The Gold List 2026: Best Hotels and Resorts | Condé Nast Traveler

"It isn’t the prime beachfront location that sets the adults-only Naviva apart from the dozen of other high-end stays that pepper Mexico’s Pacific-fronting Punta Mita peninsula (45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta), although it certainly has one of the area’s loveliest arcs of golden sand. Nor is it the property’s beautifully designed tented bungalows (each is over 1,200 square feet and has an ocean-facing deck). Rather, it’s the less concrete but equally important vibe of the place: deeply, marvelously relaxing. This is in part due to the all-inclusive nature of Naviva, which means you’re not thinking about the cost of that second paloma or how much to tip the bellhop; it’s remarkable how much deeper you can sink into vacation mode when you get rid of these micro-transactions. The resort’s petite size, just 15 tented bungalows surrounded by 48 forested acres, equals lots of privacy. The absence of typical hotel conceits also adds to the pulse-lowering atmosphere. There’s no formal spa, but two private freestanding treatment pods with outdoor soaking tubs, and the restaurant has no fixed hours or set menu: The chef recommends a few dishes, but if you want something else and they have the ingredients, they’ll make it happen. This is next-level luxury indeed. From $4,500." - CNT Editors