Oct 5, 2015, 8:35 am
Last edit by: chrisdeaner
Expert Review (posted in Luxury Forum) from Jan 2018 from Villa stay:
https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...encounter-2352
Restrictions on the Acceptance of US Currency
Due to recent local regulations, the acceptance of US Dollars in cash is now restricted across Mexico. Payments with credit/debit cards remain unaffected. Please provide arrangements to settle your accounts and other expenses with a credit card or in Mexican Pesos. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause our guests.
FYI - the hotel also can't exchange USD<>MXN but they do have an ATM near the lobby (downstairs by the meeting rooms) that dispenses Pesos.
https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...encounter-2352
Restrictions on the Acceptance of US Currency
Due to recent local regulations, the acceptance of US Dollars in cash is now restricted across Mexico. Payments with credit/debit cards remain unaffected. Please provide arrangements to settle your accounts and other expenses with a credit card or in Mexican Pesos. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause our guests.
FYI - the hotel also can't exchange USD<>MXN but they do have an ATM near the lobby (downstairs by the meeting rooms) that dispenses Pesos.
St Regis Punta Mita Resort, Mexico [Master Thread]
Apr 19, 2019, 10:36 am
#616
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
I'm booked in this property next month and selected the "1 Bedroom Villa, 1 King, Beach Front, Whirlpool, Plunge Pool" for my SNA selection (only room I selected). I see there is one report of being upgraded to an "Ocean Villa" but has anyone had any luck with SNAs clearing to the 3 or 4 beach front villas with a plunge pool?
Currently Marriott's site is showing "only 3 remaining" for this room category for my dates. I know the inventory on the site might not always match what they actually have available but just a data point.
Currently Marriott's site is showing "only 3 remaining" for this room category for my dates. I know the inventory on the site might not always match what they actually have available but just a data point.
Apr 19, 2019, 10:39 am
#617
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
I'm booked in this property next month and selected the "1 Bedroom Villa, 1 King, Beach Front, Whirlpool, Plunge Pool" for my SNA selection (only room I selected). I see there is one report of being upgraded to an "Ocean Villa" but has anyone had any luck with SNAs clearing to the 3 or 4 beach front villas with a plunge pool?
Currently Marriott's site is showing "only 3 remaining" for this room category for my dates. I know the inventory on the site might not always match what they actually have available but just a data point.
Currently Marriott's site is showing "only 3 remaining" for this room category for my dates. I know the inventory on the site might not always match what they actually have available but just a data point.
It’s a risk. Personally, I have loved the one bedroom suite even without beachfront almost as much as the beachfront villa! The villa was amazing. But we paid for it. The property has so many great suites that I would give myself the chance for any of those. To each, their own. If you get too set on the villa, you may end up in just a decent room.
Apr 19, 2019, 10:44 am
#618
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 687
The villa is amazing, but I wouldn’t expect it to be available for most periods unless occupancy is quite low. Selecting that as your only SNA option might be a risk, as others may get upgrades to the other wonderful suites that otherwise would be more plentifully available. Also, a suite paying guest with status might be upgraded to the villas before the SNA window opens.
It’s a risk. Personally, I have loved the one bedroom suite even without beachfront almost as much as the beachfront villa! The villa was amazing. But we paid for it. The property has so many great suites that I would give myself the chance for any of those. To each, their own. If you get too set on the villa, you may end up in just a decent room.
Apr 19, 2019, 2:32 pm
#619
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Totally agree it's a somewhat risky move. My plan is if the villa does not clear on the first day, I will modify my request to add in additional suite options. Either way, hopefully they would give me some type of upgrade with my lofty Ambassador status
Apr 19, 2019, 5:50 pm
#620
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Seattle
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Alaska MVPG 75K, National Executive Elite
Posts: 46
I'm booked in this property next month and selected the "1 Bedroom Villa, 1 King, Beach Front, Whirlpool, Plunge Pool" for my SNA selection (only room I selected). I see there is one report of being upgraded to an "Ocean Villa" but has anyone had any luck with SNAs clearing to the 3 or 4 beach front villas with a plunge pool?
Currently Marriott's site is showing "only 3 remaining" for this room category for my dates. I know the inventory on the site might not always match what they actually have available but just a data point.
Currently Marriott's site is showing "only 3 remaining" for this room category for my dates. I know the inventory on the site might not always match what they actually have available but just a data point.
Apr 19, 2019, 7:35 pm
#621
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 9
Beachfront villas and surfing
The problem with hoping to get upgraded to beachfront villas is that there are only a few of them (four by my count) and they are in demand. We tried to book them a year in advance for spring break, for example, and they were already taken. Later toward the summer is easier to get. But people will still book them specifically.
The ocean-view suites are really awesome in their own right. The sunset view is better (and it's the best sunset you'll ever see). The big benefits of the beachfront suites are separate bedrooms and the little private pool. Of course, those benefits are huge.
As for surfing: The beach at St. Regis is rocky. This is well-established. But you can surf there. It's a neat-but-stupidly-expensive place to learn. It's where I learned.
You can also surf at MUCH cheaper rental rates and with far fewer rocks in the town of Punta (de) Mita.
You go to the town. You want to walk east toward this classically, real Mexican bar. Ask where Stinky's is. Or, just head to the ocean and look around. You will figure out where to go. If you take the street, you head over this little bridge where it really smells bad. You go through this restaurant's seating area and you will find yourself on a beach with a nice surf break and what has to be some of the best body-boarding on earth. Rent from the guy at the Stinky's tent.
The ocean-view suites are really awesome in their own right. The sunset view is better (and it's the best sunset you'll ever see). The big benefits of the beachfront suites are separate bedrooms and the little private pool. Of course, those benefits are huge.
As for surfing: The beach at St. Regis is rocky. This is well-established. But you can surf there. It's a neat-but-stupidly-expensive place to learn. It's where I learned.
You can also surf at MUCH cheaper rental rates and with far fewer rocks in the town of Punta (de) Mita.
You go to the town. You want to walk east toward this classically, real Mexican bar. Ask where Stinky's is. Or, just head to the ocean and look around. You will figure out where to go. If you take the street, you head over this little bridge where it really smells bad. You go through this restaurant's seating area and you will find yourself on a beach with a nice surf break and what has to be some of the best body-boarding on earth. Rent from the guy at the Stinky's tent.
Apr 19, 2019, 11:08 pm
#622
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 9
The description of what you are booked into sounds like the beachfront suite that is the very best suite on the property. There may be some giant house-type thing somewhere, but I really don't think it's on the beach and only a few suites have pools. They are all right on the beach.
I don't know what you would be upgraded to from what you are describing.
I don't know what you would be upgraded to from what you are describing.
Apr 20, 2019, 1:19 pm
#623
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 496
I'm booked in this property next month and selected the "1 Bedroom Villa, 1 King, Beach Front, Whirlpool, Plunge Pool" for my SNA selection (only room I selected). I see there is one report of being upgraded to an "Ocean Villa" but has anyone had any luck with SNAs clearing to the 3 or 4 beach front villas with a plunge pool?
Currently Marriott's site is showing "only 3 remaining" for this room category for my dates. I know the inventory on the site might not always match what they actually have available but just a data point.
Currently Marriott's site is showing "only 3 remaining" for this room category for my dates. I know the inventory on the site might not always match what they actually have available but just a data point.
Jun 10, 2019, 9:50 am
#625
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
If you booked a non refundable rate, however, or if all eligible rooms/suites were already booked or otherwise unavailable, it will not allow you to apply SNAs at any property. Also, it’s always possible there’s an IT glitch.
Jun 10, 2019, 10:47 am
#626
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 687
I just used one for three nights in May and it cleared to a 1 bedroom villa on a points stay (60k). Really enjoyed the villa and resort.
Jul 13, 2019, 9:28 am
#627
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 496
Again though, I don't actually mind what room I have here
Jul 13, 2019, 10:36 am
#628
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 147
You still have a wide range of options to apply an SNA, including up to a one bedroom villa. However, staying over New Years, I'd say temper your expectations. I just completed a four night stay here this week (revenue, not an award stay). I booked two rooms and applied SNAs to one (selected one bedroom villa and deluxe suite as options). SNAs did not clear. I thought in July there'd be no problem, but staff said they were at 85-90% occupancy, coming off from 100% occupancy on 4th of July.
As a side note: I've now had multiple stays at the St Regis and private residences within the Punta Mita complex. I was split before, but I'm pretty solidly in the private residence camp now as my preference. I like the extra space, most residences have private chefs, it's fun to explore the other beach clubs, I don't like feeling compelled to use breakfast/resort credits and staying locked to the St Regis property (plus the breakfast didn't wow me), and many of the private residences have easier access to the better surf breaks. However, if traveling solo or as a couple I'd probably still book St Regis.
As a side note: I've now had multiple stays at the St Regis and private residences within the Punta Mita complex. I was split before, but I'm pretty solidly in the private residence camp now as my preference. I like the extra space, most residences have private chefs, it's fun to explore the other beach clubs, I don't like feeling compelled to use breakfast/resort credits and staying locked to the St Regis property (plus the breakfast didn't wow me), and many of the private residences have easier access to the better surf breaks. However, if traveling solo or as a couple I'd probably still book St Regis.
Jul 13, 2019, 7:21 pm
#629
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,764
In Asia, it's not uncommon for hotels to have mandatory, expensive New Year's Eve dinners for guests who are there that night. Does this happen in the western hemisphere?
Jul 13, 2019, 8:32 pm
#630
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: Marriott LTPP
Posts: 568
You still have a wide range of options to apply an SNA, including up to a one bedroom villa. However, staying over New Years, I'd say temper your expectations. I just completed a four night stay here this week (revenue, not an award stay). I booked two rooms and applied SNAs to one (selected one bedroom villa and deluxe suite as options). SNAs did not clear. I thought in July there'd be no problem, but staff said they were at 85-90% occupancy, coming off from 100% occupancy on 4th of July.
As a side note: I've now had multiple stays at the St Regis and private residences within the Punta Mita complex. I was split before, but I'm pretty solidly in the private residence camp now as my preference. I like the extra space, most residences have private chefs, it's fun to explore the other beach clubs, I don't like feeling compelled to use breakfast/resort credits and staying locked to the St Regis property (plus the breakfast didn't wow me), and many of the private residences have easier access to the better surf breaks. However, if traveling solo or as a couple I'd probably still book St Regis.
As a side note: I've now had multiple stays at the St Regis and private residences within the Punta Mita complex. I was split before, but I'm pretty solidly in the private residence camp now as my preference. I like the extra space, most residences have private chefs, it's fun to explore the other beach clubs, I don't like feeling compelled to use breakfast/resort credits and staying locked to the St Regis property (plus the breakfast didn't wow me), and many of the private residences have easier access to the better surf breaks. However, if traveling solo or as a couple I'd probably still book St Regis.