Why Naviva, Four Seasons’ Adults-Only And All-Inclusive…

As my car pulled up to the entrance of Naviva, I spotted a small group waiting. Exhausted from being in transit for 14 hours and not getting a wink of sleep, I was happy to friendly faces, but not feeling chatty. Thankfully, the resort’s general manager Ronny Fernández was more than gracious. Instead of giving me the usual polite Four Seasons welcome of the property’s layout and amenities, he whisked me through a striking cocoon-like, bamboo-wrapped bridge to where I’d be spending the next three nights, Tent 8.

Opened December 1, Naviva is an adults-only, all-inclusive tented resort by Four Seasons spread across 48 remote, lush acres in Punta Mita. Though it’s been touted as an over-the-top glamping experience with world-class service you expect from the hospitality brand, there’s far more to Naviva than meets the eye.

Chances are, you’ve never seen tents like this. Sublime examples of biophilic design—a practice that fosters human connections to the natural world—the 15 tents envisioned by sustainable hospitality design specialists Luxury Frontiers blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors with elements nodding to nature and local heritage. They’re kitted out with everything you need to unplug and immerse yourself in the breathaking surroundings, from private plunge pools to hammocks for impromptu naps—all made with natural and organic materials for a warm, luxe vibe. The spacious bathrooms are tranquil sanctuaries in their own right with deep soaking tubs, showers with skylights, and vessel sinks fashioned from salvaged stone. I appreciated how even the smallest details, like Rayito de Luna’s sustainably-made bar soaps and locally grown coffee beans, were thoughtfully considered.

Unlike other resorts where you feel pressured to schedule everything far in advance, Naviva encourages you to move at your own leisurely pace. Reservations aren’t required for anything, even meals at the resort’s open-air restaurant and lounge Copal Cocina. Drop in whenever you please, and see what chef Sofia Barrera and her incredibly cheerful team are cooking up. (There’s always fresh fish available—which the kitchen can cook in the wood-fired grill or serve raw in ceviche—a plus in my book.)

But if you’re not up for what they’re preparing, feel free to request something else. On my last night, for example, I wasn’t up for carnitas. (I had pizza, per usual, on my mind.) A short while later, a piping hot, thin-crust pie layered with super-savory sauce and gobs of melted cheese arrived. The bar is just as flexible and accommodating, and willing to pour anything you’d like to try—it’s where I discovered the exquisite Rey Sol Anejo—or shake up an off-the-cuff cocktail to your liking.

Based on your interests, Naviva offers a range of activities covered by its all-inclusive pricing, including a 60-minute spa treatment of your choice, Divine Polarity Hatha Yoga, Reiki Healing, and Seacuterie. For an additional cost, you can sweat it out (emotionally and physically) at the resort’s House of Heat temazcal or take self-care to the next level with the five-hour Refuge Retreat—which includes a full-body cleansing ritual, mud massage, gemstone facial, outdoor shower, soak in a deep wooden tub, and nourishing lunch—performed in one of two cozy spa pods.

But the best part of Naviva is the peace and solitude. I’ve gotten so accustomed to the never-ending urban soundtrack at my Brooklyn apartment I nearly forgot how blissful complete silence is. And though I was friendly with the few other guests—Naviva caps out at 30 guests for privacy and exclusivity—when I saw them at Copal, I spent most of my time in my tent. Sure, I could have hit up the private beach, hiked a trail, or dipped into Selva Pool at some point, but didn’t feel like it. My tent had everything I need to connect with nature, and more importantly, myself.