Lara

Hi there!

I am planning a 5 day getaway for my fiance and I, and the Four Seasons Punta Mita looks just gorgeous.

However, the few comments here don't sound like complete raves.

I am wondering if anyone else on this board has been there recently, and would really like to hear your comments.

Also, is the Puerto Vallarta area safe? I have heard some horror stories about Americans being targets of kidnappings, etc. Is this true or exagerated? Is is true that there is a guard with a gun at the entrance to the Four Seasons?

I have never been to Mexico, so forgive me if these questions sound naive.

Thanks so much in advance!

arriba!

Yes, PV is completely safe and yes, there is an armed guard at the entrance to the 4 Seasons Punta Mita.

susan

I've vacationed (solo female) 15+ trips in PV's downtown area, walking at night, taking local busses, etc. I have never had even a brush with someone being impolite, yet alone kidnapping me.

As far as an armed guard, well a couple things: Even funky intown hotels usually have a night watchman at their gates to make sure only guests enter. Also the new 4 Seasons is an extremely high-end resort built in an otherwise humble and financially poor area.

lara

thanks so much guys.

also figured i would try topping this again to see if anyone who has stayed at the resort can tell me their experiences.

Thanks!!

pvdeb

Lara,
Though I haven't stayed at the Four Seasons (1-couldn't afford it, 2-too far from Puerto Vallarta), on my last trip, in the airport, I did briefly speak with a couple who had stayed there and the comment they made that stuck with me was that they were surprised for such a high-end resort, how much extra money they had to dish out for this thing or that. I did not ask for details, but they seemed rather perturbed about it. My thought was for $500+ a night, there should be a lot of built-in fringe benefits anyway. Even though the resort itself is probably quite beautiful, I think there's a lot of negativity on the boards about this resort because of the way it went in there, basically cordoned off the end of Punta Mita and made the beach there if not inacessible, at least difficult to get to by anyone but their customers. This does not make travellers to Mexico happy, since all beaches in Mexico, technically, are open to the public. It seems to be the attitude in which the resort operates, IMHO.
PV itself is very safe. I won't say something won't/can't happen there that might happen in any city in the world, but I have travelled solo there also and have never had any problems whatsoever.
I hope you will find someone who can better answer your question about the Four Seasons, but die-hard PV travellers don't seem to care for it much, from what I read.

babycakes

I posted in previous threads about the 4 Seasons and was not one of the "raves". I will be glad to answer specific questions, although you did say you wanted other perspectives. We found it to be VERY expensive, very "resorty", did not feel like being in Mexico at all, however, the property is visually stunning with great views of the water and sunsets. Employees were all attracive, gorgeously dressed, and attentive w/o being obsequious. The food was as expensive as eating grandly in NYC. Great design features in the main buildings and lobby. If you have other questions, please post.

kim

We stayed at the Four Seasons for a week in Feb. this year. If you are looking for a beautiful resort to just kick back and relax this would be it!! The Spa was great, golf course was beautiful and the tennis courts were in a beautful setting!! We went into PV wth the Four Seasons for about 3 hours and thats all we needed--it is truly a romantic place and we loved it--e-mail me with any of your ??

dan

If being isolated is what you want, then that's the place. If cultural exchange, excitement of being in the best resort city in Mexico, along with lots of great places to eat, and a great city market iteresta you, I suggest staying in PV for 1/4 of the cost!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!