MY STAY
Beaches & pools
At Four Seasons Punta Mita, a day could take care of itself. I moved from beach to pool, joined a nature walk and still found somewhere quiet to read. The coastline was reason enough to stay, though a room near the central pool and one closer to the water would create different daily routines.
Activities & spa
There was more to do than lounge. Cooking lessons, a fishing outing and s'mores gave me ways to fill a longer stay without leaving the grounds. Summer could mean more space and a lower rate, but also real heat and humidity. That is a different holiday from a gentler-weather visit, not simply a cheaper version of it.
Breakfast & pool service
I liked Dos Catrinas for breakfast, and Aramara was worth considering for a proper dinner. Pool service was less consistent: after a long wait for drinks, ordering at the bar myself was easier. I also wanted to know whether the room offered as an upgrade had been refreshed and whether it put the beach too far away.
Would I return?
The beach and activity schedule could fill another long stay, particularly in a season that suits the heat. The season, room position and ease of getting a drink at a busy pool mattered more than a fancier category name on the reservation.