ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: Climbing along the coast, I was trying to snap pictures of the cool-blue Puerto Vallarta waters outside my car window (I know, it never works) when we started winding along stone walls draped in jungle-like foliage. Annoyed my view was blocked, I looked around to see where we were just as we were parking at Hotel Mousai — I audibly gasped. The all-glass, chic and incredibly grand entrance was so well-secluded, it somehow snuck up on me.

The entrance left little to the imagination as it displayed the entire lobby, straight back to more floor-to-ceiling windows displaying crystal-blue waters — basically a glass mansion. I accepted the fresh green juice with which I was greeted, sipped and promptly walked through the lobby, around human-sized chess pieces, to the concierge desk.

The water- and light-filled floor-to-ceiling window wall to my right was calling me, which a butler noticed as he encouraged me to leave my bags with the concierge to continue checking me in while the butler gave me an impromptu visual tour of the beach, pools and restaurants outside the window. A few minutes later I followed my butler to the elevator and up to my Mousai Corner Suite for a quick tour and a tutorial for the iPad which controls the room’s lights, music, black-out drapes, room service … you name it.

PHOTO: © HOTEL MOUSAI

GUEST QUARTERS: I think my exact words when stepping into my room were, “Oh, my God, no way!” as my butler tried not to laugh and showed me around. I walked by a small seating area and refrigerator to the king-sized bed, facing the first set of sliding doors opening to the balcony. The balcony wrapped around the room, offering a hammock, seating area and Jacuzzi. Back inside through the second set of sliding doors, the bathroom offered a fainting chair (if weariness befalls you while getting ready), dual vanity sinks, a separate dressing vanity, spacious wardrobe housing a safe and plush robes, a walk-in rain shower and separate smart Toto bidet toilet. The bathroom also wrapped around, in a way, offering two entrances. The more than 1,300-square-foot suite flowed so well, you could easily move from one room to the next, outside and back without bumping into anyone or anything.

SERVICES/AMENITIES: My corner suite and all-inclusive package offered more amenities than I had time to enjoy, such as the spa’s rain showers, early-morning kayaking trips and a full calendar of yoga and other group fitness classes. I did make time to head to the gym, which offered panoramic views of land and sea along with state-of-the-art equipment.

Along with all on-site dining, drinks, pools, Bahía de Banderas beach, activities and WiFi, my package included the assistance of an expert butler, who arranged for sunscreen to be delivered to my room. When I wasn’t there, he found me on the rooftop on a lounge chair by the infinity pool — where I spent most of my free time.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

Hands down the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in.

The room’s mini fridge is actually not mini at all, rather a medium-sized refrigerator filled with included beverages and snacks (for the all-inclusive package), refilled daily.

The service was exceptional. Each staff member I encountered was friendly, helpful and incredibly efficient.

Make time for breakfast at The Terrace — the space is like an open-air greenhouse and offers a great selection of menu items.

The rooftop infinity pool fills up, so either get there early or arrange for a reserved seat.

HOTEL MOUSAI
Carretera a Barra de Navidad Km. 7.5
Puerto Vallarta JAL. 48390
Mexico
tel52322176 0738
hotelmousai.com