/guests, the FS has the same number of restaurant options (they’re just much bigger restaurant spaces) and two fewer pools.

The FS beach is almost as rocky as that at the StR, so it’s hard to say one beach is significantly nicer than the other in terms of swimming or wading. Yet the StR Beach is far more picturesque with the outcropping islands in the distance and a more heads on sunset view (at least at this time of year).

Two years ago i said we far preferrred the StR...and we find we still do. For all the same reasons.

How busy does that bar get? When we were there in Dec '16 they were constructing it ie jack hammering the fire pit away lol.

The few times we’ve been near there, there was almost no one there but the staff. We walked by today and no one was there (not even staff). It’s apparently an oyster bar as well as Moët and Chandon champagne bar. We will try to stop by and check it out formally this weekend...though I despise oysters!

It is a more expansive and authentic feeling property here in Punta Mita than Bahia Beach (though I also really loved the StR Bahia Beach, too). This StR also has a very large dual adults-only pool, unlike Bahia Beach. FWIW.

Absolutely true! The Bahia Beach was truly spectacular, with soft white sand extending for that whole beautiful and majestic crescent and for quite a distance beneath the waves.

Punta Mita has a naturally rocky outcropping for its beaches, and that’s true for both the StR and FS. They both have short but lovely sandy beaches for laying upon....but those end the moment you enter the water. It’s very rocky underwater at both resorts. The StR provides free reef shoes for anyone wanting to wade out or swim out into the ocean.

The StR does have a more protected and calmer area near shore (by its Sea Breezes/Mita Mary restaurants) becasue of the majestic rocky island outcroppings that create a slightly more lagoon feel. The FS doesn’t have anything quite like that.

But neither resort is known for its swimmable beaches! Just as Los Cabos are known for having beautiful beaches but from which you most commonly cannot swim due to dangerous riptides and strong currents, Punta Mita is known for beautifully dramatic beaches and seaside views but from which you most commonly do not swim much because those beaches are quite rocky underneath. Both locales have guests more often than not playing on and relaxing on the beaches and swimming and relaxing in the pools.

Hence, the StR with the larger number of pools, including a very sizable duo of adults-only pools plus the series of two other massive pools, and with a third the number of guests as the FS, is the more appealing property IMO....by a longshot.

Absolutely! That is the calmer area by the Mita Mary’s/Sea Breezes that I’d mentioned. (Our villa is basically right next to that beach area, conveniently enough.)

We are going on a private catamaran (48’) excursion today with our friends...right from that same beach. Hoping for a beautiful day on the water and to the Marietas Islands...with perhaps some whale sightings.