Puerto Vallarta Hotels Guide: Accommodations and Where To Stay in the Puerto Vallarta Area

Spotlight

Puerto Vallarta

Hotels

Location is the main determining factor for choice accommodations in Puerto Vallarta. Whether nestled hillside in Centro or along one of the sprawling beaches in Nuevo Vallarta, you can find a broad range of worthy accommodations from budget to luxury, intimate to all-inclusive. We've covered our top choices to suit any budget.

Upscale resorts and lavish boutiques abound but, for unparalleled romance and luxury, you can’t top Hacienda San Angel (Miramar 336, Col. Centro; 322/222-2692), a superlative colonial-style hacienda made up of several villas; one of them, originally purchased by Richard Burton as a gift for his former wife, Susan, offers commanding views of the palatial town, the bay, and the tower of the church steeple. While the beach and Old Town are within walking distance, this heavenly, antique-filled hotel is so exquisite, and dotted with such lush courtyards, pools, and trickling fountains, that you may not want to leave at all. Another top high-end option, nestled beachfront in Nuevo Vallarta, is the award-winning Grand Velas(Av. Cocoteros, 98 Sur; 877/398-2784), a world-class all-suite resort with a posh spa, breathtaking ocean views, and a classy all-inclusive option that will have you feasting on top-notch gourmet cuisine and sipping sexy martinis, instead of noshing at all-day buffets and imbibing watered-down margaritas.

For moderate accommodations, we’d recommend the ideally located Hotel Playa Los Arcos (Olas Altas 380; 322/222-0583 or 800/648 2403) that touts the best year-round value rates. Plopped right in the middle of Playa de los Muertos, but still within walking distance of El Centro and the hopping sidewalk café scene, the curved hotel's recently redecorated rooms are done up in charming Colonial Mexican style and come with terraces or balconies. For an atmospheric villa stay at a reasonable price, we also recommend the Quinta Maria Cortez (Sagitario 132; 888/640-8100), a delightful sanctuary set on a dazzling cove on Playa Conchas Chinas, just south of Mismaloya. The unique villa offers seven charming suites doused in eclectic adornments, antiques, and original art; most also have a kitchenette and balcony. Finally, for more modern tastes, we like the Villa Premiere Hotel & Spa (San Salvador 117, Col. 5 de Diciembre; 877/886-9176), a tony new property that’s perfectly located right on Playa de los Muertos. This fresh hotel offers chic, contemporary digs with an intimate ambience, and a fabulous spa that’s reason alone to stay here; all-inclusive options are available, but guests must be 16 and older so this is not a good choice for families.

A great budget find on the beach is the perennial favorite, Hotel Rosita (Diaz Ordaz 901; 322/223-2000) located at the north end of the malecón and offering spacious, Mexican-tiled and white-stucco rooms overlooking either the palm-shaded patio and pool or the main street. Another great option, just a stroll away from the malécon and Los Muertos Beach, is the Hacienda Hotel & Spa (Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2699; 322/226-6667 or 888/430-4277), a charming spa oasis set amid tropical gardens – waterfall and all – with fine villas that exude an upscale and homey ambience.