Six Reasons to go to Secrets Bahia Mita, Surf & Spa Resort

If thinking about getting away from the winter’s cold or otherwise needing a warm, sunny, coastal break, Mexico is often a good option. Here are six reasons why you may wish to book a stay at Secrets Bahia Mita, Surf & Spa Resort located on Banderas Bay, about an hour’s drive from the gateway city of Puerto Vallarta.

1. Seeking a Short Flight for a Get-Away

There are direct, non-stop flights to Puerto Vallarta departing from several major U.S. and Canadian cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Denver, and Houston with service on both American and Delta Airlines, among others. Flight times from these locales are between two and five hours depending on departure city.

While flights are fairly quick, travelers need to be aware that at a minimum it can take at least an hour to exit the airport, even if only sporting carry-on bags. There is immigration and customs of course, but also an additional luggage X-ray scanning that often has a line. Then sadly, one must maneuver the throngs of timeshare salespeople, uniformed to appear as taxi and other transportation representatives, before one can even exit the airport. It’s my great hope – although likely impossible given the economics – that one day Mexican tourism authorities will grasp just how much visitors’ entree into an otherwise lovely Mexican resort city is dampened by this cacophony-like assault, designed by definition to be disingenuous.

2. Seeking an Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resort

For those who love little ones but either not while on holiday or are now empty nesters, an adults-only resort has definite appeal. While adjacent to Secrets is Dreams – which is family-friendly – the two resorts are designed to be and are well-separated, with separate restaurants, pools, beach, and activities. While I did see a few children with their parents strolling around some of Secrets public areas, they were well-behaved and largely seen and not heard.

All-inclusive resorts have the added benefit of not having to search out and decide on off-property restaurants and bars in advance of arrival. Also, knowing one’s outlay for all food and beverages set in advance can be appealing.

There are several adults-only pools, one beach front with a swim-up bar, a “long” pool running nearly the length of the resort, and my favorite, the elevated eighth floor Sky Bar infinity pool that was delightful for viewing the Marietas islands, and watching seasonal humpback whales breaching in the distance, and providing marvelous sunsets for which this region is well-known.

3. Spacious Rooms & Suites

There are 278 modern rooms and suites at Secrets. When I visited the property, it was at 85-percent capacity, but because of the resort’s size, it happily felt more like it was at 50-percent capacity.

I hung my hat in a Preferred Club Junior Ocean View suite located in the Secrets Preferred Club Tower. The open concept suite contained over 500-square feet and  framed in warm-colored tropical wood with oversized gray, ceramic tile floors.

The open concept living area had an extremely comfortable, four-person sofa with an elongated, brown marble-topped coffee table, and an additional, separate, two person, seating area. There was a mini-refrigerator stocked with sodas and Dos Equis beer that was replenished daily.

Adjacent to the living area was a wall of built-in closets, one with drawers that contained a mini-safe. Nearby, a separate built-in, granite-topped makeup table with lighted makeup mirror, doubling as a morning coffee station that housed a Nespresso machine.

The spacious bedroom had a comfortable king size bed and good quality linens. Nightstands were built-in and had plenty of electrical outlets and a 60-inch flatscreen television.

The wall between the bedroom towards the open concept bathroom boasted floor-to-ceiling mirrors. The small dual-vanity bathroom was likewise granite-topped. The open concept walk-in granite slab shower stall I would like to say was large enough for two, but in fact, it was large enough for 10 people, with both European and rain shower heads and had environmentally-friendly Pharmacopia amenities. 

This suite also had a massive, approximately 125-foot balcony, overlooking the adults-only long pool and the ocean in the distance. It was furnished with two mesh loungers, two cushioned chairs, a one-person hanging basket swing and a small cold plunge pool. 

4. You want Sushi, He Wants Italian

Secrets has apparently taken the “variety is the spice of life” adage to heart. There are 13 dining options restauants available at Secrets and six bars so you will never go hungry or be parched. Additionally, Secrets guests have full access to all restaurants and bars at Dreams for even more options.

There is breakfast buffet at World Cafè, or for light eaters, Dolce’s – my favorite spot – akin to Starbucks only providing far better sandwich, salad, bakery options, frozen drinks and gelato. Did I mention the ice cream sundaes and flurries? Fish tacos can be had at Seaside Grill with great guacamole both there and at the Sky Bar. There’s Mediterranean fare at Mezze, and sandwiches and burgers of all imaginable varieties at Tides. If sushi and pan-Asian food float your boat, head to Himitsu – try the eel rolls – or if Italian fare is desired, stroll over to Portofino. For escargot, terrine de foie gras, beef Bourgogne or other French items, there’s Bordeaux.

Though not a big drinker, Secrets’ mixologists were skilled. On different afternoons, I had an excellent jalapeño margarita, a delightful berry-infused Prosecco and a tangy mojito.

5. Exercise is Your Happy Place

Secrets is a resort where you’ll have no problem obtaining your daily step quota. Excluding the several miles daily I covered at the large, well-equipped, state-of-the-art fitness center with TechnoGym treadmills, ellipticals, stair-masters, and other machines, free weights, separate spinning studio with daily classes and an outdoor, Astro-turfed exercise area for daily boot camp and other exercise classes, I routinely clocked an additional 6,000 steps around the resort. Indeed, from my room to the adults-only beach was 2,000 steps.

There are also pickle ball clinics, kayak tours, morning yoga, water aerobics, and beach volleyball. When all that exercise is completed, Secrets Spa is a good minimalist modern respite. There are 20 private treatment rooms and a comprehensive spa menu. There are separate men’s and women’s wet areas with hot and cold plunge pools, sauna, and steam rooms. (The coed wet area was closed for renovations during my visit.)

Golf, deep-sea fishing and other activities and excursions can all be arranged from the hotel concierge.

6. Friendly Mexican Staff

A hallmark of Secrets is plentiful, polite, and friendly staff. Without a doubt, this is one delightful and consistent attribute of Mexican culture that was everpresent here. Every single employee that walked by me during my entire four day stay, from groundsmen to janitors to housekeepers, whether day or night, always had a smile and politely greeted me.

Indeed, one late morning while walking down to the beach with a tall, iced cappuccino in hand, a mixologist standing behind Barracuda bar, smiled, and called out asking if I wanted some Kahlua or Bailey’s to perfect my Morning Joe. Who am I to argue with a professional bartender? I would never, ever do such a thing. I said yes to both and note to self, it was perfect and delicious and may become a routine.

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If seeking an adults-only, all-inclusive Mexican resort, with short, nonstop flights from many major American and Canadian cities, you will want to consider Secrets Bahia Mita, Surf & Spa Resort.

Julie L. Kessler is a journalist, attorney, and the author of the award-winning memoir: “Fifty-Fifty, The Clarity of Hindsight.” Her work has appeared in several major publications around the world, including The LA Times, The SF Examiner, The Asia Times, The Jerusalem Post, The Vancouver Courier, The Daily Journal and The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, among many, many others. She can be reached at Julie@VagabondLawyer.com