What's good enough for Beyonce and Jay Z is surely good enough for you, if over–the–top elegance and luxury is what you're after. While the star couple may have stayed at one of the Four Season's exclusive hidden hillside villas during their visit, you'll find the very same service and amenities at the resort's secluded beachfront hideaway.

Since arriving in Puerto Vallarta in 1999, the Four Seasons at Punta Mita has set the bar high––virtually unreachable by others––by building a hotel surrounded by one of Mexico's best golf courses and a series of ultra–luxurious timeshares, deeded private villas and custom homes. The entire operation has earned Four Seasons its reputation as the premier resort of Mexico's Pacific Coast.

Although located only 26 miles from Puerto Vallarta, the long winding road which leads to the resort's gate–guarded complex clearly indicates that these guys are serious about providing the very best in terms of privacy and security. In fact, Four Seasons isolation is likely unmatched in the region, and once settled into your casita, could leave you feeling a bit at the mercy of attentive staffers with golf carts. (There could be worse scenarios.)

Just past the understated marble lobby, you'll be greeted with a breathtaking panoramic ocean view. The resort's 405 hectares hug a fine line of coast and boasts a Nicklaus–designed golf course that extends out to an offshore islet reachable by boat after teeing off.

With a grill restaurant facing the ocean recently added, guests now have four choices for meals, from Aramara's Chino Latino fusion menu to more casual beach and poolside alfresco options that serve regional and California fare. You can also arrange for romantic private dining on a rock peninsula, followed by a cozy campfire for two. The hip bar features ceviche, tequila tastings and a wide selection of Cuban and Mexican cigars. A final option for breakfast, lunch or after–game drinks is the clubhouse on the greens. Expect to pay as much as you would in Manhattan for all meals and drinks.

The lobby and pool also have bars where you can treat yourself to fruity cocktails while celebrity gazing or waiting for a lounge chair. Guests have complained of too many children and not enough chairs at the free–form infinity pool, so a new adults–only area has been added. It doesn't face the ocean, but includes four different pools and a hot tub, all surrounded by pimped–out private cabanas that you can rent (for a mere $275 a day plus minibar charges). These over–the–top poolside palapas come complete with Internet access, plasma wide–screen TVs, a stocked minibar and stereo.

High–tech offerings are not just for the adults. The Kid for All Seasons activity program ensures that youngsters have access to plenty of toys, arts & crafts and other entertainment, as well––including DVDs and eight PlayStation and GameCube consoles in the Nunutzi Games Room.

Off the lobby is the more refined Cultural Center where guests can use the house laptop or peruse a well–stocked library of books and regional videos. The center hosts classes on mole sauce and tequila appreciation, as well as lectures on the history of the Huichol people and other ancient cultures of Mesoamerica.

The popular Apuane spa also includes cultural offerings, a mix of New Age and Mexican treatments in line with Punta Mita's meaning, translated as "resting place." If you'd rather stay active, however, there are a variety of exercise classes and facilities to choose from. In addition to the celebrated golf course, the hotel also provides four lighted tennis courts (two hard, two with synthetic grass), bikes, snorkeling equipment and kayaks.

The standard Four Season tile–roofed casita accommodation, with terrace and balcony, is almost double the size of an average guest room. Location and size varies, from beachfront views with landscape–limiting partial ocean views to suites with stellar views and up to five bedrooms––each the size of an ample apartment. If you want to be close to the pools and restaurants, be sure to make a special request, since some rooms are a long walk from the main building.

All 165 units feature the usual in high–class amenities and some of the 30 suites include plunge pools, Bose radios and hidden TVs, as well as occasional extras like an outdoor shower or telescope. The contemporary and tropically designed casitas include polished marble floors, upholstered armchairs, pedestal tables, desks and half–tester beds with duvets and down pillows. Baths are rich and luxurious, with soaking tubs and marble vanities.

Since you're paying top dollar for all this stuff, be sure to stay put and enjoy it––leave the running around to the superb hotel staff. Room service impresses around the clock, delivering newspapers with breakfast and providing turndown service that even includes mini robes and tear–free shampoo for the kids. The concierge services are first–rate as well––pool attendants will fetch you chilled towels, bottled water and fruit kebobs while also coordinating your tee time and dinner reservations.

Shoppers will have to make use of the resort's daily shuttle to Puerto Vallarta until the hotel has added promised shops and an art gallery. But really, why would you want to leave? If you're in search of seclusion and world–class service at the top resort in the region, then Four Seasons Punta Mita is the obvious choice. Just be sure to rent a car ahead of time if you think you'll want to leave the lap of luxury at all during your stay and bring a credit card with an ample balance.


Web Address: www.fourseasons.com/puntamita/
Total Number of Rooms: 165
Published rates: $375 to $12,000

Review by Tim Leffel, photos courtesy of Four Seasons.