The Best Puerto Vallarta Hotels (according to me)
There is one place in all the land that has meant more to me than anywhere else on the planet. That place is Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. For those not in the know, it’s a beach town (now bonafide city) on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, nestled into the crook of one of the largest bays in the world, the Bay of Banderas.
Not only is it visually stunning (protected by towering, green-carpeted mountains, fringed in palm trees, and veined with cobblestone streets and centuries-old buildings), but it also is the first place in Mexico that made me think, “hm. I want to live here.”
I can’t explain why. It was just a feeling. You’ll also be hard-pressed to find a city in Mexico that has a little bit of everything the way Puerto Vallarta does, from laid-back beach living to the hum of a frenetic city. It has nature, fine dining, pulsing nightlife, and silent, secret corners that only those in the know have come to covet. There are so many things to do in Puerto Vallarta. I made my first friends in Mexico in Puerto Vallarta. I met the person I’m going to spend my life with there, as well. It’s a city that has knocked me down and picked me back up so many times — kind of like New York, actually. Maybe that’s why I love it so much.
Anyway, you won’t know until you go. And when you do go, I want you to stay in the very best of the best. Like we’ve talked about before, the term ‘best’ is so subjective and dependent on a variety of factors. I haven’t stayed in every single hotel there, but I’ve stayed in quite a few in the last six years. So if you’re willing to trust me, here are the best Puerto Vallarta hotels, according to me.
(Note: I purposely left out hotels in Riviera Nayarit, like those in Punta Mita and Sayulita. Another blog post for another day.)
*I earn a small commission if you book hotels through my blog.
Best Hotels in Puerto Vallarta: Rivera del Rio
So here’s what I love about Rivera del Rio: I never knew it was there. I’ve been coming to Puerto Vallarta multiple times a year since 2013, and I now call it home, and I only discovered it in 2018. Blended amid shops and apartment buildings in the Emiliano Zapata section of the Romantic Zone in Puerto Vallarta is this quirky, camouflaged boutique hotel.
The unassuming townhouse is an oddball collection of different styles of decor, with hidden staircases, stately oil paintings, a lobby swimming pool, opulent chandeliers, and a rooftop hot tub evocative of a Roman-style bath. The entire hotel seems like it's straight out of an M.C. Escher painting. You often have a tough time telling which way is up or down.
Each of the guest rooms is decorated in its own style, decked out in bold colors with lavish decor like candelabras, mirrored walls, ornately carved fireplaces...you get the idea. The hotel isn't on the beach, but it isn't a far walk from the many bustling beach clubs along Playa Los Muertos. It is, however, perfectly positioned for a night out on the town, yet far enough away that you'll have a quiet, restful night sleep.
Best Boutique Hotel in Puerto Vallarta: Villa Mercedes Petit Hotel
The first time I ever visited Puerto Vallarta (on my own), I stayed at Villa Mercedes Petit Hotel. Since then, it’s been a place I continue to return to. Owned by two of my dear friends (Oscar and Raul), the hotel once belonged to Oscar’s grandmother, and you can feel the family spirit in every inch of the hotel.
The renovated building sits in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta, just a block back from the famous Playa Los Muertos. Each room is decorated in its own style (if you can swing it, splurge for one of the penthouses with a terrace), and the central courtyard is the social heart of the place. Here you’ll find the pool, a small bar, and access to the restaurant next door. It’s one of the warmest places in Puerto Vallarta with some of the best people. I always think of it as my private port in any storm.
Puerto Vallarta Hotels: Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway
Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway
I can’t say enough good things about this hotel. But I think what I love most about it is its location. Villa Premiere sits right at the cross-over point between Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone and its downtown This means you get that beach resort vibe, but are still within walking distance to all the things to do in Puerto Vallarta. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the famous malecon (boardwalk), and within 20 minutes you’re in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta.
The hotel itself sits in the neighborhood called Cinco de Diciembre, which is one of my favorites for its local vibe, restaurants, and views. The resort is all-suite, and all rooms have balconies and ocean views. The main pool area is very social, as well, which I really enjoy. It’s a feel-good, reasonably priced four-star hotel that gives visitors a little taste of the best parts of Puerto Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta Hotels: Casa Kimberly
When I originally wrote this post I had not yet stayed at Casa Kimberly. I had only toured it, dined there, and stared at it in awe at the top of its mountain perch and wondered what it would be like to sleep in the place Elizabeth Taylor once called home.
In April 2021 I got the opportunity to stay there and, well, consider me forever changed. Casa Kimberly has risen to become my absolute favorite hotel in Puerto Vallarta.
The villa, nestled on a hillside overlooking the entire downtown and beautiful Bay of Banderas, was given to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton (the two fell in love with Puerto Vallarta while he was down there filming The Night of the Iguana). He owned the villa next door and bought this “hers” villa for Taylor.
Their tumultuous relationship was infamous, and paparazzi would always gather outside hoping to snap pictures of the two of them. Burton built a bridge between the two villas, connecting them to help assist in the making up process after the many volatile breakups. But emotional drama aside, the villa-turned-hotel is dramatic in every other aspect, from vintage, opulent decor to the larger-than-life portraits of Elizabeth Taylor throughout. It’s a stunning hacienda, peppered with pools, deep soaking tubs, European-style verandas, and views across the entire city.
I also love how approachable it is. It is luxury in every sense, but not in a way that will make you feel like anyone is "less than." Room rates may hover around $600 per night (worth it, in my opinion, for the level of service and atmosphere), but you won't break the bank when it comes time to eat, which is where many luxury hotels get you. Menu items (even room service) is wildly affordable, and the quality doesn't suffer. Plus, you're within walking distance to some of the best cheap eats in the city.
Best Luxury Hotels in Puerto Vallarta: Hotel Mousai
Hotel Mousai is technically a part of Puerto Vallarta’s Garza Blanca hotel, but Hotel Mousai is a resort within a resort, located about 20 minutes outside of town along the jungled coast of the bay. Perched high on a hill, the resort is one of the best luxury hotels in Puerto Vallarta, and features expansive terraces that have dramatic views over the Bay of Banderas, as well as the Sierra Madre mountains.
Each room is a suite, with fancy bathrooms with Toto toilets, complimentary minibars, and one of the poshest rooftop pool scenes I’ve ever seen. Plus, guests have access to the restaurants and beach area that are part of Garza Blanca. No, this hotel is not in the heart of the action, but I argue that it doesn’t need to be. I wouldn’t stay here to truly experience Puerto Vallarta (I’d pick one of the city resorts for that), but if I was looking for an ultimate, sexy, five-star escape with David this is the hotel I’d pick. In fact, we stayed here together back in 2015 and still rank it as one of our most memorable hotel stays ever.
A new tower opened in November 2021, which has a host of new restaurants and new rooms, as well. We recently stayed in the new tower and I can confirm that the rooms and restaurants are fabulous. A third tower is opening in 2025.
Best Hotels in Puerto Vallarta for Families: Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive
This resort in Puerto Vallarta is just a few minutes drive from the Zona Romántica. I think it's a great choice for families who want the perks of an all-inclusive resort, but also want to be close to downtown. Plus, the views here are spectacular.
The oceanfront tower has sweeping views over the bay and a pool deck has oceanfront pools and a small slice of beach. Each of the 444 rooms has a balcony, and the resort is packed with activities.
The dining at Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive is really good by all-inclusive standards. My favorite is the sushi popup that opens every day around 4 pm.
If you want a really special experience, book a poolside cabana right in front overlooking the ocean. Adults can enjoy the Eforea spa with its many hydrotherapy pools, steam room, and sauna.
Best Hotels in Puerto Vallarta on the Beach: Velas Vallarta
I don't usually recommend that people stay in the Marina, only because it's far from so much of what makes Puerto Vallarta special. However, you will find one of the best resorts in Puerto Vallarta on the beach in the Marina, and that's Velas Vallarta.
The quiet beach resort is hidden away from downtown and features a massive pool deck, including a small lazy river, all surrounded by residential-style suites. It has one of the best sections of beach, too, which is definitely something to brag about in Puerto Vallarta.
I recommend having a restaurant at La Ribera Restaurant, which overlooks the beach and has a great menu of steak and seafood.
Puerto Vallarta Hotels on the Beach: Garza Blanca Puerto Vallarta
Garza Blancas are popping up all over Mexico now, with one in Cancun and one in Los Cabos. But the original is right here in Puerto Vallarta. Owned by the same company that owns Hotel Mousai, the two resorts are actually on the same piece of property and share facilities, like restaurants, the spa, and the beach.
Unlike Mousai, which is splashy and modern, Garza Blanca Puerto Vallarta is much more traditional in design, with adobe-colored buildings, terracotta, and brightly colored textiles. Garza Blanca is also located directly on the beach, and has one of the most beautiful pools in Puerto Vallarta.
The best restaurant at Garza Blanca is Bocados, the ocean-view steakhouse with one of the most delicious menus. I highly recommend making reservations here. Guests of Hotel Mousai can use all the restaurants at Garza Blanca as part of the all-inclusive plan, however, it's not true in reverse. If you want to dine at Hotel Mousai as a guest of Garza Blanca, there will be an additional charge.
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