Second Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic to Take Place April 12-15, 2012 in Riviera Nayarit

PUNTA MITA, RIVIERA NAYARIT, Mexico (December 14, 2011) – Located within Mexico’s most exclusive beach community along the shores of Riviera Nayarit, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort and Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in conjunction with DINE, the developer of Punta Mita Resort and Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau just announced the second annual Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic. The event marries the sophisticated worlds of culinary excellence and championship golf. After an impressive inaugural event in spring 2011, featuring more than two dozen celebrated chefs, wine and tequila masters, both hotels are pleased to present guests with an exclusive early bird special on this unforgettable weekend journey, April 12-15, 2012.

“Last year, nearly 200 travelers from around the world joined the Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic for an opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture, sport and splendor of the destination,” said Carl Emberson, general manager of The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort and creator of this event. “We are pleased to build upon the success of our inaugural event to further delight guests’ senses and present Punta Mita’s collection of treasures including its stunning natural beauty, its array of private homes, two world class resorts, acclaimed Jack Nicklaus golf courses set along the coast, and talented chefs, winemakers and tequila masters, from Mexico and around the world,” adds Michele Grosso, General Manager of the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.

The Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic will feature gourmet meals and cooking courses taught by distinguished chefs, a series of wine and tequila tastings, festive gatherings at the luxurious St. Regis Punta Mita Resort and Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, and “The Punta Mita Cup,” a two-day golf tournament on Jack Nicklaus’ two signature courses Bahia and Pacifico.

Led by the executive Chefs of both hotels Sylvain Desbois, Executive Chef of The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort and its AAA Five Diamond Carolina restaurant and Philippe Piel, Executive Chef of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita’s four restaurants, a team of guest chefs from around the globe will enchant attendees with their creations while famed sommeliers, tequila masters and winemakers will excite their pallets with pours of some of Mexico’s and world’s finest wines and tequila. Notables already confirmed to participate for the second year include renowned Chefs Richard Sandoval, the father of Modern Mexican Cuisine, from Sandoval Restaurants, featuring 23 Restaurants across USA, Mexico, Dubai & Qatar, famous Chef Michael Mina, with his Bourbon Steak award-winning Michael Mina’s signature steakhouse and popular Minabranded restaurants. Abraham Salum of Salum Restaurant in Dallas; Fernando Trocca, one of Argentina’s most esteemed chefs and executive chef of Gaucho; Brazilian Chef Rodrigo Oliviera from Sao Paulos critically acclaimed Mocoto, Charlie Arturaola of Miami-based Grappolo Blu, considered one of the nation’s top 10 palates by the American Sommelier Association; and Laura Catena, president of Bodega Catena Zapata, author and daughter of Argentina’s most celebrated winemaker, Nicolas Catena.

As a part of the four-day extravaganza, guests will play in the Punta Mita Cup on Friday in a team scramble format on the famous Pacifico Golf Course and on Saturday in a two ball best ball format on the Bahia Golf Course with exciting prizes for the winning team: hole in one, closest to the pin and longest drive. The renowned Pacífico Golf Course, with eight holes directly facing or playing alongside the Pacific Ocean, features the “Tail of the Whale,” our acclaimed par-3 hole and the world’s only natural island green. The Bahía Golf Course, Nicklaus’ second championship course in Punta Mita, has six ocean holes and opened in late 2008 and is sure to test your short game skills.

Taking place April 12 – April 15, the Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic package includes three-nights’ accommodations in the room category of your choice, daily breakfast, roundtrip airport transfers, opening cocktail, guest chef lunches and dinners, wine and tequila tastings, cooking classes, and participation in the Punta Mita Cup and play of Jack Nicklaus’ signature courses. Early bird special rates begin at $1,180 per person for a three night stay based on double occupancy for stays booked by December 31st, 2011.

To book a stay at The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, call 877-250-8871 or contact the Resort via email at puntamita.butler@stregis.com.

To book a stay at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, contact your travel consultant, call the Resort directly tollfree in Mexico at 01 800 290 3776 or toll free in the United States: 01 866 280 9490, write to reservations.pun@fourseasons.com or book on-line at http://www.fourseasons.com/puntamita

Information about Partners:

About Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
As the world’s leading operator of luxury hotels, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts currently manages 86 properties in 35 countries. Open since 1999, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita offers a vacation experience of unlimited variety, and the highly personalized, anticipatory service that Four Seasons guests expect and value around the world. Recent awards and honors include “Most Family Friendly Hotel in Mexico” by Travel and Leisure (September 2011). For more information on Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, visit http://press.fourseasons.com/puntamita.

About Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Four Seasons is dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continual innovation and the highest standards of hospitality. From elegant surroundings of the finest quality, to caring, highly personalized 24-hour service, Four Seasons embodies a true home away from home for those who know and appreciate the best. The deeply instilled Four Seasons culture is personified in its employees – people who share a single focus and are inspired to offer great service. Founded in 1960, Four Seasons has followed a targeted course of expansion, opening hotels and residences in major city centres and desirable resort destinations around the world. Currently with 86 properties in 35 countries, and more than 50 projects under development, Four Seasons continues to lead the hospitality industry with innovative enhancements, making business travel easier and leisure travel more rewarding. For more information on Four Seasons, visit http://press.fourseasons.com

About Punta Mita
Punta Mita is an ultra-luxurious, 1,500-acre resort and residential community situated in the Riviera Nayarit, north of Puerto Vallarta. It lies on a private spear-shaped peninsula surrounded by white sand beaches, Pacific Ocean waters and lush tropical flora. Punta Mita is home to private villas and residences, two 5- Diamond rated Resort: The St. Regis Resort Punta Mita and Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, voted the #1 Golf Resort in North America and the U.K. by readers of Condé Nast Traveler (2008) and two Jack Nicklaus Signature Championship Golf Courses. Pacifico Golf Course opened in December 1999 is best known for its famous island green, “The Tale of the Whale”. The world’s only natural ocean island green. Pacifico plays up to 7,000 plus yards with amazing ocean views of the pacific and is a Nicklaus Classic. The Bahia Golf Course opened in 2009 and is a new design concept from Jack Nicklaus, with more slopes around the greens and heavy contours to create more movement on the fairways and greens. This par 72, 7,000 plus yard course will challenge your short game and every putt you face. www.puntamita.com
DINE, Mexico’s premier real estate development company, is the owner and developer of Punta Mita.
DINE’s real estate portfolio includes commercial, residential and master planned communities throughout Mexico. DINE was founded in 1978 to serve the specific needs of the highest income sectors in Mexico, establishing unprecedented design quality in residential, commercial, leisure and corporate real estate development. www.dine.com.mx

About Riviera Nayarit
Mexico’s newest destination, Riviera Nayarit, stretches along 192 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains just ten minutes north of accessible Puerto Vallarta International Airport. The region extends along the entire coast of the Pacific state of Nayarit including the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta, the historic colonial town of San Blas, exclusive Punta Mita, picturesque fishing villages, miles of serene beaches and spectacular Banderas Bay. Riviera Nayarit offers countless activities, such as: PGA golf courses, luxury spas, whale watching, turtle release, zip lining, surfing, bird watching, international cuisine, and the local artwork from the traditional Huichol tribe. The region attracts and satisfies vacationers of all tastes and budgets with its wide range of accommodations including chic luxury resorts, eco-tourism boutique hotels and quaint B&B inns. For more information, visit ww.RivieraNayarit.com or follow Riviera Nayarit’s Fan Page on Facebook.

About The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort
Situated at the Riviera Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort is an address like no other, tempting discerning travelers with its signature blend of distinctive accommodations, worldly dining, and exemplary services and amenities. The resort offers 89 spacious guest rooms and 31 refined suites, each exquisitely styled and lavishly appointed, in tile-roofed Mexican style casitas along the Pacific Coast. World-class accommodations are complemented by extraordinary services, including St. Regis’ famed butler service. The resort offers the 10,000-square-foot Remède Spa, three premier restaurants – Las Marietas, Sea Breeze, and the signature restaurant, Carolina – and an exquisite lobby bar, Altamira. Whether for weddings, social events or meetings, the resort offers a number of inviting venues, including the 2,600- square-foot Astor Ballroom.
The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort. Lote H‐4, Carretera Federal 200, km 19.5, Punta de Mita, Nayarit 63734, Mexico. Phone: US 877-250-8871, Mexico 01-800-786826482. www.stregis.com/puntamita

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1000 properties in nearly 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit ww.starwoodhotels.com.