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]
Jun 7, 2018, 8:18 pm
#511
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Montreal
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Gold, Accor Gold, AMEX FHR
Posts: 81
Thanks all for the advice. We're going with the hotel option and will stop at Mega as suggested. Is there water rationing or is that part of butler service? We both will drink a lot of it since it looks like a hot time to go. Any other thoughts you have we appreciate to hear your ideas. Thanks again!
Jun 8, 2018, 10:52 am
#512
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Not only is there plenty of water but the tap water is reportedly safe to drink there (though I have not tried it). I was told by staff that they have their own water purification system on site.
Agree that taking the hotel SUV limo service is the way to go. It’s for sure over priced, but it is very nice and also, if you are staying there why not arrive in style? You can also arrange for these SUV’s to take you to dinner or to Sayulita or other outings. Highly recommend a day trip to Sayulita.
Agree that taking the hotel SUV limo service is the way to go. It’s for sure over priced, but it is very nice and also, if you are staying there why not arrive in style? You can also arrange for these SUV’s to take you to dinner or to Sayulita or other outings. Highly recommend a day trip to Sayulita.
Jun 8, 2018, 11:39 pm
#513
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 9
Bottled water, sunscreen and perfect sunsets are free at the St. Regis Punta Mita. And ineffective bug spray. That's about it.
Everything else costs money -- usually a lot.
But it's such an amazing place. We'll be going back as soon as possible.
Everything else costs money -- usually a lot.
But it's such an amazing place. We'll be going back as soon as possible.
Aug 19, 2018, 6:10 pm
#514
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 96
Has anyone had success negotiating an upgrade directly with the hotel (or upgrading to a villa by some other means)? I've read several travel blog posts in which the writer says he or she did this (one was even upgraded to a two bedroom villa, but I suspect that was because she was a part of a special promotion).
I'll be taking my mom there next year around the anniversary of my dad's death so she won't be sad, and I'm using 60k Marriott points/night for a 5-night stay in May. I assume that's low season so I shouldn't have too much competition for upgrades, and I have Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite with Ambassador status, so I think I should have a decent chance at a regular upgrade. However I would prefer to get the villa with the private pool (since my mom would prefer that to one of the shared pools). I wonder if it will be possible to use extra points to upgrade to a suite, and then use the suite upgrade certificates to upgrade to the villa? Perhaps no one knows for sure yet since we still dont know how Marriott will handle using points for non-standard rooms. If anyone has insight I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!
I'll be taking my mom there next year around the anniversary of my dad's death so she won't be sad, and I'm using 60k Marriott points/night for a 5-night stay in May. I assume that's low season so I shouldn't have too much competition for upgrades, and I have Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite with Ambassador status, so I think I should have a decent chance at a regular upgrade. However I would prefer to get the villa with the private pool (since my mom would prefer that to one of the shared pools). I wonder if it will be possible to use extra points to upgrade to a suite, and then use the suite upgrade certificates to upgrade to the villa? Perhaps no one knows for sure yet since we still dont know how Marriott will handle using points for non-standard rooms. If anyone has insight I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!
Aug 19, 2018, 6:15 pm
#515
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Florida
Programs: Hyatt Diamond. SPG Plat. Marriott Plat.
Posts: 522
Has anyone had success negotiating an upgrade directly with the hotel (or upgrading to a villa by some other means)? I've read several travel blog posts in which the writer says he or she did this (one was even upgraded to a two bedroom villa, but I suspect that was because she was a part of a special promotion).
I'll be taking my mom there next year around the anniversary of my dad's death so she won't be sad, and I'm using 60k Marriott points/night for a 5-night stay in May. I assume that's low season so I shouldn't have too much competition for upgrades, and I have Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite with Ambassador status, so I think I should have a decent chance at a regular upgrade. However I would prefer to get the villa with the private pool (since my mom would prefer that to one of the shared pools). I wonder if it will be possible to use extra points to upgrade to a suite, and then use the suite upgrade certificates to upgrade to the villa? Perhaps no one knows for sure yet since we still dont know how Marriott will handle using points for non-standard rooms. If anyone has insight I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!
I'll be taking my mom there next year around the anniversary of my dad's death so she won't be sad, and I'm using 60k Marriott points/night for a 5-night stay in May. I assume that's low season so I shouldn't have too much competition for upgrades, and I have Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite with Ambassador status, so I think I should have a decent chance at a regular upgrade. However I would prefer to get the villa with the private pool (since my mom would prefer that to one of the shared pools). I wonder if it will be possible to use extra points to upgrade to a suite, and then use the suite upgrade certificates to upgrade to the villa? Perhaps no one knows for sure yet since we still dont know how Marriott will handle using points for non-standard rooms. If anyone has insight I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!
Aug 19, 2018, 6:41 pm
#516
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
[QUOTE=smgainey;30102941] However I would prefer to get the villa with the private pool (since my mom would prefer that to one of the shared pools). I
If the pool is the main concern note that I've never seen the adult pool anywhere near busy.
Same. Never gotten a villa and have also tried working with the hotel.
If the pool is the main concern note that I've never seen the adult pool anywhere near busy.
Same. Never gotten a villa and have also tried working with the hotel.
Aug 19, 2018, 6:57 pm
#517
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Florida
Programs: Hyatt Diamond. SPG Plat. Marriott Plat.
Posts: 522
[QUOTE=jdrtravel;30103041]
No love haha!
However I would prefer to get the villa with the private pool (since my mom would prefer that to one of the shared pools). I
If the pool is the main concern note that I've never seen the adult pool anywhere near busy.
Same. Never gotten a villa and have also tried working with the hotel.
If the pool is the main concern note that I've never seen the adult pool anywhere near busy.
Same. Never gotten a villa and have also tried working with the hotel.
Aug 19, 2018, 6:59 pm
#518
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: ua mm, aa plat, starriott LTPP, ihg plat, hh gold.
Posts: 13,017
I’ve tried as well, without success, although we typically stay for at least five nights, generally 10, and I suspect a one or two night stay would garner more success.
My experience is they’ll upgrade you to the villa for cash, if you’re interested and negotiate. For us, it wasn’t worth the not-insignificant upcharge.
As an aside, I find you end up with a great deal more privacy in some of the ocean view suites, although if a private pool is your thing, the villa is the only way.
My experience is they’ll upgrade you to the villa for cash, if you’re interested and negotiate. For us, it wasn’t worth the not-insignificant upcharge.
As an aside, I find you end up with a great deal more privacy in some of the ocean view suites, although if a private pool is your thing, the villa is the only way.
Aug 19, 2018, 7:19 pm
#519
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Aug 19, 2018, 8:17 pm
#520
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,744
I've stayed here a ton, and you aren't getting upgraded to a villa for free. And if you want to pay for it, they will ask for the difference in the rates, which is typically $1,000+/night.
Even in May upgrades are sometimes tough on longer stays, so set your expectations accordingly.
Even in May upgrades are sometimes tough on longer stays, so set your expectations accordingly.
Aug 19, 2018, 8:28 pm
#521
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
I've stayed here a ton, and you aren't getting upgraded to a villa for free. And if you want to pay for it, they will ask for the difference in the rates, which is typically $1,000+/night.
Even in May upgrades are sometimes tough on longer stays, so set your expectations accordingly.
Even in May upgrades are sometimes tough on longer stays, so set your expectations accordingly.
While I have never been upgraded to a villa for free, others have certainly reported it, so I would not rule it out.
Aug 19, 2018, 9:12 pm
#522
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,744
Fair, maybe I should revise my statement to "A first time guest on a points stay can rule it out". Sorry, but theres no need to get someone's hopes up unnecessarily. The hotel is amazing and I've found they do a good job of trying to upgrade to sites, junior suites and at a minimum ocean views, but no reason for someone to get outlandish expectations and then be disappointed.
Aug 21, 2018, 12:27 pm
#524
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
I've stayed here a ton, and you aren't getting upgraded to a villa for free. And if you want to pay for it, they will ask for the difference in the rates, which is typically $1,000+/night.
Even in May upgrades are sometimes tough on longer stays, so set your expectations accordingly.
Even in May upgrades are sometimes tough on longer stays, so set your expectations accordingly.
https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...encounter-2352
It was an incredible stay and worth every penny for us. It was so incredible that we might consider paying the full freight for the Villa at some point in the future.
I doubt they ever upgrade to the One Bedroom Luxury Villa--as there are just 3 or so of those (plus a 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom version). I am Ambassador status and was a returning guest, and we still had to pay for the upgrade to the Villa.
Aug 21, 2018, 11:46 pm
#525
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
FYI wanted to share that Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts is currently offering rooms for the StR Punta Mita for $350/night in October with all of the associated benefits of FH&R (upgrade, free breakfast, $100 spa credit, etc). Was happy to jump on this great deal.