Mexico — open for US travelers

Four Seasons Punta Mita — reopens July 1 (c) 2020 by David Ourisman, all right reserved

Yes, you can fly to Mexico! There has been confusion about the border closure between the US and Mexico; it applies to the land border only. While you cannot DRIVE to Mexico today, you can definitely FLY! Here are the facts:

• U.S. travelers can fly to Mexico without any issues.
• Cabo and the Riviera Maya are open, and airlines are adding flights.
• Visitors do not need to quarantine.

Take a look at this handy website from Classic Vacations for information about popular domestic and international vacation destinations. What's open? What's still closed? When will your favorite resort reopen? What travel restrictions exist, if any?

Some highlighted openings... Each resort listed below is open today and offers Virtuoso amenities: free breakfasts, resort credits, and more. As an added value, Classic Vacations offers cancel-for-any-reason insurance at no extra cost, giving you the flexibility to cancel for a full refund up to 8 days before arrival.

Mexico - Riviera Maya
   Andaz Mayakoba
   Banyan Tree Mayakoba
   Grand Velas Riviera Maya - all inclusive
   Hotel Esencia
   Rosewood Mayakoba

Mexico - Los Cabos
   Montage Los Cabos
   Chileno Bay
   Esperanza
   Grand Velas Los Cabos - all inclusive

United States
   Andaz Scottsdale
   Calistoga Ranch, Napa Valley
   Farmhouse Inn, Sonoma County
   Park Hyatt Beaver Creek
   Solage, Napa County

copyright (c) 2020 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

choose a luxury beach resort in Mexico

pool at Four Seasons Punta Mita (c) 2017 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Winter is upon us with short days and cold weather throughout the northern United States and Canada. If you're like many people, thinking about a luxurious winter vacation. consider sunny Mexico with its warm weather and blue skies.

Where to stay? Whether you have a family vacation or a romantic getaway in mind, Mexico is blessed with luxurious resorts at great prices. My advice: forget those cheezy all-inclusives. Though it may seem like you're getting a lot for your money, what will you do when the "free" meals (that you've already paid for) turn out to be mediocre and boring?

We work with two dozen truly luxurious resorts in Mexico, and we can get you outstanding values at each of them. At the same price you'd normally pay when you book through a hotel website, we provide value-added Virtuoso amenities — free breakfast for two each day, resort credits, upgrades when available, and often special promotions. Click this link to see the top 24 Mexican beach resorts in my collection. You can even book many of them through the Virtuoso website to score the Virtuoso perks.

Picture yourself in this serene pool at Four Seasons Punta Mita, enjoying the clear blue skies and relaxing in the warm sun ... while your kids are making friends on the beach. Then send us your request or make the booking yourself on Virtuoso.com — here's how! Either way, we will follow up directly with the resort to VIP your stay.

copyright (c) 2017 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Sayulita | cute Mexican seaside town

the beach at Sayulita (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

So you're enjoying the beach at Four Seasons Punta Mita (or St Regis Punta Mita), and you want a to enjoy the local sights and some authentic Mexican culture. Consider a day trip to Sayulita, a cute little town with cobblestone streets right by the sea. Lots of options await you...

You can learn how to surf or stand up paddle board. While we were there, we watched a Stand Up Paddle Board race in the ocean right off the beach — an Olympic sport.

We had lunch at Don Pedro's beachfront restaurant. Our group had the entire second floor of the open air restaurant where we enjoyed good food and the relaxing view shown above.

shop manager at Artefakto (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Or there's retail therapy. Sayulita is filled with small, locally owned offering local arts and crafts (as well as the usual tourist kitsch, if you're looking for souvenirs or small gifts for friends back home). The gentleman pictured above is the shop manager of Artefakto, a small gallery on a side street off the main road through the center of town.

Staying in Punta Mita? Be sure to contact us to learn about the exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner added-value amenities we can offer you at the Four Seasons ... or the Virtuoso added-value amenities at the St Regis. We can save you hundreds of dollars on a typical stay at these resorts.

copyright (c) 2016 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

a warm place in the sun this winter!

Winter is coming, and while lots of folks LOVE snow sports, I always got depressed when I lived in the mid-Atlantic states and winter started to D-R-A-G. Nothing like flying south to enjoy a warm place in the sun, playing golf or tennis, walking the beach, or just sitting by the edge of the pool reading a novel on your iPhone.

There's a warm place in the sun for you this winter at Four Seasons Punta Mita, on the west coast of Mexico, only 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. One of the most fabulous beach resorts I've ever visited, there are two large beaches (one for active beachgoers and the others who want to soak in some peace and quiet sitting in the shade of the palm trees.

And as a Four Seasons Preferred Partner travel consultant, we can provide added value to your stay at FS Punta Mita (or at any Four Seasons in the world). While contractural obligations prevent me from publishing the amenities online, suffice it to say that you will pay the same price you see online but save literally hundreds of dollars from the free add-ons that we can get you. Just drop me a line, and I'll send you all the details of the FS Preferred Partner program.

copyright (c) 2015 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

FS Punta Mita | as nice a beach as you'll ever find

selfie taken during a morning beach walk at FS Punta Mita

I'm still remembering my three days at the Four Seasons Punta Mita, especially this morning walk down the beach with Claire. Four Seasons was running a "selfie" contest for the best selfie taken by the Preferred Partner agents on the trip, and this was my entry. Didn't win, but while it stretches the usual definition of the genre, I believe (1) it is a selfie and (2) it actually has some photographic merit. 

Double-click on the picture to see the grains of soft sand on this wide beach. And did I mention that the water was as blue, warm, and inviting as it could possibly have been?

Best time to visit? I am told the best weather in Punta Mita is from November to April. You're out of the rainy season and the water is an incredible shade of blue… Located at the same latitude as Hawaii, you can see whales off the Mexican coast at the same times of the year that you can see them in Hawaii.

Fans of Four Seasons will be very comfortable at FS Punta Mita. Rooms are large, comfortable, with everything that you'd expect: King beds with Queen-size pull-out sofa beds (the room can easily accommodate a family of 4), marble bathrooms with dual vanities, separate tub and step-in shower, and WC. Preferred Partner amenities provide guests with extra value: free daily breakfast from the sumptuous buffet, a $100 food and beverage credit that should get you a free lunch for two, and room upgrade if available, as well as any promotions such as Third Night Free or Resort Credit rates. Contact your Four Seasons Preferred Partner travel consultant to take advantage.

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Four Seasons Punta Mita | Early Bird Special

Four Seasons Punta Mita just sent out this email blast. Although anyone can take advantage of the 15% discount, only guests who book through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner travel consultant will also receive the following added-value amenities, all at the same nightly rate you'll find online.

• Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
• Lunch for two once during stay (up to USD85, excluding gratuity and alcohol)
• Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas)
• Complimentary high-speed Internet access for all suite bookings

Rates begin at just $455 per night plus tax in a Garden View Casita. Guests come to the Four Seasons Punta Mita for the warm sun, the beautiful crescent beach, and the complimentary all-day Kids for All Seasons program. Kids age 4 and under eat free in the restaurant.


Four Seasons Punta Mita (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2012 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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FS Punta Mita | best all-inclusive in Mexico

Four Seasons Punta Mita is a luxurious Four Seasons resort on Mexico's Pacific coast, near Puerto Vallarta. The resort has announced a limited time offer for bookings through October 17. Guests at FS Punta Mita will can enjoy three meals daily, all included with the price of your room, when booked under the all inclusive rate. Dine at any of seven restaurants and bars, or in the privacy of your casita. Parking and internet are also included, as is access to all non-motorized water sports.

Traveling with your kids? Book a second room at 50% off. Kids under 5 eat free, and kids from 5 to 12 receive a 50% discount from the Kids Menu ... as well as the complimentary Kids for All Seasons program.

Confirmed upgrade. Virtuoso guests also receive a confirmed upgrade at the time of booking. With room rates beginning at just $495 in September and $590 in October plus tax and service, you'll be upgraded to at least an Oceanview Casita. There are a few restrictions on meals: Fresh lobster and dishes with lobster, caviars, romantic dinners, Golf Club restaurant and Golf beverage cart, alcoholic beverages, minibar, and specialty waters and not included in the all-inclusive rate.

FS Punta Mita (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2011 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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$167 per night at Four Seasons Punta Mita

Four Seasons Punta Mita has just announced two special promotions. Book a Garden view Casita at $415 + tax per night and receive a $150 resort credit per night that can be applied to your room charge. As rates begin at just $415 + tax per night for a Garden View Casita, you'll spend just $265 + tax per night for the legendary luxury and service for which Four Seasons is renowned.

And to sweeten the deal even more, my clients receive the following Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities:

• a free daily Full American Breakfast for two through in-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
• one lunch for two during your stay (up to $85 value)
• a one-category upgrade, if available at time of check-in

Add in the value of the free meals, and your net cost comes to just $167 per night. This is an incomparable value for a summer vacation at Four Seasons Punta Mita, one of the world's most most special resorts. (Or, for higher priced rooms, you might compare the value of the Third Night Free promotion, available if you book by June 25).

Click here to request complete information with no obligation. A two night deposit of room + tax is required at time of booking, completely refundable if cancelled outside the 30 day deadline.


Four Seasons Punta Mita (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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the most incredible luxury vacation value

There are beach vacations... and there is Four Seasons Punta Mita, one of the world's most luxurious beach and golf resorts. Located just 25 miles from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, the area features 9 miles of pristine white sand beaches and lava rock formations. With just 173 guest rooms nestled among 26 acres of lush tropical grounds, you will never feel crowded. And once you luxuriate in one of Four Seasons' spacious guestrooms and enjoy a fabulous night's sleep on their exclusive custom designed mattresses, you'll be spoiled for life!

Relax on the beach or enjoy activities ranging from golf on the Jack Nicklaus designed championship course, tennis, scuba diving, surfing, snorkeling ... even romantic horseback rides on the beach. Children can participate in the Kids Program which is included in your package.

This incredible deal is available until December 21st .. and not likely ever to be seen again.

1. Rates begin at just $415 + tax for a spacious 645 square foot Garden Casita.


2. For every four consecutive nights you book, you will receive a resort credit of $1,234 that can be applied to your room bill or other charges.


3. When booking through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, you will also receive complimentary full breakfast for two daily, an upgrade to the next room category if available at check-in, and a $100 golf credit.

Do the math: Four nights with tax will cost about $875 with breakfast included. Eight nights will cost about $1750 with breakfast included. You're spending less than $220 per day to vacation at one of Four Seasons most renowned beach resorts.

Contact a Four Seasons Preferred Partner travel consultant for a complimentary booking.


Four Seasons Punta Mita (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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Four Seasons Punta Mita | incredible package

Four Seasons Punta Mita is a fabulous beach and golf resort on the west coast of Mexico, just 40 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. An intimate resort with just 140 rooms and suites, guests are accommodated in quaint, clay-roofed Mexican-style casitas. Most suites also feature private plunge pools. With a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, tennis center, infinity-edge swimming pool and a "lazy river" pool, and coral reef snorkeling, there will be plenty to keep you engaged — unless you prefer simply to play or walk on the beautiful beach or indulge yourself at the Spa. Offering a Children's Program, Four Seasons Punta Mita is a great family destination resort.

An incredible Ultimate Inclusions package offers significant savings. At the regularly rack rate (as low as $415 nightly in the summer season), guests receive the following inclusions with a 7-night stay:

• Round-trip airport transportation
  
• Three dinners for two at any resort restaurant (beverages not included)
  
• $200 SPA credit per room

You can receive additional amenities including daily continental breakfast for two and a room upgrade upon check-in if available — for no additional cost. Ask me for more information.


Four Seasons Punta Mita (search here on Google)

Package subject to availability at time of booking with blackout dates: Feb. 11-19, April 2-10, Nov. 19-27.

copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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