W Hotels doesn’t often venture into resorts, but the W Punta de Mita is a refreshing escape from urban living. Mister Important Design and Starwood’s in-house team “took it from the standard luxury resort with Zen-like interiors to something very W,” says Charles Doell, founder of the Oakland, California-based firm.

Of course, there are the W staples (the Away Spa, lobby DJ booth, signature Spice Market restaurant, and opulent two-room Extreme WOW suite), as well as a few new additions like three-meal restaurant Venazu (inspired by local spiritual festivals featuring colorful masks and food displays), and the beachside Chevicheria, a converted 1950s baby blue Chevrolet truck.

The overall design embraces vibrant bohemian surf culture and Mexican heritage, injecting the property with art and wares from local artisans including Revolución del Sueño (a Sayulita boutique that supplied many of the pieces). Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by a 9-foot-tall Huichol art-inspired statue and a fleet of tuk tuks adorned with works influenced by the native Mexican people, a motif carried into the lobby where a blue and green mosaic tile floor is an homage to their intricate beadwork. This “rich and interesting” runway is the “central spine of the entire space,” says Doell, and makes a dramatic statement, extending from the lobby, stepping down through the bar, and outside to an elevated catwalk overlooking the pool.

Handmade pendants are suspended above the welcome desk, while a curvaceous white perforated screen (also seen in other public seating areas) resembles papel picado, a traditional decorative art made from paper cut into detailed designs. Meanwhile, the Living Room is an open space free of walls, where a chandelier made of 450 LED lights that look like church candle votives hangs over the bar; rich red seating areas flank the stepped mosaic walkway at each landing; long strings of crafted beads surround cocktail tables; and Munny dolls stand on guard.

While the resort is a sanctuary for many traveling to Mexico’s Pacific Coast (it’s about 20 minutes from Puerto Vallarta), the color palette is bright and cheerful, says Doell. Red, yellow, green, and pink hues abound in the restaurants and public areas, while guestrooms are done in shades of aqua, lime, and yellow.

Each of the 119 villas—some have ocean views and others face the jungle—feature tiled floors, headboards either made of surfboards or pressed tin for a more traditional look, and tongue-in-cheek murals depicting cultural icons Frida Kahlo or Emiliano Zapata carrying surfboards or skateboards. It’s clever and sly, like the W personality, adds Doell, but also “a celebration of Mexican culture.”