Iberostar's newest property in Mexico and the Caribbean is Playa Mita, which is 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta and provides plenty of reasons for its guests to cheer.
For its first foothold on the Riviera Nayarit, the Spain-based Iberostar has crafted an all-inclusive destination equally appealing for couples and families.
Walking through the airy lobby with its lush plants and views of the Pacific Ocean, I felt I had entered a world of sedate luxury. Down a flowered path was the kids' water playground, all rainbow-colored apparatuses. That was followed by the resort's vast, comma-shaped pool, where the exuberant staff coaxed their 20-something guests into salsa lessons and alcohol-fueled games of trivia. Playa Mita delivers the goods for a spectrum of vacationers.
Iberostar was founded in 1986 and is still run by the Fluxa family. The company prides itself on value and service as well as fine cuisine, which was a highlight of Playa Mita.
Among the four restaurant choices, my two favorites were the Japanese restaurant, which featured magician-like choppers lighting up flaming tableside entrees, and the steak house, with its sunset view of the Pacific. I had to be dragged from Playa Mita's breakfast buffet, which was an impediment to getting my money's worth elsewhere.
Nonstop activities temporarily distract from the food, if not the drinks, which are offered at strategically placed bars and by wandering poolside waitresses. The activities are either in or near the pool and include everything from water aerobics, scuba lessons and pingpong contests to yoga classes and bingo. A small but pleasant spa and an exercise room are available for those who want to pump iron or be pampered. There's a different show every night in the big theater, all PG-rated.
For those who are adventurous or just want a change of scenery, Playa Mita offers a wealth of activities that are nearby and can be arranged at the concierge desk. Our whale-watching trip was canceled because El Nino had warmed the waters, but there were plenty of other excursions to islands for snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking.
Adrenaline junkies can try the jungle zipline, rappel cliffs or tear around on all-terrain vehicles. The zipline ranch also offers a horseback ride through remote terrain with a stop at a town for a beer. Don't miss the trip to Sayulita, a bustling seaside town that's like a Northern California throwback with shops, cafes and markets lining its cozy streets. It's also a surfing mecca, and the large, lively beach features a surf school that gets even aging beginners (that would be me) out in the waves and hanging 10.
I'm not a golfer, so I can't testify to the merits of the course that abuts the resort, except to say that it's designed by former PGA pro Greg Norman and looked picturesque between the blue Pacific and the ghostly purple mountains.
Nearly all 452 rooms at Playa Mita are identical. Each features a private balcony and ocean views. For an upgrade, consider a junior oceanside suite that comes with concierge services. For more information, go to www.iberostar.com.