Iberostar Selection Playa Mita

There always seems to be something going on at Iberostar Playa Mita. Much of life centers around the huge pool, where the swim-up bar is generally bustling with adults enjoying the all-inclusive drinks while kids play at the other end. A pool set off to the side has a near-constant water volleyball game going, while a nearby platform is the base for a packed schedule of free activities, with Zumba classes one minute and TRX classes the next. Despite all the activity, the atmosphere is entirely laid back, with guests just looking to have a good time and make the most of their beach vacation.

One of the upsides of the sprawling property is that it’s easy to get away from all the activity when guests want some peace and quiet. The grounds are lush and beautiful, and the resort makes a concerted effort to add local touches that give the property more personality than some mega-resorts manage to pull off. The huge lobby is filled with fun artificial cacti and a huge beaded Mexican lion head looks down from above the front desk. For guests who want to take advantage of everything an all-inclusive has to offer, with a touch of local charm to boot, Iberostar Playa Mita is a great option.

About an hour northwest of central Puerto Vallarta, a lovely and lush peninsula juts out into the Pacific Ocean, offering sweeping views and beautiful stretches of beach. Iberostar Playa Mita sits on a vast and gorgeous beach on the northern edge of the peninsula. The world-class Iberostar Litibu Golf Club, designed by Greg Norman, is right next door. Two quaint surf towns are nearby. Punta de Mita is a 10-minute drive away, while the lively Sayulita is a 21-minute drive away. The exclusive gated community of Punta Mita is also 10 minutes away by car. Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport can be reached by car in 45 minutes. It takes about an hour to drive to the center of Puerto Vallarta and all of its shops, restaurants, bars, and attractions.

Small displays of local handicrafts like beaded items and vibrant textiles add welcome pops of color and charm to Iberostar Playa Mita’s upscale rooms, which are otherwise decorated in a highly subdued color palette of light browns and off-white tones. Standard Rooms offer air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and minibars stocked with beer, water, and soda. Closets are equipped with robes, safes, irons, ironing boards, and umbrellas. Marble bathrooms in muted colors offer walk-in showers (no tubs), hairdryers, and a variety of toiletries in hotel-branded pouches. Even Standard Rooms feature comfortable sitting areas and furnished balconies. Units at the entry-level offer garden views. Upgrading buys guests an identical room on a higher floor with a partial view of the ocean in the distance. Standard Ocean Front Rooms are closer to the water with better ocean views.

Junior Suites add small living areas and are situated on the ground floor of buildings close to the beach, featuring private patios with sun loungers and garden views. Ocean Front Junior Suites are on higher floors and have ocean view balconies rather than garden patios. The Iberostar’s top-of-the-line rooms are its Presidential Suites. These grand one-bedroom suites offer almost 2,000 square feet of living space that includes plush living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens. Private terraces feature charming basket swings and sweeping ocean views. They also offer nightly turndown service with aromatherapy scents introduced into the room.

Iberostar Playa Mita offers a wide range of high-end (and mostly all-inclusive) amenities to fill the day. Dining options abound, with five different restaurants to choose from. El Nopal is the resort’s main restaurant, offering huge buffets for all meals. A lunch buffet is also served at La Bahíam, which turns into a high-end steakhouse at night. Other dinner options include Tsuba for Japanese dishes and sushi, Pacific Express for French fare (kids 12 and over only), and El Cuate Pancho, which serves classic Mexican favorites. Dinner reservations are required at all restaurants other than El Nopal. Room service is available 24/7.

There are seven bars on the property. La Duna is right next to the beach, while Sea Soul Lounge is on a huge terrace a few stories up, offering panoramic ocean views. The lively and large Marea Pool Bar sits beside the hotel’s pool. One half is a swim-up bar in the pool, while the other half offers plenty of stools out of the water. Adelita Lobby Bar is a massive space open from morning till night, offering live music and dancing in the evening. The Smoking Lounge is a refined whiskey and cigar bar that opens in the afternoon. Two other bars come to life at night -- La Tabla Discotheque and Litibu Theatre Bar, which is 18 and over and features live performances every night. The 24-hour StarCafe rounds out the eating and drinking picture with coffee drinks and snacks. The hotel’s all-inclusive plan covers all restaurants and bars, though a special wine list comes at an extra cost.

A huge, two-tier, semicircular pool dominates the edge of the property. It’s ringed by tons of sun loungers arranged in rows separated by banks of flowers, though guests might want to claim one as soon as the pool opens, as finding a free seat later in the day can be close to impossible during busy seasons. A small separate pool is used exclusively for water volleyball. Nearby, a kids’ water park features whimsical slides and play areas. There are also kids’ and teens’ clubs, and a babysitting service is available at an extra charge.

The vast beach feels lovely and secluded, with only a few vendors wandering through given the resort’s more remote location. Water sports including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and Jet Skis, and there’s a PADI dive center on-site (fees apply). The beach also features a sand volleyball court that's free to use.

The luxe Spa Sensations offers lovely plunge pools (covered by the all-inclusive rate) and a wide range of massages and wellness treatments (for a fee). A state-of-the-art fitness center features TechnoGym cardio and weight machines. Regular fitness classes are offered (including Zumba, yoga, and TRX) on a platform near the pool area.

The world-class Iberostar Litibu Golf Club is right next door, which guests are welcome to use for an extra cost. An open-air billiard lounge near the lobby offers a collection of beautiful tables under a soaring thatched roof. A covered area with ping-pong tables is located by the pool. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Valet parking is also free.