Onsite Review: Iberostar Selection Playa Mita—Something for Everyone

LOBBYIberostar Selection Playa Mita—Something for EveryoneBy Lydia GregoryMexico’s Riviera Nayarit is known for its lush coastline and splendid beaches—and the Iberostar Selection Playa Mita is an ideal showcase for both. “I believe our location is one of our biggest selling points,” says Daniel Llinas, GM for the resort. “You have the view and the perfect location for sunsets, we have the mountains next to the hotel, and we’re surrounded by Pueblos Magicos, or Magical Towns [including] Sayulita.” And it’s this location and the indigenous Wixarika, or Huichol, culture that’s giving the resort a new sense of place, what Llinas calls “storytelling,” a new initiative for the brand. The first clue I saw of Iberostar’s commitment to local culture was hard to miss: A gigantic jaguar head covered in hundreds of thousands of colorful glass beads—a signature of the Wixarika art—that has graced the lobby since the resort’s opening. It served as the touch point for the cultural references that now permeate everything from the names of the buildings (Blue Deer, Jaguar and Cora) to the hotel’s main bar, the Wirikuta Sunset Bar overlooking the beach, which at press time was preparing to undergo a colorful reimagining. If your clients have been here before—and Llinas mentions repeat customers were many—they’ll now find new surprises. “We’re working every day on new ideas on how to emphasize the local culture. We have new services—the cigar bar is now El Agave Mezcaleria with mescal and tequila tastings, and little details like local artisans who teach guests how to make traditional beaded bracelets and our welcome drink made with local ingredients.” My Premium Garden View room was comfortable, and it was high enough that I could see a sliver of the ocean beyond the pool area from my furnished balcony. Not that I spent much time in it—there was too much to do at the Iberostar, a brand hallmark. This is definitely a resort that will appeal to just about anyone on your client list, from families with any age of kids to multi-gen groups to couples. Come HungryThe resort has six restaurants (a la carte and buffet) and seven bars—menus include plenty of more straightforward options for kids. I particularly enjoyed my evening around the teppanyaki table at the Tsuba Asian restaurant, where dinner was the show. Your clients will also want to try the specialty Wixarika menu offered at Pacific Express, a 7-course meal with wine-pairing and, as Llinas explains, a storytelling accompaniment. It’s not part of the all-inclusive package, though well worth the extra expense. Note: Remind clients to make reservations at their restaurant of choice before five, an easy thing to do on the Iberostar Hotels & Resorts app.ROOMSomething for EveryoneThere really is something for everyone at the Iberostar Playa Mita, whether it’s playing volleyball in the pool or taking a full-moon yoga class, enjoying the Sunset Circus with its Wixarika spin, listening to the mariachi by the lake or dancing the night away in the nightclub. There’s a fun water park for the kids; a giant, 2-tier pool with a swim-up bar and wading area; a wellness offer that includes a fitness room, yoga, aqua fit, Zumba classes and a full-service spa; and access to the Litibu Golf Club. Tours to nearby towns like Sayulita and San Pancho can be organized with the onsite TB Tours desk (shout-out to guide Jose Aviles). Looking for more adventure? Try an early-morning hike up Monkey Mountain to see the sunrise.POOL BARDestination RomanceCouples will love that the hotel has its own Romance Team, which Romance Concierge Victor Delgadillo tells us is primed and ready to make their proposal, wedding, renewal, or any other romantic dreams come true. They can also request a Wixarika ceremony to make it even more special. “We’re wedding designers—for whatever the couple dreams up,” says Delgadillo. The resort has hosted weddings of up to 400 people and has several venues, though the gazebo overlooking the ocean and the Sunset Terrace are hands down the most popular ones. “You get the perfect sunset view, it’s a 180º view of the ocean and you’re up on the fifth level,” he says. He adds whale season is from November through March, and whales have been known to breach in the background during the ceremony. Delgadillo also stresses it’s the ideal destination wedding setting, as the entire wedding party and guest list can stay on-property, and they can arrange different activities for all ages, from dart tournaments to cooking classes to wine-tasting and more during the “wedding week.”Wave of Change“One of our huge selling points is our current Wave of Change program,” shares Llinas. “We believe deeply in responsible tourism. In 2020 we became the first hotel to eliminate single-use plastics and by 2025 we want to become a Zero Waste property. By 2030 we want to be carbon neutral.” You’ll find reusable glass bottles in the rooms and water stations on every floor, and no plastic bottles or bags in the trash bins. Iberostar currently has coral farming projects in other properties along with other programs to help the oceans, and by 2025 they plan on having 100 percent of their fish and seafood be traceable and certified.WEDDING VENUEComing UpAccording to Llinas, Iberostar Playa Mita will receive room upgrades next year; plus, as of press time, they were brainstorming on projects to implement a Fit and Fun program and expand the water park, among other things. They are also looking to improve the Horizons loyalty program, which he says is still in the works. This summer, the company will break ground next door on a Grand Collection hotel, their luxury adults-only segment, which will have 305 rooms and is looking to open by the end of 2025. Contact InformationIberostar Hotels & Resorts: iberostarpro.com/en/agency_sessions/new

COVERDISNEY CRUISE LINETable of ContentsEditor's NotesSANDALSSANDALS SPREADAdvisor Speak: Peer Advice — Selling Destination WeddingsTURKISH AIRLINESIndustry Insights: The Caribbean is on a RollHYATT INCLUSIVE COLLECTIONPALLADIUM SPREADCaribbean/Mexico: Endless Love—Sun, Sand & RomanceCaribbean/Mexico: "Destination I Do"SANDALS SCLA COLECCION SCLA COLECCION ADSAINT LUCIA SCSAINT LUCIA ADOnsite Review: Iberostar Selection Playa Mita—Something for EveryoneOnsite Review: Hyatt Ziva & Zilara—The Two Faces of Hyatt in the Mexican CaribbeanSouth Pacific: Tahiti — New Air & Land Booking OptionsCruise: Sail Away—Cruise Lines Celebrate LoveVIRGIN VOYAGES SCVIRGIN VOYAGES ADOnboard Review: MSC Meraviglia RelocatesRECOMMEND EDU HOUSE AD