In this second “Postcard from Mexico,” I would like to share news of the opening on the Conrad Punta Mita on September 1, 2020, the first Conrad branded property in Mexico. The hotel is gorgeous and impressive and the lengths to which the management has gone to ensure a safe and clean experience for guests during COVID-19 times is commendable, especially considering that under Nayarit State law they are only allowed fifty percent occupancy.
All guests greeted at the entrance to the hotel must have their temperatures checked and use hand sanitizer. Both guests and staff must wear face masks (cobre bocas) and practise social distancing in all indoor public areas.
“Opening a hotel is always exciting but opening during a pandemic took our resilience to a whole new level,” says Monica Gonazalez, Director of Sales and Marketing. “We believe that there are silver linings in every situation — and our dream team at Conrad Punta de Mita stepped up to the challenge!”
Housekeeping room protocol begins with the team removing all used items from the room such as bedding and towels. Next, the team performs a full cleaning of the room and bathroom including vacuuming the carpet, mopping floors and wiping down all surfaces with hospital-grade cleaners.
Then, using products from Lysol, Dettol, Sagrotan, or Napisan, they do an additional disinfecting step for several surfaces in the room, including: all switches and electronic controls, handles and knobs, major bathroom surfaces and the remote control.
After the room is thoroughly cleaned, they replace the towels and make up the bed with freshly laundered linens. Finally, the housekeeping inspector verifies the room meets the CleanStay standards and places the Hilton CleanStay Room Seal with Lysol protection over the door.
Disinfecting stations with wipes and hand sanitizer are available throughout the resort. Additionally, both public and staff areas are cleaned at scheduled intervals, including hourly maintenance of high-touch areas such as elevators and bathrooms.
Changes to hotel restaurant service include the spacing of tables and chairs to promote proper physical distancing between guests. Biodegradable, disposable dishware and flatware are available upon request. Grab & Go, pre-plated and individually portioned options are offered as alternatives to open breakfast and buffet service. Where in-room dining is provided, contactless deliveries replace rolling cart deliveries. Bar codes on each table allow guests to scan the menus, thus avoiding hand contact with paper menus.
The property is offering a Stay Longer & Work from Paradise package for travelers seeking an extended stay to take their work remotely. Perks include one twenty percent off F&B, premium Wi-Fi and flexible cancellations.
For families with virtual schooling kids in tow, the Learn from Paradise extension package offers younger travellers the opportunity to study authentic Mexican culture and explore Riviera Nayarit’s lush landscapes. Among some of the highlights are an arts and crafts activity to create the ancient symbol God’s Eye, Spanish classes, traditional Mexican cooking lessons, nature walks, and complimentary use of the resort’s Kids Club. Additionally, the resort can help connect parents with local tutors that can be hired directly to support children with virtual schooling curriculums. Technical support for both remote workers and learners is also readily available.
Located on a long stretch of white sandy beach, the Conrad Punta Mita has three swimming pools, three restaurants and four bars with all sorts of unique tasting experiences. The indoor/outdoor spa offers all sorts of treatments and the opportunity to detoxify in a traditional temazcal sweat lodge.
The hotel conveniently located minutes from Litibu golf course. Litibu, one of the Mexican government’s Fonatur projects, the first of which was Cancun, means “song of the birds” in the language of the local Huichol Indians. With luck, you will be able to chirp about a few birdies on this spectacularly challenging tract that meanders over jungle, mountain and oceanside fairways.
The folks at Litibu are also following strict COVID-19 procedures. Only one person is allowed in the golf shop at a time and must wear a mask. All staff wear masks. Carts are disinfected after each use and because the number of players is diminished, one can ask for a cart of one’s own or request a cart with a plastic divider down the middle. Litibu offers swingers over 65 years of age a rate of approximately $75 per round including cart and use of practise range. There are no rakes to handle and holes are outfitted with foam “donuts” so you don’t touch the flagstick.
And when it’s time to leave? In response to new CDC testing requirements for international travelers entering the Canada and the United States, Conrad Punta de Mita has partnered with a third-party healthcare provider to administer PCR and Antigen COVID-19 tests for all guests, available daily at the resort. The cost of the PCR test is US $185 and US $65 for Antigen tests. Test results are available via e-mail or hard copy within 24 hours for PCR tests and within 30 minutes for the Antigen test. Any guest who experiences a positive test result will be allowed to quarantine at Conrad Punta de Mita, where special accommodations, discounted room and F&B rates will be offered.
