Nature goes nextlevel

FOUR SEASONS NAVIVA OFFERS A LUXURIOUSLY SUSTAINABLE WAY TO COMMUNE WITH NATURE IN PUNTA MITA, MEXICO

BY KELLY VENCILL SANCHEZ

THERE’S CAMPING, there’s glamping, and then there’s Naviva, the new Four Seasons resort in Punta Mita, Mexico. The all-inclusive, adults-only property, which opened in December 2022, o ers guests a one-of-a-kind experience in luxury tents on 48 forested acres overlooking the Bahía de Banderas.

Drawing inspiration from the site, Luxury Frontiers took a biophilic approach to designing Naviva, ensuring that guests are immersed in nature from the moment they arrive. Once on the property, they cross a cocoon-like pedestrian bridge crafted of woven bamboo and timber and trimmed with copper shingles. Curving stone paths lead to Copal, the resort’s central indoor-outdoor gathering space, restaurant, and bar.

“All building forms, interior designs, and guest narratives can be tied back to a form or natural phenomenon found in the surrounding context, thus creating a design concept that is fully derived from nature,” says Graeme Labe, Luxury Frontiers’ head of design and development.

The connection to nature continues in Naviva’s 15 standalone guest suites, which range in size from 1,250 to 1,700 square feet. Each features an airy living room with roll-up canvas panels

Guests along with an air-conditioned bedroom and a bathroom whose walls are finished by hand in environmentallyfriendly, lime-based tadelakt. And each “tent” has a private deck outfitted with a plunge pool and an outdoor shower.

Tapping into local traditions was key to Naviva’s design says senior interior designer Idalina Silva Grech-Cumbo, who collaborated with area firms to fabricate everything from the vanities to the chaises. “This not only supported local businesses but also gave us insight into local traditions and materials used in Mexican culture,” she says. The design team also incorporated pieces from Onora Casa and Rasttro and artwork by Emma Boomkamp.

The daily activities menu invites guests to look inward with yoga and meditation sessions and Shamanic sound healing. They can take a dip in the main pool, which is actually three connected pools, each on its own level, or head down to Naviva’s private beach. There’s even a traditional temazcal, or sweat lodge, and two spa pods, each with a private garden, outdoor shower, and timber soaking tub.

Enjoy incredible views while luxuriating in the deep soaking tub

Emphasizing the ”unscripted” experience at Naviva, on any given day there may be classes in smallbatch Mexican spirits or street corn tasting, as well as hiking and shore fishing. That individualized approach is reflected in the resort’s dining options. Whether guests opt for meals in their tents or at Copal, there are no set menus. Instead, the sta o ers customized suggestions based on each guest’s mood, preferences, and dietary restrictions.

With an eye to sustainability, Naviva, which describes itself as a “zero-plastics” property, relies largely on solar power, while rainwater is channeled to on-site water treatment plants. Clean water is also extracted from the air using hydropanels from SOURCE, the world’s first renewable drinking water system. With rates starting at $3,950 a night, such luxury doesn’t come cheap. But it includes all meals and drinks, some activities, and a complimentary spa treatment. And Naviva guests also have full access to the neighboring Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, its 10 restaurants and bars, three pools, two golf courses, and two beaches. fourseasons.com/naviva ■