What to Expect and Bring on Vacation

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Fresh off awards season, Hollywood parents are jumping right into … summer vacation season. For those looking for a family-friendly luxury destination within an easy nonstop flight from the industry grind, look to a White Lotus-approved getaway in star-loved Punta Mita, Mexico.

Once a fishing village, Punta Mita is now an ultra-private and fully gated peninsula development known to attract just about every big name in Hollywood, from Beyoncé and Leonardo DiCaprio to Gwyneth Paltrow and Brian Grazer — and on and on and on. Within this secluded retreat in the state of Nayarit sits the Four Seasons alongside other luxury properties including St. Regis, Conrad and W. All around are sugary sand beaches and lush tropical flora and fauna. (Not far outside the gates of Punta Mita are such destinations as the expat-favorite surf town Sayulita.)

Four Seasons Punta Mita (rooms from $1,035; more booking and price options at Booking.com, Expedia and Hotels.com) is just a 45-minute drive from Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta airport, less than three hours from LAX. Tucked into a cloistered 1,500-acre gated resort community, the Four Seasons and its team coddles families completely, starting with airport pickup including car seats — a gear-schlepping game changer. It has every comfort of home available at the ready — from swim diapers and wipes to stroller loaners to kiddie cutlery and tear-free toiletries — all offered with anticipatory hospitality.

The author with her family at Four Seasons Punta Mita.

Courtesy of Alesandra Dubin

In short, it feels like a dreamy, glorious vacation — even for parents of young kids, for whom such a vibe can feel supremely hard to come by. It offers red carpet treatment for kids and adults equally — so the grownups get to have a proper vacation rather than sacrificing theirs to suit their kids’ preferences.

The property recently finished a long, phased renovation, and along the way unveiled even more luxurious and family-friendly offerings that have grown and evolved. Below, keep reading to see what’s new at the Hollywood-loved seaside retreat, plus find a few travel essentials to shop for the short plane ride.

Revamped Kids’ Programming

The oceanfront suite with plunge pool at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.

Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

Ocean-view suites with plunge pools are an ideal lodging for families, centrally located right near the lobby, restaurants and family pool on the property, which sprawls across 52 acres. (Across the resort, newly renovated lodgings include casita-style guestrooms, private villas, and beach homes — all ideal for families of various sizes traveling together.)

On check-in, expect surprises like bath sponges arranged to spell out kids’ names alongside tear-free bath amenities, and personalized passports to record the highlights of their visit.

The Four Seasons brand’s kids club, called Kids for All Seasons, has arguably the best programming and staff of any resort kids club in the world. Even by those standards, Punta Mita stands out: It has recently launched its new KidsWell program, offering activities focused on overall wellness, relaxation and self-care for kids. Think sound healing workshops, bubble-blowing breathwork and gratitude journaling (all very on-brand for Hollywood types).

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita’s KidsWell program.

Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

Kids can make Mexican chocolate in the on-site cultural center, or enjoy a private piñata party on the beach for some kid-friendly cultural infusion.

The kids club offers programming for kids aged 5 through 12 (with a structured activity lineup and an organized system for checking in and out), and an additional game room is designed for teens to visit unattended.

It’s a sprawling space outfitted with air hockey, ping pong, coin-free vintage arcade games, modern gaming systems and even a dark theater. And it’s located right off two of the main restaurants (including the beachfront Bahía by chef Richard Sandoval). So the kids can conveniently vanish after inhaling their meals, leaving their parents in peace, instead of whining all the way through a coursed meal.

Bahía by Richard Sandoval at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

The property’s lazy river has recently reopened after closure for a full revamp. It’s the sophisticate’s lazy river, meandering through a manicured jungle … with a full bar. It’s a winner for all ages.

Overall, Four Seasons Punta Mita is a place where conditions support a family vacation that suits everyone — not just the kids to the exclusion of the adults. It’s a place that will keep you dreaming about coming back throughout the seasons of family life — and an easy getaway accessible by way of a short, direct flight from LAX.

Special Occasion Travel

Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

For special occasions (such as birthdays and anniversaries), expect the A-list treatment: think cupcakes and a sparkler on a platter emblazoned with your name in chocolate, or a torch-lit dinner on the beach with a happy birthday message scrawled lovingly in the raked sand. Upon returning to your room, your bed might be festooned with balloons spelling out “feliz cumpleaños” for you to discover.

What to Bring on Vacation to Punta Mita, Mexico

Four Seasons Punta Mita Review: What to Expect and Bring on Vacation

Cuyana Packable Ecuador Hat

A chic packable chapeau — such as Cuyana’s suitcase-friendly Ecuador hat — saves space and your skin under the sun.

M. Gemi x Cosabella The Matilde Tan Leather Sandals

Comfortable walking shoes are also a must-have for summer beach getaways. These stylish Italian leather Matilde sandals from M. Gemi’s new collaboration with Cosabella boast a comfy molded footbed and a lightweight sole to make your feet feel like they’re floating all vacation long. (The footwear brand has been worn by model mom Gigi Hadid and other stars.)

Jisulife Handheld Mini Fan

When there’s not enough beach breeze, keep cool with a handheld mini fan. This three-in-one device by Jisulife is less than five inches high and weighs four ounces. It spins for up to 21 hours on a single charge, and you can even use it as an external backup power bank to charge your phone in a pinch. Another bonus: It’s got a built-in flashlight for when you need to dig through your bottomless bag on the plane.